“You think you can live without me?” Derek’s voice was low, with a suggestion of something dark, something dangerous.
I should’ve backed away. I should’ve been scared. But instead heat curled in my stomach as he slammed me against the wall and pressed up against his body against mine.
“I don’t need you,” I whispered, even as my breath stuttered when his fingers dragged a slow, torturous line down my arm.
He grinned, eyes of gold pinning to mine as if taunting me to refuse we were shared the same very air. “Liar.”
His lips crushed against mine, stealing my air, stealing my resolve. He tasted like fire and fury, like a war I was already losing. My fingers hold his shirt, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer to me.
"You are mine, Claire," he growled against my throat, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin there. "Whether you run or not."
But I wasn’t the same weak I once was. I had fought for my freedom. And no matter how much my body betrayed me, I wasn’t sure I was ready to give it up again.
Not even for him.

Rejected and exiled by her fated Alpha King mate for being a powerless Omega, Elara discovers a hidden, forbidden power within herself. Years later, hardened and formidable, she must confront her past, her mate, and a rising darkness that threatens to consume both her old pack and the man who broke her heart.
Characters:
Female Lead (FL): Elara
Starts as: An 18-year-old Omega in the Silver Moon pack. Orphaned, kind-hearted but physically weak, constantly bullied by higher-ranked members, especially the Beta's daughter, Valerie. Seen as almost packless, doing menial tasks. Her only hope is finding her mate. (Hits: Orphan, Poor Girl/Low Status, Bullied, Omega).
Becomes: A resilient, powerful shifter with a rare, hidden ability (e.g., shadow manipulation, connection to lunar magic thought lost). Trained, physically capable, emotionally guarded but fiercely protective of those she cares about. (Hits: Kickass Heroine, Hidden Identity).
Male Lead (ML): Rhys
Role: The Alpha King of the Northern Alliance (overseeing multiple packs, including Silver Moon). Powerful, burdened by responsibility, possibly scarred by a past betrayal or loss that makes him value strength above all else. Handsome, dominant, intimidating. (Hits: Alpha King, Powerful Male Lead).
Initial Conflict: Feels the undeniable Mate bond with Elara but publicly rejects her due to her Omega status and perceived weakness, fearing she cannot be the strong Luna his volatile kingdom needs. His rejection is brutal and public.
Secondary Characters:
Valerie: Beta's daughter, Elara's main tormentor. Represents the pack's cruelty and adherence to hierarchy.
Kael: A kind Beta or warrior from Elara's pack who showed her small kindnesses, perhaps feels guilt over her exile.
Master Theron / Anya: A mentor figure Elara finds after her exile (hermit, leader of a hidden community, another rare shifter) who recognizes her potential and trains her.