The Rejection.
1243 Words
**
Chapter 4.
The sun was finally setting. I got out of bed, took a quick bath, and rushed to Jack’s usual spot, where he and his friends often hung out. I knew he’d be there, and before the full moon rose, he’d slip away into the woods.
In the past, I would wait for him to return because he’d warned me countless times never to venture out during a full moon. It wasn’t safe, he said, and I trusted him. I loved him, and I believed he always made the best decisions for me.
We never argued, so I was certain his father was going to announce our engagement tonight. As I approached the spot, nervous butterflies fluttered in my stomach. But then I heard a sound that made my heart freeze.
“Jaaaack, yes… yes…” The voice—it was familiar, almost too familiar. I crept closer, my curiosity overtaking my nerves, until I peeked inside the room.
There, in front of me, was Sarah, straddling Jack. My heart stopped. I felt like I might die.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Sarah was half-naked, her breasts exposed and inches from Jack’s face. He was reaching for her when he suddenly noticed me. They both froze, then hastily pulled apart as Sarah scrambled to put her clothes back on.
The embarrassment was suffocating—for all of us. I lowered my gaze to the floor as hot tears rolled down my cheeks. This was the biggest shock of my life. Jack and Sarah? How could this happen? When did it start? How did I not see the signs sooner?
My head spun as I turned and fled before they could offer any explanations. The way they looked at each other, so comfortable and intimate, made it clear this wasn’t the first time they’d been together.
Jack and I had never gone that far. We’d only kissed twice.
We had promised to wait until our wedding night, vowing to remain celibate. He made me swear an oath never to sleep with another man. But in secret, he was enjoying my stepsister. Of all people, he chose her.
I ran all the way home. Once in my room, I collapsed onto the bed, sobbing like a child. Thankfully, no one was around to question me. My heart shattered as I replayed the scene in my mind. Sarah had that smug smile on her lips—she knew exactly what she was doing. She was evil, just like her mother. No, even more so.
After hours of crying, I forced myself to get up and prepare for the evening. My body was weak, but I had to go to the village square. That’s where everyone would gather, and I would make sure justice was served. There were punishments for those who broke promises—especially marriage vows. Our families had already agreed to the union, but after what I saw, I doubted Jack would want to marry me. Even if he did, Sarah would never let it happen.
I changed into a fresh dress and left for the village square. In less than fifteen minutes, I arrived and took a seat among the guests. The crowd was larger than I expected, and the bonfire was the biggest I had ever seen. Various dance groups were lined up, ready to perform before the moon reached its peak.
I scanned the crowd but didn’t see Jack or Sarah. It seemed they hadn't come. So I leaned back and decided to wait until tomorrow. Tonight felt special, and despite my pain, I wasn’t going to let my broken heart dictate my decisions.
Finally, the alpha stood—tall, strong, and handsome, with the same sharp features as Jack. He gave a speech, though he didn’t mention my engagement directly. Still, he dropped enough hints to make everyone look forward to the announcement. Yet, as I sat there, I wondered if I even wanted to marry him anymore.
Jack had shattered my trust, and I didn’t need any more explanations. The truth was clear—Jack was a cheat, and Sarah was a devil.
*****
The full moon was out, and I began to hear howls echoing from different parts of the forest. Since it was my first time, I was kept inside, chained with two other kids who were also about to shape-shift for the first time.
I was in the middle of them. The boy on my left started his transformation—his bones cracking violently as he collapsed to the floor. It was horrifying to watch, and I felt a pang of pity for him. Soon after, the other child followed, writhing as the change took hold. I noticed eyes peering at us through the window, watching our painful metamorphosis.
But I felt nothing. Not the bone-breaking agony, nor the primal energy that the others were experiencing. I hoped, maybe foolishly, that my shift would come later. Hours passed, and still, nothing. The others had fully transformed into werewolves by now, their new forms restless and wild.
Then the door creaked open. Three guards entered and unchained me. They dragged me outside and branded me with a hot iron—marking me as a failure.
I couldn’t explain myself to my family. Emilia cursed me, her words laced with anger and disgust. I cried, overwhelmed by shame. My father’s disappointment was worse than any physical pain. His voice, filled with bitterness, cut through me. "I didn’t realize you took after your mother," he spat. My mother wasn’t a wolf, and now they all believed I wasn’t one either.
Soft murmurs filled the air as I sat close to the bonfire. The crowd had mostly returned, and I noticed Jack among them. He walked over to me, his expression cold. "I reject you, Hailey, as my mate," he said flatly. "You're nothing but a failure, just like your sister said. Make sure I never see you again."
I was already overwhelmed with everything that had happened, and his words cut deeper than I could have imagined. My heart shattered. I had hoped, foolishly, that he might apologize, that he might ask for forgiveness. Instead, he delivered this cruel rejection.
"Did you ever love me?" I asked, desperate for a shred of hope.
"Me? Love a traitor like you?" Jack sneered, stepping back before spitting at me like I was filth. "Never."
He called me a traitor, and I was stunned. Who was the real traitor between us? Before I could even question him about his relationship with Sarah, two guards appeared and grabbed me. They dragged me to Alpha's throne room and threw me onto the floor. My family was there, along with other important members of the pack.
"Is this her?" the Alpha asked, pointing at me. A stranger beside him nodded in confirmation. I was accused of betraying the pack to our enemies—wolf hunters.
I had no chance to defend myself. No one listened. No one believed me. My father denounced me in front of everyone. He turned his back and left with the others, and the Alpha passed his judgment. Jack didn’t defend me. He didn’t even try. Instead, he urged his father to announce his engagement to Sarah—because she was carrying his child.
Instead of giving in to despair, I waited for my punishment, whatever it might be. I would face it, no matter how brutal.
- Writer
