Chapter Four: Love's rejection
1699 Words
Leaving O'Connor's, Liliana and Rafe found themselves on a secluded balcony, overlooking the night street.
"Just when I thought everything was going as planned, we were one step closer to the Bloodring. Then this happened," Rafe said.
Turning slightly to face him, I spoke softly, "Rafe, the Bloodring has been a priority for you since I've known you. As your Luna, I'm here to support you no matter what, but don't you think I deserve to understand why it holds such significance for you?"
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he began to speak.
"There was this alpha, desperate to rebuild his fallen pack. He sought new betas, even omegas, to fuel his endless battle. He even went as far as turning innocent humans into werewolves. Some boy he turned, unfortunately, didn't survive the bite. And as expected, a heartbroken mother, driven to avenge her son, went to any lengths. As a witch, she was able to use the claws of a powerful alpha to create something to give her strength to stand toe to toe with any werewolf."
Turning to me, he said, "She made the Bloodring."
Rafe continued, "The Bloodring is what maintains the balance between humans and werewolves. If a human should wield it, they won’t only be our equals; they’ll be our superiors. Now, if this falls into the wrong hands..."
"We're all screwed." I said
"Now you know why I can’t have you leaving town without my permission," Rafe said, his usual demeanor returning.
A smirk played on my lips as I replied, "So now that the Bloodring has surfaced, you want to be mate of the year?"
He stepped closer, his eyes devoid of emotion as he said, "Don’t flatter yourself. You're only with me because my pack needs a Luna. If you want to go on to the end of the world, go ahead… see if I care."
With that, he walked out.
Rafe's eyes flicked up from his papers as a sudden presence filled his office, a visitor he hadn't invited.
"Are you the Alpha, Rafe?" the visitor said.
" Who's asking " rafe said
"Alpha Makari's emissary, and he's got a message for you."
"There's something she's not telling you... and it's the one thing that could set your mate bond ablaze," he continued.
Rafe remained silent.
"Don't you find it strange that you've never seen your mate on full moons, never seen her shift, or even seen her wolf?"
The door creaked open, and Rafe's secretary appeared. "You, how did you get in here? I thought I told you to leave... I'm so sorry, sir, I just went to grab lunch and..."
"There's nothing to worry about. We're just having a chat," Rafe said.
The secretary closed the door.
"You said you have a message for me. Why don't you spill the beans and stop telling me things I already know," Rafe said.
The emissary chuckled. "Don't you get it? She doesn't have a wolf companion. She's useless. Come on, you must have thought about it."
"And what makes you think I don't know that?" Rafe shot back.
"The look in your eyes says otherwise. Something is coming, and believe it or not, she's definitely not strong enough to stand by your side for it."
The emissary stood up and said, "He also says that this full moon will be quite juicy."
As he left the office, Rafe was left dumbfounded.
He wiped his bloody hands with a white handkerchief, standing over the body in his living room.
His emissary walked in.
“How did he take it?” Makari asked, grabbing the glass of whiskey from the table.
“As expected,” the emissary replied, shifting nervously. “But, sir, do we really need to waste our time on them? I mean… I don’t see how this benefits you.”
Makari drank, his eyes fixed on the emissary, unblinking.
“Um… I’m sorry, sir, I just thought—” the emissary began.
“I don’t need you to think. I need you to do what I say. Are we going to have a problem with that?” Makari asked, his tone ice-cold.
“No, sir.”
“Good. Now, deal with this,” Makari said, gesturing to the body. He paused, then added, “This is what happens when my time is wasted.”
“I don’t know what he has planned or what’s going to happen, but it’s best we play it safe,” Liliana said, addressing the omegas. She took a deep breath. “This full moon is going to be different, we all feel it. But we don’t go our separate ways—we do this together as a pack. We have to be prepared for the worst.”
“That’s quite the encouragement from someone as defenseless as you,” Rafe’s beta interrupted, stepping out from the shadows.
“I’m not sure what you mean by that,” Liliana replied.
“How long did you think you could keep it from me?” Rafe asked calmly as he entered the room.
“Keep what? What are you talking about?” Liliana said.
“Come on, cut the crap,” Rafe’s beta sneered.
