CHAPTER 1
The Marking Ceremony
Evelyn stood at the center of the courtyard, surrounded by torches and wolf banners snapping in the wind. Her long raven hair clung to her skin. Hundreds of eyes stared at her — some curious, some hostile, most indifferent.
She was not a noble.
Not a warrior.
Not anything worth noting — except for the mark glowing faintly on her wrist: the Moon-born Mark, proof she was someone's destined mate.
Her mate.
Alpha Lucian Stormfang.
She had known it the moment their eyes met weeks ago — the pull like gravity, the hunger like instinct. The world had slowed, the wind had stopped… and she had felt him.
Lucian, however… had felt something else entirely.
Hatred.
For she was not the woman he wantedHe walked toward her now, his footsteps echoing against stone. Six foot four, broad shoulders, aura of a king. His silver eyes burned like winter steel. His jet-black hair was tied back, revealing a jaw built from shadows and war.
The crowd held its breath.
Evelyn tried not to tremble.
He stopped inches from her.
"Evelyn of the Night Forest," he said, voice cold enough to frost bone, "before the pack, the moon, and the ancestors… I reject you."
The words were knives.
Her knees buckled.
Gasps rippled through the crowd like waves. Someone whispered her name. Someone laughed. Someone pitied.
Lucian continued mercilessly:
"You are not worthy to be the Luna of the Stormfang Pack. You are weak. A burden. A mistake."
The mark on her wrist burned — like the moon was branding her with rejection. She felt pieces of her soul tear as the bond was severed by force.
Lucian leaned closer so only she could hear.
"My mate was stolen from me. And I will not let fate force a stranger into her place."
His breath was ice.
Her tears were fire.
Her voice was small, but sharp as broken glass.
"You think rejecting me will save you from destiny?"
Lucian's eyes flashed wolf.
"I make my own destiny."
She lifted her chin.
"Then may destiny burn you."
His jaw tightened — but he stepped back, raised his hand, and completed the ritual.
Alpha Lucian Stormfang, reject the mate bond."
Light exploded — sharp, white, cruel.
Evelyn felt everything shatter.
Her heart.
Her mark.
Her faith.
And when she collapsed to the ground, rain began to fall.
The moon turned red.
And the first prophecy line came true.
> Silver will bleed.
Blood dripped from her wrist — glowing silver in the moonlight.
She had no idea it was the beginning.