Aftermath (1)

Talia's POV

"Did you just say that to Bran in front of everyone?" Serena, my only friend in the Pack, asks, speaking with a voice that combines unbelief and amusement. She's leaning against a tree, with crossed arms and her brows raised.

Nodding, I become aware of how exhausted I feel after what just happened. "I had to, Serena. He left me no choice." My heart is still beating from the encounter.

"I can't believe you're the same girl who once hid in the kitchen to avoid talking to the butcher's son. Now you're out here, taking on the Alpha?" Serena shakes her head and whistles.

I chuckle, though it sounds more like a sigh. "I guess desperate times call for desperate measures," I don't even know what I'm doing anymore, maybe he wasn't going to reject me? I didn't allow him to speak before I cut him off. But I was sure I heard him say he wouldn't take an oversized mate like me. So he was going to reject me.

Serena grins and moves closer to me. "Well, the Moon Goddess must've been bored out of her mind to pair you with Bran." She jokes, nudging me gently.

I can't help but smile, even though my heart feels like it's about to explode from pain. "Maybe she's just testing how much I can take before completely losing it. Every time I pray to the Goddess for an understanding mate, someone who will love me for who I am? And the Moon Goddess dare pair me with Alpha Bran? This is weird."

Serena smiles, and she wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Or maybe she knows you're stronger than you think."

Serena is good at making me feel good and here she is at it again. She and my family are the only people who give me the care and comfort I need. Being wolfless is nothing I want to be, but what can I do when the Moon Goddess decides to make me this way? I lean into her, "I don't feel strong, Serena. I feel like my life is ending even before it starts, and here I am, doing nothing to stop all these from happening."

"It's not a bad thing to feel that way, Talia. I don't expect you to have it all figured out right now. Bran's an idiot if he can't see how amazing you are."

I pressed my lips together to hold back tears. "But what if he's right? What if I'm not good enough?" I question.

"Don't you dare think like that? You're more than enough, Talia. You're kind and smart, and you have a heart bigger than this pack. If Bran can't see that, it's his loss," she answers.

"You always know how to make me feel better," I state, smiling weakly.

She grins, releasing me and resting back against the tree. "It's my job as your best friend. Besides, I can't have you moping around all the time. It's bad for my reputation."

I laugh, the sound shaky but genuine. "Your reputation? I'm the one who's been humiliated tonight and not you. So how does that affect your reputation."

"Details, details. You're still the most interesting thing around here in ages." Serena shrugs.

I sigh, I feel a little bit relieved now, all thanks to Selena. "I just don't know what to do to the bond pull. But I'm sure I can't go back to him after what he said."

Serena's expression turns serious, and she looks at me. "Then don't. You don't owe him anything, Talia. If he wants to reject the bond, let him. But you don't have to let that define you. You're more than just someone's mate. You're you."

My thoughts are a mess, "I just... I don't know how to move on from this."

Serena's quiet for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. "You don't have to figure it out right now. You need to take things one step at a time."

I nod slowly, feeling the truth in her words. "Yeah, you're right."

"Of course I'm right. When have I ever been wrong?" Serena grins

I laugh, and the sound feels a little freer this time. "Well, there was that time you swore eating a white lemon would make your hair grow faster."

Serena cringes, playfully shoving me. "Okay, so maybe I've been wrong once or twice. But this time, I'm right."

We both fall silent for some seconds, Bran's rejection is still on my mind, but it's different now, less suffocating, more bearable. I'm relieved to have Serena by my side and to know I'm not facing this alone.

Serena looks at me, her expression turning serious again. "You're going to be okay, Talia. We'll figure this out together."

I nod, a small smile playing on my lips. "Thanks, Serena. What would I have done without you."

She winks her playful demeanour back in full force. "You'd probably end up eating lemons to grow your hair."

I laugh so loudly that the sound echoes through the quiet night. It feels good though.

But the reality of my situation refuses to fade with my laughter. I am still mated to Alpha Bran and he has rejected the bond.

Serena notices the shift in my mood because she tilts her head, watching me closely. "You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"

I sigh, nodding. "I can't help but feel embarrassed. Why would the Goddess give me such a mate? It's like he's still here, even though he's not.",

"Do you think he's feeling it, too?" Serena asks after being silent for some time.

I hesitate because I'm not sure how to respond. "I don't know. But even if he is, does it change anything?"

She nods slowly, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe not. But it doesn't mean you must give up on yourself.",

I look at her, the weight of her words sinking in. "You're right."

Serena grins, nudging me playfully. "Of course I am. Now, come on. Let's get out of here before someone comes looking for us."