In the Face of Rejection: A Hasty Getaway

Sebastian's POV 

The previous night had been truly remarkable, leaving me eager to engage in conversation with Alina. My excitement grew as I anticipated her appearance at the upcoming gathering event, where she would be wearing the beautiful dress I had gifted her. With only an hour left before the event, I stood before my mirror, meticulously buttoning up my shirt and reluctantly attempting to knot a tie, which I typically detested for making me look overly professional.

My focus shifted abruptly when I heard the door to my room open. I turned to find my mother, elegantly adorned in her favorite royal flowered gown and wearing her tiara, clearly prepared for the gathering event. Her presence at this moment intrigued me, as it was unusual for her to intrude without a specific reason.

"Luna Leah," I greeted her with a wry smile, turning my back to the mirror to concentrate on my tie once more. "What brings you here?" I inquired, curiosity piqued. She cleared her throat as she began to scan the room, causing my suspicion to rise. "I know she was here, Sebastian," she responded with a stern tone. 

'What's she talking about?'

Her words prompted me to raise an eyebrow as she continued to examine me through the mirror. "Don't give me that face, Sebastian. I can still smell her here!" She snarled. 

"I don't know what you're talking about, Mother," I replied. 

"Of course, you don't," she replied with an evil chuckle. "Sebastian, I saw the way you looked at her, you had your honey eyes flaring up. That is the feeling of seeing one's mate."

Her words sent a shiver down my spine. She wasn't supposed to know anything about this, especially about Alina spending the night with me. , "I see you have eyes and ears everywhere, Mother," I quipped as I picked up my blazer, wearing it. "Alina is going to be my Luna."

She growled as she approached me, her emerald eyes blazing with anger. She let out a deep sigh before adjusting my collar. "Sebastian, you're going to be an Alpha and I understand the importance of a Luna, but it can't be Alina," she insisted, her gaze locked to my hazel eyes. I couldn’t bear to reject her, not after what we talked about. Her scent, those captivating green eyes, and her presence. Luna Leah might disapprove of her but she couldn't make this choice for me. I could feel anger welling up inside me.

"Why not?" I retorted, turning away from her. 

"Because…because her parents…," she began but I interrupted her. "I know she is an orphan. But that doesn't matter," I snapped. 

"Sebastian!" She growled. "Just listen for once. Will you?" She interlocked her fingers, resting them on her lower body. "She was adopted, Sebastian," she revealed, causing my eyes to widen in shock. 

'Why is my mother telling me this?'

'Is Alina aware of this?'

"How do you know this?" I asked. "Anybody can be adopted, that shouldn't be a reason to deny her the role of Luna," I retorted. 

"Sebastian, Carly told me that her bloodline will become our enemies," She replied. 

Enemy? Carly, an old witch in the supernatural world and a friend of my mother's, possessed unique insights into the mystical realm. Her revelation about Alina's bloodline being a potential threat left me perplexed. "An enemy?" I inquired, trying to wrap my head around the concept.

Werewolf hunters," Luna Leah confirmed. I struggled to comprehend how Alina, a fellow werewolf, could be tied to such a fate. It felt like a cruel twist of destiny as if the Moon Goddess had made a grave mistake.

She approached me, sensing my rising anger and confusion. She held my arms gently, her eyes filled with concern. "I know this is difficult to accept, but you must, for the sake of our pack. She's a forbidden wolf," she added.

Her words shattered me. I could feel Oliver, my wolf, in agony. The pain within me was overwhelming. Even if I were to reject her, the anguish would only intensify. I stood there, staring into the void, unable to find the words. I had imagined spending my life with her, but it seemed my hopes had been in vain.

___

Alina's POV 

The gathering ceremony was amazing, the hall was filled with people. It was held at one of the Lorgan family's renovated, generations-old castles. The room was beautifully adorned with werewolf sculptures, chandeliers, and various activities like opera, dances, and a casino. Smiles were on everyone's faces. The theme was ball gowns and suits, but I wore a V-neck dress with a low back, complemented by green emerald jewelry. I felt wonderful in this breathtaking dress and couldn't wait to thank Sebastian for making it possible. Without Alpha Lorgan's permission, I wouldn't have been here in the first place.

