Skye’s POV

“Tonight in the forest,” Leon announced, his voice carrying across the now-silent clearing, “I discovered that Skye is my mate.”

Gasps and excited murmurs spread through the gathered wolves. Shock registered on every face, some delighted, others confused, and a few clearly displeased. Elder wolves exchanged knowing glances while young girls whispered furiously.

For a fleeting moment, hope fluttered in my chest.

Had Leon changed his mind since our encounter in the forest? That punishing pain that had been radiating through my body since his first rejection eased slightly, allowing me to breathe.

Then Leon raised his hand, silencing the growing tide of congratulations and surprised exclamations.

“But,” he continued, his voice dropping lower, heavier, “I cannot accept this mate bond.”

The words fell like an avalanche, burying that brief spark of hope. The clearing went deathly quiet. Even the crackling bonfire seemed to hush.

“Skye has no wolf,” Leon said, his ice-blue eyes now fixed directly on mine, his tone clinical and detached. “And during tonight’s hunt, she shot me with the rifle Alpha lent her.”

More gasps rippled through the crowd. Some turned to look at me with fresh horror, as though I’d committed some terrible crime. The weight of their stares pressed down on me from all sides.

“As future Alpha,” Leon continued, unwavering, “I need a strong Luna, someone who can protect our pack and produce powerful offspring. Our pack hasn’t produced an Alpha King in twenty-eight years.”

He looked around, meeting the eyes of the older pack members who nodded in solemn agreement.

“The next Alpha King election, I must give everything I have. For the good of our pack, I must reject this mate bond.”

Every word was a fresh cut, deeper than the last. I felt my body grow cold, then hot, then numb. The blood in my veins seemed to freeze, making it difficult to even draw breath. If Ethan hadn’t returned to my side, I might have collapsed under the weight of Leon’s public rejection.

Around me, the pack’s reaction was immediate and mixed. Whispers spread like wildfire. Some nodded in approval of Leon’s pragmatic decision, while others looked uncomfortable, stealing pitying glances in my direction.

Maya’s voice rose above the murmurs, clear and triumphant. “He’s right! A Luna without a wolf would make us the laughingstock of all packs. How could she possibly lead us?”

Several others nodded, emboldened by Maya’s outspoken support.

This can’t be happening. Not like this. Not in front of everyone.

Alpha James stepped forward, his expression grave. He placed a heavy hand on Leon’s shoulder, his eyes searching his son’s face.

“Leon, are you certain this is what you want?” he asked, “Perhaps we should wait. Skye might yet develop her wolf. It could be just a matter of time.”

If Leon didn’t want me, fine. If the pack thought me weak because I had no wolf, fine. I would show them all exactly what Skye Anderson was made of—with or without a wolf.

But first, I needed to escape the pitying stares and malicious whispers. I needed to breathe air that wasn’t heavy with the scent of pine and snow and wilderness—his scent.

I gently extracted myself from my mother’s embrace, wiping away tears with the back of my hand.

“I need to be alone,” I whispered, my voice surprisingly steady despite the storm raging inside me.

Mom nodded, understanding in her eyes. Dad looked ready to argue, but a look from Mom silenced him.

With as much dignity as I could muster, I turned and walked away from the bonfire, away from the celebration that had become my public shaming. I forced myself to keep my head high, my back straight.

I am more than their judgment. I am more than his rejection. I am more than the wolf I don’t have.

The mantra repeated in my mind as I disappeared into the shadows of our pack’s territory, leaving behind the firelight and the eyes that had witnessed my greatest humiliation.

Behind me, I could still hear Maya’s laughter, carried on the wind like the distant howl of a wolf.