Chapter 9. Unusual

9. Unusual

That slap jolted my insides.

I expected my mother to embrace me in her warmth and assure me that everything would be fine, but instead, she hit me, and I was not sure what to expect from her.

"You couldn't even keep a mate for yourself, and as usual, you bring me shame. I thought I'd be able to get rid of you once you found your mate, but he doesn't want you either. What do you think? I think Edward rejected you because who would accept someone as weak as you as their mate? You deserve everything," she spat out the words.

I couldn't believe my mother would think I deserved all of the suffering I was in. I expected her to understand me, or at the very least tell me that there is a way out of everything, but instead, she's pushing me deeper into the pit I'm trying to escape.

I turned to face Sky, fearful that Mom would treat him the same way she had treated me.

"Sky, my darling, you have nothing to worry about, my child. You are the strongest omega in this pack. With the strength and charms you possess, anyone would be throwing themselves at your feet, baby," Mom whispered, touching his cheeks.

'How many times are you going to lower your expectations, Astrid? There is a difference between you and your brothers in your parents' eyes,' I chided myself.

"I know, Mom, but the pain was unbearable; I thought I'd die that night," Sky explained.

"Shh, you don't need to utter such words, my boy. I know it might be difficult for you, but you are so young and have a long life ahead of you to make your choices. We don't need to rush anything," Mom assured him as if he were a baby whose sandcastle was destroyed.

"Yes, Lar, you should concentrate on your profession right now rather than worrying about some stupid girl who rejected you," Dad remarked.

"I know, Dad. I guess I should go relax now after that exhausting night; it's the only thing I can think of," Skylar suggested.

"Sure, son, we have to fulfill our responsibilities to the pack," Dad said. They didn't even ask him who his mate was, whereas I was interrogated about everything.

Skylar began to walk away, and I began to trail behind, knowing that if I had to confront the anguish alone, I could do so without anybody witnessing my vulnerability.

"Where do you think you're going?" Mom asked, bringing me to a halt.

"Wi... With Skylar to home," I said, afraid for myself because I wasn't seeing my parents, who cared for me. Still, they were my worst enemies, capable of going to any length to destroy me.

"No way, you're coming with us to see your worth for yourself while your mate claims someone else as his luna," Mom stated, disgustedly staring at me from head to toe.

"I'm sorry, Astrid, but I can't save you from them, and I'm not even in the mood to debate," Skylar pleaded in front of me.

"It's fine, Sky; go ahead." I nodded, but I remained in my spot.

After Sky had gone, I cast another glance at my parents.

"Make every effort to disguise the fact that you are Edward's mate." Mom warned me.

"Why are you taking me with you if you are so ashamed of me? It's best if I stay out of sight of everyone." I dared to voice out my opinions.

"How dare you argue with me?" Mom screeched. "You shouldn't question my conduct, or the consequences will be bad," Mom shouted as she took a predatory stride toward me.

I trembled and backed away, but she grabbed my hand and dragged me to the ground.

"Stay there and don't draw attention to yourself," Mom reminded me once more.

I nodded and moved to the farthest corner. Edward's sight met mine, and remorse swiveled in his eyes, but he soon returned his gaze to Charlotte.

I want to flee the scene, but my parents have threatened me to stay here.

In hindsight, it was quite foolish to come here in the first place. I had expected to meet Edward and accept his rejection, but I was unsure of what else awaited me.

If something unexpected were to occur here, I was certain I wouldn't be able to contain my distress. My only hope was for everything to go as planned and for my mother to allow me to leave without a scene, but I knew she enjoyed witnessing my suffering.

Everyone began to applaud when Edward grabbed Charlotte's hand in his and began going toward his parents. They opened their arms to embrace the newly matched couple, and the ceremony commenced. A goblet was placed in front of Alpha Brad and Luna Lizzy, with a dagger resting on a platter beside it.

Alpha Brad took the dagger, clasped his wife's hand, and gently kissed her palm. He first made a minor cut on his palm with it, then delicately grasped Luna's hand and made a small cut just enough for the blood to pour from it. He took their hands in his and poured the blood into the goblet.

