Chapter 2: Acceptance

Val's POV

"Say it, Val!" Ragnor's hands gripped my shoulders, shaking me as though my silence was a crime. His voice thundered, but I could see the fury, or was it disgust, in his reddened eyes.

"I..." My voice wavered, broken under the weight of his command.

"Accept the rejection, Val!" he roared. His tone carried a venom that pierced straight through me. Was the thought of being mated to me so unbearable for him? So humiliating?

"I... Valkyrie of the Blue Fire Pack, accept this rejection," I whispered, the words like shards of glass ripping through my chest. My heart burned, as though someone had ripped it out and stomped on it. I could hardly breathe, and tears spilled freely, blurring my vision.

I didn’t dare look at Ragnor. The idea of him finding amusement in my pain was too much to bear. But all I heard was a low growl—a sound that somehow echoed my own devastation—before his heavy steps faded. He left me. Without hesitation. Without mercy.

"Val!" Nancy rushed to my side, pulling me into her arms. I crumbled against her, my sobs muffled by her shoulder.

"Let’s get out of here," she whispered, trying to help me stand, but my knees buckled. Weakness coursed through me, the rejection draining not just my energy but my very will.

A cold, mocking laugh sliced through the air, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Oh, what do we have here?" came a voice dripping with malice.

Beta Tasya.

She always seemed to be lurking, like a predator savoring the scent of fresh blood.

"Ladies and gentlemen, behold the mighty Valkyrie," she sneered, her voice ringing out for all to hear. "I never thought an orphan like her would dare to dream of becoming our next Luna."

I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. But I said nothing. What could I say?

"Enough, Beta," Nancy stepped in, her voice steady though her hands trembled. "Valkyrie has been rejected. She’s no threat to you or anyone else."

Nancy’s attempt to defend me was like pouring oil onto a fire.

Tasya’s eyes flared with fury. "How dare a lowly servant like you speak to me?" she hissed, grabbing Nancy by the hair.

"No!" I gasped, stepping forward, but the crowd only laughed, their jeers cutting deeper than any blade.

"Please," I begged, my voice cracking. "Let her go."

Tasya’s response was swift and cruel. Her hand lashed out, slapping me hard across the face. Pain exploded in my cheek, but it was nothing compared to the humiliation.

"You two don’t deserve to breathe the same air as us," she spat, her voice filled with venom. "On behalf of the Beta of this pack, I order you to leave this ceremony at once!"

She was right. As Beta, she held the authority to command anyone in the pack, and no one would dare oppose her. Not even me.

"We’re leaving," I said, my voice barely audible. I clutched my burning cheek, my pride shattered. Nancy growled under her breath but knew better than to fight back. We were Omega—the lowest rank. The invisible. The voiceless.

"That’s right," Tasya smirked, her joy a dagger in my heart. "Now, everyone, let’s celebrate!"

As we stumbled out of the ballroom, the sound of laughter and music followed us like a taunt. The mating ceremony was supposed to be a joyous occasion—the day dreams came true. The day mates found each other and started their forever.

But not for me.

Never for me.

***

As we stepped away from the ballroom, its joyous atmosphere still clung to the air, like a phantom blade slicing into us. The echoes of laughter and celebration felt cruel, a stark reminder of my rejection and humiliation.

“Let’s call it a day and get some rest, shall we?” Nancy offered with a small smile, trying to lift my spirits.

I nodded, forcing a faint smile in return. Sleep was the only reprieve I could hope for. Nothing else could dull the ache that had settled in my chest.

“See you tomorrow?” I asked as Nancy turned to leave my room.

She stopped in the doorway, flashing a grin. “See you tomorrow, birthday girl! Let’s hit the cake shop, okay?”

Her unwavering support caught me off guard, and for a brief moment, my heart felt lighter. “Of course. Thanks, Nans!” I chirped, feeling a flicker of hope. Maybe tomorrow would be kinder.

But hope is a fragile thing.

Before I could settle into bed, a sharp knock shattered the fragile calm.

“Hey! You lazy ass!” A harsh voice barked, followed by the sound of heavy boots stomping outside my door.

I hurried to open it, startled by the intrusion. “Head Maid? What’s going on?” I asked politely, my stomach sinking.

She stood there, her face twisted into a scowl as she shoved a bucket into my hands. “Go feed the livestock in the barn. Now!”

“At this hour?” I blinked in disbelief. It was nearly 9 PM, far past the usual time for such tasks.

“Are you questioning my orders?” she hissed, hands flying to her hips. Her glare burned with fury.

“No, ma’am,” I replied, lowering my gaze. Resistance would only make things worse. “I’ll go.”

The Head Maid scoffed, her disdain cutting deeper than her words. “Good. Make yourself useful for once.” With that, she spun on her heel and stormed off, leaving me standing in the doorway with the bucket in hand.

I sighed heavily, my body aching from the day’s torment. But I couldn’t complain—not when Nancy lived so close and might hear. I didn’t want her dragged into my suffering anymore. She had done enough for me already.

Pulling my thin shawl tighter around me, I braced myself against the biting cold. The pink dress Nancy had insisted I wear earlier offered little protection from the chill, but there wasn’t time to change.

“This will be quick,” I muttered, trying to steel myself. The barn wasn’t far, and I just needed to get it done.

The path was eerily quiet, the celebration far behind me now. The moon cast long shadows over the snow-dusted ground, and an unsettling stillness filled the air.

But as I approached the barn, something felt off. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and a strange scent—metallic and sharp—wafted through the air.

“Holy Molly!” I gasped, dropping the bucket.

There, sprawled across the barn floor, was a sight I’d never forget. Blood pooled around a mangled figure, the life drained from their lifeless body.

And I wasn’t alone. A pair of glowing eyes locked onto mine, their owner hidden in the shadows.