Then, I spotted Sebastian, surrounded by men who seemed to be alphas from other countries. They were unfamiliar faces. He looked incredibly handsome in his black suit, and I could sense Lexi's excitement building. She always gets starstruck when she looks at him, which reminded me of last night. It felt like he could hear my thoughts as he glanced in my direction. I wore a soft smile, but he quickly averted his gaze, ignoring my smile. My heart sank. What just happened? This wasn't how you treat someone after being intimate. I hoped he wouldn't be like the others.

I approached Sebastian and began, "Hi Sebastian...," but he cut me off, and my heart skipped a beat when I heard him say, 'We need to talk!' Is this the part where he says last night was a mistake? I hope not. I nodded and followed him.

____

We stepped away from the bustling crowd into a quiet room down the corridor. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and as the door closed behind us, I couldn't help but urgently ask, "What's happening, Sebastian?" My voice trembled with curiosity and concern.

Sebastian's hazel eyes, which had been so warm last night, now bore into me with an icy intensity. My eyes widened in shock as he replied, "You can't be my mate." His words came out cold, devoid of emotion, and there was an unsettling emptiness in his voice. I couldn't grasp his emotions. I struggled to find words as he continued, "I am rejecting you."

Rejection was the most agonizing experience for a wolf. I didn't want to feel that pain, but it all felt surreal as I managed to stammer, "Wh…y? You said… you wouldn't." Tears welled up in my eyes.

Sebastian's response was harsh, "You are a maid, or perhaps I should say an orphan." He snarled, his hazel eyes turning into red orbs, his anger palpable. "You are too weak to be my Luna."

His words crushed me, and I struggled to speak. "You said you'd have me by your side… always," I stuttered, feeling Lexi's pain echoing within me.

Sebastian's voice oozed with disgust and anger as he spat, "I was wrong, Alina. You will always be weak." I couldn't believe he was saying this to my face. I had naively believed he would rescue me from my hardships. My attraction to him had clouded my judgment, leading me to believe he would be my savior.

"Sebastian!" I called out softly, but he didn't stop. He continued, "I, Sebastian Woods, reject Alina Stone as my mate." In an instant, a searing pain tore through me, and I fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face. Sebastian walked away without waiting for me to accept his rejection. This was undeniably one of the darkest days of my life.

____

As I was slowly recovering from the searing pain of rejection, Luna Leah's voice echoed in the corridor outside the room. Her words dripped with hatred, saying, "She has been rejected. She has no place here. She is all yours now." My heart sank as she must have noticed my presence.

A familiar male voice responded to Luna Leah, saying, "Of course, Luna Leah. Now tell me where I can find her."

I strained to recall where I had heard that voice before. It felt like someone from the packhouse, but then the name "Dave Hallow" sent a shiver down my spine. He was the same man I had encountered the night my parents were burned alive. How did he find me? What did he want from me? If he was connected to rogues, why was Luna Leah involved with him? Questions swirled in my mind.

Then I overheard Luna Leah say, "Make sure you find her. We don't want werewolf hunters anymore, even if we have to hunt every one of her kind."

The term 'werewolf hunter' struck fear into my heart. I was a werewolf, but I couldn't possibly possess the traits of a hunter. They were after the wrong person, and I couldn't provide any answers. I needed to get out of the castle. The memories of my parents' screams as they burned alive haunted me, and I couldn't bear a similar fate.

Desperation overcame me, and I decided to escape. I saw an opportunity when I noticed no guards were watching the window. Without hesitation, I climbed out, knowing I would ruin the beautiful dress Sebastian had given me. But that was the least of my concerns now; I just needed to get away from this gathering.

"Shift," I urged Lexi, and without delay, I transformed into a large wolf, adorned with a blend of russet brown, deep black, subtle shades of gray, and midnight black, sprinting into the nearby woods, leaving the castle and its mysteries behind.