Rejected bond

Chapter 6

I expected to see one of the school authorities, but it was someone else.

My heart skipped a beat as I came face-to-face with the red-eyed guy for the first time.

I quickly turned my face away, grabbed my bag, and started walking toward the door.

“Is that how you thank someone who just saved you?” he said, his deep, husky voice echoing behind me.

“I never asked you to save me,” I replied without turning around, walking out of the room as fast as my legs could carry me.

Calista was standing just behind him, seething with fury. Her hatred for me only grew deeper. She stormed out of the store, humiliated, followed closely by her two friends.

I ran toward the garden, the tension still clinging to me like smoke. I needed space. I needed to breathe. I needed to think.

I sat at the edge of the waterfall, dipping my hands into the cool, soothing water. I closed my eyes and stayed still for about thirty minutes, letting the sound of the rushing water calm me. Then I stood up and began walking back to my room.

“Why are you so weak? I hate weakling humans.”

I turned toward the voice—and there he was.

I pretended not to hear him and walked past, hoping he’d just let me go.

“Don’t play pretend games with me, little puppet,” he said, grabbing my hand from behind.

“Let me go!” I yelled, trying to pull away.

He chuckled. “I can see I’m the only one you’re not scared of.”

“Who told you I’m scared of anyone?” I shot back, my voice laced with sarcasm.

“Then why can’t you look me in the eye?” he said with a mischievous smile.

I turned and stared into his eyes, determined to prove him wrong—but it was a mistake. A terrible one.

“See? There’s nothing I’m scared of,” I managed to say, even though my voice trembled, my heart raced, and my teary eyes betrayed me.

His red eyes darkened seconds later. He grabbed my face, staring deeply into my soul.

“Mate,” he murmured, his husky voice low and intense.

I started shivering, as if a ghost had taken hold of me. I was frozen in fear and confusion. My thoughts were spiraling, and the only thing I could think to do… was scream.

I let out a scream with every ounce of strength I had left. My brain couldn’t process what was happening. The world spun, and then—darkness.

I collapsed to the ground.

I shot up from the bed, eyes snapping open. For a moment, I thought I’d been kidnapped—or worse, laid out for slaughter.

“Relax, it’s me,” a familiar voice said gently.

I turned my head and saw Ruby standing beside me, her face tight with worry.

Without thinking, I reached out and pulled her into a hug, holding on like I’d disappear if I ever let go.

“Calm down. I’m not going anywhere. I promise,” she whispered, rubbing my back. “But you have to tell me what happened. What made you faint in the garden?”

At her words, the memories returned—rushing through my mind like a flood. I clung to her tighter, the fear rising again, tears spilling down my cheeks.

“Okay, okay,” she said softly. “I won’t ask. You can tell me whenever you’re ready.”

Just then, the doctor walked in with a warm smile. “Miss Daciana, I’m glad you’re awake. According to your test results, everything’s fine. You just need plenty of rest.”

I nodded, feeling slightly relieved. At least he hadn’t done anything to me after I passed out.

I lay back down, staring at the ceiling. For the first time since coming to this school, I missed my parents so badly it hurt. I wanted their hugs, their voices telling me it would all be okay.

But life didn’t care what I wanted. Since enrolling, everything had spiraled. My grandmother had vanished without a trace. Her phone was off, and I was told she hadn’t been home since I left for school.

“Daciana, the doctor says we’re free to go,” Ruby said brightly.

I stood up quietly. We packed my bag and made our way back to the hostel.

“Can you sleep in my room tonight?” I asked, afraid he might show up again.

“Of course, Daciana,” she replied without hesitation. “Let me order some food, and then we’ll relax.”

While I tried to calm myself, Tristan paced his room like a trapped animal—frustrated and angry.

“How could the Moon Goddess be this cruel to me?” he muttered. “A weak human for a mate?”

He smashed a lamp off the table.

“My father will be disappointed… He might even refuse to hand the pack over to me. And that arrogant cousin of mine… he’ll love this.”

Tristan flung everything his hands could reach, the room descending into chaos.

Then his senses flared—someone was at the door.

Using his supernatural speed, he was there in an instant, his hand already wrapped around the intruder’s throat.

“Are you so blind you can’t recognize me?” came the deep, familiar voice of Gonzalo.

Tristan instantly let go, realizing it was his father. He stepped back, ashamed.

“I’m sorry, Alpha. I thought it was one of the guards you sent to spy on me,” he muttered, head bowed.

“So it’s true. You told them not to deliver my messages,” Gonzalo said, his tone sharp.

“Come inside, Father. Relax. You can scold me all you want after,” Tristan replied with a fake smile.

He wasn’t ready to face this conversation. He already had too many battles in his head.

Gonzalo sighed. That smile—so much like Erika’s—it always made his anger soften, even when he didn’t want it to.

He walked into the house and immediately recoiled. The stench, the disarray—it was a mess.

“Don’t tell me you actually live in this… this dump?” Gonzalo said, grimacing.

“Yes, Father,” Tristan answered flatly.

“You need help. I’m sending the royal doctor to check on you.”

“I’m fine,” Tristan snapped. “And if you want to keep your doctor’s head on his shoulders, don’t send anyone here.”

Gonzalo growled, the Alpha in him rising.

“Don’t forget I’m still your father—and your Alpha, Tristan. Coming here has clearly made you forget your place.”

Tristan didn’t respond. He walked out of the house, leaving his father alone with his disappointment.

Gonzalo exhaled. Something was clearly wrong with his son—more than anger. But for now, he let it go.