Rejected Moon

Series 1 - 1. Audrey (1)

Chapter 1: Audrey

Stable, Torres Mansion

Woodward County, Oklahoma

He whispered sweet promises in my ear, vows of eternal love and a future spent together. He painted a picture of a swing under a majestic weeping willow, where we would sit every evening, watching the sun set. And foolishly, I believed him.

I clenched my teeth, feeling the ache in my jaw. Tilting my head, I spat out the remnants of blood, still lingering in my mouth. I ran my tongue over my teeth, relieved to find them intact, but I needed a mirror to truly assess the damage. Instead, I watched as my saliva dripped through the golden hay, disappearing into the wooden floor of the stable.

Rattling the chains that bound me to a large beam, I scanned the barn for any possible escape. But all I saw was an ordinary, unremarkable beam. It was as if it were still a tree, towering and sturdy, with its circular shape untouched by human hands. It served its purpose well, supporting the structure of the barn.

Unfortunately, that also meant it held me captive. The tractor chains that secured me to the beam dug into my arms and pressed against my ribs, like an oppressive embrace. The pain in my left side made me gasp and spots danced before my eyes. The barn seemed to blur, as if I were viewing it through water. I let out a whimper and bit my lip, trying to stifle the sound. The links showed no sign of giving way. The hooks held firm, refusing to budge.

My shoulders slumped, and I returned my gaze to the prickly hay beneath me. Ideas were running dry. The throbbing in my face persisted, and every breath brought a chorus of protests from my ribs. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the shattered fragments of my heart. It lay in my chest, broken into a thousand tiny pieces. A fragile glass trinket dropped from great heights, shattered upon impact.

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision once more. I took a shaky breath and shook my head. Just a few hours ago, I believed everything was perfect. I thought we were still getting married, maybe not this year, but certainly by the next. I believed he was my soulmate, just as I was his. I sniffled and fought back the tears. I refused to let him see me cry. I couldn't let him break me. I searched my mind for any distraction from the pain. Any memory or thought that could take me away from this nightmare.

"Soon, baby, I promise. Soon you'll be mine forever. Nothing will ever change that."

I smiled softly as I traced my fingernail over Levi's broad chest, connecting the dots of freckles like constellations. His breathing had slowed, his body relaxed after our intense moments together. My heart still fluttered, trying to find its rhythm again after his touch. The warmth in my gut lingered, even though I wasn't ready for another round.

I must have twitched because Levi chuckled beneath me, pulling me closer with one arm. His hand spread across my spine, providing comfort and stability. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. My heart soared, and I glanced down, hiding my smile.

"How long?" I murmured, nuzzling against his chest. My cheek rested against his pec, and I draped my hand across his shoulder, content to use him as my pillow.

Levi let out a huff, his fingers drumming on my skin. "I don't have a specific date. Remember, Audrey, it has to be a natural moment. It loses its magic if it's planned."

I smiled at our familiar debate. It was endearing that he wanted to make it even more special, even though we both knew we were meant to be. We had felt the bond three years ago, at the same time. There was something sweet about his desire to make it extraordinary. I squeezed him closer, feeling the affection bubble up inside me like soda ready to burst. "You're adorable," I whispered. I could almost see him scrunching his nose at the word, and I couldn't help but giggle.

"Not adorable," he protested half-heartedly. "Just doing things right. And I still need to get my father's permission. The alpha has to approve everything, bonds, fates, you name it."

"Levi..."

He shrugged. "Protocol, Audrey. I won't ask my father to do something that might cause conflict or favoritism accusations."

I sighed and bit my tongue. This dance was all too familiar. Levi was right, our alpha needed to give his blessing before anything official could happen. But it felt like he was dragging it out. I wondered if he feared rejection from his father. But why would his father deny us? Maybe because of my illegitimate birth. But I had been part of the pack since I was twelve, loyal and well-behaved. At least, I tried to be. I believed I was.

