Cassia's POV

I was shocked by what was taking place. The Autumn Pack's ritual grounds were lit up by an eerie glow from the full moon. It ought to have been a happy occasion. Blake, the strong Alpha who was my mate, was about to formally claim me as his Luna. But it was all wrong.

I tried to remain composed as I stood in front of the whole bunch. Every wolf in the pack had its eyes on me, and they were full of curiosity, hopes, and expectations. However, Blake was the only person I gave a damn about.

His towering body was as dominant as ever as he stood in the middle of the group. I briefly believed I saw a glimmer of warmth in his black eyes when they met mine. My heart pounded.

My aspirations, however, were all dashed to bits when he spoke.

Blake's harsh, icy voice boomed throughout the ceremonial grounds, "Cassia." "As Alpha of the Autumn Pack, Blake King, I hereby deny you as my mate."

My heart stopped beating. I felt as though the ground was tilting under me. I could hear gasps all around me, but my attention was only drawn to Blake's face, his icy look and sharp jaw.

Blake went on, his words piercing deeper than any blade: "I reject you, Cassia, because you're too weak to be my Luna."

The silence fell. I was having trouble breathing.

Too frail? I had always been taught that I would grow up to be the Luna of this pack and that I was born powerful. But now that I was in front of everyone, Blake was criticizing me.

Tears pricked at the back of my eyes, but I fought the need to cry. I needed to be calm. I had to maintain calmness.

"You cannot turn me away," I muttered, my voice trembling. "We are friends. I'm meant to be by your side.

Blake squinted his eyes. "You lack sufficient strength. Instead of someone who breaks under duress, I need someone who can lead the flock.

I felt like I was slapped across the face by the words. I felt the weight of their stares on me as the group mumbled in surprise. While some of them showed sympathy, the majority of them regarded me with contempt.

The air was pierced by Sienna's chuckle. She had a smug smirk on her face as she stood at the edge of the group, her blond hair glistening in the moonlight. I had always had trouble with Sienna. She was the Beta female of the pack and had never concealed her envy of me. Her eyes gleamed as she saw Blake turn me down.

With a tone full of derision, Sienna yelled, "Cassia, you're just too soft." "You'll never be able to hold Alpha's mate. You ought to have been more aware.

Each of her words struck its target like a blade. My chest began to burn up with embarrassment.

I was itching to run. My legs wouldn't move, even though I wanted to get away from the hurtful remarks and snide looks. My feet stuck to the floor.

Blake turned his back on me, emotionless and frigid. He told the guards, "Take her away." "She's not welcome here anymore."

I was having a hard time processing what was going on. All of the pack's eyes were on me; some were empathetic, but the majority were shining with contempt. I felt as though a hundred pounds were bearing down on my chest from their looks.

Reaching for my arm, one of the guards moved forward. I recoiled, but he caught me tightly and dragged me out of the ceremony's center.

"Avoid touching me!" I yelled and made an ineffective attempt to pull away. There was too much humiliation. I couldn't stand it. I wanted to flee and vanish into the night, but I was unable to do so.

I heard Sienna's harsh, derisive voice once more as I was escorted away from the throng. "I anticipated this day. Blake never thought you were good enough.

Even though my heart hurt, I didn't turn around. I was unable to. The words were too painful.

When we arrived at the boundary of the pack's domain, the guardians at last let me go. I stood there looking into the dark trees, my body trembling with emotion. Even though the gang was still having a good time, I could hear them laughing and whispering about how nasty they were.

I felt like screaming. I felt like crying. I was unable to do what I wanted to do. I was left standing in the dark, abandoned, my world devastated in that instant.

With heavy feet and an even heavier heart, I turned and left. The only sound in the quiet woodland was the gentle rustle of leaves beneath my feet. I needed to leave. I had to get away from it all.

I ventured farther into the forest in the hopes that it would provide me with the tranquility I required. The chilly, reassuring blackness encircled me.

However, I heard voices as I was walking. Voices, low and muttering, from a distance. My breath caught in my throat and I came to a halt.

One of the voices was familiar to me. Blake owned it.

I muttered to myself, "No." "No, no, no."

In an attempt to remain hidden, I retreated into the darkness. I was invisible. Not right now. Not with all that had just transpired.

With my heart thumping in my chest, I knelt and listened.

"Are you certain she is strong enough?" Blake's aggressive tone prompted the question.

A second voice that I didn't recognize said, "I don't think she's weak." However, Blake, she lacks the strength to be the leader of the group. Someone who can support you without crumbling is what you need.

"It's not about love, it's about power," Blake stated in a tone that was aloof and almost icy. "I can't lead the pack with love." Power alone does.

My chest ached as I took a deep breath. Strength? Was that the only purpose of this? Had Blake never given a damn about us, about me?

Blake's voice went on, "She's not the one." "I erred in assuming she could manage this. I need a strong person that can assist me in expanding this pack.

I got out of my crouch, though I had no idea where the strength had come from. I felt every ounce of anguish and pride pour through me. Blake had never been interested in me, so he didn't simply reject me. I had been used by him.

I turned my head away from the voices and laughed bitterly. I had to leave this place. I had to get away.

However, my breathing became more rapid as I resumed my stroll. Something, no, someone, seemed to be staring at me.

Before I could respond, someone sprang out of the darkness. The rogue's claws swung at me, just missing my face, and I had little time to duck.

My heart pounding, I staggered back and yelled. Out of the shadows, another outlaw emerged, his eyes blazing with ill intent.

This was not what I was expecting. I wasn't prepared for everything to go wrong.

The first rogue grabbed my arm as I turned to go, his hold becoming iron-tight. Trying to escape, I gasped, but he was too powerful.

I was unable to flee as a third rogue materialized in front of me. I was confined.

My thoughts were racing. Fighting was my only option. I couldn't allow them to kill me or, worse, bring me back to the pack.

I kicked the rogue in front of me and elbowed the one holding me with all the vigor I could manage. He stumbled backward, but I wasted no time. My heart thumping in my chest, I ran into the woods.

However, they moved quickly. Too quickly.

Behind me, I could hear their footsteps slamming through the undergrowth. I needed to leave. I needed to live.

I ignored the agony in my side and pushed myself harder and faster. Around me, the woodland became hazy. I had only my survival instinct and no plan or backup.

After that, I stumbled. I scraped my hands on the uneven terrain after my foot caught on a root and I fell hard to the ground.

One of the rogues was on top of me before I could get to my feet.

Everything turned dark.

Out of the shadows, I heard a voice—a voice I knew—scream. "Avoid her!"

Who was it? Did Blake, do it?

Or had I already been killed by the rogues?

I was unable to tell. As the forest engulfed me, everything turned black.