Episode 2

"They say the Moon goddess never errs. But today, she destroyed everything in me. Because destiny, even written by the stars, isn't always fair."

Damon was a beta warrior of our pack. Strong, fearless, and easily the most attractive among them. With amber-colored eyes and a smile that enchanted anyone, he was the dream of many women in our pack. Not mine. Never was. I respected him, but I never looked at him twice as anything more than a pack member.

Until now.

His scent hit me with an overwhelming force as soon as I entered the room. My heart raced, my chest tightened, and, at that moment, I knew. He was my mate.

But what I saw destroyed any hope I might have had.

He was with Evanna.

Evanna, my sister, the one who always had everything. And now, even this.

"Damon?" My voice came out low, almost a whisper.

He froze at the sound of my voice, his body tense as he slowly turned his head in my direction. His eyes met mine, and at that moment, I realized he felt it too. The bond.

"Calyssa..." He started, but his voice sounded confused, almost painful. He felt it, yes, but his mind seemed to fight against what destiny had decided.

"What are you doing here?" Evanna interrupted, getting up quickly, wrapped in a sheet. Her tone was sharp, full of superiority. "This is my room, Calyssa."

I ignored her provocation, my eyes fixed on Damon. "You are..." My voice failed. "My mate."

Evanna let out a cruel laugh. "Mate? No, dear sister, Damon is mine. He loves me. No matter what the goddess has decided, he will never be yours."

"Evanna..." Damon tried to speak, but she continued, approaching me with that victorious smile.

"Do you really think that, just because you were born into our lineage, you have the right to everything? No, Calyssa. Damon was going to ask for my hand in marriage tonight. He is not your mate, he is my man."

My legs weakened, and Akira remained silent, plunged into sadness. The bond pulsed painfully in my chest, and tears welled up in my eyes.

"Damon..." I looked at him, a last plea. "What you feel... you can't ignore it. The connection is there. The goddess chose us."

He closed his eyes, as if trying to erase the pain. "I didn't choose this, Calyssa. I love Evanna. I've always loved her. And I will ask for her hand today."

His words were like a cold blade cutting through my heart.

"So that's it?" I whispered, struggling to maintain my dignity. "You're going to reject me?"

"Calyssa..." He hesitated, but then, he took a deep breath, as if trying to gather courage. "I, Damon Valerias, reject you, Calyssa Grey, as my mate."

The pain was instantaneous. A knife tearing through my chest. I felt the bond break cruelly, as if something inside me was being ripped out. Blood trickled from my nose, and my legs faltered.

Akira said nothing. Her presence was there, but it was as if she was shrinking in her sadness.

Even so, I refused to fall. I raised my head, even with the world spinning around me.

"And I, Calyssa Grey, reject you, Damon Valerias, as my mate."

I saw him stagger, the pain reflected in his eyes, but I didn't stay to watch.

"You never deserved him, sister," Evanna taunted as I walked away.

"He doesn't matter to me anymore, actually he never did," I replied, my voice cold. Even if it was a lie, I refused to give her another reason to smile.

In my room, I cried like never before. The pain of rejection was unbearable, but worse than that was Akira's silence.

"Akira... please... say something," I pleaded, but there was no answer. She was as destroyed as I was.

The Next Morning

Kael was the first to enter my room. He sat next to me, his eyes full of concern.

Kael Grey

"What happened, Calyssa?"

I told him everything. About Damon, about Evanna, and about the rejection. His expression turned dark, and he left the room to confront our sister.

My family gathered in the main room. My father looked furious, my mother was shocked, and Kael looked about to explode.

"This is unacceptable," my father growled. "He should never have rejected the bond. The goddess may punish us for this."

Evanna crossed her arms, defiant. "Damon and I have loved each other for years. Just because the goddess chose Calyssa, that doesn't mean he has to accept her. He was going to ask me to marry him tonight, and no one will stop us."

"Are you kidding me?" Kael shouted, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Enough," I interrupted, my voice low. Everyone looked at me, surprised. "Leave them alone. It doesn't matter anymore. The worst has already happened."

My father hesitated, but nodded.

......................

At night, the main room was decorated for Evanna and Damon's engagement. Her happiness was like a cruel spectacle, and I could barely stand being there.

When the announcement was made, I applauded mechanically, feeling more and more disconnected. Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up and left in silence, without looking at anyone, and went into the forest.

The forest welcomed me with its comforting silence. I ran until my legs couldn't take it anymore, the cold wind burning my face.

"Why..." I murmured, letting the tears fall. "Why me?"

Akira remained silent, but, inside me, I felt her suffering. We were trapped together in this pain.

Under the moonlight, I fell to my knees, hoping that the darkness would give me the answers I couldn't find.

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