1. Audrey (2)

"Audrey, your thoughts are echoing through the room," Levi teased, his hand resting on the small of my back. I was startled, lifting my head to meet his gaze. He had a mischievous smile on his face, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. I started to apologize, but he laughed, shaking his head. His green eyes sparkled like sunlit grass on a summer's day. It was moments like these that made me feel like the center of his universe. I snuggled closer to him, feeling safe and loved. "That was just a joke, Audrey. But seriously, why are you so worried? I promised to take care of everything. Don't you trust me?"

A smile tugged at my lips, unable to resist his infectious charm. "Of course I do, babe." I pulled the blanket over us, enveloped in warmth and contentment. "But I can't help feeling anxious. It's like time is slipping away."

Levi's voice was calm and reassuring. "We have all the time in the world, sweet thing. There's no need to rush."

I believed him then, just as I had for the past three years. I should have known better. I was smarter than that, but his smile and those captivating green eyes made me foolishly hopeful. I had faith in him, in his promises, in our future together.

As I exhaled, I opened my eyes and leaned against the column, gazing up at the barn's ceiling. How could I have seen it coming? Other fated mates in our pack and even in other packs embraced their bond openly. They fought, they fell apart, but they always found their way back to each other. They healed. But here I was, chained and betrayed by the man I loved. The chains jingled softly, a constant reminder of my heartache.

Three years ago, I had believed that things would never change.

"Hey, Levi?"

He made a sleepy noise, his eyes blinking open. My heart skipped a beat, and I propped my chin up on his chest. "If we hadn't met on my eighteenth birthday, do you think we would still be like this?"

Levi sighed, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me closer. "Well, yeah," he said, his voice still heavy with sleep. It wasn't the answer I was looking for, and I squirmed against his side, determined to dig deeper.

"You're not getting any sleep, are you?" I asked playfully.

He chuckled. "Nope. What's on your mind, Audrey?"

I pouted, my brow furrowing. "I mean, wouldn't there be fewer fated mates if they didn't have to meet on their eighteenth birthdays? It's just one day out of two lifetimes."

Levi shrugged, his gaze thoughtful. "I guess so. Fate is a powerful thing, but it's not like some divine force brought us together."

"No..."

"I think it was something else entirely." He smirked, his eyes dancing with mischief.

I blushed, feeling a warmth spread through me. "You'll never let me forget that, will you?" I asked, my neck prickling with embarrassment. That moment with his sister, Holly, had not been my finest hour. She had always been cruel to me, and when I bumped her off the podium as salutatorian, she saw it as an opportunity for revenge. That fight had changed everything.

Levi's voice softened. "I won't forget because that's the day I truly saw you."

His words transported me back to that moment, the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I swung at Holly. I had never fought before, but something inside me snapped. And when I turned around, there he was, with those captivating green eyes. My heart skipped a beat, and he caught my hand effortlessly, his expression filled with confusion rather than anger.

"Earth to Audrey."

I was pulled back to the present by Levi's sing-song voice. He wore a triumphant grin, reveling in the memory. "You won't forget that day either, because that's the day you met me."

"I already knew you," I whispered.

Levi's grin widened as he pulled me closer. "Did you, though?" His voice held a playful challenge. "Enough reminiscing for now, Audrey. I need some sleep."

I nestled into his embrace, feeling the weight of our past and the uncertainty of our future. But in that moment, with him by my side, I couldn't help but believe that we would find a way forward.

1. Audrey (3)

I shot up from my seated position, as if merely standing could purge me of the haunting memory. It seemed like only this morning that I had cherished that moment, considering it a tender oasis in the desert of our shared existence. But now, I found myself jerked back against the chains, their cold metal links clattering against the wooden structure and mercilessly biting into my flesh. No matter how much I wriggled and squirmed, there was no escaping their cruel grip.

A surge of heat flushed my cheeks, while my eyes welled up with stinging tears, blurring my vision. I desperately tried to take a deep breath, to steady my trembling lungs, but sadness constricted my throat like something sticky sweet, something I couldn't swallow down no matter how hard I tried. My mouth opened, a primal instinct urging me to yell, to scream, to unleash a feral howl that would pierce through the silence and bring someone to my rescue. Instead, all that escaped was a broken sob.

