MY REJECTED MATE’S OBSESSION

CHAPTER TWO

MY TWENTIETH BIRTHDAY

Lucia’s POV

I woke up feeling nauseous and tired. I had already thrown up twice and I wondered if it was because of the half-done food I ate last night. I sighed slowly. I did not know if I was supposed to be happy or not. But I should be happy, right? I had just turned twenty, and tonight was the full moon gathering where Kaine was supposed to claim me publicly. This moment was supposed to happen right before my parents’ eyes, but it did not. Everything changed because of the Alpha, who believed he was above everyone, the one who acted like he deserved worship from the entire pack.

My father was about to complete one full year in the dungeon. My mother had gruesomely passed the terrible night in a place I didn’t know. Thinking about it still made my chest feel tight. But still, I kept telling myself that I should be happy. Even if it was not about my birthday, at least I was supposed to become the Luna today and with that power, I would finally be able to free my parents. That thought alone should have brought me joy.

I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself again. The air already had that cold and sharp feeling that only came during a perfect full moon night. I pulled my rough shawl tighter around my shoulders. I felt nervous and hopeful at the same time. I chose hope because I believed things would finally get better after tonight.

Luxurious clothes were not for me. I did not care about fancy outfits. I cared more about comfort and a true connection to the night. Besides, Kaine never minded what I wore. He always told me he loved me in anything I chose, and I believed that nothing would change tonight.

My fingers brushed over the layers of my mid-calf skirt. It was not a single piece of clothing. It had several thin panels of fabric stitched together in faded ochre, soft moss green, and dark charcoal grey. They moved gently when I walked. The linen felt soft and familiar against my skin.

On top, I wore my off-white peasant blouse. It had wide sleeves that gathered at my wrists. The cotton was thick but soft. I could roll the sleeves up quickly if needed or leave them down for warmth.

My belt was the main item for tonight. It was not leather. It was a thick twine rope that Naari made herself. She had woven it from gathered fibers. She tied small objects into it like dried elderberries, polished grey river stones, and the tiny hollow skull of a field mouse. It was meant as a sign of respect to nature. The belt rested low on my hips and made a soft sound whenever I moved too quickly.

I slipped into my soft knee-high moccasins. They were not for rough ground but perfect for the soft meadow where the gathering would happen. I liked feeling the cold earth through the thin soles. It made me feel grounded.

I looked at myself one more time and sighed before leaving the house. When I arrived at the gathering place, the bonfire had already started and pack members stood around it. I searched through the crowd until my eyes found Kaine sitting beside his father, the cruel Alpha Terra. My heart warmed a little. Seeing Kaine always lifted my spirit. He wore a rich outfit that showed he was the Alpha’s son and the next Alpha to be announced tonight.

The full moon gathering was not just for strengthening werewolf powers. It was also a yearly event where Alphas without mates or Alphas-to-be chose their mates. Alliances were also formed on nights like this. During this event, the moon goddess chose mates for the soon-to-be Alpha and confirmed the Luna. That meant Kaine Thornhart would become the new Alpha of Ashbourne Pack and I would become the Luna and his mate. I was not even excited about the Luna part. All I wanted was to be with him as his mate forever. That was how deeply I loved him.

The order of the gathering was simple. The Alpha chose his mate, the Luna was presented, the Alpha was confirmed, and then the main ritual began.

Lady Merin, a rare breed of wolf in the pack, stood with the other female members. I also stood with them as the omega nobody liked. I was born with a limp in my left leg and no wolf. People hated me for it. I felt their eyes on me but I refused to let it affect me. They did not have to choose me or like me. Kaine chose me and that was enough for me.

Elder Pharrell stepped forward. His voice echoed. “Tonight, I pass the mantle of the Alpha of this pack to Kaine. From today onwards, every respect that was given to the previous Alpha will now be given to him.”

This moment was supposed to be done by my father. The thought struck my heart and my eyes burned with unshed tears.

Kaine rose and stood strong. Elder Pharrell pinned the Alpha badge on his chest and took the mantle from Alpha Terra before handing it to Kaine.

Kaine smiled and my heart melted. We had planned for this moment for years. I was so happy that it was finally happening. And it was happening on my birthday, which made it even more special. He promised to spoil me tonight and I was already blushing about it.

“You may now choose your mate,” Elder Pharrell said as he stepped aside.

The female wolves all looked at me with mockery again but I ignored them. Kaine knew who his mate was. Everyone knew. I was the beta’s daughter and I was the chosen mate according to tradition, but that was not why Kaine and I loved each other. We had loved each other since childhood. That was the real reason he would choose me.

Kaine thanked Elder Pharrell, bowed to his father, then faced the crowd. “Thank you, members of Ashbourne Pack. I am grateful to my father for his guidance and for the chance to continue his good ruling.”

Good ruling? I almost scoffed. Everyone knew Terra was a terrible Alpha except his loyal followers. But I believed Kaine would be better. He was nothing like his father.

Kaine continued. “Tonight, I will choose my beta. The new beta of Ashbourne will be Elder Pharrell.”

My mouth fell open. A new beta? What about my father? But I calmed myself down. Maybe this was good. My father would finally be free from the pressure. He deserved peace.

Pharrell stood and waved proudly.

Then Kaine walked toward the female pack members. I wondered why he even needed to do that when the entire pack knew who he would choose. My heart beat faster as he reached me.

He stopped in front of me. The moment was finally here. I wished my parents were here to see it.

But as soon as he came close, his face changed. His warm expression turned cold. His eyes looked hateful for a second. It shocked me. I had never seen him look at me like that. My heart sank.

Then he glared at me with soft eyes again, but it felt strange. Something was wrong.

He opened his mouth and said, “I choose and claim Lady Merin as my mate. From today onwards, no one must speak to her with disrespect.”

I gasped. My lungs felt tight. The crowd began to whisper. Some laughed at me. Some pointed at me. Some looked at me with pity. Lady Merin smirked proudly.

“Kaine,” I whispered.

“Alpha Kaine,” he corrected coldly. “Speak to me with respect.”

A tear slipped down my cheek. “Is this a joke? What are you doing?”

He grabbed my arm hard. His grip hurt me. “Did you think I would choose you? A wolfless omega born with a limp? What use are you to me?”

My heart cracked. This was not Kaine. This was not the boy I loved.

“Kaine, it’s Lucia. You never cared about these things. You told me you love me. Did you forget we waited for this together?”

He laughed. “That was all lies. I only said what I needed to say to get what I wanted. You were just a toy.”

My knees gave out. I fell to the ground in tears. My hope died on the spot. My parents would never be free now. This was the worst birthday of my life.

A pack guard whispered something into Kaine’s ear, drawing my attention even though I did not care to know what it was.

Kaine then announced, “The pack traitors have been brought to justice. Beta Logan has been executed and Lady Naari has been banished.”

“No,” I screamed. My legs almost failed me again as I forced myself to stand.

I ran to him and grabbed his arm. “Please, do not do this.”

“Take her away,” he ordered the guards.

I broke free and ran toward the woods. If they killed my father, then I had to find my Naari. My eyes hurt from crying but I could not stop.

Why always me?