REJECTED BY THE ALPHA KING

As I walked into the vast hall, I could feel the tension in the air, and the gentle buzz of electricity made my arms stand on end. Gold and blue torches flared, their light creating spectral shadows that danced around the stone walls. The PackLink Council was carved out of stone, standing in a semicircle close to the dais, their faces inscrutable.

He stood in the middle of it all.

The Alpha King was Alexander Kade. He fixed me with his storm-gray eyes, which were as icy and unforgiving as a winter storm. His intense stare made my heart race, and the brittle optimism I had been holding on to was on the verge of crashing. However, I stood my ground, erecting my shoulders and giving him a direct look.

Like a thousand tiny blades, the murmurs of the assembled pack slithered through the air and around me.

"An outlaw?"

"A rogue leading us?"

"The Alpha King will never allow it."

I pushed my chin up, but their remarks stung. I was no longer simply a nobody. I had to keep the fissures under my veneer hidden from them.

The ceremonial moonstone, shining dimly as if alive, lay atop the dais that towered ahead. Its light beat steadily, like its own heartbeat. Every step I took in its direction seemed like a test, yet I continued on, unwavering and steadfast.

The sound of Elder Reginald's voice pierced the clamour like a dagger. "Sophia Hayes," he said in a commanding voice, "you have been called here as the Spirit Luna, chosen by prophecy to bring our kind together and bring the packs back into harmony.

The scepticism in the air was almost oppressive as the whispers became loud grumbling. To centre myself, I balled my fists and let my fingernails to dig into my palms. The light from the moonstone called out to me, pushing me forward.

Then he made a move.

Alexander moved in front of me, his presence a powerful storm of power. Around him, the air felt colder, with a hint of ice and pine. With a predatory elegance that promised both power and devastation in equal measure, he towered over me, every inch the Alpha King.

With a voice that sliced like a whip through the cacophony, he said, "You stand here as a symbol of hope." But there was no warmth in his remarks. "A rogue may have been elevated to this position by the prophecy, but hope must be earned." Strength has to be shown.

My optimism's smouldering flames went dangerously low. His remarks were a warning rather than a call to action.

Elder Reginald came up and extended the ceremonial sword to me. Its sharp, unforgiving edge sparkled in the torchlight. The weight of the moment pressed down on me as I reached for it, my pulse thumping.

I raised the blade, prepared to cut, prepared to let my blood to connect me to the power of the moonstone. However, Alexander's words echoed once more before the blade made contact with my flesh.

"I find this union intolerable."

Sharp, incredulous gasps echoed around the crowd. The words didn't register for a second. As the implications dawned on me, I gazed at him, transfixed.

"Alexander-" When a hand was raised, Reginald's protest was interrupted.

"She is unfit," Alexander said in a firm and determined tone. "A renegade cannot lead our people. She is not deserving of leadership only because of the mark.

Each phrase tore at my pride as the words struck me like a slap. Tears threatened to escape, but I resisted letting them fall as my eyesight became blurry. Not in this place. Not right now.

Reginald said in a stern tone of disdain. "Is this your final choice, Alpha King?"

"It is," Alexander said without holding back.

I felt the oppressive weight of his rejection pressing down on me. The blade glinted mockingly in the firelight as I lowered it, my fingers shaking. The crowd's murmurs increased, and voices began to overlap erratically.

"She doesn't belong here."

"The King is right-she's just a rogue."

"She'll never lead us."

Their remarks rubbed against my already untamed soul, but I resisted giving up. A defiant, unforgiving fire blazed down in my breast.

"This isn't over," I murmured, breaking through the cacophony with a forceful but calm voice. I refused to take my eyes off Alexander. "Even if you reject me, the prophecy will still be fulfilled."

Something unsaid flashed over his face as his jaw clenched, but before I could identify it, it was gone. His icy disdain was like a physical blow as he turned away.

Later that evening, as I moved through the dimly lit corridors of the Midnight Keep, the voices followed me. Chatter filled the PackLink, their doubts and ideas leaking through like poison.

"She's too weak."

"Did you see how she hesitated?"

"The Alpha King did the right thing."

Calista's silky, caustic voice, however, was louder than the others.

She will break down before this is over. A renegade posing as our saviour is not necessary.

I was shivering from the hate in her words. Her words slithered in my head as my palm squeezed for support against the chilly stone wall. Using PackLink as a weapon, she was spreading doubt and turning everyone against me.

The night's weight fell upon me as soon as I made it to the shelter of my apartments. I leaned against the door for support as I closed it behind me, my hands shaking. It was all too much-the rejection, the whispers, the embarrassment.

However, the mark on my wrist started to light dimly as I stood there. The cold sadness that seized my heart was chased away by the warmth that permeated me. My destiny was much more significant than their misgivings, as shown by the silent power with which Spirit Luna's brand pulsed.

I followed its brightness with my fingertips, feeling something in my chest flare at the fire. Not yet, they didn't believe in me. However, I was able to develop my own power without their confidence.

My thoughts were interrupted by a strong tap on the door.

I tried my best to steady my voice. "Enter now."

A young omega with big, terrified eyes emerged as the door cracked open. Her hands were shaking and she was holding a piece of paper.

She stumbled, "This... this just arrived," and then vanished into the darkness.

The note's exquisite handwriting had my pulse racing as I opened it.

At midnight, meet me in the courtyard. Come by yourself.

I shuddered when I saw the signature at the bottom.

Alexander Kade.

The paper drifted to the ground after slipping out of my fingers.

I was getting closer to midnight with every second as the mantle clock chimed relentlessly.

Uncertainty made my heart race. Was this a ray of hope? A snare? I couldn't decide which scenario frightened me more.

I took a deep breath and ventured out into the darkness, letting destiny guide me into the unknown.

Under the silvery moonlight, the courtyard loomed ahead, its shadows dark and ominous. I paused on the doorway, looking around in the dark, my heart pounding.

A person appeared, his presence clearly visible. Alexander's gaze met mine as he walked into the moonlight.

"What are you looking for?" With a sharper-than-intended voice, I demanded.

He didn't respond, however. Rather, he was holding something in his palm, a little vial that had a faint, unearthly glimmer about it.

His words pierced the darkness like a dagger, yet his face was inscrutable.

Sophia, you're not prepared for what's about to happen. However, I'm offering you an option.

And I couldn't get rid of the notion that whatever happened next would completely alter our relationship as the vial glowed menacingly between us.