01: THE REJECTION

SIENNA

The sound of their mocking laughter swelled as they pushed me each time I tried to rise to my feet. My knees were all scratched up and the fresh bruises on my body hurt.

"How pathetic. You don't think you will end up having Alpha Nathan as your mate, do you?" Mai, the loudest of the four mocked.

Kelly squatted in front of me and reached out to cup my face in her hands. I tried to move my face away from her, but she grabbed me by the hair.

Dragging my head closer to her, she cackled.

"Look at her face...oh no... it's all ruined."

I squeezed my eyes shut, I wanted nothing more than the opportunity to bash her face in, with my fist.

A punch to my nose made my eyes water, blood oozing out of my nose.

"Now, listen carefully. This is a warning. Stay away from Nathan. The next time I see you around him, I'll chop off your limbs, got it?" Stephanie said, her low timbre voice dripping with icy threat.

I curled in on myself, resisting the urge to lash out at her.

Kelly straightened, folding her arms across her chest while she stared down at me.

"You understand what she said, don't you?"

I nodded immediately, angry tears rolling down my cheeks.

Sara, the shortest of the quadruplet kicked me on the side of the head and I fell backwards, my jaw throbbing.

"Use your words, alright?" She said, glaring at me with icy blue eyes framed by thick eyelashes.

"I-I understand," I mumbled, lowering my gaze.

"Right. Tonight is the mating ceremony. Stay indoors, okay?" Mai said. My stomach tightened.

If I stayed indoors, I wouldn't be able to meet my mate. I was officially twenty years old. During the previous mating ceremony, I'd failed to find my mate. Truth was, I'd hoped that Nathan was my mate since we were in a secret relationship.

But, we were different. I was a lowly slave in the pack, and he was next in line for the title of Alpha of the Black Claw Pack.

Since he had not found his mate, I was hopeful that the moon goodness would alleviate my suffering by granting me my request to stay by his side.

Only recently did the nasty quadruplet discover my feelings for him.

I'd been bullied my whole life. With them discovering my secret, it worsened a thousand times over.

"See you soon, dump," said Kelly as she walked away with her sisters.

I stared at them from my position on the ground, my vision going blurry.

Blinking back my tears, I struggled to my feet. Thunder rumbled overhead, followed by a sudden downpour.

I heaved a sigh, brushing my wet hair away from my face. I was miserable enough, catching a cold was the last thing I wanted at this point.

The moment I took a step forward, I doubled over. My ribs ached viciously.

A flash of lightning highlighted a figure standing a few metres away. I recognized him immediately.

"N-Nathan?" I breathed, my brows furrowed.

Another flash of lightning came. His blue eyes were cold, I realized. Something was wrong. I could feel it.

"How long have you been watching..." I asked.

I stumbled forward, desperate.

"Nathan, it's not..."

He cut me off, his face expressionless.

"I, Nathan Declan, reject you, Sienna West as my mate."

I blinked, confusion welling up inside of me as pain blossomed in my chest.

"W-what do you mean? We're not even-"

My eyes widened when I saw him unbutton his shirt, revealing an item I never thought I would see on him.

It was a pendant. It wasn't just a pendant. It was known for changing it's wearer's scent.

Once he took it off and tossed it away, a different scent flooded my senses. One that overwhelmed me.

Realization set in and tears welled up my eyes, my heart threatening to explode.

'I can't breathe, ' I thought.

I stumbled backwards, tears blurring my vision. At this point I was drenched, but was past caring.

"No...it can't be. Have you known all along? No...how long have you known?" I croaked.

"Two years."

"What?" I gasped.

"I never loved you, Sienna. The mate bond was weighing down on me. The only way to get over it was to be around you."

"Nathan..."

"I've never wanted you. You can't be my mate. I've had enough. You're weak. You're merely a slave. You are wolfless. You don't even have a scent. You can't be my Luna."

Anger raced through my veins. I turned away from him, my chest burning.

Yes, I've been a fool.

Yes, I've been in love with someone who didn't want me.

I've swallowed my pride. I've taken blows.

"But, I'm done with it," I thought aloud.

"What?!" Nathan yelled above the sound of the pounding rain.

I halted and turned around, my fists clenched.

I stared at his handsome face, at the lips that had once kissed mine, at the eyes that had once gazed at me with affection.

And, I knew.

I was going to hate him for the rest of my life.

"To hell with you, Nathan Declan! I'm so glad we never had sex!" I screamed at him.

His eyes widened, his mouth agape.

"I hope you get what you deserve!" I spat.

When I started to leave, he yelled at me.

"Stop right there. It's an order!"

...

"Get up."

I kept my eyes closed, my face turned away from the metal gate that kept me imprisoned within the small, dark cell.

"I said, get up!"

The owner of the voice was quickly losing her patience, but I refused to budge.

I was still soaking wet from my earlier encounter with the man I used to love. After proclaiming that I had become a rogue, I'd tried to run out of the pack house. I should have known better. The Warriors stationed by the gate were stoic brutes. They always got their job done. There was no way I could have made it past them.

The loud clang coming from the gate startled me into glancing at it. It was wide open. Madam Rey, the wife of one of the pack elders' sons, was standing there, her black umbrella dripping wet. I couldn't see her face, but I could tell how livid she was.

"Have you gone deaf?" She demanded, smacking me on the side with her umbrella.

I swallowed hard, cowering away from her. She was huge. Getting hit by her umbrella would be nothing compared to her punch.

"Get up!" She barked, bending over to grab me by the wrist. I didn't resist when she pulled me to my feet and dragged me out of the cell.

"Where are we going?" I mustered the courage to ask.

"To the main hall. Alpha Nathan asked that you join the other servants to serve the elites. Now, keep your mouth shut and follow me."

Without making a sound, I let her drag me to the main hall. The moment we arrived, a wine tray was handed to me.

Outside the main hall, other werewolves of the lower class chattered and filled their stomachs with food.

"Go in. You are to serve Alpha Nathan," Madam Rey said. I nodded and stepped into the main hall, along with other servants.

My gaze met Nathan's, and his eyes darkened. Sitting beside him was Laura, the daughter of the pack's previous beta. She was all smiles.

He suddenly rose to his feet and headed out of the hall.

"Go after him," Madam Rey ordered. I turned to look at her, upset.

"Don't make things even worse for yourself," she said, glaring at me.

Letting out a sigh, I headed to Nathan's chamber. I knocked on the door and walked in with the wine tray. I'd barely walked in when he snatched the tray out of my hands and threw it to the floor.

"Here you are," he drawled, his eyes filled with contempt.