Rejected and Forgotten

Chapter 5

{Damon’s POV}

*Eight Years Ago…

“You must interact with these people, Aiden. Having connections with powerful people is important when you want to build an empire,” my father, Alpha Adam Carter, reminded my 19-year-old brother, Aiden, when we settled at a table in the corner.

We were invited to one of the most prestigious annual balls of the royal lycan family. Not everyone has the opportunity to attend this event; hence why our family wouldn't miss it. I could still remember how my father almost smiled while my mother nearly had a heart attack.

It was that big of a deal—for them, at least. And for my brothers, especially Aiden. The oldest among us.

He had always been father’s pet, and even though our parents haven’t declared any heir yet, he already claimed the position as the next Alpha of the Crescent Moon. He was five years older than me, but he might as well be the youngest, as he could be dumber than the most dumb person on earth.

“I know, father. I made sure that I know every person attending this ball. From the richest to the most powerful and influential one.” Aiden gave me an arrogant look before turning to our father as if a doting son that he clearly was not. “And I will make sure that this night wouldn’t end without me sealing an alliance with one of those people. I promise you that, father.”

I blinked in surprise.

That’s a big word considering how hard it would be to seal an alliance in a place full of rich and powerful Alphas and royals, especially if the said alliance would come from people like us—or Aiden. We were barely known, and I could totally see how people here didn’t even spend a second looking our way.

But no matter how twisted my family seemed to be, we valued promises like they were a sacred spell that couldn’t be broken.

And now, the pressure was all on Aiden.

My brother looked like he was waiting for a praise from our father, but the latter turned to me instead.

“What about you, Damon? Aren’t you gonna seal any alliance too? ” He raised an eyebrow expectantly.

I could care less about that alliance. I don’t even want to be here in the first place, and I don’t even want to compete with my brothers just for that goddamn position. I hated the whole thing, but I was forced to go along with it because that’s what my parents wanted.

I could feel Aiden’s glare burning at the side of my head—angry at his failed attempt to impress our father—as I think of an answer.

“No, father.” I stared directly into his eyes, showing my defiance. “I wasn’t here to interact with any of these people. I was merely here because I am your son.”

If he was displeased with my answer, he didn’t show it.

“I see.” Was all he said before turning to my youngest brother, Adrian. “I hope you don’t share the same answer as Damon.”

Adrian shrugged. “He’s just stating facts, but as much as I like to do the same, I am here to mingle, father,” he said, earning a pleased nod from our father.

For a 10-year-old kid, he does sound more mature than his age—all thanks to our parents, of course.

Unlike Aiden, whom I barely get along with, Adrian was much more mature and somehow decent to interact with. Aside from the fact that he was still a kid, it was probably because, just like me, he didn’t want to be the Alpha, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to compete.

Not with me, but with Aiden.

Adrian had longed to see Aiden defeated for some understandable reason. It started when our dear oldest brother humiliated Adrian in front of his peers when he was only seven and the war had begun since.

Imagine a 19-year-old grown-up bullying a 10-year-old kid. That pretty much tells everything about Aiden.

I tuned them down and just watched the people mingling with each other as if they were very close acquaintances when the truth is, nobody’s here for a genuine friendship. They’re all here to use each other for their own personal gain.

I’ve seen my father do it with my own eyes. The moment they turned around, the bright smile on their faces dropped. It was sickening to watch.

Suddenly, the chattering stopped, and everyone had turned to the end of the aisle.

“The royal family of the lycan kingdom.” Someone announced, and I watched as everyone stood up almost in unison.

“Damon,” my father hissed when I remained seated. “Stand up,” he urged.

I sighed and lifelessly stood up.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes when I saw Aiden, standing proudly as if the royal family would somehow notice him.

As if.

I finally turned to look at the end of the aisle and assessed the now center of the attention.

I skipped the Lycan King and Queen, who went straight to their assigned seat, placed on the part where they would effortlessly see everything. Instead, I directed my eyes to the man who stopped in front of our table, his wife and a little girl in tow.

I didn’t know nor care why, of all places, they chose to greet us first. I didn’t even care if my family seemed very much pleased to have them here with us, but for the sake of the respect I have left for my father, I stayed.

My father introduced us, but I wasn’t listening, not until I heard a voice. It was so soft, like silk. I don’t know why, but tingles spread up and down my spine when she spoke.

I was mortified with the strange feeling, yet I couldn’t help but be intrigued and drawn to it.

“I’m Irish Lee.”

I looked up and met a pair of the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen that were already staring at mine as if the introduction was solely for me.

Something warm spread throughout my entire body. My stomach feels weird, and so does my mind. I still haven’t gotten my wolf, but a voice spoke in my head.

Mine

***

{Irish’s POV}

*Present time...

I almost forgot that my mother often invites her wealthy friends to have tea on the veranda. If they are not bragging about their sons and daughters' achievements, they gossip about their other peers or known people in our society.

Today was one of those days.

Because her friends brought their children, I was told to sit and mingle with them. So here we are now, seated at a round table outside of my father's mansion.

There were four other ladies around my age seated at our table. I’ve known them since I was a kid because their mothers used to bring them here ever since, but they might as well be a stranger.

“Ugh, I’m so tired,” Jasmine, the blonde girl across from me, complained. Her mother was my father’s sister, so we’re basically cousins, but I still don’t know her. We’ve barely interacted with each other, and I'm not looking forward to interacting with her either. “The invitations I received from different prestigious events are nonstop. I can’t blame them, though, but they must know that my time is precious.” She asked while examining her nails.

“Yeah, I totally understand the feeling,” Naomi agreed. Her mother was the king’s cousin, so I often saw her at the palace ever since I was a kid. “But I never accept any of the invitations unless I know someone very important attending it.” By ‘important,’ she meant handsome. Very handsome.

I sighed and looked at the sky, silently praying for this day to end.

This was one of the things I used to dread about before I moved in with Damon. When I left this mansion, it was as if a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulder. It was as if I was finally free from the expectations, orders, demands, and pressure from my parents. Now, I had to endure it all once again.

It's been four days since I broke the bond that ties me to Damon. A hole had grown in my chest, and I have never been so empty that there were moments where I wondered why I had done this in the first place. Why did I reject him?

But then, the memories of sleepless nights, eating at the dining table alone, waiting until midnight, broken promises, missed dates, and endless pain made me realize why, and I couldn't bring myself to regret what I did.

My train of thought was cut short when I heard a familiar high-pitched voice call my name.

"How about you, Irish?" Jasmine turned to me, and the rest automatically did the same.

My voice got stuck in my throat.

I wasn't used to being at the receiving end of their conversations. Aside from the fact that I hate telling things about myself, I have absolutely nothing to tell them.

I cleared my throat.

"I don't..." My voice trailed off."You never receive any invitations? Not at all?" Naomi flashed her fakest smile that almost made me want to throw up. There's nothing in this world that disgusts me more than people pretending and desperately failing to be nice.

I didn't try to correct her.

It was partly true since all the invitations I received were named after Damon or the Crescent Moon, so...

"Yeah."

"Oh," the way she looked down at me as if I was nothing compared to her, made my stomach twist.

This was the life I had endured a long time ago. I did it before, and I certainly can do it again...

...but at the back of my head, a small voice screamed at me. A voice that I have desperately been trying to silence.

If Damon were here, I wouldn't have to endure this at all.