002

Two

Hailey's POV

The room was quiet, everyone stared at me and Dimitri. My heart was pounding loudly as all eyes watched us, waiting patiently to see what would happen between the shy, nerdy girl and the almighty co-captain of the basketball team… Dimitri, he is also the Alpha of the Red moon pack.

My eyes kept scanning the whole place until it landed on both my friends and roommates. Mia and Jessy. 

“You can do this girl.” They smiled at me which gave me more courage.

Dimitri’s deadly glare locked into mine as he walked straight to me, grabbing my arm roughly.  “So, this is what you’ve been doing? Cheating on me and flirting with Paxton?!” His voice was low but full of fury.

My breathing was caught in my throat as I shook my head, trying to find the words. “Dimitri, no! It’s not what you think. Paxton... Paxton isn’t my boyfriend! He only invited me to his party, nothing else...”

But Dimitri didn’t let me finish. He was already as violent as usual. “Do I look dumb to you?” He asked and I swear I could hear his heart beating faster from where I stood.

“I, Dimitri, Alpha of the Red Moon Pack, reject you, Hailey, as my mate.”

His words sliced through me like a blade, and I felt an instant sharp pain as the mate mark behind my ear burned before it vanished. My hands were trembling as I clutched at my neck, my eyes welling up with tears. The bond—our bond—was gone.

I felt like the world shattered around me. A cold numbness crept through my chest, followed by a sharp ache that tore at my heart. How could he reject me so easily?

 Every breath felt heavier, like I was suffocating under his rejection. I couldn't look up in shame as tears wailed down my cheeks. I'm going to be the talk of the school, everyone was there.

The mate bond had always been a part of me, a connection I thought was unbreakable. Now, without it, I felt exposed—vulnerable. My heart ached, not just from the loss, but from the cruel realization that I wasn’t enough for him. But I think I already expected that to happen a long time ago.

“Hailey, you're really daydreaming to think that I would stoop so low to be your Mate.” These have been his words over the tears which keep reminding me that I am alone.

“Why?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Why would you do this?” I finally mustered the courage to talk.

He sneered at me, looking down with disgust. “I can’t be mated to a nerdy little flirt. You’re weak, Hailey. Stooping so low to mate a cheap thing has never been on my bucket list.”The venom in his tone stung, making my heart feel like it was shattering into a million pieces.

Just as his words crushed the last bit of hope inside me, Paxton stepped between us, glaring at Dimitri. “One more word from you, and I’ll have the guards throw you out of my party,” Paxton growled, his voice commanding and full of authority.

Dimitri faltered, stepping back, but the room was buzzing with whispers.

“Is she his girlfriend?” 

“Oh no! I pity the cheer queen.”

Paxton turned to me, his expression softening. “I, Paxton, Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, accept you, Hailey, as my Luna.”

My eyes widened in shock. *What?* Did I hear that right? “Am I dreaming?” I muttered under my breath, unable to believe the words coming from him. I immediately feel my world coming back to normal, yes..he is the one my heart longs for.

Gasps and murmurs erupted from the crowd as everyone clapped and cheered, celebrating Paxton’s bold declaration. My head was spinning, trying to process everything that had just happened when a voice suddenly rang out.

“No!” The cheer queen from the volleyball team Nikki stormed forward, her face twisted in anger. “Paxton, I’m supposed to be your Luna! Not her! I’m your fated mate—we’re betrothed!” She said glaring at me with deadly eyes. She rushed out of the crowd and grabbed my hair, yanking it.

“How dare you steal my man away from me! You cheap slut! You're only meant to be in the gutters!” She yelled. Paxton grabbed her hands immediately and swung her off me. Nikki breathed heavily from where she stood.She glared at me, pure hatred burning in her eyes, but Paxton didn’t even flinch.

“Everyone! I have an announcement to make. From today, I will appoint Hailey as the new cheer queen of Kent’s University. No one goes against her.” He said with affirmation.

“You earned it girl!” Mia and Jessy shouted from the crowd. I could even digest what he just said. Imagine me a nerdy girl with no value in school and even any sports club now made the cheer queen of the volleyball team? I covered my mouth as tears rolled down my cheeks.

The girl gasped, her eyes widening in shock, but before she could say another word, Paxton swept me off my feet, his arms wrapped around me tightly. My breath caught in my throat as I looked up at him, completely taken by surprise.

He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, “We still have some unfinished business, my lady. Why don’t I make you scream my name tonight?”

I felt my cheeks heat up instantly as I blushed, unable to stop the rush of emotions. Paxton carried me out of the hall effortlessly, leaving behind the stunned crowd, all I could hear was my name being cheered because no one goes against Nikki, the queen of Kent's university.

“I will make you pay for this!” Nikki yelled angrily. Her voice was laced with fury, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

He carried me to a room, I guess he was really familiar with this place because he led the way with so much confidence like he knew every crook and cranny of the place. 

We got to a room, it was so beautiful and bigger than the room I knew.

He walked lustfully to me and unbuttoned his shirt revealing his broad chest tattoo with a cross. He looks super hot, I drooled over him. His body is so perfect with his broad and muscular chest.

I breathed heavily, Paxton grabbed my head closer and placed a deep kiss on my lips and my neck.