The Alpha Who Rejected His Cure

Chapter 2

Liora

The words didn’t make sense at first. They floated through the air like something unreal, like they belonged to someone else’s story and not mine.

The bond inside my chest twisted violently, as if it had been ripped open with bare hands and then it stopped briefly.

For one terrifying second, I forgot how to breathe.

The world stopped as it seemed like reality just tilted right before my eyes.

What?

My head snapped up so fast my neck burned. This had to be a joke, a prank, it wasn't real.

No.

No, I must have heard wrong.

Rafael. I would never say something like that.

He would never—

“And I will be taking Princess Serena of Oakblood as my Luna.”

The crowd erupted with joy, as they began applauding. I turned to look at them and then back to him.

What was I then? A joke?

Beside him, the woman raised a delicate hand and gave the pack a graceful wave, a bright smile spreading across her face.

Princess Serena.

My teeth sank into the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood, anger surged through my veins as my eyes locked onto Alpha Rafael..

He didn’t even look at me, not even once.

Three months ago, he had chosen me.

And now…

He had destroyed me in front of everyone.

My chest tightened painfully, but I forced myself to breathe, there was no point speaking, no point begging. I never asked him to accept the bond but he did, only to give me this?

Everyone here already knew the truth.

If I dared challenge the Alpha’s decision, I wouldn’t just be humiliated, I would be executed.

I inhaled slowly, tears burning at the corners of my eyes, then Rafael. spoke again, his voice cold and harsh as he stared down at me.

The warmth I used to find in his eyes were gone, replaced with a condescending look, the kind you give to a subject that you absolutely detest.

“From this moment forward, Liora is banished from the Shadowmere Pack.”

Bloody hell!

Exile? What exactly did I do so wrong to warrant exile?

I didn't ask for any of this. I would have been fine just being the wolfless Null that the pack avoided like a plague.

The crowd cheered him for being a wise ruler, the elders hummed and nodded in satisfaction.

The lady stood beside him like it was custom made for her, her hands easily slipping around his arm like it was a practiced movement.

Everything was mocking me. But maybe, this was for the best. I wouldn't have been able to live in this pack after being tossed like the trash he saw me as.

I got down on my knees immediately and did the customary bow, both palm over my forehead as I sunk my face to the ground.

After repeating the act three times, I turned around. The guards were already waiting to escort me out of the pack, I bit down on my lips and began walking towards them.

This isn't my first time being disposed of and thrown away, that was basically the emblem I lived with all day.

So this? A little elevated but it was nothing. They were all the same kind of ridicule.

I needed to get out of here before the pain from the severed bond fully kicked in.

Just as I thought of it, I felt heat creeping up into my chest and my legs suddenly felt heavy to raise. This was it. The rejection was finally reacting to me.

How ugly would it look when I scream out in pain? I tightened my jaw and waited a bit…nothing.

There was no pain. I decided to take another step and I could move freely.

Perks of being a Null. I didn't have a wolf so I guess the usual pain everyone talked about didn't apply to me.

The guards bounded my hands and feet as I began walking away from the pack.

“Finally. I thought we would have to see her become Luna." Someone whispered as the guards dragged me along with them.

“The Alpha made the right choice." Their voices became a hazy blur of murmurs as I wondered what kind of life awaited me outside this pack.

I just kept walking.

The crowd was cheering in excitement, I was like a sheep led to the slaughter that didn't dare to even escape.

Amidst the murmurs and jeering and whispers, I suddenly heard a very familiar voice in my head. Distant but I could recognize it anywhere.

“Do you hate me?" His voice was softer now, not the cold and harsh tone he used earlier when rejecting me.

I turned briefly to stare at him and this time he really looked at me. Even though it was distant and for a fleeting moment, he looked at me.

Yes, I do. You made your choice and it wasn't me.