Chapter 1: My mate's rejection (I)

Exalia's POV

“Where am I?” I mumbled softly to myself, my eyes darting around, but it was white all around with no human activities detected.

It was a strange environment, blank, bare and thoroughly white. My voice echoed after me, and I couldn't help but shrink to a corner, to make my existence less obvious.

As usual.

“Exalia.”

A soft voice rang out, and I hurriedly turned around in surprise.

“Who's…" The rest of my statement got stucked in my throat as my gaze fell on a figure, who blended perfectly with the white environment.

Her silken robes seemed to glow with a moonlight hue, her figure both graceful and commanding. Her silver hair cascades down in waves, and her eyes gleamed like orbs.

She seemed to be stepping on soft cotton, taking a step at a time with unrivalled elegance.

She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

“Who are you?” I questioned doubtfully, taking two steps at a time backward. From the lessons I learned in my seventeen years of existence, I knew the chaos that comes with associating myself with kingdom-topping beauties like this figure.

“My child,” She started, making me feel strange. She looked even younger than I was, and yet she called me, 'child'?

“You are destined for greatness, to become the most formidable werewolf alive. But, there will be obstacles. Not all will come from enemies, but from within. Fear, doubt, and betrayal that could make you lose yourself, you have to be careful.”

I stared at the ethereal figure for a few seconds, before shaking my head, “You've gotten the wrong person.”

All of a sudden a strange whirlpool dragged me out of the vast white space before I could even react.

"Accept your Wolf, it's who you are!"

My eyelids fluttered open, and I blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

Sitting up abruptly, I surveyed the familiar room, my fingertips pressed against my temples as I scrambled to recall the fading details of the dream.

But try as I might, nothing came to mind. I got out of bed, walked to the bathroom, and dressed. I studied my reflection: the plain dress and my tousled hair. Furthermore, I looked normal, nothing remarkable.

I sighed and left my room. As the beta of the Moon Launch Pack, my father’s position was significant, but my life felt far from the fairy tale. I was just another girl who had never stood up for herself, and with no wolf yet, many suspected I might be an omega.

But honestly, I didn’t care much about that.

“Hey, happy birthday, Exalia,” my dad greeted me with a hug. I was startled.

I had forgotten my birthday; I was turning 18 on August 13th, and time had flown by.

“I made your favorite cake,” he said, and I smiled, feeling grateful. He really was the best.

“Finally, we’ll see if the alpha is your mate, then maybe you’ll stop pining over him in secret. Have you shifted yet?” My older brother, Joel, emerged from the corner, teasing.

“Ugh, don’t say it like that. I don’t love him—perhaps a little—but don’t make it sound so dramatic,” I replied, my cheeks flushing as I rolled my eyes.

“Let’s cut your cake, my girl,” my dad said warmly. “Cut your cake, baby. You need to meet the alpha,” he added with a smile.

“Yeah, her dream guy,” Joel’s comment stung, making my face heat up even more.

“Stop it!” I snapped, trying to steady my nerves. The thought of meeting the alpha was making my heart race.

“How do I look? Is everything okay?” I asked my dad, smoothing down my dress.

“You look fine,” Joel said, his words only increasing my anxiety.

“You look beautiful, dear,” my dad reassured me.

“The alpha might already be taken with you,” Joel snickered. I shot him a sharp look, though I couldn’t deny the hope that maybe, just maybe, he was my mate.

“Alright, it’s time to go meet the alpha, darling,” my dad said, and we headed toward the alpha’s office.

My heart pounded as we arrived, my palms sweaty as I adjusted my dress for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Go in,” my dad urged, gesturing toward the door. Inside, Alpha Jake sat behind his desk, his intense gaze fixed on me. I froze, feeling like a deer in headlights.

The world seemed to blur around us, and my breath hitched in my throat.

Before I could react, he was standing in front of me. “Mate!” he declared abruptly, his tone harsh, leaving my dad visibly shocked.

“Beta, we need to talk,” Jake said, dismissing my father with a wave. My dad gestured for me to leave. I knew something was wrong and felt I had the right to know. I crept to the window to eavesdrop.

“You mean you want to reject my daughter? Why, man?!” I heard my dad’s voice rise in anger.

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach at the implication of his statement. I staggered, a look of disbelief spreading across my face.