Chapter 1

Sienna:

“Fuck…” I hissed as he pulled out of me, my body aching at the sudden feeling of being empty. My chest rose and fell as I watched him sit, his back facing me for a second too long before he got up from the bed. It was as if I was not even there by his side, and that was something that I could not understand. It was as if he was just alone. The man that was just with me seemed to have disappeared and changed to this completely.

I watched as he put on his clothes, not bothering to turn around and face me. He didn't even smile, he didn't say a word, he just stayed quiet as he proceeded as if I did not even exist. I couldn’t help the frown that formed on my face. He was my mate, and yet, instead of choosing to lay down with me even for a moment, he chose to walk away. He chose to just turn around and leave. That did not make any sense to me.

The way he held me in his arms, cradling and kissing me, played in my mind. It was the most beautiful thing that I could have ever expected to feel. Though I didn’t expect him to mark me tonight, I didn’t expect this. I didn't expect him to just get up and walk away like this.

“You never did tell me how things are going to be between us now,” I said, breaking the suffocating silence. “And you know, with Lysandra, too. The two of us are going to have to announce that we’re mates, and I doubt she’s going to appreciate it very much. Especially considering the fact that I don't know if the two of you have broken up or not.”

“I never planned to,” he answered coldly, the gentle and sweet man who held me earlier disappearing in an instant. “I doubt that you would think that I would be choosing you over Lysandra.”

His words froze me, and I forced myself to sit up despite my sore body. He could not be serious about this. I knew that he couldn't.

“Damon, this is not a joke to play around with…”

“I’m not playing you, Sienna,” he said, his voice sharper than I’d ever heard. “I never planned to mark you, and I believe you’re not stupid enough to think an Omega could ever be equal to an Alpha. And I don't think that you would have expected me to want anything with you, did you?”

The sarcasm that dripped from his voice was one that I could not have expected. Even if I was told that he would be sarcastic about this, I would have said no. It was going to be impossible. He would not be as cruel.

I had to fight back the low growl rising in my chest as I reminded myself that he was the Alpha. He had been the one to call me here, and yet he acted as though I’d begged him for this. He acted as if I wanted this and not him.

His piercing blue eyes met my green ones, and I couldn’t help but shake my head. My anger flared, not just at him but at myself for believing things could be different. That he could be different, that this… this whole thing, that it could be different.

“Then why did you invite me here? I don’t understand…”

“I was curious about how it would feel to fuck my mate. A feeling that every alpha would want to actually have at least once in their life.” His words dripped with cruelty. “I’ll admit, you’re the best I’ve had in a while. But the last thing I want is for Lysandra to know about this. So, if you have any value for your life, or your dignity, you’ll keep that mouth of yours shut. That is, of course, if you want to keep any of them.”

My jaw clenched as his words sank in. I wasn’t a virgin, but the fact that he had used me so carelessly made my blood boil.

“You have to be kidding me,” I said through gritted teeth. “We were friends, Damon. The man I knew wouldn’t act like some horny…”

He growled low, silencing me instantly. My wolf forced me to stop, though my heart raced with fury. I wanted to respond. I wanted to tell him that he was wrong about this. I wanted him to pay for this. But right now, my wolf was not even allowing me to do so. Of course, she wouldn't. She wouldn't be willing to defy the alpha…

“I will let that attitude of yours slide,” he said, raising a brow as if daring me to challenge him. “You're angry, and I am choosing to forgive that for now.”

“Do you really think Lysandra isn’t going to find out about this?” I asked, wrapping a blanket around myself as I stood. The thought of him seeing me bare again made me feel sick, even though, moments ago, he had been inside me. I had to remind myself not to. We can remind myself not to cry. I did not want him to see me in a situation where he felt or saw that I was weak.

“As long as you keep that mouth of yours shut, there won’t be a problem,” he said coldly. “Otherwise, I’ll make sure you regret it. And trust me, I will make sure that you do.”

“Get the hell out of my house, Damon,” I snapped, bending down to pick up my clothes. “I believe you know the way to the door. After all, the last thing you’d want is for anyone to see you.”

I threw my clothes into the laundry basket, climbing back into bed. My chest ached as I processed his words.

He stopped at the door, and I could hear him take a deep breath before turning back to me.

“I believe the two of us forgot one thing,” he said, his smile cruel and void of emotion.

“And that is, Alpha Damon?” I asked, sarcasm lacing my voice despite the dread forming in my chest.

“I, Alpha Damon Lockwood, reject you, Sienna De Luca, as my mate and Luna,” he said, his voice calm and deliberate. He didn't even seem to care. It was as if he was not even in pain. It was as if this was the most normal thing to do, fuck and reject.

My eyes widened, but I fought hard to mask the pain and anger building inside me. My wolf whimpered, but I refused to let him see my suffering.

“I, Sienna De Luca, accept your rejection,” I said, gesturing to the door. I took a deep breath and smiled, despite the ache threatening to break me. I was not going to allow him to see me being weak.

He frowned, clearly caught off guard, but I refused to back down. I got out of bed, opened the door, and gave him the best smile I could muster. A smile that I knew did not reach my eyes, but I knew that it was better. It saved my dignity, what was left of it at least.

“Now, if there’s nothing else you’d like to add, you may leave, Alpha Damon.”

He hesitated, his cold eyes searching mine, but I held his gaze until he turned and walked out.

The moment the door closed, I collapsed onto the bed, silent tears sliding down my cheeks.

My wolf howled in agony, but I made her a promise; No one, not even Damon Lockwood, would ever break us again.

I give you my word…