REJECTED BY MY MATE, LOVED BY A RUTHLESS LYCAN

“I, Alpha Zeus, Alpha of the Zervos pack, accept you, Elora Flinch as my mate.” I heard those words ring in my head. Those words will be the exact words Zeus will say to me tonight. I had waited so long to be eighteen, to be like my female pack mates. The pack field was covered in gorgeous girls tempting their mates, hugging, and kissing when they accepted during the full moon. My mum had always talked about such days, I anticipated this day until this day. "Oh Elora." My wolf tugged my mind. "If you keep gawking at these other couples, you could lose your handsome prince." "Stop being negative, Clair." I snapped at my wolf. "Zeus will never trade me in for any woman. He will choose me again and again once he discovers our little secret." I told her, a smile spreading across my lips. I ran down the bushy part that led me to the secluded spot where Alpha Zeus and I were. My Charming Prince and I knew he would be my fated mate. A refreshing night breeze, known with the scent of soil and pine, swept past me as I trekked in the forest. My heart beat furiously, not because of the exercise but because of excitement. Zeus had insisted that I visit the pack's mansion; he had complained about visiting our hidden place by the river, I did not understand why. But to me, our secret sanctuary had witnessed stolen kisses, stolen vows, and glimpses of what our future held. But then, again, his mansion was a better location where I could explain to everyone that I was his mate and future Luna. I was impatient for the surprise twists my life had in store. As I stepped into the gigantic building, I was surprised, a few pack members were present. Their gazes did not leave mine, but before I felt uncomfortable because of their glances, Zeus interfered. His towering, authoritative figure, moonlight carving the hard lines of his face. His black eyes met mine, and for an instant, warmth danced in their holes. "Zeus," I let out, smiling softly on my lips. I moved closer, craving his warm hand around me. He didn't touch me, however. His countenance was frozen, colder than the night itself. "It's today. You're going to be my mate. And you don't have to declare it, I take you as my own already, Alpha Zeus." "Elora," he shouted, the emotion in his voice unlike usual. Distance. Resolution. My neck hair stood on end. "What is it? You don't seem to be pleased with today." He rose to his feet and stepped closer. His words cut me to shreds. "I, Zeus Tombell, Alpha of the Zervos pack, reject you, Elora Flinch, as my mate." The earth spun. For a moment, I forgot to breathe. Ache exploded in my chest, a searing, ethereal wound only rejection by a mate could inflict. My knees buckled, and I fell on hard, unforgiving ground. "No… no, Zeus." My voice cracked, my wolf wailing in pain within me. "You don't mean this!" But his eyes were stone. "I do," he replied, his voice devoid of the love we once shared. I crawled out before him, grasping his pants as a lifeline. "Don't do this," I pleaded. "Tell me why." He shook me off as if my touch burned him. "You were a mistake, Elora. We shouldn't have ever gotten involved In our stupid feelings.". The c***k of his viciousness echoed harder than any slap. My chest heaved with stifled sobs, and from tear-gummed eyes, I saw them, pack members, their faces filled with pity and condemnation. "Why are you doing this here?" My voice shook as I tried to rise. "In front of everyone?" He had a cold smile tug at his lips. "You're just an omega orphan, Elora. I just wanted you to realize your place in this pack In front of everyone here." I wept wildly, unable to restrain my feelings. "You stated that you will love me regardless of my rank as a wolf. You promised that I'll be your Luna regardless of what people say against me." Zeus sneered. "You really thought you could be Luna?" His voice was icy, cut to ribbons. "You mean nothing to me.” I could hear the laughter ripple through the crowd. I felt their contempt, like a knife to the flesh, their humiliation complete. And then she appeared. A gaunt figure stood beside him, a woman with porcelain skin and black hair that fell in waves. She carried herself, a power. She was all I could never be. Zeus's expression softened in an instant. "What were you waiting for, my love?" he asked, and his tone softened and intimate, the one that was once mine to order. "Sorry, Alpha."She breathed, sweet and tiny in her tone, kissing Zeus on the cheek. My fists curled up. I didn't know her, but at first glance, I despised her. Before my shattered heart could even comprehend the coup de grâce, Zeus pulled her close, and kissed her lips softly. I was standing there as it broke my heart into pieces. The kissing scene ended, Zeus and Prianka looked at me with disgust. Zeus clears his throats, "I am well pleased to announce my Luna, my mate, Prianka Luis." A low, broken sound cracked my lips apart, half-sob, half-snarl when thunderous applause echoed through the crowd. My wolf howled within, pained and unfettered. Our connection churned and smoldered and started to tear, leaving me with a numbness that I couldn't seem to breathe away. I turned away, quivering with rejection and my heart breaking at betrayal. “You made the right decision son.” Zeus's Uncle, Simone tapped Zeus's shoulder gently. A sly smile appeared on his face as he watched me with so much ridicule etched on his face. Zeus turned his head slightly to me. “Stay out of my sight, Elora,” he said, his voice laced with indifference. “You’re nothing to me now.” I was there, frozen and humiliated, all eyes on me, unable to move a centimeter. I wished from the depths of my soul for the ground to open and consume meat at that moment. "Go on, leave already. There is nothing more to hear." Simone said mockingly. "But I have something to say to you, Zeus.” I insisted. "Speak respectfully to me, woman. And I don't want to listen to one word in what you utter. Now, Get out." I took off, running away from the embarrassment, from the secret that I was yet to disclose to Zeus. The secret which holds within it the fate of our unborn baby. I couldn't tell him. I couldn't tell Zeus that I was pregnant with his baby.