All eyes turned in my direction as soon as I stepped into the hall. I stopped abruptly, and my eyes darted around until it finally landed on him. At the far end of the hall, stood Alpha Orion, gazing intently at me. I knew that it's him. The scent, the pull, and the way my wolf reacted proved it all.
'' Mate!''
Ace growled at the back of my mind, and my lips curved into a slight smile. Because of the way he's staring at me, I needed no one to tell me that he felt it too. For the first time in her life, she felt happiness within her. Not only had I found my mate, but he turned out to be an Alpha. I bit my lips to conceal my excitement, and began to walk towards him without sparing anyone a glance.
Orion clenched his jaws, his eyes burning in rage. Even though he needed his mate, it's not someone like her.
'' What do you want?'' He asked, although he knew why she's there.
I widened my eyes in surprise, I didn't expect that from him. I narrowed my gaze at him, wondering if I heard him correctly. " I thought you felt it. The bond… we're mates."
"Mate?" he repeated bitterly, stepping closer to her. "You think the moon goddess would bind me to you?" He asked between gritted teeth, glaring hard at her.
I blinked my eyes rapidly, confused at his words. "I… I don't understand." I blurted out.
"You don't have to," he snapped coldly. "Because I don't need you."
I shook my head vigorously, my heart sinking in my chest. "No, you...you can't…"
"I just did," he growled with darkened eyes. "I, Alpha Orion of the Blackfang Pack, reject you, Celeste Thorn, as my mate."
My knees buckled, and I could feel my face turn pale instantly. "Why?" I whispered, tears already forming in my eyes. "Why are you doing this to me?"
Orion didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned his head toward the crowd, and a girl stepped forward, dressed in a tight blue gown. Someone I never expected to see, my elder sister, Seraphina. My breath hitched as I thought of my worst nightmare becoming reality.
"No… no, don't tell me..."
My voice trailed off as Orion placed a hand on Seraphina shoulder and muttered between gritted teeth. " This is the one I want. My mate, my Luna."
I staggered back like he'd physically struck me. What I'd feared the most has finally happened. The tears I'm trying to conceal, rolled down my cheeks freely as I clutched her chest tightly as if it'll stop the pains I'm going through.
"Please… Orion, please don't do this. You know I'm your mate. Your true mate. I can feel it..."
I cried out, but Orion gnashed his teeth and turned swiftly to the guards. "Take her away," he growled, cutting her off.
"No!" I shouted, struggling as they grabbed her arms fiercely. "Please! Orion, you can't do this! Don't let her win! You're making a mistake...!"
Orion paid deaf ears, and turned his back to her, facing Seraphina instead. He held her by the waist and pulled her closer to himself, earning a loud cheer from the crowd. Ace snarled violently in my head, the pain of rejection hitting me like a blade slicing through my soul.
"You can't let go. Fight, he's ours!" Ace howled, lashing against the inside of her mind. But even Ace's fury was no match for the crushing truth. Orion had chosen someone else, her own sister.
The guards pushed me roughly and positioned themselves in front of the grand doors, blocking the entry. I didn't know when I fell to my knees, and groaned in pain, my hands shaking profusely as I wipe off my tears. Everything seemed like a dream to me but when I pinched myself, I realized it's reality.
I remembered the way Seraphina had smiled when she stepped forward earlier. The way she'd looked at me, and how Orion grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to himself. My heart clenched, and Ace whimpered.
Never in my life had I felt so broken. I sat there in silence, my mind filled with unanswered questions.
'' Why me? Why always me?''
A bitter sob escaped my lips, and the noise of celebration behind the doors made my stomach churn. No one came after me. No one cared.
'' Was I born to be an outcast? One to be rejected?''
I covered my mouth with both hands, my body trembling. After a while, I decided to leave, there's no point being there. I had no one left. No mate, no family, no answers. Slowly, I rose up and glanced at the closed doors for the last time, then the guards who didn't even look at me, before walking away.
I was still lost in thought when she suddenly heard a voice behind her.
'' And who is moving in the dark? The cursed Omega, isn't it? Hahaha!''
I turned swiftly and her face tightened in anger when I realized it was Seraphina. '' What do you want?'' I asked, my fist clenched at my sides as I glared hard at her.
"Hey! Calm down, okay?" Seraphina said, mockingly. She stepped closer to me and added with a smirk. "I know you're hurt, but it's not my fault that I'm better than you. Even your mate rejected you. Ouch."
My jaw clenched, but I didn't speak. My fists trembled at my sides. The more I stared at her, the more angry I was.
Seraphina tilted her head and gave me a pitiful smile. "You really thought the moon goddess would give someone like you a mate like Orion? An Alpha?" She scoffed. "Come on, Celeste. Look at you. You're weak, timid, always hiding in the shadows like the cursed little girl you've always been."
"I am not cursed," I whispered through gritted teeth.
Seraphina burst into laughter, it was so funny that she couldn't help herself. "Aren't you though? Rejected by our parents, ignored by the pack, and now this? Rejected by your mate on your very first meeting? Face it, sister, you're nothing but a walking bad omen."
Tears stung my eyes again, but I blinked them away, trying not to give Seraphina the satisfaction.
"I used to feel sorry for you, you know," Seraphina went on. "But now? I finally understand. You're exactly where you belong, poor and wretched. While I…"
She twirled, letting her long blue gown flare out, and then grinned wickedly. "I'll be Luna. I'll have the title, the power, the pack. And you? You'll be just a sad little stain in our history."
I took a step back, breathing heavily while trying to calm herself down. Whatever Seraphina was doing, it was slowly working and I didn't want it.
"You know what the best part is?" Seraphina continued with a stern face. "He felt the bond. Just like you. But he still chose me. Because even when fate chooses you, no one ever will."
Pain surged through my heart instantly, and she blinked her eyes to prevent the tears from coming out, but it was difficult. Seraphina was right, no matter how hard I tried, I would never be enough for anyone.
I let out a choked sob, I couldn't withstand it anymore. Without saying a word, I turned around and ran away, wailing loudly. I didn't care where I was going, I just needed to run away from the pain, the shame, and the horrible truth.
However, Seraphina's laughter echoed behind me, but I dared not look back.