Lycan Hearts: The Rejected Mate

Episode3

"Welcome home, Cana!"

The cheerful greeting which was on the lips of Mia stopped there as she opened the pack house door. She looked shocked and worried, frowning and erasing the previous smile on her face. “Cana! Oh my god what did you do to yourself?”

Cana was still in the wedding dress which was destroyed during the ceremony, and she was standing on the doorstep. Her hair was unkempt and her make up was ruined. She was obviously exhausted as if she hadn’t slept the night through.

“Can I come in?” Cana asked in such a hushed tone that the words barely made it out of her mouth.

Mia immediately took her by the hand and brought her inside, closing the door o

behind them. Cana suddenly feels the familiar smell of the pack house. This was home. This was her place, this is where she should be, and the feeling was mutual. Or so she thought.

As they moved into the entrance hall Luna saw the sudden silence that had fallen over the room. Pack members ceased to speak and looked at her. Some of them looked quickly aside, others murmured in their sleeves.

"Is that Cana?"

“I can’t believe she dared to show her face here. ”

"Poor thing. . . "

Cana lowered her gaze and attempted not to listen to the gossip. Mia took her by the arm and led her to the stairs while glaring at anyone who took time to look at them.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” Mia said softly. “Then we can talk. ”

However, before they could get to the stairs, a deep voice echoed through the hall saying something.

"Cana. "

She glanced in that direction and saw Derek, the man who had taken her in as his own daughter, had come to the door of his office. His facial expression was that of worry and. . . something else. Disappointment?

“Please come in here for a moment,” he said. It wasn't a request.

Cana trailed after him into the office, her heart rhythm hammering in her chest. Mia gave her hand a gentle squeeze and let it drop realizing that she will not be going with her, but gave her a “See you soon” mouthed smile.

Derek shifted in his chair, leaning back against the desk, and gestured Cana into the chair in front of him. She sat on the edge of the chair, shrinking and she felt so helpless.

“Cana,” Derek started, his tone serious. “What happened last night… They said it on the news.

Cana felt the hot flush rise up her neck and onto her cheeks in embarrassment. "I'm sorry," she whispered. “I didn’t intend to mortify the pack,”

Derek sighed, rubbing his hand over his head as he felt at the gray strands. “It is not just simply embarrassing Cana, this has. … made things worse. ”

Frowned, “What do you mean?” she asked, dread rising in her belly.

Derek turned his head away and would not look her in the eye. Axel is still our alpha, and the pack requires order at the present time, particularly with all the attention that we are receiving now, we must appear united.

Cana realized that her world was turning upside down again. "What are you saying?"

“Perhaps, it would be better if you go for some time,” said Derek as if choosing his words very cautiously. It took time for the pack to. . . shift.

Cana found what she was hearing hard to believe. She quickly rose from the chair almost causing it to fall. “You’re expelling me? But you are my relatives!”

Derek then turned to her and for the first time he seemed to notice her and the pain in his eyes was evident. They are our pack Cana but Axel is our alpha, we have to stick with him. I am sorry but this is for the best of the pack.

Cana was outraged as if she had been slapped. They were short of breath and tears welled up in her eyes, but she did not let them spill. Not here. Not now.

“How long?” she said, her voice trembling.

Derek shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know, I am not sure until things get stable. ”

Cana nodded stiffly. Saying no more she rose from the chair and walked out of the office.

Mia was standing outside the door with a worried look on her face. “What did he say?”

“I need to pack,” Cana said, and her tone was as empty as her eyes. "I'm leaving. "

"What? No!" Mia exclaimed. “He can’t do that!” “This is your home!”

But Cana was already going up the stairs. She walked into the room, it was her childhood room, and took a small bag. She tossed some of her clothes, her wallet, and a couple pictures she had of loved ones.

She looked down and heard people shouting at each other with increasing intensity and anger, she was packing. Mia was shouting at Derek supporting Cana, but it didn't matter. Cana understood that was the end of the matter.

She then folded her clothes and put them in the bag before she glanced around the room one more time. So many memories, so many dreams. All shattered now.

And so she was hoping to sneak out before she’s seen, she was carrying a bag as she was going down the stairs and she heard two pack members talking in the living room.

“Ah, well can you imagine Axel rejecting her for a human?” another asked. “Cana must be so pathetic, that she failed to even keep a mate. ”

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” the other answered. “No wonder she is being sent away, who would want a reject in their pack?”

Cana was embarrassed and furious, her cheeks blazed red. She quietly moved by the living room and then moved towards the front door.

Mia hugged her and cried and they both sat down and resumed talking. “Cana, please don’t go,” she begged her, “We can fight this!”

Cana shook her head. “It’s all over Mia, there is no war to fight. ”

She embraced her friend then opened the door and walked out. It is a fine day, the sun is out, the birds are chirping, everything is perfect in New York. Indeed, Cana had never experienced such a feeling of coldness.

As she was strolling down the street and leaving the only home she had ever known a black shiny car stopped in front of her. The window rolled down and there was a face she knew was from the night before.

It was a handsome stranger she had met when she was jogging one morning and bumped into him.

“A lift?” he asked, his eyes, obsidian black.

Cana hesitated. Every fibre of her being screamed at her to be careful. But what did she have to lose now?

She opened the car door and got in.

The stranger smiled but had a very cold look in his eyes. "I'm Zane," he said. “And I think you and I need to have a little chat about your future, Cana. ”

As the car moved away from the curb, Cana couldn't help but wonder, was it the biggest mistake of her life that she had just made? Or was this the start of something that was yet to begin?