The Alpha’s Rejected Mate

4

ELEANOR

The drive to Blackwood Estate began in silence. I sat beside Caspian in the back seat, my backpack resting against my legs, while Ethan occupied the front passenger seat. I kept my eyes fixed on the passing scenery as I didn't want to look at Caspian. Even if I wasn't looking, I could feel him.

For the first twenty minutes, Caspian barely moved. Then gradually, I noticed that his breathing slowly changed to normal.

I glanced at him. He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes briefly. He looked exhausted, even in the dim light, the strain on his face was obvious.

I looked away again, but a few minutes later I caught myself staring. His fingers flexed every now and then, as though he were fighting an urge.

We were fated. We were supposed to belong together, that was how it worked. Wolves didn't simply decide that their mate wasn't good enough.

I swallowed.

Before I could change my mind, I slowly moved my hand across the space between us and brushed my fingers against his.

Caspian's eyes opened immediately and I nearly pulled away. Instead, I forced myself to finish what I'd started and slipped my fingers into his hand.

Caspian looked down at our joined hands, then at me. I couldn't read his expression and my courage began disappearing.

“Does this help?” I asked.

His thumb shifted against my palm and he exhaled. It was a long, slow breath. I watched his throat move as he swallowed. Then his shoulders dropped. The tension slowly left his face.

“Yes.” he murmured.

I stared at our hands for several minutes, neither of us spoke and I let myself enjoy it just for a little while. I was undeniably attracted to him. How could I not be? We were mates fated to each other.

We remained that way until Caspian slowly pulled his hand away. The loss of his warmth felt embarrassingly sharp.

I looked up and his expression had returned to its usual coldness.

“Something is wrong.” he said and I stared at him.

“With us?”

“I don't know.” He glanced toward the window. “But whatever is happening isn't normal.”

I waited and Caspian's jaw tightened.

“When we figure it out and solve it, you'll be free to leave.”

The way he spoke made it clear that he expected the problem to be temporary.

“I understand.” My voice came out painfully small. “You don't have to keep saying it.”

Caspian looked at me.

“I want to make sure you understand that I am not asking you to stay because I want you as my Luna.”

The words stabbed anyway but I nodded.

“I know.” I stared at my hands. “The only reason I agreed to go with you is because I can't stay there.”

Caspian said nothing and I took a shaky breath.

“They were laughing at me on the street. They all saw what happened.”

Caspian remained silent.

“All because you rejected me in front of everyone. I can't walk around that place anymore without feeling like everyone is staring at me.”

Caspian's gaze hardened, but he didn't interrupt.

I looked at him and I allowed myself to ask the question I had been carrying since the ceremony.

“Why?”

Caspian frowned.

“The reason you rejected me. Is that all?”

I already knew the answer, but hearing it from him might somehow make me snap out of it and stop feeling sorry for myself.

Caspian chuckled. “I thought I made it clear.” His eyes dropped briefly to me. “You're an omega.”

My stomach sank further.

“And not only are you an omega,” he continued, “you can't even shift.”

I squeezed my sweater but Caspian didn't seem to notice. Or perhaps he simply didn't care.

“I need a Luna who strengthens my territory,” he said. “Someone who can stand beside me when there is trouble. Someone capable of defending herself and the people depending on her.” His gaze hardened. “I don't need a helpless wolf who can't even defend her own self.”

I stared at him as every word landed exactly where it hurt.

I had known, but I needed to hear it anyway, although I didn't think it was a good idea anymore. I felt more miserable than I did before.

Caspian noticed when tears filled my eyes.

“And don't try to gaslight me by crying because I'm telling you the truth.”

My mouth parted. “I wasn't…”

“You sure like to cry a lot, don't you? You want me to lie to make you feel better?”

“No.” I answered, agaped.

“Then don't.”

Silence fell and his eyes caught Ethan's reflection in the rearview mirror. He was staring at him with clear disapproval and Caspian's jaw tightened.

The rest of the journey passed in complete silence.

I turned my face toward the window and decided to stop thinking. Thinking only made everything worse. I stopped trying to understand him. For now, I would simply survive this.

When the gates of Blackwood Estate finally came into view, I sat up slightly. The iron gates opened before us.

The estate beyond was massive, surrounded by tall trees and perfectly maintained grounds. Lights glowed through enormous windows, making the place look warm and inviting despite its intimidating size.

The car rolled to a stop. Before the driver had fully stepped out, a young woman hurried down the front steps.

“Mira.”

I had heard about her. She was Caspian's sister.

Caspian had barely closed his door before she reached him. She wrapped her arms around her brother.

Caspian's hands settled briefly against her back and his expression softened. It lasted only a moment.

I stepped out of the car, unsure of what to do. Mira looked at me and the smile disappeared from her face. The woman who had been hugging Caspian moments ago now looked at me as though something unpleasant had been brought into her home.

No one introduced us and no one said anything. Caspian turned toward the house and Mira followed. Ethan walked after them.

I remained standing beside the car. Alone. So much for things being different. My fingers tightened around the strap of my backpack.

The sound of an engine made me turn. The car was moving.

My eyes widened. “My bag!”

My other backpack was still in the back seat.

“Wait!”

The car continued down the driveway.

“Hey!” I ran after it. “Stop the car!”

The driver didn't slow down.

“Are you f*****g serious?” I shouted. I picked up my dress with one hand to run after it. “Stop!”

The car disappeared around the bend and I stopped, breathing hard.

“You've got to be f*****g kidding me.” I kicked at the gravel.

From the front steps, Mira turned sharply. “Keep your voice down!”

I looked toward Mira who folded her arms.

“Why are you screaming this late?”

I stared at her. “I left my backpack in the car.”

Mira rolled her eyes. “They'll bring it back.”

“When?”

“How should I know?”

Another voice sounded behind me. “Hey!”

I turned. A teenage boy was jogging toward me. His hair was messy. He looked dirty and I wondered what he had been doing. He stopped beside me and looked down the driveway.

“That was Caspian's car.”

I said nothing.

“He'll send someone for your stuff when the driver gets back.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

The boy looked at me for another second. “You're Eleanor, right?”

“Yes.” Of course, everyone knew my name.

“I'm Jamie.”

He smiled and I managed a small nod. “Nice to meet you.”

I didn't wait for him to say anything else. I tucked my hair behind my ears, and started walking toward the house.

As far as I could tell, nothing had changed. Except now I was living in the home of the Alpha who had publicly rejected me. My situation had changed, but was it for better or worse?