CHAPTER 2: BITTERSWEET

RAYA POV

The walk to my parents’ house was torturous. Still in my nightclothes, I endured the stares of other werewolves—some filled with pity, others with disdain. No one offered to help.

Now, I stood before the grand doors of my childhood home. They loomed large, mocking me with memories of a family that hated me and always preferred my twin sister.

I walked up the stairs and knocked. After a while, an indifferent-looking omega let me in and led me to the dining room. Faint chatter from within came to an abrupt halt as I entered.

Their cheerful expressions twisted into disgust. My mother was the first to speak. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.

I fidgeted nervously. “Draco threw me out, and I have nowhere to go. I was hoping I could stay here,” I explained hesitantly.

Naya, my twin sister, giggled mockingly. “No, you can’t, Raya. A disgrace like you doesn’t belong in this family.”

Her words, though expected, still stung deeply. I turned to my parents, pleading. “Mom, Dad, please, just let me stay here for a while. I need time to figure things out.”

My father’s harsh voice cut through my plea. “The only thing you’ll be figuring out is how to get out of my house! Alphas reject” he sneered.

Tears gathered in my eyes, threatening to spill. My mother followed up, her tone icy. “You’re a disgrace and a burden to this family. Just when we thought we were rid of you, you come back, useless and of no benefit. We won’t house you. Get out.”

“You know, you were never good enough for Alpha Draco, he finally came to his senses and rejected you like he should have. Goddess Selena did him dirty by mating him to a weakling like you” Naya teased mockingly,

My eyes hardened, I turned to look at my parents my face softening, “Please, I’m not asking for too much, I'm still your child” I searched their faces one last time, hoping for a flicker of compassion. There was none. Something inside me broke at that moment.

Turning, I left the mansion. I crumpled to the ground on the porch, sobbing uncontrollably, finally letting out all the emotions I had been holding in.

After an hour, I forced myself to my feet, picked up my bags, and wandered aimlessly around the pack. My mind was blank, my heart shattered.

---

I didn’t notice how far I had walked until I heard someone calling my name. Turning, I saw Melissa, the witch, approaching.

“Hey, Raya. I’m so sorry this happened to you,” she said, pulling me into a tight hug.

“Thank you, but don’t worry about me,” I mumbled.

“Come on, let’s go back to the Alpha’s mansion. With some persuasion, he might change his mind,” she suggested.

“No, that’s not a good idea. He’s made it clear he wants nothing to do with me,” I insisted.

Melissa shook her head. “Let’s just try. Besides, you look exhausted and hungry. I won’t take no for an answer,” she said firmly.

After some thought, I agreed. I had nothing to lose. It was this or becoming a rogue.

At the mansion, wary stares followed us as we entered. In the kitchen, Melissa prepared mashed potatoes with fried chicken and rice.

“Here's what you’re going to do,” she began. “Draco is out on official duties now, but he’ll be back this evening. Wait for him to rest, then approach him calmly in his room. Even if he doesn’t accept you back, ask if you can at least stay here. Do you understand?”

I nodded, grateful. “I understand. Thank you, Melissa.”

“No one deserves to be treated this way. If you ever need anything, I’m here for you,” she said with a sweet smile before leaving.

---

Evening fell, and Draco returned. I bathed and picked out the slinkiest nightdress I could find. If words couldn’t work, maybe my body would. The little mate bond we shared might trigger something in him.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on his door.

“Come in,” his husky voice boomed.

Opening the door, I stepped in and closed it behind me. His eyes flicked from his phone to me. Surprise briefly crossed his face before irritation set in.

“What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to leave?” he demanded.

“I know, and I’m sorry. But I have nowhere else to go. My parents wouldn’t take me in,” I replied, cautiously approaching.

“How is that my concern?” he asked coldly.

I sat beside him on the bed, surprised he hadn’t thrown a fit. Taking a chance, I reached for his hand. A small spark flared at the contact.

“Please, Draco. Show me a little mercy, for the sake of what we once shared,” I whispered, leaning closer, His body stiffened, but he didn’t immediately pull away.

“You think seduction will fix this?” he asked, his voice dripping with disdain.

“I don’t know what else to do, Draco. I just... I can’t lose you,” I confessed, my voice trembling.

I leaned into him, my face inches from his, “Don’t do this, Raya,” he warned, his voice low, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of something deeper, something primal.

“Please,” I whispered.

His hands slid up my back and into my hair, gripping it roughly as he pushed me onto the bed. He loomed over me, his eyes cold, yet filled with undeniable lust.

“You think this changes anything?” he hissed, tearing the flimsy fabric of my nightdress, leaving me bare beneath him.

I shivered, tears pooling in my eyes, willing to take whatever scraps of affection he could offer.

Draco leaned down, nipping at my neck, his breath hot against my skin. “You mean nothing to me, and this means nothing to me,” he murmured, his voice dripping with disdain.

Bittersweet tears rolled down my cheeks, humiliation and longing twisting together painfully.

“I understand,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

“Good,” he growled, capturing my lips in a bruising kiss. His hands roamed over my body, and I couldn’t suppress the shiver of longing that coursed through me.

His kisses trailed down my neck, leaving a fiery path in their wake. He paused to strip off his shorts, his sculpted body illuminated by the dim light.

Draco pressed his body against mine, his warmth and dominance overpowering. When he entered me, a gasp escaped my lips.

My hands clutched at his back as he moved, each thrust igniting both pleasure and pain.

Tears streamed silently as I clung to the hope that this intimacy would thaw the ice around his heart.

But as he stilled above me, his breath ragged, his cold words shattered any delusions I had left. “Don’t mistake this for love, Raya. This is all you’ll ever get from me.”