Rejected

I stood up hurriedly and looked back. I felt my breath hitched as I stared at the Lycan King in front of me.

He was way younger than I expected. I had imagined an old graying king not this perfection in front of me. He was tall and majestic and there was a powerful magnetic aura that compelled respect radiating from him.

Before now, I had thought Jax was the most handsome male werewolf. But he paled before Magnus. He had raven black hair just like mine which offset his pale complexion. His piercing blue eyes and regal air made him look older than he was. He blinked and I came back to my senses. I had been staring at him open-mouthed without saying anything.

"Umm, thank you for catching me. It's an honor to meet you finally, King Magnus" I quickly mumbled, wishing the ground would swallow me. I hoped he couldn't hear my heart racing from here.

He nodded expressionlessly.

"Nice to meet you. I assume you're Sophie. Did a little research on you, always do that to know my hosts. Cloris hall is quite lovely and the packs are pleasant folks" He said then turned to Jax who she noticed was lacking his natural haughty attitude.

"Would you start the conference now or I should give you time to settle your family issues?" He said firmly.

"There's no problem, King Magnus. I will start the conference" Jax said reverentially. He went over to Nikini and whispered in her ears. The only words I caught were "Alright", "Coming back" and "Deal with it later."

"Let's go, Sophie" He said finally, glaring at me.

I walked behind him, feeling King Magnus' eyes on me. I'm self conscious and didn't look back. I noticed people staring at him as we passed by. This was the first time he was coming to our local annual gala and I heard whispers around the place.

"He's the youngest Lycan king ever yet he doesn't have a mate. He came here to find one" Someone whispered to his neighbor nearby.

"No Bruce,you got it wrong. Lycans are special, unlike us that have fated mates, they look for people they love, "Another person said.

"That's all hogwash. Bruce is right. Lycans have fated mates but they're precious and rare to find"

I smile at the banter, slowing my steps to hear the reply. I envy the normal werewolves for their friendly arguments and easy lives.

Jax looks back and notices I'm not beside him. He drags me by the hand with a loving smile on his face purely for the crowd.

"That Jax. He's one that looks out for his woman. You don't see such loving couples these days" The one called Bruce said, behind us.

"Aye, aye, you don't see em anymore" The men around him agreed in unison.

I sighed inwardly as we walked in to start the ceremony. If only they knew.

***

The gala was in full swing as I hurried away from the event to gather my thoughts. Jax had given a rousing welcome address that had captivated everyone. I had plastered a smile on my face throughout the whole thing, beaming at dignitaries and doing my duties as the presiding hostess. Everyone around looked happy, attendants went around holding up trays of steaks and sparkling wines in tall glasses. It was a vegetarian nightmare, the main cuisine was meat which was everywhere.

I smiled politely and waved to the Beta mate of our pack. She and the Beta were dancing. They were doing a foxtrot and seemed happy in each other's arms. The music went up higher and couples around linked hands to dance.

I looked around for Jax, but I couldn't see him, which was a good thing. I wasn't ready for his problem. I couldn't see King Magnus either, he was probably hunting for an eligible lady around. This was my cue. I needed to relax in a nearby garden that I had seen while coming here.

I slip out the door, unnoticed again. On my way, I thought of an opening to confront Jax and Nikini. What if they went public about their relationship? I was past crying about it, I didn't know what to do. It had to be a decisive action but I couldn't think up a way to approach that matter.

"Oof" I cried out as I missed my steps and tripped. I felt a hand catch my elbow once more and I looked up to see King Magnus once more.

"Once again, thank you, King Magnus" I said, with a nervous smile looking down.

"It seems you have a habit of falling down. That's twice now in such a short time. You should have a chaperone, I don't know if there'll be a third incident."

I muster the courage to look up at him and I see his eyes crinkle in amusement at me. My cheeks turn red at his gentle words, our proximity is not a good thing.

His hands are still around my waist and I wonder how we will appear to people. I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea.

"Could you let go now" I said, gently entangling his hands from my waist.

"What the hell"

We both looked back, startled by the voice. I jumped back knowing it was Jax.

"What are you both doing here?" He asked, looking murderously at King Magnus and I.

I exchanged an uneasy glance with King Magnus. There was no emotion visible on his handsome face though. We had both caught off guard by Jax's sudden appearance and I could feel the tension in the air. Jax's voice rang out, filled with anger and disappointment, as he directed his intense gaze towards King Magnus and me. Startled by his sudden appearance, my heart raced, realizing the magnitude of the situation.

"Jax, I can explain," I began, my voice trembling with a mix of anxiety and desperation. "I tripped, and King Magnus helped me up. It was an accident, I swear."

Jax's face twisted with rage, his eyes blazing with an intensity I had never seen before. "Don't you dare lie to me, Sophie!" he spat, his voice dripping with bitterness. "I can't believe you would allow him to touch you like that."

"Watch your tongue, she speaks the truth" King Magnus said in a low but stern tone. I did not miss the unmistakable threat in them. However, I saw that Jax was past caring. He was always reckless when he was in such a mood. Instead he sneered at him.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to reach out to him, to make him understand. "Jax, please, it wasn't what you think. It was a careless gesture, nothing more. You have to trust me."

His laughter was filled with bitterness and hurt. "Trust you? How can I trust you when you're cozying up to another man right in front of me?"

I felt King Magnus bristle beside me, his powerful aura permeating the surrounding, it was feral.

Feeling the weight of Jax accusation, I turned to King Magnus and pleaded on his behalf, my voice choked with emotion.

"Your Majesty, he didn't mean what he said, forgive him."

 "Jax, I never meant to hurt you. It was an innocent accident. Please, let me explain."

But his anger only seemed to intensify the more I talked, his gaze hardened as he glared at King Magnus. "I trusted you both. I thought you were different, that you would never betray me like this," he seethed, his voice laced with a mix of pain and anger.

"Forgive my outburst, my Lord. You just saved me the trouble of getting rid of her" He said with a cackle as he walked away from me.

Desperation washed over me as I realized the extent of the damage done. "Jax, please don't say that. I never wanted to hurt you. You mean everything to me," I pleaded, reaching out to touch his arm.

He jerked away from my touch, his face contorted with a mixture of anguish and resentment. "Spare me your explanations, Sophie. I've witnessed all I need to. I no longer want any part of you. I reject.you as my mate."

As the weight of his words settled upon me, I watched in agony as he stormed off, leaving me behind in a whirlwind of shattered trust and broken hearts. Tears streamed down my face as I stood there, feeling the weight of his absence and the pain of our fractured connection.

King Magnus, who had been silent throughout the exchange, stepped forward, his expression a mix of sympathy and concern. "Sophie, what are you going to do now"

I looked up at him through tear-filled eyes, my voice barely a whisper. "I don't know, you were not exactly helping matters. It's not your fault though, King Magnus. This is my mess to clean up."

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my resolve, wiping away my tears with a determined swipe of my hand. I knew I had to face the consequences of my actions and work to repair the damage I had caused. With a heavy heart, I turned away from King Magnus, leaving the gala behind as I ran after Jax , hoping against hope that he would find it in his heart to forgive me.

I found the bitter truth though on reaching the house a while later.