“So that’s why you were forced on me, wasn’t it?” Rafe said, his eyes narrowing.
Liliana was left speechless.
“Beacon Pack, what a disappointment, that we just found out that our so-called Luna doesn’t have a wolf companion?” Rafe’s beta said.
Liliana struggled to find the right words, staring into Rafe’s eyes.
“Luna, what are they saying… is it true?” a pack member asked.
“You see, she can’t deny it,” the beta smirked. “Can you imagine such a level of hypocrisy? She’s standing here before you, talking about a full moon that she won’t even be a part of.”
“Please, I don’t think we should be discussing this right now?” Liliana said to Rafe,
“You are in no position to make demands,” Rafe replied coldly. “How did you think I would take it? Did you think I’d just accept a Luna without a wolf companion? Someone as weak as you? You knew I wouldn’t—that’s why you kept it from me.”
“The last thing I need is someone as devious as you,” Rafe continued.
“I never said I didn’t have a wolf companion,” Liliana protested.
“Then prove it,” Rafe’s beta challenged.
“I should wha…?” Liliana stammered.
“Turn,” Rafe demanded, eyes locked on hers. “Right here, right now.”
“I can’t just turn—it has to be triggered,” Liliana said, panic rising.
“Come on, Alpha, do we really need to hear any more from this feeble she-wolf? She can’t even control her wolf. It’s obvious she’s lying,” the beta scoffed.
Rafe’s eyes were cold as he said, “Well then, there’s only one way to find out.” Turning to his beta, he ordered, “Go fetch the moonstone.”
Rafe’s beta walked in with a small box, setting it on the table. With deliberate precision, he unfolded a knife from a piece of cloth.
“We don’t have to use this,” Liliana said, her voice shaky.
“I’m sorry, Liliana, but we do,” Rafe replied,
“This moonstone will trigger your transformation. If you’re truly a wolf, you’ll transform and prove your loyalty to the pack. If you don’t, then you cease to be my Luna and a member of this pack.”
“No, come on, Rafe, you can’t possibly do this,” Liliana pleaded, her eyes searching his for any sign of mercy.
“Yes, he can. He’s the Alpha,” Rafe’s beta interjected
“Step forward,” Rafe commanded, although he struggled to maintain eye contact with her.
Liliana hesitated.
“You either do this the easy way, or the hard way,” Rafe said, his voice hardening.
Taking a deep breath, Liliana walked slowly towards the moonstone. She picked up the knife, her hand trembling as a tear rolled down her cheek. She turned to Rafe, looking deep into his eyes, hoping for a last-minute reprieve, as she dropped the knife to the ground.
“I can’t,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“I’m sorry, we didn’t get that?” Rafe’s beta sneered, stepping closer.
“I can’t,” Liliana repeated louder, her voice breaking. “It’s true. I don’t have a wolf companion.”
A murmur rippled through the pack. Shock, disappointment, and disbelief painted their faces.
“Well then, it’s settled… go and never come back,” Rafe said, his voice calm.
“Rafe, I’m sorry… I…” Liliana tried to plead, but her voice was drowned in her tears. She almost fell to her knees, the weight of rejection crushing her spirit.
“Just leave,” Rafe said, his voice devoid of emotion. “I reject you as my Luna.” With those words, he turned his back on her and walked away. The pack followed, leaving Liliana alone.
First it was my old pack, and now, same rejection. The same pain. But this time? It's like a knife to my heart. I dared to hope for acceptance, but it's all just emptiness.
Someone saw my weakness and used it against me, shattering the fragile bonds I had built. And the pack? They speak of love and harmony, but I'm just... thrown away.
I'm lost again, with no guiding hands.
So, what now? Just me, crumbling under the weight of it all. Yes, I'm weak, but it's not by choice. Being a wolf without a companion is really hard, trust me if I had a way to make it all go, I would.
Liliana grabbed her belongings, her hands trembled. Tears welled up despite her efforts to hold them back. Each item in the box felt like a reminder of her failures. She glanced around her empty room, feeling the sting of solitude. The walls seemed to close in, suffocating her with memories of rejection and loss. With one last look, she whispered to herself, "What now?"
- Writer
