Chapter 2: A Letter

Aree’s POV

I couldn't help but cry because of what happened. I still have the pain in my heart because of the rejection earlier. Until this moment, I still can't believe that the rejection happened. From hating me to rejecting me.

I was expecting that, but what I didn't expect was that I was easily rejected by him. He didn't even think twice.

I tried to calm myself down before I looked for Stella. I wiped the tears from my eyes and walked down the wide hallway.

I immediately bowed when I met the pack's Alpha Cornell, James and Stella's father. He also stopped walking and looked at me.

"You look like a mess, are you alright?" I didn't expect him to ask me that. I looked at him slightly, I could see curiosity in his eyes.

I nodded, "Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for asking," I said politely and bowed again.

"Alright. Do you know where James is?" He asked me. I nodded, "In his room, Alpha."

"I see. You can leave," I nodded and started to walk again.

I found Stella in her room, a smile on her lips. "Well?"

I gave her earrings. "Here are your earrings," I said weakly as I bowed.

She clapped her hands twice and approached me. "You look broken? Did you cry? Did something happen to you?" Instead of sympathy, I hear a different tone in her voice. It seems like she enjoyed teasing me when I was in great pain.

Does she know what happened earlier? Did Karen already mind-link it to her?

"No. Can I leave now?" I asked her again. She touched my cheek and made me look at her.

I grunted a little because she gripped my cheek. She was grinning widely now.

"Aww. It looks like my brother rejected you. Does it hurt? Oh, nope. You deserve that bitch. You don't deserve my brother or anyone in this pack," she said mockingly. I had no idea where that hatred and resentment came from.

I'm just lucky because they gave me a place to live, even though I can't call it mine.

"I ask for it. That's why I have no regrets," I answered bravely. She harshly let go of my cheeks and glared at me.

What? Triggered? I know she doesn't like me. Even when we didn't know that I was her brother's mate.

"So, you're telling me that my brother's rejection did not affect you? That you have no regrets? Oh, how dare you. You're just an Omega, a slave. How can you think of yourself so highly?!" She shouted and slapped me to the ground.

I just smiled. Is this the life I have? Always insulted, hurt, and not entitled to everything? I'm tired of understanding them but I still need them to survive.

"What are you talking about? Where was your courage earlier?!" I received another slap. I clenched my hands tightly.

I slowly knelt in front of her. "Enough. I had enough today. Please, Stella. Spare me this time. Just now," I begged.

She immediately grinned at what I did. She looks so proud of herself. Is the world really like this, when you have power, you can trample someone?

I smiled bitterly, "Please." I repeated. "Okay. I'm easy to talk to. You can leave now, but make sure that I won't see you today," I immediately nodded and slowly stood up.

I bowed, "Thank you." I mumbled before leaving.

I weakly walked to my room. When I got inside, I leaned against the door and slowly sat on the floor. I hugged myself and put my two arms on my leg.

I never expected my life to be like this. I still remember twelve years ago. My life was happy and peaceful.

My parents were Beta and Gamma of our pack and all were Lycans. Love was all I got under their care. I dreamed of the happiness I would experience growing up when I found my mate. But no matter what I wished for it wouldn’t come true.

Because one day, a bloody war erupted. Many of our kind died, and the others escaped. Almost all of us were not so lucky, getting captured and treated as slaves of different packs. And I'm one of those outcasts.

Since they died, the hope in my heart gradually disappeared.

And once again, the only hope in my heart shattered into a million pieces the moment my mate rejected me.

A sigh escaped from my lips as I sob silently. "Don't lose hope, Ari. Your chance is around the corner. You've been through a lot, are you going to give up now?" My Lycan wolf encouraged me. 

That brought me back to reality. I always disconnected her while I was in the pack house. I didn’t want her to go through the same pain as I did.

"Thank you for cheering me up, Celine," I thanked her. “You’re the only one I’ve got.”

She chuckled, "You're always welcome, Aree. Don’t lose hope, I know someday you’ll beat their asses up," That makes me laugh.

Whenever I was sad and hurt, Celine was always there for me. She seems to know much more about me, but she kept her mouth shut, saying ‘fate would reveal itself at the correct time’.

I pulled myself up together and left the room. I need to go back and serve them.

"Alpha, the palace sent a message," A man walked in front of Alpha holding an envelope. I stopped walking when I heard that.

I saw Stella and James in front of their father. I remembered what Stella said earlier, she didn't want to see me.

The alpha accepted the letter. He frowned slightly; probably curious why would the palace send them a letter.

"Read it for me," he said to his beta. The beta took the letter in his hand and started to read aloud.

A letter from the palace.

"Dear Alpha,

The King has commanded me to pass this letter to every pack under his reign, stating that every pack should send at least one lady with Alpha or Beta blood to the Royal palace for the selection of the King's breeder. This a serious matter, and I heard that you have a daughter so we're expecting to see her soon. Thank you."

Stella's eyes immediately widened and she stood up. "I begged to disagree, Father. You know his reputation. We all know that since his mate died, he has become a cold-blooded lunatic. He's dangerous and I don't want to be with him!"

We all looked at her, didn't she just overreact? Wouldn't it be better if she got closer to the king so that this pack would be even stronger? She's not taking advantage of everyone. I guess she just took advantage of me just to bully me.

"Calm down, Stella. The King needs someone to bear his child, the next king of Lycans. If you'll be chosen to be the breeder, this pack will be stronger," that's what I'm telling.

"But father! Is that what you think of me? A lowly breeder? Father, I am more than that. I deserve something better. And besides, he's not my mate, I found mine. Will you deprive me of the right to love my own mate? And who knows? We don't know him or even see him; how can you entrust me to him?!" I looked at James’ direction, he just looks serious as if he’s really listening and care about it.

She got a good point though. I continued to listen to what they were talking about even though it had nothing to do with me.

"Please reconsider it, honey," Stella shook her head. "No father, I won't. It is better to hurt me than forcing me to be his lowly, argh, breeder."

His father took a deep breath. "Okay, what can you suggest then?"

Stella slowly smiled, "I can't go but someone can go for me." Why I don't like what she was saying?

""What do you mean?" James turned to his sister. He had seen what was coming. She looked at him, "You already rejected your mate, right? She can go instead of me. I know the king hasn't seen me yet so she can take my place," my eyes widened.

Why me? Do I have Alpha or Beta blood? 

"Aria?" Her father asked. She nodded, "Yes. I don't want to see her, my blood boils when I see her."

"I see. I don't want to hurt you, my daughter. So, Aria will go instead of you then?"

No, it's not possible. Why should I be sent to that place?