The Rejected Mate

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Betsy bit her lip and was hesitant to apologise. She rolled her eyes up and down as it was obvious she didn't want to apologise.

“ She doesn't need to, it's fine.” Mom said.

“Mom.” I called but she gave me a slight nod and assuring smile that everything is fine but I still want Betsy to apologise.

Maya also wanted to insist but since Mom doesn't want her apology, she had no other options than to back down.

I took Mom hand and we climbed up the stairs and Betsy hissed loudly and even shoulder hurt me in anger as she began to climbed down the stairs. Maya also saw this and in a blink of eyes, she secretly pushed Betsy down the stairs and I let out a loud gasp as I covered my mouth.

I looked at Maya in surprise amd what surprised me more was that she also has a surprise look on her face as if she wasn't the one that pushed her.

“ Can someone please help. Betsy slipped off the stairs!” Maya cried out calling for help and people began to rushed closer to her to help her while I just looked at the fainted Betsy at the down of the stair.

“ What are we going to do now? She's to go with Alpha Rowan to the ceremony."

“ Then he can go with someone else.”

“ Who?” Mom and I asked at the same time , only for me to meet with Maya's wink.

**************

The moment Rowan's car halted in front of the massive glass and stone mansion, my stomach flipped so hard that I had to grip the seatbelt.

"Relax," Rowan murmured, undoing his collar.

"You look gorgeous. No one's going to bite."

I gave him a stare. "Everyone here can literally bite."

He cracked a smile. "Nice point."

The estate was live with lights and music. Alpha gatherings always felt like some mix of royalty and danger.

I had agreed to come with Rowan because Damon was supposed to be out of town which meant we wouldn't cross paths here.

I smoothed a hand over my dress. It hugs the curve of my swollen belly—five months gone.

"Ready?" Rowan asked gently.

I nodded even though I wasn't.

He offered his arm and together, we walked into the ballroom. Heads turned, followed by whispers. Omega..... pregnant.....with Rowan?

Rowan squeezed my hand.

"Ignore them. You belong here."

I lifted my chin, keeping my breathing steady. My child kicked softly—a reminder to stay strong. We stepped deeper into the crowd and then my heart stopped.

No—

It didn't stop.

It detonated.

Because standing across the room, eyes like a storm locked on me, is Damon.

My fated mate. The man who rejected me. The father of the child he swore he never wanted.

His jaw clenched so hard I'd thought he'll break a tooth. His eyes—were glued to my belly.

Rowan stiffened beside me.

"I heard he wouldn't be attending?" He asked, rather to himself.

"Rowan," my voice cracked.

"We need to leave."

As Damon took a step forward, I didn't wait. I ran.

Branches whipped past my face as I sprinted into the woods without even waiting for Rowan again.

Why was he here?

Why now? Why when I was finally trying to build a life that doesn't revolve around him?

My child thumped a kick against my ribs.

"It's ok." I whispered with trembling voice.

"I've got you. Mommy's got you."

Behind me, I heard the sound of pursuit. Damon. And I pushed harder.

But my powers—still unpredictable—flared without warning. The earth shifted under my feet. My emotions were spilling into nature again.

And then suddenly, a shadow moved to my right. I froze.

"Running from your Alpha?" A deep voice drawled.

I turned around and find myself face to face with Alpha Darius, infamous for being both dangerously charming and ambitious. The kind that wolf mothers warned their daughters about.

"Stay back," I said.

He raised his hands.

"Relax, sweetheart. I'm not here to hurt you."

Then his eyes flicked to my belly.

"Interesting secret you're carrying."

My pulse hitched.

"What do you want?" I asked him.

"Protection." He said casually.

"You're in trouble. Damon's in trouble. And I'm in the perfect mood to make someone jealous tonight."

"I don't need you." I snapped, trying to walk past him.

He moved faster, his arm blocking me.

"Anita, if he catches you, he won't let you go again."

My blood run cold with the way he said it and before I could respond, the trees shook us violently.

"Get away from her, Darius."

Damon.

Darius smirked.

"Touchy touchy. I didn't think you cared anymore."

Damon's gaze flicked to me—and then to my belly.

"This is your last warning, Darius." He growled.

Darius leaned in close to me, deliberately taunting him.

"She ran away from you, Damon. Looks like I'm not the only Alpha she didn't trust."

My heart lunged into my throat.

Damon moved first and he slammed Darius into a tree, so hard.

"Stay away from her." Damon snarled, his voice almost unrecognizable.

Darius who only laughed.

"Looks like you've lost your touch, Thorne?"

When I see that the both of them won't stop soon, I step forward.

"Stop! Both of you—"

But my powers surged again. The wind exploded. The earth rumbled. And both Alphas froze.

Damon turned to me slowly.

"Anita...?"

I backed away from him, my chest tighten.

"I can't— I don't know how to control it."

"Don't run." He said softly.

"Not from me. Not again."

My breath hitched. "You never wanted this."

His jaw clenched.

"I was wrong." He admitted.

I saw something flickered in his eyes—regret, longing, anguish. Darius dusted himself off.

"Cute, but I'm not leaving her to you." Darius said.

Damon charged at him— but my pain doubled over and my knees buckled.

Damon caught me instantly.

"Anita?"

"I—something's wrong." I grasped, gripping his shirt.

My belly tightened painfully. This isn't contraction. It's something else.

My powers roared like a storm with energy surging through my veins.

Damon lifted my chin, panic written all over his face.

"Anita, look at me. What's happening."

"I don't—know—" I choked.

Darius cursed. "This is bad, really bad."

The pain intensified.

And then, I collapsed into Damon's arms and darkness swallowed me.