Rejected

Luciana

The day flew by, and now I found myself standing before Ruby as we admired each other's dresses. I had saved diligently to buy this dress, hoping to look and feel beautiful for today's occasion.

“How do I look, Ruby?” I asked for what felt like the hundredth time.

“You look lovely, Lucy. How many times must I tell you?” Ruby replied, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

“I can't help it, Ruby! I just want to feel pretty today so my mate will notice me,” I explained.

“And yet this is probably the hundredth time you’ve asked me the same question. It's not my fault that mirrors are banned in this pack.”

“Come on Ruby,” I whined.

“Lucy! Could you at least trust me when I say you look perfect in that dress?” Ruby shot back, clearly frustrated her gaze piercing mine.

“Okay fine, but don't you ever wonder why mirrors were banned?” I inquired.

“I don’t; for some reason, the Lycan king punishes whoever has one, so it's best everyone obeys his decree in order to stay alive. By the way, why are you stressing over it? You’re still going to be wearing those long maid aprons over that gorgeous dress,” she pointed out.

“That’s true, but I won’t be wearing it forever! My mate and I will definitely have some alone time after the ceremony,” I replied, a smile lighting up my face and turning my cheeks red.

“Look who's blushing when she hasn't even seen her mate,” she teased. “Whatever you say, Lucy,” she responded, rolling her eyes with a smile curled up on her lips.

Just as we were about to leave the room, Ruby suddenly stopped me in my tracks. “Wait!” she exclaimed.

“What is it now?” I asked, a hint of impatience creeping into my voice. “We’re going to be late, and I don’t want to be blamed for it,” I added.

“Hold on, something’s missing,” she said, looking around.

“And what could that possibly be?” I asked, puzzled. Just then, she moved to the side of the bed and pulled out a box filled with makeup supplies. I shot a confused look at her.

“What is that for?” I asked.

“Do you want to feel pretty, or do you actually want to look pretty?” she retorted, a sly grin on her face.

“Is that really necessary?” I replied, glancing at the clock.

“Don’t worry, I'll be quick,” she assured me as she sat me down and began applying makeup. If only there were a way for me to see the final result, but I suppose I would have to rely on the expressions of others as my mirror today.

“Perfect!” Ruby exclaimed when she finished.

“Can we go now?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, let’s go,” she agreed as we both stepped out of the room.

We reached the reception and gathered in the kitchen, each of us donned in maid aprons that concealed the beautiful dresses we wore underneath.

“Now listen carefully,” Mrs. Suzy began.

“You are not expected to be seen resting or sitting around while you’re supposed to be at your different duty posts until midnight. No messing around with the king's betas; always remember your place. You're all nothing but weak maids in their eyes. Is that understood?” she thundered.

“Yes, ma’am,” we all responded in unison as we dispersed to our respective duties. Ruby quickly bid me farewell and hurried off to the king’s chamber.

The night sped by, the other betas chatting and laughing in various corners, eagerly awaiting the midnight ceremony. “You haven't even practiced how you'll dance with your mate, Ximena,” Talia remarked.

“First of all, Talia, it’s Lucy when we’re outside. Secondly, can we focus on finding my mate first before worrying about my dance steps?” I retorted through our mind link.

“You!” The voice of one of the king’s betas, Lucas, echoed in my ears. I shut my eyes in frustration, silently praying he wouldn’t act like a jerk on such an important occasion.

Lucas never missed a chance to prey on me, seeing me merely as a weak omega. If only I could have one opportunity to show everyone who I truly am, then perhaps they would respect me more.

“You look surprisingly hot today, don't you agree, guys?” he said, flashing a wicked grin and gesturing to the other betas, who roared with laughter, leaving me feeling small and humiliated.

“Who would have thought the ugly omega could look this beautiful?” Lucas continued. “Not that you’re my type, but with a figure like yours, I'd love to have a taste. What do you say?” He stepped closer, trying to wrap his arms around my waist, but I quickly moved back.

“I was only asked to serve drinks, not to chat. If you don’t need any refreshments, I’ll take my leave now,” I replied, attempting to step away, but his hand brushed mine, stopping me in my tracks. My heart raced wildly in my chest.

“I’m sure if the music stopped, everyone would hear how loud your heart is right now,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips. My face flushed with embarrassment, and I bit my lip in frustration.

“I’ll have a drink,” he declared, his grip tightening on my wrist.

