Chapter 1

REJECTED 

ELENA’S POV

My world dissolved into a blurry mess, the tears gathering in my eyes, hot and heavy. I tried to blink them back, but it was useless. The hopelessness wrapped around me, suffocating, crushing every shred of faith I had left.

“You’re hurting me, Liam" I gasped, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Pain throbbed in my head, but it was nothing compared to the ache that was tearing me apart inside.

“When did I ever say I cared?” he growled, his tone colder than I’d ever heard it.

He yanked his trousers on, his movements jerky and impatient. My breath hitched in my throat, my chest tight.

“If you didn’t care about me, then why did you take away my innocence?” My voice broke as I asked the question. I needed answers, anything to make sense of this.

But his face remained impassive, utterly devoid of remorse. He didn’t flinch, didn’t soften. There was nothing there…no regret, no connection. This was the man who was supposed to be my best friend. My mate. 

I trusted him. 

"Spare me the theatrics" He scoffed, waving me off dismissively. "You’ve always wanted me, always throwing yourself at me. Don’t act like you didn’t."

His words felt like my heart shattering, leaving me breathless. 

“That’s not true! And you know it!” I shot back, my voice rising with the surge of anger. 

Before I could react, his hand flew across my cheek. The sharp sting of his slap made my head whip to the side. I stared at him, shocked, my skin burning where he struck me.

“Liam…” My voice trembled. 

“I won’t go easy on you next time you raise your voice at me” He warned seething, his tone low and dangerous. “Pathetic, wolfless Omega” He spat, storming out of the room without a backward glance.

And just like that, he was gone.

I crumpled to the floor, my legs too weak to hold me up. The tears flowed freely now, no matter how hard I tried to stop them.

Why? Why is this happening to me? 

I choked back a sob, swiping at my wet cheeks with shaking hands.

 Liam was just angry, right? He was joking. He had to be joking.

_____________

I glanced at the clock and a scoff drew out of my mouth involuntarily, It wasn’t even 2 p.m yet. Why was this day dragging on forever? 

Pulling myself off the bed, I stumbled to the bathroom. The pain between my legs was still sharp, and no matter how many times I tried to wash my private part, the pain away, it still wouldn't subside. This would be the fifth time I showered today, but I didn’t care. I needed to feel clean.

My mind drifted to Liam and I felt a lump form up in my throat. Maybe if I went to see him, things would be better. Liam would have calmed down by now. 

Besides, he’s never been violent with me before. I'm sure he must’ve been upset, angry about something else. Maybe I was just... bad in bed? The thought made my stomach churn, but I needed to know.

I turned off the water and grabbed a towel, drying myself slowly. My body felt heavy, still, I had to go see him. Maybe things could go back to normal.

I grabbed some clothes, put them on and headed out. ‘Liam loves me…he did!’ I kept reassuring myself.

“Stanley, hurry!” a girl’s voice cut through the air, pulling me from my thoughts. I stepped outside and noticed the entire pack moving in the same direction. Something was happening. 

Without thinking, I joined the crowd, trailing behind them. The pack was buzzing with energy, people whispering and glancing around with anticipation. A meeting? What could it be about?

Then, I saw him—Liam, standing at the front. His eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on me, and for a fleeting moment, a sly smile curled on his lips.

He doesn’t hate me, I thought, my heart lifting. He was just angry.

My lips twitched into a small smile, but it faded the moment he spoke.

“Good day, young Alpha!” The pack chorused.

Liam's deep voice rang out, commanding everyone's attention. “I hope the pack is doing well, because you all need to brace yourselves for my announcement.”

I watched him closely, my pulse quickening. An announcement?

“I’m marking today as my mating ceremony” He said, his voice strong and sure.

My heart skipped a beat. He was going to mark me.

But before I could process it, he continued. “Maria Broodwing, come on board.”

My world tilted. I could barely register the name. Maria?

Slowly, I turned my head, just in time to see her striding confidently toward him. Her chin was held high, her smile smug. She’d always acted like she was better than everyone, always bragging about how she would be Luna someday and I hope Liam isn't gonna do that.

She wasn’t supposed to be his mate. I was.

“She will be my new mate,” Liam declared.

The words struck me like a dagger, twisting in my chest. The air seemed to leave my lungs. Everything I thought I knew crumbled in that moment—eight years of friendship, every promise, every whispered word of love. Lies. All of it.

“Elena Darkwood, step up.”

I froze. Slowly, I lifted my gaze to meet his. There was no warmth, no love. Only mockery.

“I'm announcing that Elena Darkwood is my mate, but I will not accept her. She might have been my friend, but I will never make a wolfless Omega my Luna.”

I felt my heart break, shattering into pieces. But I couldn’t let him see me cry. Not here. Not now.

“I, Liam Hemsworth, the future Alpha of this pack, hereby re—”

“Hold it, Liam” I cut him off, my voice steady even as my heart splintered. “Let me do you the favor.”

I took a deep breath, willing myself not to falter. “I, Elena Darkwood, reject you, Liam Hemsworth, as my mate and cut off any mating bond between us.”

The crowd murmured in shock, but I didn’t care. Maria’s eyes gleamed with triumph.

Liam smirked, his voice cold. “I, Liam Hemsworth, accept your rejection.”

And just like that, the bond between us snapped, leaving nothing but emptiness in its wake.

“I banish myself from this pack” I added, my voice firmer now. “I sever all connections and ties with this pack, its leaders, its Alpha and its future Alpha.”

Liam’s expression hardened. The look on his face says it all, he definitely wasn't expecting my declaration. “You’ll become a rogue, a wolfless Omega. Is that what you want? To add misery to your already pathetic existence?”

I smiled faintly, feeling a strange sense of power wash over me. “I’d rather be a rogue than live under a worthless Alpha like you.”

His face twisted with anger, but I didn’t stay to watch

him explode. Without another word, I turned and walked away from the pack, leaving everything and everyone behind.