Chapter 2. Rejecting my mate
Chapter 1.
Anabel 's POV
I was in excruciating pain, but I could definitely hear Michael's voice. Michael gave me a heavy match, which surprised me at first, but as I realised I was not feeling like a caricature of myself at all, I realised she was serious about what she had just said. "Will you refuse Lucas or not?" I was able to sit up straight enough to look Michael in the eyes and tell her what was going through my head. "Michael, you have been robbing me of everything that is rightfully mine since we were young," I protested to my stepfamily, hoping that she would understand. “Now, you want to still burglarize me of my birthright." "Which birthright?" Michael looked at me with such important nausea, as if she wanted to poorly strangle me, and she increased her voice in wrathfulness. "Lucas is my mate, Michael," I said again, projecting a strong sense of emotion. “And, a lot of people are apprehensive of the fact that we're slept to each other." "Lies!" I watched as Michael sobbed, moved in closer, and punched me in the face. "I'm being pursued by Lucas," Michael declared. He’s interested in me, which is why he's pursuing me. But if you dare stand in the way of me and him, I'll make your life a miserable hell." "I don't think you're credible," I said, wiping the slow-to-form gashes in my eyes. I am aware that since our first meeting, you have never liked me. I swear not to trouble you in any manner before I wed Lucas." "That's no way going to be!" Michael sobbed once more. "Your marriage with Lucas will no way be because you are an unattractive skinny b *** h who isn't indeed fit to be a Luna." "Please, Michael!" my stepfamily, I prayed. “Please, let me marry Lucas." Michael whizzed sluggishly, then peered at me. What happens if Lucas decides he doesn't want to wed someone similar to you? What if you were rejected by Lucas? I paused as I gave myself permission.
"After what Michael had told me, I decided not to intrude on his life any further," I informed Michael. "If Lucas doesn't have feelings for me, that's perfectly fine." Michael chuckled heartily. "Just wait here while I talk to Lucas. But, I'd appreciate it if you don't mention his name around me if he ends up rejecting you, as I suspect he will."
As I watched Michael leave to find Lucas, I couldn't shake the pain caused by my step-family's mistreatment, all because I loved him. I shifted uncomfortably, testing the strength in my legs. Michael's actions had left me fragile, and for a moment, I considered seeking medical attention. However, I knew I couldn't afford to be absent when Michael returned with Lucas. So, whether I liked it or not, I had to stay.
While I waited for them, my inner strength urged me to inspect my injury, but I resisted. To my surprise, my inner resilience mended me without my consent. Once healed, I felt a surge of newfound vitality. My inner strength bolstered me to wait for Michael and Lucas, but they never arrived.
After hours of anticipation, a sharp pain shot through my leg. When I forced my eyes open, I found Michael tending to me, urging me to stand. "Where's Lucas?" I asked. Michael remained silent. "If he doesn't show, it confirms he's interested, just as I predicted before you left," I asserted confidently.
Michael glanced at me before erupting into fits of laughter. "You should know," she managed to say through her mirth, "Lucas didn't come because he was utterly astonished that someone like you would be interested in him."
"That's not true," I insisted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I won't believe it unless I see proof."
Michael turned, retrieving a mobile phone from her pocket. She played a video for me. In it, someone resembling Lucas embraced Michael passionately. When this person finished, he confessed that he didn't have feelings for me, deeming me too thin and unattractive to be his mate. It was hard to believe. I took the phone from Michael, replaying the video for confirmation. The resemblance to Lucas was uncanny.
"Now that you have your evidence," Michael said, a triumphant gleam in her eyes, "I suggest you calmly reject Lucas, since he's done the same to you."
"I reject Lucas," I declared, sinking to the ground. "I won't subject myself to him after he's belittled me."
Michael's anger flared, her eyes flashing. "Unacceptable!" she shouted. "You will not defy me. Repeat after me."
"Alright," I agreed. "I, Anabel," Michael began, "wholeheartedly reject Lucas as my mate and vehemently disagree with anyone who suggests otherwise." With no alternative, I echoed Michael's words precisely. When I finished, dizziness and exhaustion washed over me.
