Tainted Loyalty

Frida's POV. I had dreamt of this moment for as long as I could remember. The mating ceremony, the night where fate finally confirmed what my heart already knew. Mark Austin was my mate. He had to be. I stood in the centre of the large hall, my hands clasped together to keep them from shaking. Around me, the pack had all gathered, everyone practically glowing with excitement as they waited for the mates to be revealed. The hall was decorated with golden drapes, and everyone who was in attendance was dressed marvellously from head to toe. Music played softly, but I could barely heard it. My heart pounded in my ears as I looked at Mark. He stood so tall, his dark brown hair falling effortlessly over his forehead, making him look every inch the perfect guy he was. He had always been the centre of attention. So handsome, so strong, and he was the future alpha. My Mark. All the pack elders stood between us, between everyone, really, but we were the ones that mattered. Everyone was waiting for the moment the bond would pull Mark to his mate together. I took a deep breath, already feeling the mate pull. My body knew before my mind did. I felt the fire start in my chest, spreading warmth throughout my soul. I smiled, feeling relieved. This was it. Mark turned towards me, his dark eyes meeting mine. But something was wrong. His expression wasn't filled with the joy I had been expecting. His face was stone cold. Why wasn't he smiling? Was he that nervous? I took some steps forward to help. The people around started to murmur as I came out and went towards him. It's okay, Mark. I'm here. You don't have to be scared. I thought, hoping my eyes would conveyor every word. He had always been able to read me perfectly. Finally, Mark took a step forward. But instead of reaching for me, he spoke loud and clear. "I could never bond with a wolfless lowlife." I felt my world tilt as a collective gasp filled the room. The whispers started instantly. I held my breath as I looked at him, waiting for him to say it was a mistake. A cruel joke. Anything. But he didn't. His lips curled down in disgust as he continued. "I deserve someone better." "Mark, what are you saying?" I couldn't help the tears that fell down my face. Someone gasped. A few people laughed under their breath. My cheeks burned. My chest ached so badly I thought I might collapse right there. "Are you that nervous? I'm here with you." At this point I was clutching at straws. Mark turned his back to me without hesitation, and stretched out his hand. Someone else came from the ground and took it. Claire Dupont, the daughter of an elite warrior. She was beautiful, strong, and above all, she had a wolf. Unlike me. I felt a knot in my chest, but I didn't want to break down, not in front of all these people. My fingers clenched into fists at my sides as my entire world came crashing down. I had spent so much time believing that Mark would stand by my side, that our bond was unbreakable. I had convinced myself that even though I wasn't like the others, I was enough. He had promised that I was. But I clearly wasn't. And now everyone knew it. The pitying stares, the mocking looks I was serve, they were all unbearable. I couldn't breathe. I had to get out. With one last look at Mark who was practically groping Claire in the name of a kiss, I turned on my heel and ran. "Frida, wait!" Someone called after me, but I didn't stop. I shoved past pack members, hoping that the pack journalists wouldn't follow me to get their scoop. I couldn't help but overhear comments as I passed by. "Did you hear what he said?" "Poor thing, but honestly, who didn't see this coming?" "Mark was never going to settle for her." "Nobody could ever settle for her." It felt like I was being stabbed over and over again. How could they be so insensitive? "Wait! Come back!" "Let her go." "She'll be fine. It's not like she had a future here anyway." I pushed the doors open, and ran out into the cold night. The sky was clear, and the stars seemed to be mocking me with their beauty. The world didn't care that my heart had just been shattered. I ran. My feet pounded against the dirt path as I ran back home blindly. I couldn't stop the tears now. All I felt was pain. Even if he was going to do this, he could have warned me. But no, he wanted to humiliate me, like he didn't ask for our relationship in the first place. By the time I reached my house, I could barely breathe. I shoved the door open and slammed it shut behind me, locking it. My legs gave out beneath me, and I sank to the floor. Then, I broke down completely. Tears streamed down my face as I lay on my arms, muffling my cries into them. I had read stories about the pain of rejection, but nothing could ever prepare me for how my heart was burning. I had lost everything in one night. My mate, my dignity, the hope I had left for the future. Mark had never even hesitated to take all that away from me. I pulled myself up and pressed my forehead against my knees, my sobs shaking my entire body. How could he do this to me? How could fate be so cruel? I eventually made my way onto my bed, pulling the blanket over me as if it could shield me from the pain. But nothing could. I closed my eyes, hoping that when I woke up, this would all be a bad dream, and all that was now over. Hope was such a fickle thing.