Fated to One, Chosen by the Other

fore dawn, as

l attic room creaked with the shifting of the old beams, a faint draft curling through the cracks in the window. She wr

other battle to

She'd grown used to it, the way one grows used to an ache that never heals. Being the Omega with no wolf meant sh

eighteen, the elders had muttered that it was a delay. At twenty, they said perhap

lpha, had ensured

not caring that strands fell loose around her face. She couldn't afford vanity, not here. Gra

, and the scent of baking bread filled the air. Her job was clear-fe

the kitchen matrons, as Adanna passed. "We do

She had long since learned silence was the sharpest

ld stone halls and newer glass-fronted extensions, their mix of tradition and wealth flaunted for anyone who came near

nst her hip. Two young wolves lounged nearby, shoulders broa

o worth," o

er smirked, "she'l

She didn't turn, didn't give them the satisfaction of seeing h

e water below. Her reflection rippled on the surface-dark eyes too serious for her ag

her mother were alive, things would've been different. She would've had someone to stand b

had ordered his warriors to "purify" the cursed outskirts. And Adanna, bar

rms straining, and filled h

ual. There was a buzz in the air-excitement, sharp and electric.

mach tw

that made them strong. For Adanna, it was always the longest night of the month. Watching the

e would

exander, the Alpha's heir, would be announcing his bond

a kne

exander touched her wrist at the training grounds. The way her breath caught, her wolf

e been her

knew it would

d in her humiliation. He wouldn't want her as his mate. If the bond was real-and

led in her stoma

the path, hands on her hips. "Do you plan to daydream all morn

Her arms trembled under the weight, but she straigh

ung. The hours crawled, the buzz of anticipation growing louder with every passing moment.

clearing, beneath the ancient oaks that had seen centu

at the bundle of clothes laid out for her. Plain, simple. She was expected to attend, no

art po

g it tight. The fabric was frayed, but i

no longer knew who she was asking-her mother,

ns sounded, calling

vy as stone. Tonight, she

f wolves. Torches lined the circle, flames licking the night air, casting flickering shadows ac

e didn't need to move closer-she was already visible enough, her presence like a blemish

she even

uldn't be allowed

sour the

ontrolled. If she reacted, they'd win. If she broke, they'd revel in it. So s

ll frame radiating authority. His dark eyes swept the crowd with calculated weig

e trees, "we honor the sacred bond of the Moon. Tonight, my son, Alex

, howls rising to the sky. Adanna's stomac

me-strikingly so, with raven-black hair and eyes that gleamed like obsidian. Wolves adored h

d when his gaze landed on her. For a split second, it was just them. Her

al. He felt it

curved, crue

ce. Gasps echoed, murmurs racing. Adanna's throat closed as

ockery of tenderness. The bond surged, white-hot and unde

to hear, "...this cursed thing d

l. Adanna's chest burned, humiliation searing

e Moon must be mocking me, to tie my fate to an Omega wi

ked, others delighted. Tristan stood tall, unflin

trembled. "A

ing. You will never stand beside me. I reject you, Adanna

t like claws. She stumbled, clutching her shawl as if it could hold he

ed about the shame. Adanna barely heard them. Her world was

old earth. Laughter rang in her ears, the

us in his humiliation of her. "Go crawl in

ot here. Not before them. She forced her body up, every muscl

but it carried. "You think you've broken me," she whispered, low enough

Alexander faltered,

ring their jeers and taunts. Her shawl trailed

ng, the sound of celebration echoing behind he

ed pieces of her heart, something stirre

something darker, colder, older. A shadow

oment she would f