Rejection - Chapter one

Flora - POV

Every year, I hoped to meet my omega wolf on my birthday. Most people meet their wolf's spirit at sixteen. So it's no surprise I was stuck doing laundry instead of advanced studies or combat training. Even though my dad was an omega, not having a wolf meant I didn't get the same opportunities. 

I was sick of being the pack's maid, washing dirty clothes daily. I would come home to my tiny, worn-out apartment, where I lived alone. My parents passed away when I was young, and I grew up an orphan. The wall clock glass was cracked, but it still worked. It was midnight, and now I was eighteen. At last, I was an adult. 

I lit a candle on a cookie - the only dessert I had. Before blowing it out, I wished for a better year and someone to love. Seeing everyone else with wolves with their families and partners, I felt so alone while I had nobody.

I somehow fell asleep, even though I knew another busy day awaited me. Besides my usual laundry tasks, I also had to assist the kitchen chef and sous-chef in preparing food for the welcome party for Bryan Knight. He was set to become the next Alpha of the White Wood pack after studying abroad to ready himself for the role.

The next morning, I woke up early, refreshed, and dressed in my usual worn-out clothes: faded jeans and a black t-shirt. I quickly tied up my blonde, wavy hair and left my apartment. Laundry was the first order of business before I headed to the kitchen.

While I was doing the laundry, Cassie approached with a cunning smirk. Without warning, she deliberately spilled coffee all over the clean clothes. Laughing maliciously, she said, "Guess you'll have to wash them again."

Tears welled up as I asked, "Why are you doing this to me?"

"You were always the one Bryan noticed, trying to lure him in during school when I attempted to win him over. You kept getting in my way," Cassie retorted, revealing her sharp wolf canines. Seeing her eyes change, I felt a wave of fear. I knew how painful it would be if those teeth pierced my skin.

"I'm sorry," I said. "Bryan and I were just best friends. You misunderstood our relationship." Suddenly, I felt a sharp slap across my face, and her hand gripped mine tightly.

"You don't get it," Cassie snapped. "I will ensure you learn your lesson before Bryan returns to the pack." She shoved me, and I hit the ground hard, pain-shooting at the back, but I pushed away and stood back up.

After washing the clothes again and hanging them up to dry, I headed to the kitchen. The sous-chef quickly laid out my duties for the day. By the time I wrapped up, it was already the afternoon. My stomach growled; I had had nothing to eat since morning. Cassie's mocking voice filled the room as I was about to grab some leftovers from the fridge. 

"Look who it is, the wolfless girl," she sneered. The word "wolfless" stung. "You seem so carefree," she taunted, flaunting her perfectly manicured nails.

"What are you talking about?" I stammered.

"You're just lazing around while we're all preparing for Bryan's welcome party," Cassie sneered, delivering a stinging slap to my face. I knew better than to argue with her; it would only invite another blow. 

"What do you want me to do?" I asked. Her smirk widened.

"Listen up, wolfless. This is how you'll set the decorations tables, and arrange the flowers for our guests," she dictated. I got to work immediately, with a few other maids assisting me, per Cassie's directives. I set rose bouquets on the dinner tables.

By early evening, I stepped outside and saw Bryan's arrival. Luna, Methil, and Alpha Jude warmly greeted him. He looked tall, muscular, and the mature version of the school friend I remembered. My heart raced as his striking appearance took me by surprise. When our eyes met, a rush of warmth spread through me, confirming that Bryan was my mate. However, instead of approaching me, Bryan went straight to Cassie, embracing her. I was taken aback; he was never as close to her as he was to me. Witnessing that moment hurt, but I tried to shake off the feeling.

By nightfall, I finally ate and retreated to my apartment, comforted by the realization that Bryan was my destined mate. I would talk to him about our mate bond the next morning, not wanting to interrupt the ongoing party. A loud knock shattered my moment of tranquillity. I opened the door to find a guard, his expression filled with anger. "You little wench. Come with me," he growled menacingly.

"What's going on?" I asked. "Why are you doing this?" But the guard didn't answer. Instead, he roughly grabbed my arm, dragging me to the manor. He shoved me, and I stumbled, falling hard on the floor. Sharp pain radiated from my knees and palms.

"Why did you place roses here? Don't you know Luna Methil is allergic to them?" Cassie's voice echoed angrily. I stared in shock as Luna Methil, unconscious, was quickly taken to the infirmary by other guards. The rose bouquet lay in broken pieces, with the nearby food untouched. As I tried to process the situation, I faced the furious gaze of Alpha Jude. He delivered a stinging slap to my face. Knowing he was my mate, I looked to Bryan for support, but Cassie stepped in, blocking my view.

"Do you want to kill my wife?" Alpha Jude shouted.

"Dad, that's enough," Bryan intervened. A flicker of hope sparked within me, believing that Bryan, my mate, would defend me even though I lacked a wolf spirit. Our eyes met fleetingly, but he quickly hid his emotions.

"I'll take care of this," Bryan said, addressing his father. "You should check on Mom."

"You're my mate," I whispered, but Cassie shot me a piercing glare. Bryan's gaze was cold.

"Why would the Moon Goddess give me a mate without a wolf spirit?" Bryan's words felt like a slap, making me wince. Cassie's hand slid possessively over Bryan's arm.

"Bryan, reject this wolfless woman. Remember, we're engaged," Cassie reminded him.

"But Bryan, you're my mate," I protested.

"Don't even say my name. You're weak, and I can't have you as my mate," Bryan replied, his words a dagger in my heart. 

"I've always been your best friend, yet you're treating me like this," I said, tears blurring my vision.

"It doesn't matter. Having you as my Luna would disgrace to me and my Pack, given you don't have a wolf spirit," he retorted.

"So, you're letting your parents force you to have an arranged marriage with Cassie" I challenged. "You're just with Cassie for her money and power. I might not have those, but I have integrity." Bryan's face showed a flicker of conflict.

"Don't argue with me, Flora. Accept the rejection; it's for your good," he snapped. I defiantly shook my head. Suddenly, Bryan gripped my jaw, forcing me to meet his intense eyes. 

"I, Bryan Knight, future Alpha of the Whitewood pack, reject Flora Evers, the future Luna, as my mate." His declaration felt like a gut punch. My entire being ached as if consumed by flames, and I let out a pained cry.

"Accept my rejection," Bryan ordered.

"No," I responded, almost without thinking. 

"Accept rejection. Now, or I'll end you. At least this way, you can live without our mate bond." His threat was all too clear, his eyes darkening with menace. 

Reluctantly, I whispered, "I, Flora Evers, future Luna of the Whitewood pack, reject Bryan Knight, the future Alpha, as my mate." My voice was a shaky whisper, and my knees buckled from the weight of my decision. I struggled back to my apartment, my tear-filled eyes raised to the night sky, the moon and stars silently bearing witness to my sorrow.