get out

“ I don't have a mate. “ I uttered bitterly. Perhaps a few hours ago I did but not anymore.

Although Liam didn't force me to agree to his rejection, that didn't change the fact that he would never accept me.

What was I thinking? That a man like him can settle for someone as weak and pathetic like me.

“You shifted Tania, that means you found him. If my guess is right, he doesn't want you?” Mr Jones asked and I nodded.

I knew the man wouldn't stop until I told him the truth.

It didn't matter anyway, I wasn't the first one to be rejected.

“Then your mate must be one dickhead to reject someone like you. “ Mr Jones said, his words sounding like a painful slap on my face.

Someone like me? Did he mean the pack’ s most hated person and a traitor's daughter because that's what I am.

“ More like he knows what's best for him. “ I uttered, my voice filled with dejection.

Despite promising myself to prove to Liam that I am everything I want without him, the reality of the situation was really smacking me hard in the face.

I was really broken by his rejection. It stung more than enduring years of ridicule from the pack members.

“ Are you looking down on yourself? “ Mr Jones asked, shaking his head.

“ In this world, the first step to attain respect from others is knowing your value. You don't have to care about what others think or say about you. You are your own. As long as you know what your value is, you won't need to force others to acknowledge you or weep over some assholes who don't know better. “ He added.

He was right. What's the need of clinging to someone who doesn't understand your worth? You are your own jewel and unless you shine for yourself, no one will come asking you to shine for them.

After chatting with the old man, he gave me some time off. In a week's time, I will be graduating from my studies.

With my degree, I can leave the pack and probably venture into the human world.

The Haven valley pack is not my home. That has been proved over and over again.

It was late in the evening when I arrived at the packhouse. After leaving Mr Jones eatery, I had wandered alone in the woods, trying to convince myself that I could do it.

Despite the gnawing desire to leave the pack and go far away to start my life, something else was pulling me behind, fighting against the idea of leaving.

Strutting into my house, I didn't expect to come across Liam in a heated conversation with the pack's elders.

“ You don't have a choice, Alpha. It doesn't matter if you have found your mate or not. You have to marry Sienna from the Red moon pack. That's the only way to strengthen the pack.” One of the elders said and I waited in bated breath to hear Liam's reply.

Perhaps he would reject their proposal and reconsider claiming me as his mate.

Accepting to imprint your fated mate makes an Alpha stronger than taking a chosen mate. Doesn't matter whether the chosen mate is of Alpha blood or not.

But I was bound to be disappointed.

“ The future of this pack comes first. Besides, why would I take such a lowlife as my Luna. Who knows when she decides to stab me in my sleep. After all, she's born of a traitor's blood.” Liam spat without hiding his disgust.

What was I thinking? That he would sacrifice more power and tarnish his reputation for someone like me?

Besides, what could I possibly offer to him apart from my body?

“ That's decided then. Three days from now, your engagement party will be held between you and the Alpha's daughter.”

Turning around, I walked away.

It's one thing to hear Liam shame me when it's just the two of us but it's something different to hear him say it before others?

It's not like we get to choose who to bring us in the world so why should I be crucified because of my father's sins?

Pushing the door to my room open, I entered.

I was feeling exhausted. Tired of how life had been treating me since the death of my father.

A once pampered princess was reduced to a pauper.

I always thought that finding my mate would be my escape route to all the scorn and hatred, turns out things just got uglier.

Taking a quick shower, I eased myself to bed.

I hadn't managed to fall asleep when a soft knocking sounded at the door.

Liam's mouth watering scent hit me, making me jolt from bed and race to the door.

My stupid heart was racing and my wolf, Melody howled with excitement.

Turning the doorknob, Liam pushed the door open.

My eyes collided with his dark orbs and I was taken aback by the emotions swirling on them.

Lust and unhidden desire.

I gulped and before I could say a word, Liam pushed me against the wall, the door slamming shut as he claimed my lips.

The kiss was ferocious and demanding as his tongue explored my mouth, tasting my sweetness.

I moaned into the kiss, my hands moving to his neck only to have him pin them above my head.

“ Don't touch me!” He growled, his words momentarily throwing me off the hook.

I pulled away, my eyes locked to his with a questioning gaze.

Mistake.

“ And don't look at me before I gouge your eyes out! I am your Alpha!” He growled, using his alpha command on me.

“ Why?” I barely managed to ask.

Why was he treating me like this?

I am his fucking mate for goddess sake.

Why was he treating me like a sec rag, one that he could use and discard whenever he felt like it?

“Do you think you deserve to touch me with those filthy hands?” Liam sneered, his words stabbing me straight into the heart

Filthy? He thinks that I am filthy?

Then why is he here in the first place?

When his scent enveloped me, when his lips touched mine, I was ready to forgive him for the ugly words he said earlier and agree to bear his mark.

I was ready to look past the pain and give him a chance but hearing him now, I didn't know if I was just too gullible or plain stupid.

How could I ever think about such a fantasy?

Liam stared down at me in sheer mockery as I broke inside. His gaze told me that I must look stupid to ever imagine having something serious with him.

“ This isn't some fairy tale where Cinderella meets her charming prince. You are no cinderella Tania and if it wasn't for my wolf craving your body, I wouldn't waste my time coming here. “ He uttered those words coldly, my heart freezing from the impact.

I didn't know which was more humiliating.

Being rejected because you didn't deserve it or him coming to me solely because his wolf wanted to sleep with me.

I chuckled, albeit bitterly before bursting out laughing.

“ What's funny?” Liam asked, annoyance creeping in him.

Looking at him, all I could see was the kind of a disappointment he was.

Apart from his handsome face, there was nothing else about him. For a moment, I questioned my taste in men for falling for him.

I was not the one unworthy of him, he was unworthy of me.

“ Get out!” I ordered, my voice low and defeated.

Since I am nothing but filth, he would better stay away lest he becomes infested.