“Let me go,” I pleaded, silently wishing for someone to come to my rescue.

“Make me,” he challenged, his expression turning stern.

As I struggled to free myself from his grip, the tray of drinks I was holding slipped from my hands, shattering on the ground and sending drinks splattering everywhere. Just then, the sound of the music stopped, and the loud ding from the clock could be heard, indicating midnight as everyone’s senses became heightened, and they all began looking frantically for their mate.

The rays of the moonlight became stronger as I could feel its power surge through my body. I could smell his scent; the strong scent of Wolf's rose filled my nose as my wolf, Talia, leaped for joy.

“Mate… Mate…” she exclaimed. I could feel it too; he was very close. Just then, Lucas's grip left mine as his mate had just located him. I turned my gaze back to him only to see him kissing and smooching another beta who was dressed beautifully in a green dinner gown as they both accepted the mate bond.

Just then, I heard his voice call me lightly, “Are you my mate?” he asked, and I could literally feel the bond getting stronger at the sound of his voice.

I turned my gaze slowly in anticipation to see who he was, but my world came crumbling down when I took a look at my mate. “Damien?” I called out in shock.

“You!!” he exclaimed. Just then, Ruby walks into the scene, and it seems Damien is also her mate, but how was that even possible? The moon goddess can’t possibly give us both one mate, right?

“Baby, what's going on here?” she asked, confused as her gaze darted back and forth from me to Damien. But the silence between us was palpable; I began to feel strange movements inside me, like my wolf was finally letting herself out.

Then it occurred to me—the spell. It's breaking. I smiled at the new development; I'll finally be free, I exclaimed inwardly.

“Apparently, the moon goddess decided to punish me,” Damien’s voice cut through the air, interrupting what I had going on internally, making my smile vanish instantly. I felt weak, immediately like I was being drained of all the blood inside me.

“What do you mean by that?” Ruby asked, confusion etched in her voice.

“She's my mate; that's what I mean, baby.” Ruby’s gaze shifted to me as she stared at me with mixed feelings.

“Lucy, please tell me you’re not going to accept this bond.” Ruby asked, her eyes welling up with tears, but I remained silent with my head down. I couldn’t do what she was asking as it was going to affect me badly too,  just stared at her with pleading eyes, hoping against hope that she understands.

“Don't worry, I'm never going to accept a weak omega like her when I have you,” Damien fired with venom in his voice, as he pulled Ruby closer to himself. But the tension between us was still strong.

“No… No… Please, you can't do this, please… You have to accept me,” I begged, rushing towards him, but Ruby’s strong hold on my shoulders sent me flying against the wall.

“Leave my man alone!” she growled at me, her eyes sparkling with those oceanic blues. A harsh reminder of my weak and vulnerable state, I couldn’t fight back.

“Ruby?” I called out, my voice barely above a whisper. My heart sank in disappointment as I sat on the floor, wincing in pain. Now, everyone’s gaze was focused on the drama that was unfolding. I didn’t know how to feel sad, betrayed or angry. My best friend's boyfriend is my mate? Is this another form of punishment for me? Haven’t I been through enough for the last eleven years.

I knew she was angry; I knew this was wrong, but the moon goddess couldn't be wrong in giving me her boyfriend, right? He was my mate, and he has to accept this bond and get me off this spell.

“Ruby… Please,” I begged in a low voice, using my mindlink abilities.

“Don't you dare say my name, you traitor,” she replied.

I stared at her with blank thoughts; I didn't know what else to do. At this point, I was desperate. I turned to Damien. “Please… You've got to accept it,” I pleaded as I kept grunting with immense pain, which was slapping my back.

“Can you even hear yourself?” Damien spat at me. “You're willing to accept the mate bond with your best friend's boyfriend? How desperate can an omega be?” he said with an etched brow, his voice laced with anger.

I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs that I wasn’t an omega, I wanted to call off this pretense, but I was weak. Too weak to even utter another word.

He heaved a deep sigh before he continued, now facing everyone present at the ceremony. “It's official, I, Beta Damien of the Dark Moon Pack, hereby reject my mate in the presence of everyone, and I kindly ask that my king put an end to this ceremony,” he said in a loud voice before pulling Ruby into a kiss right in front of me.

His words hit me like a jagged lightning bolt, I’ve just been rejected by my mate, and in front of the whole pack, tears streamed down my face as I stared at Ruby and Damien as they made their way through the crowd.