Rejected, Rebirth, and Revenge

Vivian I was the happiest woman alive. The words had become my mantra over the past few hours. Well, ever since Caspian told me to meet him in the woods earlier today, to be more precise. I was surprised when he approached me with the invitation. After he rejected me during the last Lunar Hunt, I thought he would never change his mind. He never spoke to me after that and instead, glared at me whenever he saw me in school or anywhere else. It was especially worse when he was with his girlfriend, Livette. I guessed she had no idea, but whenever we all happened to be in the same room, he looked like he was panicking. Maybe he thought I would tell everyone the truth, but I never would. Nobody knew that he was my Fated Mate, not even my mother. I didn't tell anyone—I didn't see a point in doing so. I decided that it would be best to carry the weight of my shame of being rejected alone. I especially didn't want my mother to know. Or my friends. Or anyone, really. I'd prefer it if they thought I didn't have one, like some people. I didn't mind being 'unmated' as they called us. But Caspian wanted to see me, so things changed a bit. Tonight was the Lunar Hunt, which happened during every full moon. We were all getting ready to go as nobody in our pack ever missed it, but because Caspian wanted to see me, there was a special reason why I was putting in some effort in my appearance. There was something about the way he said it when he told me earlier that assured me that it wouldn't be another angry outburst from him that I would hear. Perhaps I was stupid for even thinking of going to meet him, but I couldn't help myself. I was curious to know what he wanted to say to me. "Vivian!" my mother called. "Come have dinner! It's on the table!" I sighed. I couldn't understand why she always insisted on cooking dinner during the Lunar Hunt. There would always be more than enough food for everyone. I went downstairs after making sure that I looked perfect. As soon as she saw me, she arched a brow. "What's the occasion?" "I just want to look nice," I replied as I sat at the table. She made some grilled chicken and rice tonight. "Mom, there will be food at the Hunt, you know?" "We're Omegas," she said as she poured us some water before sitting at the table. She eyed me with hazel eyes—the same shade as mine. "Nothing is ever guaranteed for us." I didn't say anything and simply lowered my eyes to my plate and ate. She always talked about this and I guessed I could say that it was all somewhat true. Omegas weren't as important as the Alpha-borns or even Beta-borns. We were below them in the hierarchy. We were their servants and some even made it to teachers, which I hoped I'd be able to do after school. They never worked for anyone. They were the leaders, both in business and politics. Which explained why Caspian rejected me to begin with. No Omega was ever mated to a high-born before. I always thought that it was because it was impossible, but after what happened to me, I was sure that they had all probably just rejected their Omega mates and got with someone else—someone more suitable. That was the reason why Caspian was with Livette. She was the First Beta's daughter. She even rejected her mate—another Beta boy—to be with him. It made sense, after all. If she mated with Caspian, she would be Luna of Dawn. I looked up and met my mother's gaze. There was a deep sadness in her eyes and I couldn't understand why. She hadn't even touched her plate. I asked her, "What is it?" "You look beautiful tonight," she said, reaching out to grab my hand. "You remind me of my younger self." It was clear to everyone that we looked exactly the same. We had the same black, long hair and hazel, almond-shaped eyes. My mother was the most beautiful woman ever, so looking like her was an honor. "Is there a reason why you're so vibrant tonight?" "No," I said, but even as I answered her, I could feel my cheeks heating up. "Not at all." I finished my dinner. She just started eating. "Maybe it's the dress you're wearing tonight." It used to be hers. She passed it down to me as soon as I could fit in it. It was my favorite one—white linen with embroidered blue, yellow, and red flowers on the skirt. "What about it?" "I wore it when I first found out that I was mated to your father," she revealed. "I have a picture somewhere. I'll show you later." Mom never liked talking about my father. After his tragic accident, things changed. She changed and became more closed-off. "It's a shame you didn't find your mate on your sixteenth birthday, Vivi," she told me with a sigh. "I would