Jane

Jane's POV 

The night sky was painted in cheerfulness and dark blue, as if the heavens themselves had prepared the celebration. Thousands of lanterns hung from the trees like low-hanging stars, glowing softly. 

Music filled the air, not too loud, but just enough to keep their feet moving and their hearts light.

But my heart wasn't light. My heart was a contrast to the shimmering lights and the colorful sky. 

Although the air smelled of sweet wine, roasted meat, and blooming moonflowers, my heart sank deeply into my gut, making me feel heavy. 

Everyone looked beautiful. After all, it was the grand finale of the feast. The she-wolves wore the most expensive silk dresses, their hair woven with gold and blossoms, their faces glowing under the light.

The alphas stood tall in ceremonial attire, their eyes glowing faintly with pride and satisfaction. Laughter echoed through the crowd like wind chimes, effortless and cruel at the same time.

I stood near the edge of the festival, just outside the golden glow of the central fire. The beauty of it all felt distant, like a dream playing out for everyone else but me. I couldn't afford to dress for the feast. Even the maiden attire felt suddenly too tight, too fragile for what was coming. However, my heart wasn’t racing. It was sinking deeper with every passing second.

Tonight, I would be rejected publicly because my mate found me unworthy of him. I would be rejected because fate was cruel to a lowlife orphan like me. The blood moon was known to respect the significance of bonds and eternal mates but not for me. No one respects the fact that I was fated for the alpha.

Everyone laughed but it felt like the world was mocking her. I couldn't even look anyone in the eyes because judgment and condemnation was the only thing I could see.

Despite the agony within me, I've accepted my fate. Rejection is not the end of my life. If I'm strong enough, I will survive tonight and other nights after this. I will continue to live and serve as a faithful member of the blood moon pack.

Alpha Theo walked in, a glass in his hand as he approached with a smile on his face. This same face that I grew up with. The same face that smiled at me when he was younger. The same face that assured me in the past that being an orphan doesn't matter. How ironic!

“I welcome you all to the grand finale of the festival,” he began and everywhere became silent. 

I could hear my heart beginning to pound in my chest.

“It is such an honor to host this year's festival and I'm really delighted at the success of it,” he paused, his eyes finding Mia's and they smiled. 

“Since today is a special day, I would like to announce my engagement with Mia Reed.” 

A round of applause erupted as everyone began to cheer him. He was satisfied by the reaction of the crowd and he wanted to do more. 

“I'm not done yet,” he said with a smile. 

The cheering stopped and everyone gave him their attention again. He moved closer to me and grabbed me. I gasped as he pulled me to the middle of the crowd. 

I could tell those judgmental gazes were on me. I could feel it. So I dare not raise my head.

Holding my wrist firmly, he announced to the audience. “In the presence of everyone here, I would like to reject Jane Fisher as my mate. Henceforth, she is no longer a member of the blood moon.”

Like his rejection wasn't enough, he was going to kick me out of the pack. 

His words echoed in my ears as tears welled up in my eyes. My heart was ripped and my bones ached from the rejection. How could he do this to me? How could he after promising to be there for me? 

The words had struck me like blades, piercing through my skin. Every eye was on me. Judging. Pitying. Whispering. Laughing.

I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me if that's the only way I could escape the humiliation.

But then… the night twisted in a way I didn’t expect.

Another voice cut through the murmuring crowd. Deep, calm and confident 

“I’ll take her,” the voice boomed.

I stilled. The crowd stilled.

Just like that, someone was willing to take me? 

I lifted my head, just slightly. My heart pounded with confusion.

From the far edge of the gathering, a tall figure stepped forward. His presence alone made people part ways as he approached the stage.

My breath caught in my chest as I saw him. It was him. Alpha Liam.

The man from that night. The one I’d found collapsed in pain. The one who called me a bunny. The man who clung to me like I was his only salvation. The one I had believed was a dream.

So it wasn't a dream. He was real. And now… he was here.

“I’ll take her,” he repeated, looking directly at Theo. His eyes didn’t flicker once. “If she’s of no use to you, then give her to me. I’ve come to offer for her.”

Theo raised an eyebrow, clearly thrown off. “You’re serious?”

“Deadly,” he replied.

Theo gave a cold, short laugh. “You don’t need to pay me for that. I will give her to you freely.”

A new wave of murmurs swept the crowd like a wave of ash. I felt my legs wobble again. My dignity, already bleeding, took another blow. He would give me away? Like I was nothing?

“She’s not livestock,” the alpha replied sharply. “If I take her, I will pay.”

Theo folded his arms, jaw clenched, but he nodded. “Fine. Then pay.”

“Done.”

A servant moved forward with a scroll to mark the agreement, then they brought in a briefcase. Theo took it laughing like he had won a trophy. 

I felt like I wasn’t even there. Like I was floating above myself, watching the deal unfold. I was being sold and I had no say in it. 

I had been humiliated by the man the moon goddess said was my mate. I had been rejected… and sold. 

I stood motionless, my expression frozen, and my pride stripped.

The crowd had turned from being stunned to being entertained, like this was some dramatic tale being acted for their pleasure.

My heart shattered all over again and tears rolled down my face.

This was the worst day of my life. And the worst part is that Theo didn’t even look at me once after the exchange was sealed. Not an ounce of hesitation. Not even a flicker of regret.

To him, I was a maid. A mistake. A pawn. Something he needed to get rid of in front of an audience to prove his control.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and wiped the tears from my face.

Alpha Liam walked toward me, his gaze cold and unreadable. When he finally reached me, he didn’t touch me. He didn’t smile. He simply looked me in the eyes and said “you’re not theirs anymore.”

I stared back, my eyes burning into his, but my heart was numb. I didn’t nod. I didn’t thank him because I didn’t know how I felt.

Grateful? 

Angry? 

Rescued? 

Bought?

No. 

I felt worthless. I felt like nothing. 

“You are mine now,” Alpha Liam added