The mate she rejected

Tonight was a night to remember in the kingdom of Silver Moon pack. The full moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the town. The air was alive with the howling of wolves, their haunting cries echoing through the streets. It was a special celebration, one where the pack members would shift into their wolf forms and roam the town, letting their wild side shine.

Lysander sighed sadly, his eyes fixed on the ceiling of his small bedroom. He lay on his bed, feeling bored and alone. He couldn't dare to go out and join the celebration. As an omega, the lowest rank in the pack, he wasn't welcome among the others. They would mock him, tease him, and maybe even hurt him.

"Lysander," he heard, and a small smile played on his lips as he saw his father approaching. His father's footsteps were light, but Lysander's ears picked up the sound easily.

"Welcome back," Lysander said gently, sitting up on his bed. His father smiled wearily, his eyes tired from a long day of work.

"Why aren't you outside?" his father asked, sitting beside him on the bed.

"It's a full moon night. Everyone's out celebrating." He added.

Lysander shrugged. "I am not going. What will I be doing there, Father? You can go and have fun. I'll be okay alone here." He said.

His father sighed, his eyes filled with concern. "You're missing out on the pack's traditions, Lysander. It's a time for us to connect with our wolves and with each other. Your brothers are having fun already" He said.

Lysander looked away, feeling a pang of sadness. He knew his father was right, but he couldn't bring himself to join the others. Not when he was so different from them.

"I won't be going too," his father finally said, standing up.

"I have to be at the palace very early tomorrow morning anyway. I'll be in my room if you need anything." He added. He is actually a cleaner at the palace.

Lysander nodded, watching as his father left. He lay back down on the bed, feeling the weight of his loneliness. The howling of wolves outside seemed to grow louder, a reminder of everything he was missing out on.

As he closed his eyes, memories flooded his mind. He had always loved a private life, content to spend his days alone, reading and exploring the woods. Two years ago, he was virtually invisible, and he liked it that way. But everything changed on his eighteenth birthday, when he was supposed to shift into his wolf form for the very first time.

It didn't happen.

Rumors spread quickly through the pack, and soon everyone knew that Lysander was different. He was weak, unable to shift, and that made him a target for bullying. The other pack members would tease him, call him names, and sometimes even hurt him. Lysander couldn't defend himself, couldn't fight back. He was just too weak.

He didn't know much about his wolf, hadn't even sensed its presence. It was as if he was just a human, without any connection to the supernatural world around him.

Lysander's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his father's footsteps outside his room. He heard the creak of the door, and then his father's soft voice. "Lysander, are you okay? Do you need anything?"

Lysander opened his eyes, feeling a surge of gratitude towards his father. "I'm fine, Father. Just trying to sleep."

His father nodded, his face lit by the moonlight streaming through the window. "Okay, son. Get some rest. We'll talk in the morning."

Lysander watched as his father left, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. He closed his eyes again, letting the sound of the wolves howling outside lull him into a restless sleep.

As he drifted off, Lysander's mind wandered to the future. What would happen to him? Would he ever find his place in the pack? Or would he always be an outcast, a weak omega who couldn't even shift into his wolf form?

The questions swirled in his mind, but Lysander couldn't find any answers. All he could do was wait and see what the future held.

........

Astra walked through the large temple, her two best friends behind her. The people they passed bowed and waved, and Astra kept a bright smile on her face. She looked stunning, and her friends couldn't help but notice.

As they arrived at the altar, Astra bent down to place the contents of her hand on the sculpture of the Moon Goddess. Her friends followed suit, and they all closed their eyes in reverence. After a moment of silence, they stood up and started leaving the temple.

"What did you wish for?" one of her friends asked as they walked out.

"I know," the other friend chimed in, and Astra faced her with a smile. "What is it?"

"Your eighteenth birthday is in two days, which means you'll be having your first transformation and getting your mate soon," her friend said.

"I know you wish Kieran will be your mate." She added.

Astra's smile grew wider. "Why did you think I'd wish for that?" She asked.

"Because he's your boyfriend, you both are in love, and he's the Beta's son," her friend replied.

"He's strong and powerful, and the right person to become the future Alpha." The other friend added.

Astra nodded, her smile still radiant. "That's exactly what I wish for, and I'll be glad if that works out." She said.

As they walked, they started hearing murmurs from the crowd.

"Look, your man is here," one of her friends said, and Astra turned to see Kieran entering the temple. He was handsome, with a smile on his face, and he greeted everyone respectfully.