Rejected

River’s Birthday Party

~~

R&B music rumbled through the Ironclaw packhouse. The energy there was vibrant and infectious as disco lights twinkled overhead, illuminating the large hall that was the venue of the party.

Laughter and chatter filled the air as guests mingled amongst themselves, their excitement bubbling up in the colorful hall. Tonight was River's 19th birthday, and Echo had thrown her a party unlike any other.

River, who was the center of attention spun around in a joyous circle, her crimson dress swirling like a blooming rose. There was nothing in the world that could contain her excitement.

True, she was happy to have made it this far and grown up despite all her challenges and incompetencies but, most importantly, her upcoming mating ceremony with Gonzalo McGruff was the peak of her joy.

With an expectant heart, she scanned the room, searching for Gonzalo. He'd been strangely distant since their– encounter…a few nights ago.

Yet, he'd promised to be here, and River, ever the optimist, chose to believe him. Gentlemen kept their word and Gonzalo was the gentlest of men she had ever encountered.

Nothing could go wrong. Nothing at all!

Ah – she felt like she was on top of the moon.

She spotted Echo who looked super radiant in a sapphire dress. She was holding court with a group of pack warriors. River weaved through the crowd with a wide smile plastered on her face and hurried to her sister.

“Echo! You shouldn't have gone this far. This is more than I imagined!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her sister in a tight hug.

"Happy birthday, little sis! You really need this party, trust me.” Echo squeezed back with a seemingly genuine smile. "Now, let's get you the center of attention you deserve."

“Yayyyy!” Shrieked, River.

Echo led her to a makeshift stage. As they stepped on the podium, a spotlight illuminated River’s every step.

The music faded immediately and was replaced by a silence that fell over the crowd. River got momentarily self-conscious under so many watchful eyes, but this wasn't new to her, standing in front of so many people.

She’d always liked the attention, however, what she loathed was the belittling looks people shoot at her in such gatherings. Echo was always the one getting all the respect and admiration.

Yet, River didn't mind at all. Echo was her sister and she took care of her all right.

She straightened her dress and took a deep breath as Echo clicked on a cocktail cup to get everyone’s attention.

“Thanks for coming out to celebrate my sister, everyone.” Echo began but was barely allowed to finish as a round of applause tore through the hall.

Waving a hand in the air and attaining decorum, Echo commenced. “Before the grand celebration begins, my little sister here has been bugging me about an announcement she’d like to make.”

Now, all eyes began to settle on River who didn't waste time at all to take the stage.

“Everyone! Thank you for coming tonight," she began, her voice surprisingly trembling slightly. She might have spoken in front of a crowd in the past but none included her making such an announcement.

“This is truly a night to remember. Not just because of my birthday, but because…"

She paused, took a deep breath, and darted her gaze towards the entrance.

Still no Gonzalo. Worry took over her face, but she quickly pushed it down. It was only a matter of minutes, before he would be here.

She had a solid trust in him. She’d make the announcement with or without him anyway.

"Because tonight," she continued, her voice gaining strength, "I want to introduce you all to the man who will be by my side, not just as my Alpha, but as my mate."

A simultaneous gasp boomed across the crowd. They all probably weren't expecting the Omega to be mated so soon or to even find a mate at all.

Well, jokes on them; River thought inwardly.

As if the heavens were working on her side today, Gonzalo stepped in. The smile that appeared on River’s face once she sighted him was big enough to swallow her small frame whole.

He stood there by the entrance with a stoic countenance. His eyes scanned the room before finally settling on her. River waved at him with excitement, but there was no warmth in his gaze - no spark of recognition.

It was a look of…something else entirely. River couldn't decipher it, but it sent a wave of worry through her. Not today, Gonzalo; she thought.

She however reprimanded herself to commence with her speech. She turned to him, her hand reaching out. All eyes followed her gaze and landed on the figure who was standing neutrally beside the entrance.

"Gonzalo McGruff," she finally announced, her voice steady despite the unease in her heart. "My future mate."

Silence descended upon the room right after. It was as though everyone needed a minute to process the information. Then, a slow clap echoed from beside Echo. It was followed by another, and another until a hesitant applause filled the air.

River ignored the oddity of the applause and beamed at Gonzalo. "Come, say hello to everyone!" she beckoned, her smile wavering slightly.

But Gonzalo didn't move. Instead, his gaze shifted to Echo, a whiff of something akin to pity washing over his conduct. He took a step forward.

However, it wasn't towards River, but towards her sister.

River swallowed a lump down a throat. Something was wrong, she could feel it.

A wave of nausea washed over her. The room seemed to tilt on its axis. The music also began to fade into a distant buzz.

Her smile faltered and her heart plummeted into her stomach. She wanted to understand what was going on straight away. As if Gonzalo could read her mind…

"Actually," he said with a calm and clear voice, silencing the room once more. "There seems to be a slight misunderstanding. I am not here with River."

No. No. No.

A sob escaped River's lips.

Did Gonzalo just reject her?

As if that wasn't enough, Gonzalo dropped yet another bombshell. “I didn't want it to be like this, trust me. But you wouldn't give me a chance to explain to you. I can't take in a weak mate. My pack needs a strong Luna. I tried to tell you, but you— well, you are too naive to allow me to speak my mind. Echo and I have been friends since little and since I got back here, we've seemed to uh…” He turned to Echo. “Bond. I'm sorry it had to be this way, pequena. You are like a little sister that I care about, but not as a mate.”

How dare he call her that?

Pequena?

She wasn't his little one. Not anymore. She was never his little one. She had been reveling in a make-believe that she had created for herself and had failed to see reality for what it was.

Hell, she even threw herself at him. Gave him her body and he took it. Gonzalo– he took it.

The room began to spin. The faces of everyone around began to dissolve into a blur in River’s eyes. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, blurring her vision. She couldn't stay here, not another moment.

Her betrothed had just rejected her. Her sister too– she betrayed her. Of everyone who could do this to her, Echo would never have made it to that list when River was concerned.

But like Gonzalo had said, she might have just been too naive. Too foolish. Her heart sank. Her bones were weakening.

She wanted to flee.

She needed to flee.