Chapter Four: The Unraveling

Ella slowly opened her eyes, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains and bathing the room in a golden glow. Her body ached all over, every muscle tingling with the memory of last night’s passionate encounter. She turned her head to glance at the man beside her—Alpha Derek. She had heard so much about him from her ex-fiancé, Kevin, and had briefly met him once at a pack event. Amidst the haze of alcohol, she’d still recognized him. The surprise of finding him to be her mate left her feeling a mix of elation and disbelief.

“Thank you, Moon Goddess,” she whispered to herself, a smile creeping across her lips as she recalled the intensity of their connection. It felt unreal, as if she were living in a dream where everything had shifted overnight. 

Just then, her phone rang, jolting her back to reality. She groaned as she answered, her stepmother’s frantic voice bursting through the speaker. 

“Ella! Where are you? You need to get to the engagement hall—now!” 

Ella’s heart sank. “What do you mean? The party hasn’t been called off?”

“Of course not! Kevin is waiting for you! Get here immediately!” 

Before she could respond, her stepmother hung up, leaving Ella reeling. That jerk hadn’t called off the engagement party. Panic surged through her, and she quickly slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb Derek. She grabbed a pen and scribbled a note, placing it on the pillow beside him.

*“I will be back, Mate.”*

With one last glance at Derek, she hurried out of the room. As she stepped into the morning sun, a knot tightened in her stomach. She couldn’t face Kevin, not after everything that had happened, but she had no choice.

When she arrived at the engagement venue, Ella was taken aback. The hall was lavishly decorated, glittering with lights and flowers. But as she walked in, the atmosphere shifted. Guests turned to give her accusatory glances, whispers rippling through the crowd like an electric charge. 

Ella’s heart raced as she approached the front, her stomach churning at the sight of a large banner displaying Kevin and her stepsister, Sandra, together. It was as if everything had been planned without her knowledge, and the realization settled like a stone in her chest.

Kevin picked up the microphone, drawing everyone’s attention. “My mate, Ella Brown, betrayed me on the night of our mating. Therefore, I must cancel my engagement with her.”

The murmurs intensified as Ella felt the weight of their disdain. She glanced at her phone, her hands trembling as she saw a photoshopped image of her with a random man. Anger surged within her. How low could Kevin stoop low to ruin her reputation while he played the victim?

“However,” Kevin continued, his voice dripping with satisfaction, “the goddess blessed me with my true fated mate, Sandra Brown.”

Applause erupted around the room as Ella stood frozen, disbelief washing over her. Sandra, glowing in her new role, stepped forward, taking Kevin’s arm. “I’m so sorry for my sister’s faults. I promise to be a better Luna and make up for where she went wrong.”

Ella couldn’t take it anymore. “What did you just say? My fault? Why don’t you tell them all what really happened?”

At that moment, her stepmother pushed through the crowd, a hand raised before connecting sharply with Ella’s cheek,making her see stars and bringing her to tears.

“Shut up you slut”. she muttered angrily and in disgust 

“You made me break my promise, Ella!” Kevin declared, his tone righteous. “Therefore, I, Kevin Taylor, Alpha of the Silver Crest Pack, reject the degenerate Ella Brown.”

Ella’s heart shattered at the pain of rejection. This man, whom  had made her his chosen mate, had now turned his back on her. “Fine,” she choked out, tears welling in her eyes. “I, Ella Brown, accept your rejection.”

“Thanks. I couldn’t have found my fated mate without you,” Ella added.

Sandra chimed in, her voice sweet yet venomous. “Mate? Who would take a rejected trash?”

Ella scoffed, a mocking laugh escaping her lips. “You seem to enjoy the trash I deserted.”

Fury ignited in Sandra’s eyes, and she raised her hand to strike, but before she could, a voice boomed through the hall.

“Alpha Derek of the Moonstone Pack is here!” 

A wave of surprise mixed with Joy washed over Ella, followed by a glimmer of hope. She turned, holding her breath as Derek approached. But to her shock, he completely ignored her,even when she tried holding his hands to draw his attention, he swiftly pushed her hands away, greeting Kevin with a firm handshake.

“Congratulations on your engagement,” he said facing Kevin and Sandra, the words feeling like daggers in Ella’s heart.

Confusion clouded her mind. “Derek! We’re mates!” she called out, desperation lacing her voice.

He turned to her, a hardened look in his eyes. “I’m not your mate, Ella. You must be mistaken.”

Staggering back, Ella felt the world tilt. Whispers surrounded her as cameras clicked away, capturing her humiliation. 

“What a shameful day for Ella Brown, rejected by two alphas,” she heard someone mutter.

Kevin stepped forward, a smirk on his lips. “You’ve lost your mind, Ella. Alpha Derek already has a Luna.”

Tears streamed down Ella’s face as she looked at Derek, her heart aching. “This can’t be true. You have a Luna? Is that why you rejected me?”

Derek’s jaw clenched, the internal battle evident in his eyes. “Clara Crown is my chosen mate. I hope not to be bothered by any self-acclaimed mate.” he announced coldly

The words struck her like a physical blow, and she collapsed to the ground, her spirit crumbling. 

Derek looked at her, regret swimming in his gaze, but he didn’t step forward. “I’m sorry,” he whispered almost to himself, the weight of his choices heavy on his heart. His wolf, Leo, howled in frustration, the pain of their fated mate’s suffering gnawing at him. 

Ella’s tears fell silently, her heart breaking as the world around her blurred into a haze of sorrow and betrayal. She didn’t see the sorrowful look in Derek’s eyes, nor did she notice how deeply his heart ached for her, torn between duty and desire. She stood up dejectedly and left the hall.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured again as he watch her leave, hoping that somehow she could feel his remorse, even if he could not voice it aloud.