A warrior carried that goblet to Edward and Charlotte, bowed in front of the Alpha and Luna, and began sipping their blood, which is a ceremony in our realm

Everything proceeded smoothly until that moment. I had hoped not to feel any pain since they were mated, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

As soon as Edward drank from the goblet, I felt like I had swallowed a fireball that was consuming me from the inside. I cried out in agony, tears streaming down my face, and my clothes were drenched in sweat.

Everyone around me gasped while holding a hand over their mouth. Before I could react, another wave of pain struck me, this time starting at my wrist and traveling from there before melting into my entire body.

"Ahh," I cried again, and the mark lit up when I looked down at my wrist.

I can't take it any longer, so I decided to put an end to it once and for all. Everyone were staring at me as if I were a ghost, but all I could think about was getting rid of this.

I approached them and took a position directly in front of Edward.

"Astrid, what's wrong with you?" he asked, looking at me with concern.

"I want you to reject me again," I managed to utter, my voice strained.

"What?" He stared at me wide-eyed.

I lacked the strength to repeat my request, so I looked at him, hoping he'd understand my unspoken words.

"Do it," I reiterated.

"But Astrid, everyone will know you're my mate, and I can't do that," he replied in a whisper.

I am on the edge of death; he is more concerned with his reputation. "I don't care, do it anyway because most of them have figured out what's wrong with me by now," I yelled at him.

Hearing me, he was taken aback. They may have mistaken my generosity for weakness, but they are wrong. Everything has a limit, and I can't let others take advantage of it, so I must put a stop to this once and for all.

My parents' eyes dug holes in my back, but they could punish me afterward.

Edward sighed obviously, looked guiltily at his parents, and then returned to me. "I, Edward Hudson, reject you, Astrid Jones, as my mate," he said dejectedly.

"I... I, Astrid Jones, accept your rejection." I eventually spoke to his face, and only then did I find some peace in my heart. 

I felt the pain leave my body gradually, and I was quickly pulled away from them. I hadn't even had a chance to calm down when I heard them whispering. I'm not sure how it was possible because the distance was significant enough for even a werewolf to have difficulty understanding their words, but I could hear their words as if they were speaking into my ear.

"I'm sorry, Dad, I couldn't tell you this sooner, but I don't want a weakling as my mate," Edward explained to the Alpha.

Hearing him, I was taken aback. I've always known I'm a weakling; those words had been smacked in my face for I don't know how long, but hearing it straight from the person who has been the friendliest was stabbing me in the heart.

"You did it well, son," Alpha Brad stated, later adding, "She isn't suitable to be your Luna. But you might have done everything correctly, and no one would have known." He used to be so lovely that I didn't foresee him having such thoughts about me.

"I am sorry for that, and thank you for your understanding," he replied to him, and they both smiled.

They turned back to face the crowd, and Alpha Brad remarked. "As a father, this is a proud time for me. I present to you all your new Alpha, my son Edward. I know he will carry out his duties admirably, and I expect you all to respect and value him as you have always done to me." His voice rang out in the open air as he spoke, like nothing had happened a few moments ago.

Everyone howled in support of the new Alpha and Luna. Charlotte drew her sleeve up, exhibiting her mark and confirming to everyone that they were mated.

As I gazed upon the unwantedness in my pack's eyes, my own welled with unshed tears. I glared at everyone, starting with my parents and then moving on to my pack members, until my attention was drawn back to Edward, who was triumphantly looking at Charlotte.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from him; I couldn't stop staring.

Suddenly, Edward began screaming in despair, clutching his head. The weather transformed from a sunny day to stormy clouds forming around us, with thunder roaring and lightning striking the ground in an instant. Yes, it was a bright day by now. I didn't think about it and kept staring at Edward as he held various body areas, pleading for aid, but no one came to help him.

"Astrid," I felt someone shaking me violently.

I spun around to see who that was, and Lance gasped and backed away from me. 

When I looked up, the weather had returned to normal, and Edward lay unconscious on the floor.

As I wondered about his condition, I turned to my older brother, who appeared terrified of me. When I glanced at the others, they too seemed afraid.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _