The Blood Moon rose above Black Ash Kingdom like a crimson crown, staining the night sky with a color every werewolf feared and worshipped. It was the sacred night when the Moon Goddess revealed true mates, and the entire kingdom had gathered inside the Moon Arena to witness their Alpha King choose his Luna.
Nyra stood alone in the center of the arena.
Her white dress fluttered in the cold wind as thousands of wolves watched her with open hatred. She had spent twenty-one years living as the pack's unwanted orphan, the girl whispered about as cursed from birth.
"Moonless girl."
"Bad luck."
"She should never have survived."
The insults had followed her since childhood, but tonight she refused to bow her head. The royal elders had summoned her personally. For the first time in her life, hope beat louder than fear.
A deep horn echoed through the mountains.
Every wolf dropped to one knee.
"The Alpha King!"
Kael entered through the royal gate dressed in black armor trimmed with silver. A dark crown rested on his head, and his piercing blue eyes swept across the crowd before stopping on Nyra.
Time seemed to freeze.
The moment their eyes met, something exploded inside Nyra's chest.
Her wolf whispered one word.
Mate.
Warmth rushed through her body so suddenly she almost lost her balance. She had never experienced anything like it.
Kael stopped walking.
His expression changed for only a heartbeat.
He had felt it too.
The High Elder stepped forward and raised his staff.
"Before the Moon Goddess and every pack gathered here tonight, Alpha King Kael will claim his destined mate."
The arena became completely silent.
Nyra's heart pounded as Kael walked toward her.
One step.
Two.
Three.
He stopped inches away.
She looked up at him, hope shining in her silver eyes.
Kael's voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"I reject Nyra as my mate."
The words shattered her world.
Gasps erupted around the arena.
Nyra stared at him, unable to breathe.
Her wolf screamed inside her mind as unbearable pain ripped through the bond connecting them.
Kael's face remained cold.
"I reject her before the Moon Goddess. She is not worthy to stand beside the Alpha King."
A tear slipped down Nyra's cheek.
The crowd exploded into laughter and whispers.
"I knew she was cursed."
"She actually thought she'd become Luna."
"Throw her out!"
Nyra wanted to disappear.
Instead, she forced herself to remain standing.
Then another woman entered the arena.
She was beautiful, dressed in gold, with long blonde hair flowing behind her.
Lira.
She walked confidently to Kael's side and slipped her hand into his.
Kael lifted her hand.
"I accept Lira as my Luna."
Cheers filled the arena.
The Moon Priestess suddenly stepped forward, her face pale.
"My King... something is wrong."
Kael looked at her.
"The Moon Goddess did not choose Lady Lira."
A heavy silence fell.
Kael's eyes hardened.
"Enough."
His Alpha command rolled through the arena like thunder, forcing everyone except Nyra to lower their heads.
The priestess stepped back, unable to speak.
The ceremony continued.
A silver crown was placed on Lira's head.
Nyra felt the mate bond tearing apart inside her soul.
Pain flooded every part of her body.
She dropped to one knee as blood filled her mouth.
Nobody came to help her.
Nobody cared.
She was alone.
A single drop of blood fell onto the ancient stone beneath her.
Then another.
The symbols carved into the arena suddenly glowed crimson.
The ground trembled.
The cheering stopped instantly.
"What is happening?" someone whispered.
Red light spread beneath Nyra's feet, climbing around her like living vines.
Pain exploded through her chest.
She cried out.
A glowing crimson mark appeared below her collarbone—a crescent moon surrounded by thorn-like lines.
The mark burned brighter than the Blood Moon itself.
Elder Eron stumbled backward.
"No... it can't be."
The Moon Priestess fell to her knees.
"The Blood Bride."
Fear swept across the arena.
Kael turned around.
For the first time that night, shock replaced the coldness on his face.
Nyra's silver eyes flashed crimson.
A powerful wave burst from her body, throwing warriors and elders backward.
The Blood Moon grew brighter.
Every wolf in the arena howled without meaning to.
Then something impossible happened.
One by one, wolves began kneeling toward Nyra.
Even powerful Alphas lowered their heads.
Lira remained standing.
"Why are they bowing to her?" she screamed.
No one answered.
An ancient female voice echoed across the kingdom.
"The Forsaken Blood Bride has awakened."
The voice came from the sky itself.
"She carries the bloodline of forgotten kings."
"The Alpha who rejected her has rejected the Moon's chosen queen."
Kael's heartbeat stopped.
Nyra looked at him through tears.
"You rejected me."
Before Kael could speak, the earth split open beyond the arena.
Dark smoke poured from the crack.
Hundreds of rogue wolves emerged, their eyes glowing blood-red.
Panic swept through the crowd.
"Rogues!"
"Protect the Alpha King!"
The leader stepped forward.
He was taller than every other wolf, wearing black armor stained with old blood.
A cruel smile spread across his face.
"So..." he said, staring only at Nyra.
"We finally found the Blood Bride."
His voice echoed through the arena.
"Kill anyone who stands between us and her."
The first rogue lunged straight toward Nyra.
Before she could move, Kael threw himself in front of her.
His sword flashed through the night.
Blood splattered across the sacred stones.
The rogue collapsed at Nyra's feet.
She stared at Kael in shock.
The same man who had rejected her was now standing between her and death.
The Blood Moon burned brighter above them.
And the war for the Blood Bride had begun.
