Her Rejection Crowned the Alpha's Downfall

The night before our marking ceremony, Alpha Wayne slipped a sleeping potion into my drink, allowing his childhood friend, Maya Spencer, to cut my long hair. When I awoke and saw my reflection in the mirror, I was devastated. Maya, her hair styled in playful curls, feigned remorse: "Oops, my hand slipped. You’re not mad at me, are you?"

"It's all my fault for making Evelyn Robinson the ugliest Luna ever!" Alpha Wayne teased, playfully tapping her nose, excusing her behavior: "Just throw on a wig. The ceremonial veil covers everything; no one will outshine you."

The room fell silent as everyone waited for me to react, expecting a tantrum like before. Instead, I calmly removed the protective amulet from around my neck and placed it in Maya’s hand: "Why go through the motions? Just switch mates; the veil hides everything anyway."

My unexpected response took them by surprise. "I only wanted to give you a new hairstyle, Evelyn, but it just slipped... Please don’t be upset," Maya pleaded, leaning into Alpha Wayne, her eyes brimming with crocodile tears. The others avoided eye contact, mumbling attempts to ease the tension: "You’re misunderstanding, Evelyn. We’re all Alpha Wayne’s friends, and you’re his only mate."

Alpha Wayne realized the situation and defended Maya: "She’s just being playful; she meant no harm."

Cutting the mate’s hair on the night before the marking ceremony—how can that be harmless? Such a flimsy excuse. I met Alpha Wayne’s protective gaze and laughed sarcastically: "Who knows when she might feel like playing Luna again? Maybe I should bow out now."

Alpha Wayne’s face darkened, his frustration evident: "Evelyn, enough! Maya’s immature and impulsive. Are you seriously going to blame her?"

Silence enveloped the room. Never mind that I’m younger than Maya. Even if she were truly a pup, no pup would do something as outrageous as cutting the mate’s hair the night before the marking ceremony!

I watched as Alpha Wayne defended Maya, offering her the care and attention I once received. "Evelyn, blame me, not Alpha Wayne. If you’re angry, yell at me or hit me; I won’t resist!" Maya peered from behind Alpha Wayne, pretending to be vulnerable, her eyes mocking me.

Alpha Wayne softened his tone: "How is this your fault? I’m the one who gave her the sleeping potion; blame me. I’ve spoiled her and let her act out."

A weight pressed on my chest. Alpha Wayne had promised to stand by me, letting me be myself without suffering any injustice. Yet, somehow, despite Maya being in the wrong, it felt like I was the one to blame in his eyes.

He comforted Maya with tenderness I’d never known. Watching the scene unfold was ironic. Once, I might have made a scene, fought for fairness. But now, I felt numb. In this bond, I had lost everything. My wolf whimpered softly in the back of my mind, a quiet echo of my own pain.

Alpha Wayne’s aura, once commanding and reassuring, now felt