Levi, the alpha, would be the death of me. The words he had spoken echoed in my mind, a chilling reminder of his power over my fate. In this pack, wolves lived and died at the whims of their alpha.

Tears streamed down my face, splashing softly onto the bed of hay beneath me. In that fleeting moment of quietude before another wounded sound escaped my lips, I could almost hear the sound of my tears hitting the ground. It was as if my chest had been pummeled, as though someone had held me down and relentlessly beaten me. Though it was not a physical assault, the pain felt just as unbearable. I began to believe that a person could indeed perish from a broken heart. I could not endure this any longer. I could not live like this, with a Levi-shaped void seared into my chest, leaving me hollow and jagged.

My heart stumbled, tripped, and veered off course, as if my very soul had taken a detour without my brain's consent. It was as if I were on a path, and my feet had decided to tread a different trail altogether.

Anger mingled with the sorrow, causing me to slide back down onto the ground, gritting my teeth until my jaw throbbed with pain. I had already shed numerous tears over this man, over this relationship. In fact, crying seemed to have been a recurring theme in my life. Levi was merely the latest addition to a long list of heartbreakers who had torn my heart from my chest only to crush it beneath their feet on the cold pavement. There was Holly, Levi's sister. Jared, my deceitful high school boyfriend. My history teacher during sophomore year. My half- and step-siblings. Even my stepmother. And then, there was my father — the last name on that list elicited a soft sigh.

I had believed that Levi Torres held the key to ending that misery. Freshly eighteen, a newfound adult, I was convinced that the world lay at my feet. I could escape, without having to endure any more suffering. I had found my mate, my new family, my chosen family.

No longer would the pack torment me, regardless of the fact that my father had apparently fathered a daughter before taking a mate and ascending to one of the senior positions within the Lupus Torres pack. I had never witnessed him being bullied, and he was the one responsible for my existence.

But all of that was inconsequential now. My mate, the future alpha, would ensure a brighter future awaited me. Even as his time dwindled, even as he grew colder and more distant whenever we were in public, as if he hardly knew me, I looked past it all. I was so certain that he would claim me as his mate and everything would fall into place.

Oh, how foolish I had been to swallow that lie so readily. Shame on me for accepting it so easily. But even more shame on Levi for underestimating me so profoundly. He didn't know me at all, despite the countless hours we spent together. Yet, I knew him inside out. I had believed he would be my savior, but he had made it abundantly clear that he was no hero at all.

He had professed his love for me. He had promised that we would always be together, that he would build me a swing beneath a majestic weeping willow where we could sit every night and watch the sunset.

That memory resurfaced, but this time, it didn't dampen my fury — it ignited it further. I wasn't going to save myself alone. "You will pay dearly for this, Levi Torres," I seethed, my voice laced with determination.

2. Kasen (1)

Chapter 2: Kasen

Woodward Airport, Oklahoma

Twelve hours earlier

I peered through the window of my private jet, my glass in hand, and let out a sigh that could only be described as withering. The skyline, if you could even call it that, was nothing more than a single traffic control tower and endless rolling hills. Oklahoma was far from where I wanted to be. In fact, I'd rather be at the dentist getting a cavity filled than in this desolate town.

It wasn't the flight that bothered me, not at all. I always made sure to have Johnny Walker Blue Label on board, a hiding spot for the good stuff. I swirled the amber liquid in my glass, the whiskey stones clinking softly against the sides. Maybe if I had gone to Oklahoma City or Tulsa, I would've had a better time. Civilization! Restaurants! Something to actually do instead of being stuck here, surrounded by faces I'd rather avoid.

But no, I found myself in the Middle of Nowhere, Oklahoma, forced to socialize with a rival pack and their other distinguished guests. And to make matters worse, it wasn't just a meet and greet; it was a full-blown Moonmate ceremony. Just the thought of it made me shudder. I downed the rest of my drink in one gulp, trying to calm my nerves. Spending hours pretending to like these people was enough to make my skin crawl. I'd rather endure a root canal without sedation or painkillers.

In fact, I'd rather do away with the entire pack altogether.

