Rejected Mate's Silent Rebellion

The day the exam results were released, Coleson, the future Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, threw an extravagant celebration for Jazmin, who had just ascended to the rank of Beta. I was the only one left off the guest list. Later, I saw the fireworks display he meticulously planned for the New York skyline trending online, and quietly changed my pack training application from the Blue Moon Pack to the Silver Fang Pack. Eighteen years of growing up side by side couldn’t withstand the allure of the unexpected.

I never imagined I’d lose to someone I had once supported. But this time, it seemed I truly couldn’t forgive Coleson.

---

By chance, I saved a video from our pack’s group chat before it got deleted. That’s how I discovered the lavish celebration Coleson organized for Jazmin that night. When the results were announced, Jazmin shrieked and threw herself into Coleson’s arms.

“Coleson, I can join the Blue Moon Pack as Beta now,” she exclaimed.

He didn’t push her away; instead, he smiled and placed a ceremonial Beta emblem on her shoulder. “Congratulations.”

In the energetic video, pack members surrounded her, offering their congratulations. It didn’t seem like they were celebrating her ascension to Beta; it felt more like they were cheering for her closeness to Coleson. Staring at my phone, I felt like a forgotten fool.

After a moment’s hesitation, I mind-linked Coleson. He didn’t respond, but Jazmin’s voice echoed in my head instead.

“Amelia, the future Alpha is busy with the celebration for me. He’ll get back to you later.”

She paused, then added, “Actually, I asked him to let you know, but he said you might not want to come because you didn’t perform well in the trials.”

“Do you want him to mind-link you back later?”

“Wow…” Jazmin gasped suddenly, as if she had seen something spectacular.

I had no desire to find out more. I simply said, “No need. Enjoy your evening.”

After ending the mind-link, my phone buzzed with a local trending topic. When I saw the fireworks spelling out “Congratulations Beta Jazmin Watkins,” I immediately understood the reason for Jazmin’s gasp.

Which werewolf wouldn’t be moved by such a grand gesture?

Turning to my computer screen, the results of my training trials stared back at me. After months of hard work, my performance was more than enough to secure a place in the Blue Moon Pack as a Gamma, but also sufficient for any other pack.

Once, joining the Blue Moon Pack was a promise between Coleson and me. After he secured his position as future Alpha, that promise felt like a weight during every training session and evaluation.

But now, it seemed like I was the only one who remembered our promise, and there was no longer any point in keeping it.

---

The next day, I slept in until almost noon. I mind-linked my parents to share my trial results. One of them sent me a generous sum, telling me to treat myself. The other hesitated upon hearing I was applying to the Silver Fang Pack.

“I thought you’d choose the Blue Moon Pack. With Coleson there, I’d feel more at ease,” my mom said. “But if you have your own plans, I’ll support you completely.”

“I can take care of myself,” I replied.

After our mind-link ended, I was left alone with my thoughts. Since my parents divorced and joined new packs, I had been the leftover piece neither of them wanted. I thought I was used to it, but at that moment, my heart still hurt a little.

Because now, even Coleson wouldn’t be by my side anymore.