Scarred by the Alpha

CHAPTER 1 RAYA'S POV “Can’t you go any faster?” I urged the driver, my foot tapping against the car floor. I was running late. Again. Pierce didn't like it when I wasn’t on time, but today had been so chaotic. It was our anniversary, well, the anniversary of when we discovered we were mates, and I’d spent too much time fussing over my outfit because I wanted to look perfect for him The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror with a frown. “Miss Raya, this road is filled with potholes. If I go faster, you might end up on the ceiling.” he said. Rude, I sighed, biting my lip. He was right though, but I couldn’t help it as I was anxious. Pierce had planned a special dinner at Moonlit Ridge, the fanciest spot in the pack. It was the same place we had met by chance and discovered we were mates. I smiled at the memory as it warmed my heart. Pierce had been my everything since that day, my protector, my partner, my love. He was generous, caring, and always attentive. The pack often teased us, saying we were the perfect couple, the kind of love stories elders told to pups. When we finally pulled up to the restaurant, I practically leaped out of the car, smoothing my dress and thanking the driver. “I’ll call you when I’m ready to leave,” I said quickly before hurrying inside. The moment I stepped into the candlelit space, I spotted Pierce sitting at a table near the window. He looked as handsome as ever, his strong jawline illuminated by the soft glow of the lanterns. “Pierce!” I called out, weaving through the tables to reach him. “I’m so sorry I’m late.” He didn’t respond, he didn’t even smile. He just had a cold and distant expression on his face, it was so unlike him. Oh, I get it, he must be angry I'm late. “Pierce?” I called again, taking the seat across from him. My voice wavered as I spoke, “Are you…okay? I'm sorry I came late.” He finally looked at me, his electric-blue eyes piercing into mine but there was no warmth or care in them. “We need to talk,” he said with a sharp tone. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?” I asked in deep concern because I was starting to get worried. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached for the glass of water in front of him and took a sip, as if he was gathering his thoughts. “Raya,” he said finally with a low voice, “I don’t think this is going to work anymore.” My heart skipped a beat in a way it never had before. “What?” I blinked, not sure I had heard him correctly. “I don’t want to be with you anymore,” he said bluntly, and his words sliced through me like a dagger. Oh goddess. I froze, my breath caught in my throat. “Pierce, what are you talking about? We were fine just this morning. You… you kissed me goodbye and told me you loved me!” I asked with sadly raised brows. I could already feel tears welling up in my eyes. “That was then," He replied with a tightened jaw and looked away, "This is now. Things change.” Was this some sort of joke? Or was I dreaming? “Change?” I asked as my voice cracked, “What changed in a matter of hours? Did I do something wrong? Please, tell me what’s going on!” “It doesn’t matter!” He snapped with a tone sharp enough to make me flinch, “I’ve made my decision, Raya. I Pierce Barrigan, Alpha of Lycoas Pack, reject you as my mate and future Luna.” The word echoed in my mind, leaving me dizzy. My mate was rejecting me. Pierce, the man who had promised to love me forever, was pushing me away without a single explanation. “Pierce,” I whispered, tears already streaming down my cheeks, “You can’t just reject me like this. Please, talk to me, whatever it is, we can work through it together.” He stood abruptly and shoved his chair back with enough force that made it screech against the floor. “There’s nothing to work through. You need to accept the rejection and move on.” I stared at him in disbelief, my vision blurred with tears. This wasn't the Alpha I loved. “How can you say that? Do I mean so little to you? Does our bond mean nothing?” I asked as my throat turned dry, it was as if I was being choked. Pierce's face twisted in frustration but he didn’t answer. Instead, he took a step back, as if distancing himself from me would make this easier. “Accept it, Raya,” he said loudly, his voice cold and final, “It’s over. I don’t want to see you again.” I sat there frozen in place, my heart shattering into a million pieces. My mate, my love, my everything, had just abandoned me. When I finally found the strength to stand, my legs felt weak, and my body trembled. I was so confused, my heart was beating so fast, and my lips were literally shaking. But with the look on Pierce's face, it was so obvious he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. “Fine,” I said hoarsely, the weight of his rejection crushing me, “If that’s what you want, I, Raya Jones, accept your rejection.” The minute I said that, I instantly clutched my chest as I could literally feel the mate bond snap, causing me immense pain. Pierce’s expression didn’t change. He didn’t look relieved or regretful, he just clenched his hands, nodded curtly, and walked out of the restaurant, leaving me standing there like a fool. As I stumbled outside, the cold night air hit me like a slap. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying my best to hold back more sobs that were about to overwhelm me. That’s when I saw her. A woman, tall and beautiful, with long brown hair flowing down her back. She was walking up the path to Pierce’s home and my heart clenched as I watched her head inside without hesitation. Was this the reason? Was Pierce cheating on me? Had he rejected me because of her? The thought made me sick to my stomach. My chest heaved as I fought to breathe through the pain. I didn’t want to believe it, but the image of her entering his home was seared into my mind. I turned away wirh tears streaming down my face as I made my way home. When I finally reached the safety of my room, I collapsed on my bed, burying my face in my pillow to muffle my cries. I couldn’t tell Mom and Dad. They had always adored Pierce, and I couldn’t bear to see the disappointment in their eyes. Instead, I told them I needed to leave the pack for a while to clear my head. They didn’t question me too much, though I saw the worry in their eyes. “Take all the time you need,” My mother said, pulling me into a hug. I nodded, holding back the tears that threatened to spill again. The next morning, I packed my things and left the pack that had been my home my entire life. As I walked away, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was leaving more than just my home. I was leaving behind a piece of myself, shattered and broken, and one thought still kept burning in my mind… Why had Pierce rejected me?