A Rejection
1137 Words
ARISELLE'S POV
Having to face the arrogant Alpha Caelan alone the previous night had left me even more restless.
I had heard of Alpha Caelan in the past. He was feared and respected in all packs. When he hated a pack, he totally eliminated them. This had been the story that kept many packs constantly afraid of him.
Yet, what I had felt when I had the chance to stand before him, was not fear.
“It was a longing. A desire you'd rather die than name,” Myrrh purred inside me.
“I do not long for anything. I only desire to be the one who saves my pack when we fall into the hands of enemies,” I said.
I walked out to the training grounds. The other warriors were there. They trained hard, hardly noticing me as I walked into their midst.
I reached for my sword as I got closer. I was going to join the training.
“Princess Ariselle.”
I froze.
I turned slowly. One of the court messengers stood by the edge of the yard, his hands clasped in front of him.
“What is it?” I asked as I walked to him.
“Your father requests your presence in the court immediately.”
I frowned. “I am about to train and my father understands how important training time is to me.”
“He said it cannot wait.”
That made my chest tighten.
I studied the yard once more, then handed my sword to a nearby warrior. “Hold that for me till I'm back.”
“Yes, Princess.”
I walked back into the pack house, irritation building with every step. Nothing important ever waited for court. Court waited for people like me.
My father usually shifted things until I was in the courts. He didn't make me abandon my affairs to come to court.
When I entered, my father stood near his Alpha throne, pacing.
“Father,” I said. “What is so urgent that I had to leave my training this morning?”
He turned, as did the other members of the court. his eyes swept over my clothes. His jaw tightened.
“Go back to your room,” he said.
I blinked. “What?”
“Change,” he added. “Wear a proper dress and come back.”
I stared at him. “Why?”
“This is a special meeting.”
“And I am dressed,” I said firmly.
“Not appropriately.”
“I am a warrior,” I replied. “This is appropriate and you have known me to be this person all these years.”
His voice lowered. “Ariselle, do not challenge me today.”
“I am not challenging you,” I said. “I am reminding you who I am. You seem to have forgotten, father.”
He sighed. “You are the daughter of an alpha.”
“And the protector of this pack,” I shot back.
“Today you are both,” he said. “Now go and wear something fitting.”
I opened my mouth to argue again.
The doors opened.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the court.
I turned. And everyone else in the court turned.
Alpha Caelan walked in first and all eyes stayed on him.
His presence swallowed the room. His dark eyes scanned everything with sharp authority. His father followed closely behind him, calm and observant.
My father’s shoulders stiffened.
“I told you this was a special meeting, Ariselle,” he said under his breath.
I did not move.
Caelan’s gaze landed on me.
His eyes came on me slowly and filled with judgement.
Then his brow lifted slightly.
“Interesting,” he said. “Is this how Ironcrest presents its alpha’s daughter in court?”
I felt heat rush to my face. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” he said coolly, “that you are dressed like a common warrior and that's not the way of ladies in courts.”
“I am proud of my warrior attire,” I replied.
He stepped forward slightly. “A woman of your status should dress accordingly.”
I laughed once, sharp and bitter.
“I would rather be a common warrior than an arrogant alpha.”
I heard the court murmur. Some gasped.
My father’s face drained of color. “Ariselle,” he said urgently.
Caelan’s eyes darkened. “You speak boldly for someone standing before a more powerful pack.”
“And you speak arrogantly for someone who is a guest in my home,” I snapped.
Silence fell hard.
Alpha Thorne cleared his throat. “Enough of that.”
My father gestured toward a seat.
“Ariselle. Please. Sit.”
I hesitated, then sat slowly, my body tense.
Caelan sat across from me.
His gaze never left my face.
Alpha Thorne stepped forward.
“We are here to discuss the future of our packs,” he said. “Nightfall and Ironcrest stand strong on their own. But together, they would be unstoppable.”
I folded my arms.
“To seal this alliance,” Thorne continued, “a union is required.”
My stomach dropped.
“Alpha Caelan,” he said, placing a hand on his son’s shoulder, “will marry Ariselle, daughter of Alpha Dan.”
The court erupted.
“What?” I shouted, leaping to my feet.
“No,” Caelan said sharply.
I turned on my father. “You agreed to this?”
“Ariselle,” he began.
“You reduced me to a political tool,” I said, my voice shaking. “After everything I have given this pack.”
“You misunderstand,” he said desperately.
“I understand perfectly,” I snapped.
Caelan stood as well. “This is unacceptable.”
“Caelan,” his father warned.
“I will not marry her,” Caelan said coldly. “Or anyone.”
I laughed, harsh and wounded. “As if I would ever agree to marry you.”
His eyes snapped to mine. “Good. Because I would never take you as a mate.”
“Perfect,” I fired back.
“Enough, Ariselle!” my father roared.
But neither of us stopped.
“I will not be owned,” I said.
“I will not act contrary to my will,” Caelan countered.
Our words collided and I could feel the distress of the Alphas as they watched.
I hated him.
I hated how my heart pounded. I hated how my wolf wanted to be close to him. And I hated that my body desired him, against my will.
I turned and stormed out, my hands shaking with fury.
Behind me, the court descended into chaos.
But I did not look back.
- Writer
