Rejected and Forgotten

CHAPTER 1 {Irish’s POV} My life was a fairytale a long, long time ago. And a long time ago is almost as good as a fading memory now, like how the love of my life vanished right before my eyes as he walked away from me. Alpha Damon Carter was a man of ambitions. That was how he came to build his empire—with his ambitions and strengths. I knew from the very start that his dream was as high as the sun, and during those times when no one believed that he could make it, I was there. And I believed in him. “You’re leaving?” I asked, barely even surprised, even though it was already near midnight. “An emergency came up.” He took his coat from the rack and answered without looking at me. “Grayson just mind-linked me. Don’t wait for me.” Damon gave me a perfunctory kiss on the lips. A familiar intoxicating scent brushed my senses and made my heart tighten. His kisses used to give me butterflies—it still does—but along with the butterflies were thousands of knives hitting me all at once. But the bleeding remained only visible in my eyes. “Good night.” “But I—” I thought you were done with work. It’s almost midnight. I heard the sound of the door shutting close before I could even finish my sentence. I turned around and saw the now-closed door, leaving me in this spacious but empty room. I haven’t seen my mate for two weeks because of some expansion of the pack, and when I thought we’d finally had the night together, he had to leave again. A knot formed in my throat. When was the last time I had spent time with him that he didn’t have to leave for work? When was the last time we had a casual conversation that didn’t involve his work? The knot pulled tighter that someone might as well choke me, but I ignored it like I always do. I lay down on the cold king-sized bed and curled my body like a fetus. A stinging sensation burned at the back of my eyes before I blinked them back. Get it together, Irish. I was, after all, the Luna of the mighty Crescent Moon Pack and the one true mate of Alpha Damon Carter, one of the most successful, influential, feared, and powerful men in all werewolf society. I lived in a beautiful mansion that most Luna would kill for, so I have no reason to cry. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. ———— “I’m home.” A familiar warmth wrapped around my back as Damon hugged me from behind. His kiss felt like a feather against my bare shoulder. “I’m sorry about last night.” He whispered again before I could reply. My eyes fluttered closed as I leaned against his touch. No matter how many excuses he’d given me in the past, no matter how many times he ditched me for work, it always ends up with me understanding him. I always do. “Is everything alright at work?” I could barely understand my words as Damon trailed soft kisses on my neck and shoulder, his hand expertly making its way down to my most sensitive part, leaving my body hot and wanting for more. “We had to deal with a trespasser last night; that’s why I had to leave.” “What—” My shock was instantly replaced by a soft moan when he sucked on my neck. “But you never had any trespassers before.” Crest Moon was known for its ruthless Alpha. People talk, and I’m sure they’ve heard how those people who tried to cross Damon ended tragically. No one was brave enough to step foot in this territory…until last night. “I know.” Something unrecognizable lingered in his voice, but it vanished when he spoke again. “I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry. Now, let me make it up to you…” He dipped his head again, but before his lips could even collide with my skin, a phone rang. His phone. A sigh escaped his lips. I thought he was going to turn off his phone, but a hole of disappointment burned in my chest when he stood up and gave me an apologetic look. “I’ll just take this. This must be important.” He didn’t even wait for my reply. He was already out of our room before I could even blink. Coldness seeped through me as I hugged my body. The earlier warmth had long vanished, replaced by an empty feeling that made me sick to my stomach. How many times have I felt like an option instead of a priority? How many apologies does he have to say, and how many promises does he have to break? I closed my eyes as a memory tried to resurface. “I have something for you.” We had our traditional holiday date in our favorite spot—a wide clearing far from any prying eyes—which he discovered when he was a kid. It’d been his spot whenever he wanted to think, and now, it’s ours. I think this place will always have a special place in my heart. This is where, after all, we had almost all of our first. First date. First kiss. First holiday together. First time he saw me cry and first time I saw him have a breakdown. When I opened my eyes, I saw a red and purple tulip in front of me. A symbol of true love and loyalty. My lips parted in surprise. “What…” I couldn’t even finish my words as a sudden burst of warmth exploded inside me like fireworks lighting up the sky. “Damon…” “This is for you.” He swallowed. “I knew this isn’t much, but I promise once I become the Alpha, I will give you a garden filled with your favorite flowers.” I blinked back the memory. He fulfilled that promise, but he has broken a thousand more since. As expected, hours passed, and Damon never came back. I ate alone at a ten-sitter dining table, and the silence was enough to make me throw up. This was the life he promised me. Beautiful house. Comfortable life. Access to everything. But what would I do with these things if I was not with the person who promised me to have these things with? I leaned against the railing of our balcony and watched as the first snow gracefully fell from the night sky. We used to watch them together. In this exact same place. I would point at them and tell him how beautiful they are, and he would agree even though he wasn’t looking at the snow because he was busy staring at me. I swallowed as emotions clogged my throat. What went wrong? Once upon a time, our relationship wasn’t perfect, but we were happy because we were together through the lows and the highs. We had each other even in those times when I was just Irish, and he was just Damon. We were happier then. I was happy then because we were together, and it hurts to think that we’re still together, but I forgot the last time I ever felt that same happiness before. ———— “You’re home early,” I said, even though it was the first time he was entering our home after he abruptly left yesterday despite promising that he’d be back. “Hm,” he shrugged off his coat from his shoulder and tossed it in the coat rack. From the look on his face, he has completely forgotten about yesterday. Damon had the habit of forgetting things whenever he was stressed. That’s why I often worry if he’d eaten anything, especially during the days when he wasn’t home. He greeted me with a chaste kiss on the forehead that lasted for a second. “Have you eaten?” I watched him sit down on the sofa. He took out his phone, his brows scrunched together in a frown, and when I thought he wouldn’t answer, he replied. “I’ll grab something later,” he said without taking his eyes off his phone. A serious expression had marred his face, and I knew he was already in a different world. “Don’t forget our traditional holiday picnic next week.” He was the one who started it eight years ago as an excuse for a date a week before Christmas because my family usually celebrated in a different state, so we’re usually away from each other during the holidays. He wanted to have a pre-celebration with just the two of us, and that was the time when he brought me to that clearing. Since then, it had become our tradition even after we got to live together. Damon didn’t answer, and it was obvious that he didn’t hear me. He was so focused on his phone, looking so serious as if the world would end if he ever turned his attention away from it. “Damon,” I said firmly and a little louder. This time, he looked at me. “Our holiday tradition next week. Don’t forget.” The seriousness didn't leave his face but they soften merely as he nodded at me. “I won’t.” “I’m serious. It’s important.” That tradition had been a big help in building our relationship for the past eight years. He looked more attentive now when he said, “I know. It’s important to me too. Don’t worry, I won’t forget. I promise.” My chest hummed in satisfaction at his promise. No matter how many of them he had broken before, I'd keep holding onto them like how I hold onto our relationship because for as long as I can, I don't intend to let go.