Rhea.
Alpha Damien's lips lingered on mine, nibbling and sucking, creating a satisfying pain that I welcomed. His hands explored my body, and I reveled in the feeling, not wanting it to end. The deep breaths he shared only intensified my desire.
Yet, he pulled back, and an audible crack echoed in my heart. Stepping away, he straightened his shoulders, inhaling deeply. His back turned to me, as if avoiding eye contact, hands shoved in his pockets, and a shake of his head.
Watching him, worry gnawed at me. Did I do something wrong? Did my moans or kisses cross a line? Despite the uncertainty, I couldn't resist indulging in the opportunity to kiss him—I'd longed for it.
"Did I do something wrong?" I mustered the courage to ask, his deep exhale and hand running down his face hinted at regret. Embarrassment and a pang in my chest followed, convinced he regretted the kiss. I questioned my breath, my appearance, but I knew I was presentable—sweet strawberry and lavender fragrance, a pink top, and denim jeans. I didn't even resemble the Alpha's room cleaner.
Finally, Alpha Damien turned to face me, and recognition flashed in his gaze. His brown eyes, the color of whiskey on ice, held a brooding intensity. It felt as if he was seeing me for the first time, not the hundredth. Overwhelmed, I heaved a sigh and lowered my gaze.
"You found out we were mates on your eighteenth birthday," he stated, and I couldn't discern if it was a question or a statement. But I just nod, confirming, "Yes, that was yesterday."
Inhaling deeply again, Alpha Damien diverts his gaze as I look up at him. Massaging the back of his head, he casually exits the closet, as if our intense make-out session never occurred. Undeterred, I follow him, not ready to let the moment slip away. I need to understand where we stand—am I his mate or merely a servant?
"When did you find out?" I inquire, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in my voice. His pause adds to my uncertainty, and his eyes scrutinize me from head to toe. The anticipation hangs in the air as I await his response.
"Get out of my room, this instant," he commands, his voice cutting through the tension with a deep and piercing tone. I'm caught off guard by the sudden harshness. "But..." I attempt to protest, only to be swiftly interrupted.
"You are nothing but a servant to the Silvermoon pack. Your only job is to work and serve. Or have you forgotten what your mother had signed you up for?" His words sting, and I furrow my brows, anger simmering in my chest.
We stand in the middle of his room, eyes locked, as Alpha Damien continues his blunt tirade. His finger points accusingly at me, his words hitting harder than his previous kisses. He rejects me as his mate, casting aside the connection we shared in the closet.
"You will never come close to my standards, let alone be considered as my mate. You are unfit, and your history would never tally with what I want in a woman. I reject you as my mate, Rhea!" The words hang heavily in the air, a sharp contrast to the intimacy we shared moments ago. I'm left grappling with the realization that his kisses may have meant nothing more than fleeting desire.
Gasping, I clutch my chest, the weight of Alpha Damien's rejection settling in. It stings, and I question if I should have accepted his rejection earlier. Or perhaps, as an alpha, he holds the power to reject me at will. His parting words, a command to stay in my lane, linger in the air, leaving me alone in the wake of the misery he inflicted.
Embarrassment floods me, a feeling I've never experienced so intensely. My pulse flutters painfully, angry tears welling up in my eyes. I try to suppress the anger, but my heart refuses to be controlled. Rejected by the man I've crushed on since arriving at the pack, my heartache runs deep.
Quickly, I flee his room, desperate to escape the possibility of his return. I exit the palace, moving fast to avoid prying eyes. I can't face my mother and sister, waiting eagerly for news about Alpha Damien. My steps take me beyond the pack borders until the crowd fades, and I find solace in the dark forest.
Alone in the wilderness, reality sets in. I look around, regret seeping in as the forest grows eerie with the darkness. Sighing, I sit on a rock, letting my tears flow freely. The pain is too much, and I can't help but mutter a scornful "jerk."
Rejected and vulnerable, I sit in the darkness, tears streaming down my face. It's a pain I must accept, even if the embarrassment cuts deep. As I cry, the rustling of bushes startles me, and I gasp, springing to my feet.
"Who's there?" I ask bravely, on guard, prepared to shift into my werewolf form. The timing is fortunate—I acquired my werewolf abilities just yesterday when I turned 18. I shudder at the thought of the dangers I might face alone in the woods, a lone omega.
The rustling grows louder, closer, my heart racing in response. I hug myself, unable to summon the courage to run. Suddenly, a massive figure reveals itself. Before me stands a well-built man, a stranger, yet I'm already captivated by his presence.
He studies me closely, then smiles, like he's making sure I'm not a threat. It's strange because, despite being bigger and taller, he could end me effortlessly. Oddly, I wouldn't mind because this man is incredibly attractive. Comparing him to Alpha Damien, I can't decide who's more appealing; both are attractive, if I'm honest. I'm too dazed to choose.
He stands at a distance, hands in his pockets, looking back at me with a soft, warm smile I could happily gaze at. Gradually, he starts walking toward me, and suddenly, the reality hits me—I might be in danger.