Selina's words echoed inside my head, I simply stared at her.

"What do you mean tonight?" I asked.

"The Alpha moved the ceremony forward," Selina explained. "Nobody knows why."

My heart pounded,the ceremony wasn't supposed to happen until tomorrow. Now it was only hours away.

Around us, wolves hurried through the streets of Silver Crest,excitement buzzed through the territory.

Everyone seemed happy,everyone except me.

"What if I don't find my mate?" I asked quietly.

Selina squeezed my hand.

"You will."

"And what if they don't want me?"

Her smile faltered.

"Aurelia...."

"I'm serious." I said and I looked away.

"Look at me, Selina."

My voice cracked. "I'm an Omega."

The weakest wolf in the pack,someone every girl laughs at.

The girl Alpha Ragnar barely remembers I exist.

How was destiny supposed to give someone like me a happy ending?

Selina stepped closer.

"Then your mate would be a fool."

I wanted to believe her,I really did but hope had never been kind to me.

By sunset, the entire pack gathered.

The ceremony was held in the massive central pavilion. Silver lights decorated the building,moon symbols covered every wall,music echoed through the night air.

Hundreds of wolves filled the area.

Unmated wolves stood near the center.

Families occupied surrounding sections,warriors lined the perimeter.

The atmosphere felt electric.

I had never seen Silver Crest this crowded.

My palms were sweaty,my stomach twisted with nerves.

Selina stood beside me.

"You look like you're about to faint."

"I might." I said.

She laughed softly.

Then her expression changed.

"Aurelia."

I followed her gaze,the crowd was parting.

Alpha Ragnar had arrived. Every conversation immediately quieted.

He wore a black suit,his dark hair was neatly styled,his grey eyes remained cold and unreadable. Beside him walked Kieran and behind them came Luna Helena.

The crowd noticed her,whispers spread because she still looked pale.

The collapse earlier had clearly affected her. Concern flickered across my chest.

Helena's eyes swept through the crowd.

She smiled when her gaze met mine.

"Aurelia."

The sharp voice snapped me from my thoughts.

I turned. Serena.

She looked stunning.

Her silver dress sparkled beneath the lights,several unmated males openly stared at her,her smile widened when she noticed my simple outfit.

"What happened?" Serena asked mockingly. "Couldn't afford a real dress?" Her friends laughed.

"Oh, come on," Serena continued. "At least try to look presentable."

Selina stepped forward.

"Leave her alone!" Selina said

Serena rolled her eyes. "I'm just being honest."

"No," Selina replied. "You're being cruel."

Serena's smile vanished,before she could respond, a loud howl echoed through the pavilion.

An elder stepped forward. Elder Marcus.

One of the oldest wolves in Silver Crest. His white hair gleamed.

"The Mating Ceremony will now begin!"

Excitement erupted instantly,my pulse quickened.

This was it,the moment every unmated wolf waited for.

The elder raised both hands.

"Step forward." The unmated wolves obeyed,including me.

I swallowed hard,the crowd blurred in my eyes.

My heartbeat became the only sound I could hear.

"Aurelia," Selina whispered.

I glanced at her.

"You'll be okay." She said,

I nodded weakly then faced forward again.

The elder began speaking ancient words,words older than Silver Crest.

The ceremony existed for generations,long before any of us were born and long before Ragnar became Alpha.

The air seemed to shift,a strange energy filled the pavilion.

My wolf stirred,then it happened. A scent. The strongest scent I ever experienced.

My entire body froze,my wolf suddenly surged forward inside me.

"MATE!"

The word ran through my mind.

Slowly, I turned.

Across the pavilion stood Ragnar Blackthorne.

The world stopped,the crowd disappeared in my eyes.

His head snapped toward me,shock flashed on his face.

The Alpha looked stunned. He was my mate.

The Moon Goddess had chosen him,the strongest wolf in Silver Crest.

Tears immediately filled my eyes in joy and relief because after everything,after years of loneliness,humiliation,someone belonged to me.

I allowed myself to believe things would finally change.

Then Ragnar's expression hardened,the warmth vanished.

Whispers spread through the crowd.

"Did you feel that?"

"The Alpha found his mate."

"No way."

"It can't be....!"

"It is."

The whispers became louder,then silence fell again because Ragnar stepped forward.

Every eye followed him eager to see his next move.

My heart pounded as I watched him step forward.

He stopped several feet away from me,his grey eyes locked onto mine.

"Alpha?" Elder Marcus asked carefully.

The entire pavilion waited for a response

"Aurelia Nightbane." Ragnar finally spoke

The sound of my name from his lips sent hope rushing through me.

I thought everything would be okay.

"The Moon Goddess has made a mistake," he said coldly.

I must have heard wrong,the crowd gasped,someone dropped a glass.

Ragnar's voice echoed through the pavilion.

The world tilted under my feet and the entire pack watched me break.

"I will never accept Aurelia Nightbane as my mate!" Ragnar said again.