The laughter began quietly.
Then it spread across the hall.
Ava stood frozen where she was as wolves whispered openly about the rejected bond.
"Did she really think the Alpha would keep her?"
"She's barely stronger than a human."
The cruel comments cut deeper than claws.
Elder Rowan stepped forward cautiously.
"Alpha Kael," he said carefully, "are you certain of this decision? Mate bonds are sacred."
Kael did not hesitate.
"I am certain."
The finality of his words echoed through the room.
Ava felt the remaining threads of the bond snap painfully.
Her knees threatened to buckle.
Yet she forced herself to remain standing.
If she collapsed now, the entire pack would see how completely broken she truly was.
Kael glanced toward her one last time.
His expression was unreadable.
"You may leave," he said.
The dismissal struck harder than the rejection.
Ava turned slowly toward the exit.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Behind her, the celebration resumed as if nothing had happened.
But as Ava stepped outside beneath the open sky, the full moon above seemed brighter than usual.
And something deep inside her soul stirred.