Cruel Fate

Chapter 6

5 years ago

Just as Julian had predicted, as soon as they arrived, Ember was left to oversee her own unpacking. The three-day journey to the heart of the Kingdom had been long and tiring. The moment the limo pulled up, Julian was immediately dragged into his father’s office by his younger brother Sebastian. There were no congratulations on finding his mate—just straight to business. Sebastian, who had been acting as King, needed Julian’s help with issues that were too big for him to solve alone.

Julian hadn’t had a moment to sit with his mate and plan their marking ceremony. He still had many questions and didn’t know Ember beyond their mate bond.

Ember, on the other hand, had never been to the capital of the werewolf kingdom. As pack members unloaded her belongings into Julian’s large room, she stood on the balcony, admiring the tall buildings and the wolves in human form on the streets. It was significantly more developed and populated than her own pack.

She thought about her mate and how things were going. It felt like a dream. She never thought she’d be happy to have a mate, but Julian was like a missing puzzle piece she hadn’t known she needed.

Julian, needing a distraction, decided to look up his mate in their system. Opening the database, he began reading through her history. He found her birthday, the date she shifted for the first time, and then his world came crashing down when he read her status: ‘OMEGA’. He was sick to his stomach. She was so perfect, so strong—how could she fail the exams and be an omega?

Unable to stop himself, Julian acted on emotion. He invited the beta in training, his brother, and a few other higher-ranking wolves to the dining area of the modern-day castle for lunch. He had one of the maids bring his mate down too. He needed answers. His heart was tearing apart as the minutes and hours passed by.

“Excuse me, Ember. The Prince is requesting your presence for lunch,” an older wolf with graying hair entered the room, catching Ember’s attention.

“Of course! Please lead the way,” she smiled, excited to see her mate again.

Ember took her time descending the stairs, taking in the beautiful white and gold decor of the pack house. She had no idea her dream was about to unravel.

Entering the dining room, she took the only open seat to Julian’s left. He was at the head of the table, and she stayed silent, sensing the tension in the room.

“Ember, we need to talk,” he said, his voice devoid of the affection it once held.

“What’s wrong, Julian?” she asked, her heart pounding as the room's aura intensified.

“I found out you’re an Omega,” he stated bluntly, his eyes narrowing. “Omegas are weak. I can’t have a mate who is beneath me.”

“Wait… Bu—” Ember started to speak, but he cut her off.

“When were you going to tell me your rank?” Julian’s eyes shone with betrayal, accusing her of deceiving him.

“Why does my rank even matter? Do I scream weak to you despite my rank?” Ember’s world shattered in that moment. The love and security she had felt with Julian evaporated, replaced by a painful, crushing rejection.

“That doesn’t matter. You know who I am, Ember. An Omega cannot be Queen of this nation!” He began raising his voice. The entire table, except for his mate, bowed their heads. Her eyes were ablaze with defiance, anger, and a hint of hurt.

“What do you propose then, Alpha Attilius?” Ember asked between gritted teeth, trying to save face in front of the other wolves at the table.

“There is no other option.” Julian’s resolve steeled. “I, Julian Attilius, reject you, Ember Lennox.”

Mirroring his stoic expression, Ember responded, “I, Ember Lennox, accept your rejection, Julian Attilius.” Her voice didn’t waver, even though her eyes were glossy and an ache filled her chest. She wouldn’t fight if he wanted this. Her pride wouldn’t let her back down or beg him to accept her. She stood tall, forcing herself to maintain eye contact, even as a tear threatened to escape.

She couldn’t understand how fate could be so cruel, pairing her with someone so vain he only cared about rank. The special moments they had shared in the last week and the promises he had made—he could throw it all away once he found out her rank. He didn’t even bother to ask her why or how. He didn’t bother to hear her side of the story; he just assumed.

The moon goddess had given her a taste of a mate she never wanted, and fate ripped it away. It was bittersweet. She didn’t have an appetite anymore. She was going to pack what she wanted and then leave for the outer pack where her sister resided. There, she would request the witches to transport her to a human city, and she would live her life there. She didn’t see a reason to stay in this realm where, in a few years, her mate would be king.

Julian’s face remained impassive, but a flicker of something—regret?—passed through his eyes. Ember's heart twisted at the sight, but she pushed the pain aside. She had to stay strong. As she rose from her seat, the whispers of the other wolves filled the room, a cacophony of judgment and scorn.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be leaving.” Ember got up and walked out of the dining room, her back straight and her head held high. Each step felt like a mile, the weight of the rejection pressing down on her shoulders. She ignored the murmurs that followed her, the whispers about the ‘Omega who dared to dream too high.’

“I heard she deceived the Crown Prince.”

“How dare she!”

“The nerve of an Omega like her.”

As she ascended the stairs to Julian’s room, she was met with the sight of her belongings being thrown out of the window by the pack members. Her heart sank further at the sight of her precious books and keepsakes being discarded carelessly. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms to keep herself from breaking down.

“Really?” she growled, her hurt turning into frustration. A lot of the boxes that were being thrown off the balcony contained her cherished human collectibles, gifts that had sentimental value. Over ten years of memories were being destroyed right before her eyes.

“The Prince was so nice to you!” one of the pack members shouted, shredding a piece of her clothing with angry fervor.

Ember couldn't believe what was happening. She turned away from the sight, her vision blurred by tears. She ran, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she descended the stairs and burst out of the castle. The streets were filled with more malicious stares and bystanders who started throwing random things at her.

“You’re worthless!”

“Our poor beloved prince!”

Shifting into her wolf form, Ember ran. She ran until her legs burned, and her lungs felt like they would burst. She didn’t know how long she ran, but her hurt turned into anger, fueling her. She didn’t stop to check the time of day, only pausing briefly for water. She didn’t sleep; she just ran until she reached the familiar borders of her sister’s pack.