REJECTED AT THE ALTAR, CHOSEN BY FATE

Waking to emptiness

~Selene~

When I woke up, I felt empty.

I would do anything to fill that void.

I didn't know why, but Edward and I were still somewhat connected, so the break wasn't total either, and it made me feel even more empty.

I started crying when I thought about the incident. I sobbed through the night and into the next day. His mark was on my inner thigh, and I scratched it until the skin was sore and marred.

I was ashamed of myself for falling and allowing him to harm me.

I felt guilty for having the audacity to believe. I never received anything positive from fate. What made me believe that this would be different?

I was raised in an orphanage with Pearl. Only our last names were given to us when we were placed in the orphanage, and they continued to refer to us as such until we chose to give ourselves names when we turned four. She picked Pearl for the same reason that I picked Selene because it was my favorite season.

Pearl gave me space, which made her a darling.

I knew Pearl was to blame for the kids' failure to come check on me in the morning. I was happy, but I also knew that I needed to get better as soon as possible, if only for the benefit of the orphanage's kids.

Even though it was all over, I wanted to know why, and I didn't want to come across as foolish.

Why would Edward humiliate me by dragging me along the way he did? I did nothing to deserve it, and it was cruel.

I made the decision to do what I was unable to do at the wedding since I had no idea if Edward and Ellen were still together or had gone on their honeymoon. What shock kept me from doing it, I chose to do. I made the decision to ask him why.

All I needed were answers.

Nothing could be saved; the act had been completed. I felt a sense of emptiness that indicated that.

I left the orphanage covertly and made my way to the Alpha's residence.

As I strolled, I did not miss the whispers and gossip.

Although the majority of them were upset with their Alpha for what he did and felt sorry for me, none of them dared to approach me and offer consolation, so I was relieved that they weren't making fun of me.

From a distance they sympathized, and that was sufficient. They weren't laughing, at least. Edward's remarks alone would have made me a laughingstock.

When I arrived at the Alphas' home, the watchers refused to let me in. Up until last night, it was my home. I was not a stranger, even though I am aware that they had given my possessions back to the orphanage.

Since he accepted the bond, Edward and I have lived together. It only proved that I was merely a passing fad. The Watchers pretended not to recognize me.

I shouted as I stood by the gate.

"Tell Edward to come see me right away. Or is he a coward? Unable to accept the repercussions of his actions." In order for anyone inside the house to hear me, I shouted at the gate.

A Watcher begged me to leave, saying, "Ma'am, you need to leave." I could see the struggle in his eyes.

"Until I see the coward, I won't go. In no way does he owe me an explanation. Even though I'm not from here, I still deserve an explanation. I shouted and heard a voice coming from inside the gate.

The scent was feminine and familiar, but I couldn't tell if it belonged to Edward's mother or someone else, so I knew it wasn't him.

Edward's mother came out, so I didn't have to stay long. She appeared to be very depressed, but to be honest, I was in more pain than she was.

She said, "Let her in," and despite their reluctance and attempts to counter that Luna had told them not to let me in, they were powerless to stop her. She drew me in by holding my hand. She seemed to genuinely like me. To Beatrice, I wasn't a fad.

She put her arms around me to console me as soon as I entered the compound.

"Selene, I sincerely apologize. I had no idea he would act in that way. I'm very sorry. Last night, he too came home in a state of distress. "I have no idea what's happening," she remarked.

I gave her a hug to express my gratitude that she took the time to think about how I felt, not because it made me feel better.

She pulled away from me and gave me a look.

"Selene, I suggest not meeting him. He spent the previous evening drinking in the living room. His actions are not consistent with a contented married man. She warned, "Something seems amiss," but I shook my head, dismissing her worries. I didn't care about his emotions. It was an indisputable fact that I had been humiliated by Edward. In spite of this, I had come with the intention of confronting him, and I was determined to do just that.

"I must. I looked at her and said, "I need closure."

My heart was no longer on my sleeves, and my feelings remained suppressed.

I was raised on the streets with Pearl. We have long since learned to put our pain behind us and to never show our emotions. Perhaps because we were fated, but not any more, my guards were down with Edward. I'll heal Ella.

I was instructed to wait for Edward in his home office. I refused to sit down and continued to stand. I had no intention of staying long.

Outside, I heard some disturbance. It reminded me of Edward and his mum.

"Please, maa, don't do this to me, not now," he begged her.

He sounded unhappy. He spoke in a feeble voice. He sounded, if anything, broken and inebriated. He seemed scared when he saw me. Additionally, I didn't overlook the Watchers' claim that Luna gave the order to bar me from entering. I was still intoxicated by his scent, but not as much as I was the day before.

Since I agreed to the rejection, it ought to be final, but why the residue? Why did the remaining embers refuse to go out on their own? There wouldn't be any more flames between us, so I hoped they would.

"You should be strong enough to confront Selene, Edward, if you were strong enough to publicly mock and reject your destiny in order to appease that woman. She should be given an explanation for this nonsense. On this, nobody is on your side. I hope you understand that Ellen will be despised for ruining everything for herself. She won't be respected by anyone. You must give Selene the closure she deserves, or I will leave your life. Edward, I mean it. Who am I if you can do something so evil to your destiny? Your actions are not justified by anything you say. If you intoxicate yourself, I don't care. You caused that girl pain. You betrayed her, left your scent on her, ruined her, and destroyed everything, including her dignity and heart. She was on the verge of tears when I heard her say, "You are despicable."

Perhaps she was already crying, or the crack in her voice told. I couldn't say because all I could hear were their voices.

He had truly destroyed me, and Beatrice was correct.

He had destroyed me and taken everything.

A person who has been marked would never be with anyone.

The only difference between a partial and full claim is that, even though there won't be any pain if he sleeps with someone else, I will still smell like I was taken.

captured by an Alpha.

It doesn't matter because I doubt I will settle anyhow. His aroma would act as a deterrent in this situation, keeping people away.