Rejected No More: A Luna’s Vow

On the day of my mate ceremony, my brother, Lucian Jenkins, future Gamma of the Blue Moon Pack, splashed red wine all over my ceremonial gown.

"Zendaya, you know Amina has feelings for Beta Kyler. Why are you making such a fuss about this ceremony?"

My intended mate, Kyler Jordan, Beta of the Silver Fang Pack, stood there nonchalantly, leaning against the door frame, his voice calm and composed:

"I'll give you two options: first, wear this stained gown and proceed with the ceremony."

"Second, apologize to Amina, cheer her up, and then I’ll announce the ceremony is postponed."

But I chose a different path. I stood before our pack members and allies in my ceremonial gown and declared that I was rejecting the mate bond with Kyler Jordan.

Brother, mate, sister... I decided I didn’t need any of them.

But as soon as I left, I heard that the two most influential packs in the region had gone into a frenzy.

They sought out the world’s top designers in a futile attempt to salvage a gown stained with red wine.

Just as I was changing into a ceremonial gown I had cherished for ten years, Lucian barged into the dressing room.

Before I could admire myself in the mirror, the young man who bore a striking resemblance to me kicked open the dressing room door.

"Zendaya! Have you lost your mind? I warned you so many times, yet you insisted on going through with this ridiculous ceremony!"

"You know Amina has feelings for Beta Kyler. Are you doing this to intentionally hurt her? Do you have any idea how upset she is at home?"

He shouted at me, completely unaware of how the spark of joy in my eyes quickly faded.

So it was about Amina again...

Feeling defeated and burdened by the lavish gown, I reminded myself that today was not a day for arguments.

I sighed softly, choosing not to retort as I usually would. Instead, I raised my head and spoke calmly:

"Lucian, can we not argue? At least not today... It’s my mate ceremony, and I want to be happy."

Lucian's expression grew darker, and he stepped closer, scoffing.

"Zendaya, can you stop being so selfish? It’s just a ceremony. Is it really more important than Amina’s feelings?"

"She’s so understanding and gentle, enduring the pain to give you and Beta Kyler her blessings. All she asked was for the ceremony not to be so extravagant. A simple pack gathering would’ve sufficed. Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

His self-righteous tone made my hands tremble with anger, and I couldn’t care less about it being a "special day." I retorted immediately:

"I’m the one forming the mate bond. What’s wrong with wanting a ceremony for myself? Why should I be responsible for Amina’s feelings?"

"Shut up! Amina is your sister. You have a duty to care for her and accommodate her!"

My vision went dark momentarily, and I almost shouted, "Sister? She’s your