HER REBIRTH

Episode 3

I don't stay down for long, once the worst has elapsed, I stand up, cleaning the dust off of me.

My head is lowered, shame spreading through every inch of me and tears threatening to spill out my eyes.

My father's arms are around me, and my brothers surround me like a fortress.

"This is my daughter, Cassandra," my father's voice breaks through my thoughts and left with no choice, I raise my head, determined not to shame my father anymore.

The first person I catch sight of knocks the breath out of me.

I have seen a lot of good-looking men, including some that made me stare. But none of the men I've seen have ever had me so captivated by their looks.

Golden tan skin and a chiseled jaw pair with the most hypnotizing pair of green eyes I have ever seen in my life. His hair is black and cropped short, making his face stand out in stark relief.

Extending from his left eyebrow to just below his ear is a scar that missed his eyes by luck. It gives him dangerous air and the electrified air around him spells danger.

I had just scanned through his face, refusing to look him in the eyes, but a sudden stirring inside me shocked me.

My wolf is waking up, her unusual excitement catching me off guard.

Dragged by an invincible force, I finally meet the man's eyes and my breath leaves me in a whoosh.

His eyes bore into mine, feeling me with a kind of energy I'd never felt before. I suddenly feel so aware of everything and I feel like I've known him forever.

I'm suddenly turned into him and I can feel the awareness coursing through him as well, the recognition boring into him, and just as suddenly, he jolts with surprise.

"Mate!" My wolf exclaims, yipping in excitement.

"Mate, mate, mate," she repeats, suddenly more energetic than she has been all my life.

I should be happier. I had always dreamed of finding my mate and I should be happier that he's finally here.

But I have a terrible feeling.

My father continues speaking, unaware of the path my thought has veered.

"These are members of the Bloodcrest Claws and," he points to the object of my fascination, "this is Alpha Vincent De Santis."

I audibly gasp, my hand flying to clutch my chest.

Alpha Vincent is my mate?

Goddess, no. Please no.

"They came to pay us a visit today," Beta Walter adds, his teeth baring.

"Is this how little you rate your Alpha that you would interrupt him at will?" A man asks, his teeth baring in a snide smile.

Half the men on both sides have turned into wolves already and they are growling.

"Hold on," my father raises a hand. "This is a friendly visit. There's no need to resort to violence."

"Tell your men to turn back into their human form so we can talk," my father says, directing it at Alpha Vincent whose whole attention is fixed on me.

When the Alpha does not reply, everyone's attention is drawn to the silent staring battle between us.

"Alpha?" The man standing close to him places a hand on his shoulder, making him jolt.

His eyes, which had previously been devoid of any emotion, fill with raging anger.

"Cassandra," George shakes my hand gently, "what is wrong?"

"I think she needs to go inside," Louis chimes in and Aiden holds my hand to go in with me when Alpha Vincent growls.

Everyone's attention returns to him and he stalks towards us.

Towards me.

"This must be a sick joke, right?" He snarls and I jump in fear.

I had no idea that my mate's first words toward me would be rage-filled.

"What is going on here?" My father snarls back, confusion coloring his expression.

The sun is shining with a vengeance, but I've never felt as cold as I do at this moment.

A shiver wracks through me and he notices it.

I blanch at the disgust that fills his eyes, my hands balling into fists and my elation at meeting my mate dampening.

"The goddess wouldn't bother me with such a burden," he says again and the tears I'd been holding back slide down my cheeks without restraint.

"What are you saying?" My father says, glaring at him.

My mate's anger disappears and a worse emotion appears. With a mocking smirk, he c***s his head at me.

"Tell them," he coaxes.

"Tell your family what is going on?"

Everyone's eyes turn to me and shame swallows me whole. I wish the ground would open up and swallow me, but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

"Cassie," George cajoles, "talk to us."

Gathering my scattered resolve, I take a deep breath before speaking.

"He is my mate."

The silence that ensues is deafening and I look up to see my father and brothers with identical expressions of shock and fear.

"Are you sure?" George asks before turning to Alpha Vincent.

"Do you feel it too?"

Alpha Vincent laughs maniacally.

"Yes, I feel it. Apparently, the goddess has made us mates, but not for long."

A loud gasp breaks free from my throat and my hand goes to my chest to still my thundering heart.

Alpha Vincent continues

"This is a sick joke and I will not stand for it. She is the worst choice I could have ever imagined to be my mate."

Growls sound from both packs, my father's growl deafening.

"Not one more word," George snarls, barely holding himself back from turning into his wolf form.

"Oh," My mate smirks, "I have more words to say."

My mate.

He hates me.

"It doesn't spell well for her that my first sight of her is her sprawled on the ground, unable to breathe as a result of a disease so humanlike it's disgusting. You may be able to bear with her because she's your child but I have no such obligation. She's worse than a child and I won't babysit someone who is meant to be an Alpha's mate. Now, what's your name?"

My brothers growl loudly and turn into wolves, crouching and waiting to jump and snap at Alpha Vincent's throat. The wolves surrounding him turn as well and it's a cacophony of growls and yells from watchers.

"That's enough, please," I beg, my voice breaking. My wolf is howling pitifully inside me and I don't think I can take any more from the man that is supposed to be my love and my protector.

A man from his side whispers something to him and he gives a sharp nod.

"Did you think, for a minute, that I would consent to being saddled with you?" He booms, raw anger coming off of him in waves.

"She said enough!!" My father yells and my mate swings his head to my father before swinging it back to me.

He storms closer to me until there's barely any space between us, making me tilt my head up to stare at him while tears drip down my cheeks.

"Listen," he yells, "and listen closely."

Everyone's attention is riveted on us and my wolf howls in pain. The pain is slicing, cutting through me like a knife would and I use every strength left in me to stand on my feet.

"I declare this, before the goddess and everyone gathered here," he begins, his voice booming while his eyes bore into mine.

Don't.

Please don't.

Goddess, please.

The goddess doesn't hear my prayers, because the next words that come out of my mate's mouth spell my doom.

"I, Vincent De Santis, reject you, Cassandra Stephenson, as my mate."