love for you to experience the pure love of mates." I swallowed the knot forming in my throat. Little did she know that I had found my mate. The only problem was that he didn't want anything to do with me. Well, that was before. Perhaps tonight, things would change. "Mom," I began curiously. Since we were on the topic, I figured I could ask questions of my own. "Do Omegas ever mate with Alphas, or even Betas?" "No," she told me with no hesitation. "Impossible." I already knew this but there had to be an explanation. Otherwise, why was I mated to Caspian when he was the Alpha's son and I was just an Omega? "But there's no chance? It's never happened before?" "It's physically impossible," she told me. "It's like trying to fit two pieces of a puzzle together that simply don't belong together. The Moon made us all different. Omegas are not like Betas or Alphas. They're smaller and more fragile wolves." I didn't know why I felt such a sinking feeling in my gut at this explanation. I had heard it all my life that they couldn't mate but after it happened to me, I figured there had to be an explanation. Apparently, there wasn't. I didn't want to think about this because I hadn't figured things out with Caspian yet, but once I did, I'd find an answer. Better yet, we'd figure something out together. Mom turned to look at me suspiciously then. There was a crease between her brows as she asked, "Why do you ask?" "No reason," I said quickly. Maybe too quickly. "Vivian." I stood. "It's nothing, really. Come on, Mom. I've asked you this a hundred times." "Yes, but—" Just then, I received a text message. It cut what she wanted to say in half. It was a text from Caspian. He had asked me for my number earlier so he could give me directions to the place we were supposed to meet. I'm waiting for you. -C My heart jumped at the words. When I looked up, my mother was looking at me suspiciously. A broad smile tugged at the corners of my lips and I said, "I have to go." "But the event only starts in an hour." "I know. I arranged to meet with some friends beforehand." "Vivian." I was already heading toward the door. "Love you, Mom. See you at the Hunt!" I got on my bicycle which was waiting for me right outside the kitchen door and carried it all the way to the road before climbing on it and getting on my way. We lived on the eastern side of our town. It was where all the other Omegas lived. Everyone else lived on the West. The houses there were much nicer. Schools, shops, restaurants, cafés, and the courthouse were found in the city center. I would have to reach the city center because the park we were supposed to meet in was there. He told me to text him as soon as I reached it, and that was what I was going to do. The moon was high in the sky and the wind was cool against my skin. It was the perfect night for a hunt. It would be a perfect night, I was sure of it. I knew that Caspian and I didn't necessarily have the best start, but I was willing to overlook it if he was. By the Moon, I was too excited. There were butterflies in my stomach and it was hard for me to breathe. Even so, I would face this. Although I was scared, I would meet with him and talk, like he wanted me to. It would all turn out okay. I recalled the conversation we had earlier in school. I left class to go to the bathroom and when I got out, I was shocked to see him standing right outside the door. I was even more shocked to realize that I was the one he wanted to talk to. "Vivian," he had begun. I was stunned that he even knew my name. "We need to talk." I gulped. My mouth was so dry. "About what?" "This whole mess between us can't go on much longer," he said in a hurry before he looked over his shoulder. "We have to talk and figure something out. I want to...I want to make it up to you." I saw only sincerity in his icy blue eyes. I didn't know what made me nod my head and say, "Sure." Maybe it was the sincerity I saw, or maybe it was the whisper of a bond between us that would only grow stronger if he claimed me. He hadn't rejected me formally when he found out—he just told me he didn't want me, so it didn't count. Either way, I had a decision to make, and I had already decided. He smiled a vibrant smile. "Great, then. Meet me at the park at seven, an hour before the Hunt. Better yet, give me your number. I'll text you when the time comes." With that, he walked away and I was breathless then, just as I was now. I didn't regret my decision. I figured it would be good to give him a chance and hear what he had to say. If I had known what his intentions were, I would never have gone. But it was too late for regrets.