And that's exactly what I intended to do, I thought with determination. It was only a matter of time before the wolves of Lupus Torres joined the Silverstreak pack. I had been toying with the idea for a while now, and the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

"Sir? We are ready to disembark."

I looked up to see the air hostess standing nearby, already clearing away my empty glass and tidying up. I flashed her a charming smile. Regardless of being in Oklahoma, I had planned ahead for this visit to the Lupus Torres pack. One couldn't simply trust a rival pack, after all. I had sent a few trusted packmates ahead to gather information about the location and the city. We needed to be prepared for anything tonight, especially if this Moonmate ceremony was more than it seemed.

My mother called it being overly cautious. I called it foresight. After all, I wouldn't invite Levi Torres to a birthday party, let alone something as significant as a Moonmate ceremony. The man was untrustworthy.

The cabin door opened, and my stewardess had finished her work. I stood up, straightening my vest, when a stern gaze caught mine. I paused for a moment, meeting my mother's green eyes. "You made the right choice coming to Oklahoma," she said, her voice steady.

I straightened my posture but didn't move from my seat. "Thank you, Bianca," I grumbled, not recalling inviting her opinion on the matter.

She furrowed her brows, taking slow breaths through her nose. It was the same expression she wore when I was a little boy and pushing her buttons. It seemed I had only gotten better at that with age.

"I hate to think what the other alphas would say if you missed it. Your poor father is probably rolling over in his grave at the mere thought. His only son, disregarding tradition."

The mention of my father made my stomach drop, as if we were still in the air experiencing turbulence. "My father may have valued tradition, but not in matters like this," I retorted, shoving my hands into my pockets. "He would be the first to say that this is a complete waste of time." I held my mother's gaze, unyielding. There were countless things we could be focusing our pack's time and energy on back in Texas.

Bianca maintained her unwavering stare, ignoring the uncomfortable air hostess who was clearly caught in the middle of a family dispute she couldn't comprehend. She had only joined the Silverstreak pack last year, and it wasn't every day that you encountered shifters who were also trained air travel professionals.

Finally, my mother looked away, her gaze fixed on the window. "If that were true, then he would deny that these ceremonies work. I met your father at a ceremony like this, Kasen," she sighed, a hint of wistfulness in her voice. "Your grandparents met the same way, you know."

I sighed and turned away. We had had this conversation countless times before, for the past five years. No matter how many times my mother brought it up, it didn't change the facts. I wasn't the type of guy she wanted me to be, and she couldn't see that. Maybe she was searching for what she missed in my father within me, but all I needed was a temporary connection, at most. A weekend fling. A week in paradise. Something with an expiration date, without any illusions. I was an adult, and I associated with other adults. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. The idea of being stuck with the same person for the rest of my life?

Internally, I shuddered. No, thank you.

My mother stood up and closed the distance between us, reaching out to squeeze my hand. I tilted my head, looking at her. The corner of my mouth curled into a small smile. "You were the exception," I told her. Even I couldn't deny that she and my father had something special. I could see it even when I was a five-year-old boy.

Bianca studied my expression for a moment. "Kasen," she sighed softly. "Please try to remember that this is an important ceremony. Very important. It may not be your style, or whatever argument you have, but it holds great meaning for our pack and our people. They still believe in it because it works. Finding a mate wouldn't just benefit you, but it would benefit our entire pack. I know you understand that, even if you won't admit it."

2. Kasen (2)

I bit my tongue, stifling the retort that threatened to spill from my lips. The use of my boyhood nickname by my mother only fueled my irritation. But before I could argue, she continued, her voice filled with a mixture of nostalgia and longing.

"I can't expect you to understand, my love, not until you meet your own mate," she said, her gaze drifting off into the distance. "The bond is deeper than you can imagine. Even I had doubts, though I was younger than you when I met Remington."

As I watched her reminisce, my irritation began to soften. Despite our disagreement, I still felt the urge to embrace her. It was clear that she was determined to finish this conversation.

