Chapter 7. Unexpected Pain

7. Unexpected Pain

I struggled to comprehend what I had just heard. Did he really reject me right in front of my eyes? His expression showed no remorse, but there was a hint of sympathy in his eyes. I felt like my soul was being ripped from my body, as if a million swords were piercing my heart simultaneously.

"Ahh," Edward dropped to the ground as well, and I knew he was in the same pain as I was.

I was more concerned about him than I was about myself.

Yes, even in this state, his pain was bothering me more than mine.

"What's happening, Edward?" I managed to ask amidst the agony.

"Are you suffering the same pain from rejection?" He questioned me in the midst of his agony.

"Yes," I said, nodding.

"Don't worry, it'll go away in a little while," he reassured me, but I didn't need that.

What surprised me was that he was prepared to face rejection, and instead of accepting me, he chose to endure the pain he was experiencing right now.

I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. "Please, reconsider your rejection," I pleaded, hoping he'd change his mind. But he seemed resolute.

"I'm sorry, Astrid, but I can't take that back." He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I must bear this pain for Charlotte," he grumbled to himself.

That made me quite. I couldn't say anything else since I was in more tremendous pain than he was.

I felt unwelcome, and that devastated me to a great extent. I'm not sure how I'm going to survive after this; I'm not sure how I will look at myself in the mirror once this is through. I knew it would be difficult for me to deal with the feeling of being rejected.

When the pain subsided, I got up, as did he, and we both looked at each other in the eyes.

"I'm sorry, Astrid, and I hope you find someone who will make you happy," he said as he began walking away without waiting for a response.

I wanted to scream at him and call him back, but his comments were enough to break me mentally. My Mate has made it apparent that I am weak and do not deserve to be his Mate.

I understand that everyone wants a powerful partner by their side, but am I that week that my own Mate doesn't want me? He prefers everyone else to me.

Mates are suppose to complete each other's flaws; instead of telling me I'm weak, he should have been my strength, but rather, he's putting the truth in front of my face.

I didn't stop him anymore because there was nothing I could say after he had made his decision to reject me and live his life blissfully away from me.

"You'll find someone better," he had said, and the thought of finding someone who could make me happy began to take shape.

I resolved to prove my worth and make something of myself, to show the world that I was valuable and strong. I continued walking away from him until he disappeared into the night.

Could it be that I wasn't even worthy of being considered human? His mother was human, and he had rejected me because I lacked a wolf. I sank to the ground, trying to make sense of my existence.

First, I wasn't supposed to find out about my Mate at this moment, and it was a godsend that I did. Second, neither she-wolf nor human feels the encrusting sorrow of rejection until they are nineteen. Once they are, the pain returns but is exacerbated by the passage of time. I'm relieved that I'm at least done with this part.

Yes, there will be pain, but it will be bearable. However, what I felt was altogether different.

I would have reasoned that maybe my parents lied to me about my age or that I was adopted, but I know none of that is true.

I share some physical characteristics with my mother and brothers. According to the calculations, Sky is two years older than me, and Lance is four, and everything is fine. Still, none of this can explain the pain I experienced.

I sat there for a little more, trying to summon the strength to at least rise up and leave.

I kept my head on the tree trunk and closed my eyes, replaying the events of my life in my mind.

Half an hour had passed, and I was feeling much better.

I was ready to get up and leave when I felt a niggling pain in my lower belly.

It became more intense with time, and I soon felt my body becoming numb. I yelled for help when I couldn't bear it any more.

I wished for someone to come and save me from the torment.

If I mentioned that the pain I was experiencing previously was worse than the impending death, then this is even worse.

I limped around in anguish, begging for death to come sooner.

"Please help me!" I yelled again.

With each passing minute, my voice became hoarse.

Tears streamed down my face as I twisted and writhed in agony.

I don't know how long I remained there, exhausted and drained, but the pain only worsened. I was on the verge of giving in to the agony when I saw someone approaching.

I looked up and saw my brother Skylar, a look of concern on his face. "S... Sky," I managed to say.

He cradled me in his arms immediately. "Astrid, what happened to you?" he asked, worry marring his face.

I couldn't even respond to him.

"Did Edward reject you, Astrid?" he asked judging from my limp form knowing that I was in pain.

I nodded, still unable to speak.

Sky asked the same question more firmly. "Did Edward reject you, Astrid?"

I nodded again, and he began to curse under his breath. "I knew that asshole would do that and tell me you accepted the rejection," he said, shaking his head.

"No, I didn't; I couldn't think of anything after that," I admitted.

He began cursing beneath his breath once more.

"Sky I'm afraid I'm going to die." I was in a state of fear because of my situation, I explained.

"Don't be stupid, Astrid; no one here is going to die," he said with a shake of his head.

"But," I attempted something but was shushed. "Shh. I said you shouldn't say anything for now, just close your eyes and relax a little" In my ear, he whispered.

I followed his instructions, trying to find some comfort in his presence. Sky continued, "If you don't make it clear whether you accept or reject the rejection, you're bound to feel this pain when your Mate is intimate with someone else. But it shouldn't be this severe."

Now I understand, yet nothing can explain why everything is so intense.

Why am I suffering this agony when I have no say in the matter and have not willingly done anything wrong to any of them?

I shouldn't be in agony in the first place, yet everything here is affecting me in the worst manner conceivable.

Images of Edward and Charlotte together filled my mind, intensifying my agony. I let out an excruciating scream, and Sky looked terrified.

"What is happening to you again, Astrid?" he questioned, wiping sweat from my brow.

"I see glimpses of them being intimate," I gasped.

"But how?" he asked, but there was something else written on his face as well. If I'm correct, Sky is terrified of something he can't express.

"I'm not sure!" I exclaimed.

He cradled me against his chest and caressed my back in a soothing manner. I'm glad I have my brother by my side in times like these.

"All right, we'll figure that out later; for now, just relax and try to calm down, and the first thing you're going to do tomorrow is accept his rejection in clear terms," my brother said.

I nodded, admitting my tears.

After a few agonizing moments, I felt a little relieved, and my pain quickly subsided, and I was back on my feet.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Skylar asked.

"Yes, Sky, I'm fine," I said, nodding.

"If you say so," he said, rolling his eyes at me.

I rose up with all my might and leaned on the tree for support.

"Are you sure you are okay?" Sky inquired once again.

I gave a nod.

"Sky, how do you know about Edward, and you said you know what it's like to go through this? How can you know everything?" I asked.

Sky sighed and, with a pleading look, began to explain. "I understand your pain because I've been through it."

My eyes widened in surprise. "What?" I asked, taken aback.

"Yes, Astrid, my Mate rejected me at the 'Union Ground' before," he revealed.

"Is that why you left the ground so quickly?" I asked.

"Yes, and I was witnessing you staring at Edward, and I also witnessed my mate wanting someone else over me." I had an inkling of what was going on with him, but I wanted to suppress my gut instincts.

"Who is your mate, Sky?" I asked.

He huffed, "Who "was" would be fitting."

"So, who was your Mate?" I repeated myself.

"Charlotte," he said.

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