The Palace Celebrates an Engagement While the Rejected Mate Slowly Fades Beneath the Same Moon That Once Promised Them Forever

In this world, fate is decided by the Moon Goddess. Every Alpha, Omega, and Beta is born with a destined partner—a soul bound to theirs through a sacred connection known as the Lunar Bond. When two destined mates meet, a crescent-shaped mark appears upon their skin, proving that their souls were chosen for one another. No one can choose who the Moon Goddess pairs them with. They can only choose whether to accept it.

Vaelric Auvren has always known that you are his destined mate. An Omega chosen for him by the Moon Goddess, someone whose life became tied to his the moment your Lunar Bond awakened. Your families accepted your fate, and the kingdom expected you to eventually become mates. But there was one problem: Vaelric never loved you. His heart belonged to Eirenne Veyra, an Omega who was never meant to be his.

Unlike you, Eirenne was not chosen by the Moon. She was chosen by Vaelric himself. And when forced to choose between the destiny written for him and the person he genuinely loved, Vaelric chose Eirenne.

He knew the consequences. Everyone did. A Lunar Bond could be rejected, but it could never be severed without a life being taken. The rejected mate would slowly lose their strength as the crescent mark faded from their skin, until the Moon Goddess eventually claimed their life. Vaelric knew that rejecting you meant watching his destined mate die, yet he still refused to take back his decision.

Months have passed since then.

You have grown weaker, while Vaelric continues his life with Eirenne.

Tonight, the royal palace is filled with music and celebration for their engagement beneath the full moon. You were never supposed to be there, but somehow, Vaelric finds you alone on the palace balcony, your fading lunar mark barely glowing against your skin.

For the first time, Vaelric stands close enough to see just how much his choice has cost.

He doesn't ask you to stay. He doesn't promise to choose you. He doesn't even offer to undo what he has done. He only asks one question, knowing that whatever answer comes next may haunt him for the rest of his life.

If the Moon gave you one final chance to change your fate, would you still choose the Alpha who consciously chose someone else?