"Your lifelines become tangled," she continued, her voice thick with emotion. "It's the most wonderful and intense thing, having your mate for the rest of your life. Or theirs." She looked away, a hint of moisture peeking over her lower lashes. "I knew the moment he died, Kasen. I wasn't with him, but I knew. I miss him every day, but even with the pain, I would never trade having known him. Having been his mate. Do you understand, Remy? There is nothing more sacred, nothing more beautiful than that. Please don't dismiss it as an old woman's fancy."

Bianca, always trying to help, couldn't comprehend that I wasn't as traditional or naive as some of the others. Her voice, filled with emotion, began to drain the fight out of me.

"I won't embarrass you," I replied, abandoning my sharp retorts in an attempt to calm her down. I had reached my limit with this argument for the day. The last thing I wanted was for my mother to break down in tears.

My mother frowned, her silvering brows knitting together as she searched my face. She knew me too well. With a sigh, I admitted defeat. "I still don't want a mate, Mom, but for you, I'll keep an open mind," I said, squeezing her hand. "We'll be the strongest clan in the southern United States, regardless of my relationship status." Although our pack's stability wasn't at risk, I didn't dwell on the topic. I didn't want to invite another lecture from my mother. "But I'll look, and I won't say anything inappropriate. Alright?"

"That will be alright," she agreed, giving my hand one last squeeze before letting go. At least we both recognized a stalemate when we reached one.

Stepping aside, I allowed my mother to gather her jacket before we walked off the plane together. Wayne, my beta, fell into step behind me, while Wilhelmina, my chief financial officer, discreetly pretended not to have witnessed our conversation.

Wayne quickly moved ahead of me as soon as we descended the steps, striding purposefully. A black limo was waiting on the tarmac, its driver opening the door. Out stepped Levi Torres and his mother, Quinn. The hair on the back of my neck prickled, and my wolf bristled. It was clear we weren't alone, and it had nothing to do with my dislike for Levi. He had wolves watching us.

"Kasen Silverstreak," Levi drawled, extending a callused hand. I fought the urge to bare my teeth, even though my wolf was on high alert. Wayne seamlessly sidestepped, now standing by my mother's side instead of acting as a makeshift shield. "So glad you could make it."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I replied, offering a wolfish smile in return. Levi's eyes gleamed as he squeezed my hand, but I held my ground, unfazed by whatever display he thought he was putting on. Behind him, his mother cleared her throat, and Levi finally looked away, withdrawing his hand to offer it to my mother.

"Bianca," he murmured, dipping his head in her direction. "You look lovely, as always."

My mother beamed, leaning in to kiss both of the man's weathered cheeks while using his handshake to keep him from escaping. "Levi," she cooed, treating him like a nephew rather than the alpha of a rival pack. "You look stunning today. A spitting image of your father. I'm sure Noah would have been delighted to see what a wonderful young man you've become over the past year."

She sounded sincere in her assessment. I glared at the side of my mother's head, but she had already moved on from exchanging pleasantries with Levi to embracing Quinn. I didn't have much of an issue with the Torres matriarch, aside from the fact that she had given birth to Levi. But fate could be cruel, so I couldn't hold that against her. It was good for my mother to have other wolves who could understand her grief. Quinn had seemingly withdrawn from her pack's social structure after Noah's death, allowing Levi to take over as alpha. I wasn't sure how true that was, but I still didn't trust her, regardless of how happy my mother seemed to see her.

The two women stood side by side, their hands and arms entwined as they appraised both me and Levi. Heat prickled on the back of my neck, and even my wolf took notice of their scrutiny. He was torn between seeking out potential threats and feeling the need to preen.

I pushed the instinct down and straightened my shoulders. Levi did the same, puffing up his chest to display his breadth. It was as if managing a construction firm had the same effect on his body as working on a build site. It took all my effort not to roll my eyes. Who did this oaf think he was impressing? Me? If I were to pursue another man, I could certainly do better than him. Even Wayne managed to look more attractive than this posturing asshole, and all my second-in-command was doing was trying to be as unassuming as possible. If Levi thought he was impressing Wilhelmina, he was barking up the wrong tree entirely. The thought was almost laughable. Unless... My eyes darted to where my mother stood. I exhaled slowly, nostrils flaring. If that man thought, even for a fucking second—

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