CHAPTER 6
1010 Words
—Henry—
I couldn't believe it! My mate rejected me.
I tried to stop her. But she was hellbent in severing our bond.
The pain was unbearable, it coursed through me like poison, searing my heart.
Doubling over on the floor, I groaned, gasping for air until it was over.
Slowly, I straightened from the floor and glanced at her. I had no words for her.
Not now.
Briskly, I turned around and strode out of the room.
In the hallway, I could hear the whispers of my men.
“She rejected him.”
“How’s he still standing after the rejection?”
Everyone knew—a rejection could kill a Lycan. I had saved her, and she wanted to k,ill me.
How revolting!
Swallowing a snarl, I proceeded to the terrace, to the sight of Joshua waiting patiently by the corner.
“My Lord?” My valet stumbled after me. “Is everything alright, Your Majesty?”
I had no words right now. Somehow, he glanced at the infirmary and eavesdropped on the two nurses gossiping on the terrace.
Wind of my rejection was spreading like wildfire. In less than an hour, all of Britanor would know and history would be made.
King Henry II, the first Lycan King to be rejected by his fated mate.
Arrhh! I almost punched the wall. But I swallowed the urge and stepped into the terrace of the castle.
“Henry?!” a familiar voice called.
Oh, no! More than anything, I wanted to proceed inside, to my chamber, and shut the rest of the world out.
But this was my sister—my favorite person in the world right now.
Halting in my tracks, I turned around and watched Rosalind emerge from the gardens and hurry across the courtyard toward me. Guilt wrenched my heart recalling how I frightened her last night.
“Henry!” She panted, finally joining me on the terrace. The glint in her eyes revealed she hasn’t ‘heard’ what happened in the infirmary. “Good morning.”
“How are you, Rosalind?”
“I’m fine,” she replied and searched my gaze. “Are you okay?”
I deviated from the topic. “About last night, I didn't meant to upset you.”
The smile on her lips shriveled. “What really happened, Henry? You haven’t gotten that angry in long time. Mother must have done something, right?”
“Henry!” Eleanor’s voice broke through the atmosphere. Rosalind and I turned in the direction, watching her hurry across the courtyard in the company of her ladies-in-waiting. “Henry, I’m so sorry for what happened in there. I told you these people can’t be trusted. Take a look at how she rejected you as if you’re not the king.”
“Henry was rejected?” Rosalind gasped, her eyes widening with disbelief. “Henry has found his mate?” she asked.
“Yes! Yes! One of those slave girls, and she had the effrontery to reject him,” Eleanor divulged, prompting Rosalind to gasp again, gazing at me with slightly widened eyes.
“Henry...”
“Could you please leave us, Rosalind?” I asked.
At first, she hesitated, her gaze gliding between our mother and me, then she turned and continued into the building.
I dragged my gaze back to my mother, my hands clenching into fists. “Why did you do that, huh?” I barked. “Why did you introduce yourself like that?!”
Clutching her chest, she stepped back. “I did nothing wrong, Henry. Or where you planning on hiding your identity from her? For how long? It would have been only a matter of time and she would have still found out herself and rejected you.”
She was right. As much as I hated to admit it, Eleanor was right. I was a fool to think I could hide the truth from my mate. A coward, hiding behind a crown and a title, hoping fate would bend to my will.
My gaze faltered at realizing she was correct. It was appalling but still the truth.
Dragging a breath, I turned to leave. “Where are you going?” she demanded. “You have to go back and complete the rejection.”
I faced her abruptly. “You have gotten what you wanted. Don't push me any further than this!” My claws elongated, my Lycan growling in my chest.
Queen Eleanor gasped and stepped back. “Okay, Henry, I’ve heard.” She stopped and her brows creased in a frown. “You have to stop threatening me with your lycanthrope. I’m your mother. I birthed you, raised you into the man you’ve become today.”
I didn't have time for this. Exhaling, I turned around and proceeded inside, retracting my claws.
My next stop was my bedroom. I didn't realize the door was open until Joshua’s voice cut through the haze in my mind.
“My Lord? Are you alright?” He stood diligently at the doorway.
I was far from alright. My thoughts reeled with memories of my mate rejecting me in the infirmary.
“Yes, I am,” I lied.
“Breakfast is ready,” he announced.
“I’m not hungry!” I rasped and raked my fingers through my hair. “Leave me.” I commanded.
Joshua bowed, and left, shutting the door after him.
Finally alone, I walked to the dressing table, gripping the edge of the dresser until my knuckles turned white.
Her scent still lingered in my veins, sweet as summer rain. Even in rejection, memories of her clouded my senses.
No one had ever broken me—not in battle, not in court. But she did. With a single line.
Yet I still desired her.
Let the world gossip. Let them carve this shame into the walls of history. I would rewrite it in blood and fire.
If I have to spend a lifetime earning her forgiveness, then so be it.
Because she’s the only Luna my heart will ever recognize.
- Writer
