REJECTION: Fated To My Ex-Mate’s Brother

Chapter 007: When did you start getting emotional?

•| KAIDEN

The sound of the people’s applause were repulsive. I hated the fact that they acted like they gave me their damn support, when in fact, they really didn’t want me to be the crowned prince at all. They were only clapping for the sake of it. But I could get a whiff of fear from them. A second reason they’re pretending to support me was because they feared me—and that brought me immense joy.

My eyes met that of Sapphire, and she smirked at me. I maintained an emotionless expression and tilted my head, studying her. I couldn’t help but wondered if her over excitement was because she supported me, or because of the deal we made.

The ceremony ended with people leaving one by one. I wanted to meet Sapphire, but a guard walked up to me and bowed.

“The Alpha requests your presence in the throne room, my prince.”

I let out an exhale that caused a sharp pain to tear through my side. I suddenly remembered that Gavin had used his wolf strength to hit me during the duel. The wound was healing slowly, but the pain was still excruciating. That asshole! I was going to run his head through the wall one day if I had the damn chance. Once the coronation is done and I fully become the Alpha, I will make sure Gavin paid for everything he did.

I began heading for the throne room, but Sapphire quickly stopped in front of me, her beautiful face breaking into a smile. “You were amazing out there,” she said and that seemed to melt the suffocating weight that seemed to tug at my heart, filling me with a warmth I didn’t want to admit that I’d feel.

“Thanks.” I answered.

Sapphire studied my face for a while then her eyes darted to my side—the side, Gavin had hit me. “Are you okay?” she asked and I could swear on the moon that I saw a flicker of care in those icy orbs of hers. “I… saw Gavin hit you there. It was a cowardly move, and everyone saw it, but no one said anything about it. Is this really how you’re being treated here? No one really cares? You’re hurt and your mother didn’t even—“

“When did you start getting emotional over things like this, Sapphire?” I asked, my tone sharp. Sapphire’s eyes widened slightly but the shock left just as it came. She looked cute being all emotional like that but I could sense it. She pitied me. And I hate being pitied.

I was used to this kind of bullshit life. It was my cross to bear, and I hate it when people feel sorry for me. Sometimes, I wished I could reach into the sky and strangle the moon goddess for making me go through this kind of pain and isolation, but I’ve come to accept it. And now I’m just numb, but I hate sympathy.

“I just—“

“It’s fine, Sapphire. I’m a wolf. It’s healed already,” I assured her even though I didn’t know why. “And lose that expression. It doesn’t suit you at all. I need to go now. When I return, I have something to discuss with you.”

Sapphire blinked, curiosity lining her features. “Something to discuss with me?” she tilted her head, her lips curving into a smile as if she knew what I wanted to talk about. Her once soft gaze had turned mischievous, and I’d be damned if I said I didn’t like that look on her. “If it’s what I’m thinking, then you are absolutely correct. I am responsible for it.”

I smirked. “You’re a vixen.”

Sapphire chuckled lightly. “That’s why we work well together,” she purred and straightened. “Now if you would excuse me, I have an unfinished business to attend to.” she winked at me and strode off and I didn’t realize I was smiling until she was out of sight and that strange emptiness crawled its way into my heart again.

Recalling that Father was waiting for me in the throne room, I braced myself and headed there. The wound healed on the way and I opened the door to see my “darling” mother and “sweet” father pacing restlessly, their steps halting the minute I walked into the room.

And what do you know? Gavin was here too, except he was seated, sulking like the incompetent i***t he was. I bet he was going to let his sweet mother do all the talking and fighting for him.

“Kaiden, what in the moon do you think you are doing?” Darlene—I preferred calling her by her name. She lost the right to be called my mother the day she chose to love Gavin more than me. She lost more points the day she raised her hand to hit me. And she lost it completely the day SHE hit me—walked forward, her eyes blazing with rage.

I shrugged. “What did I do?” The amount of calmness I exuded right now shocked me. It was a contrast to the rage that was building up in my chest. Because standing here and seeing the three people who’ve made my life miserable for as long as I could remember felt like a stab to the heart.

Darlene turned to my father, her eyes literally telling him to do something. He stepped forward. “Sapphire isn’t someone you should be with. That girl is your brother’s mate,”

“He rejected her.”

“That’s not the point!” Father snapped. “The point is that you shouldn’t be with her. She is maniputive and will cause a rift between you and your brother.”

I sneered. “I’d really like that.”

Gavin stood to his feet. “I didn’t reject her for you to hoard her, Kaiden. We just had a misunderstanding and were planning to get back together. You have no right to claim her and use her to get back at me, and steal my crown.” he yelled.

I let out a bitter laugh. “Your crown?” I asked, taking a step close to him but his mother shielded him with her body. “Look at what happened just now and tell me, do you really deserve this crown?” I asked and Darlene turned back to look at him. “You’re still a pup, Gavin. Go suck milk and leave things like this for people who actually have balls,” I said and they gasped. “I’m disappointed to see that this is the reason you called me here, Father. This isn’t worth my time.” I turned to leave.

“Go out that door, Kaiden, and I will show you what I’m made of. We aren’t done talking, and you don’t get to leave until I say so.”

“And who are you exactly?” I turned to face him with that terrifying calm he hated.

“I am your father and your Alpha!” he growled, jaw clenched. “And you will obey me.”

“Funny,” I sneered. “I recall you saying I wasn’t worthy of being your son a few days ago. What changed?”

“Kaiden!” Darlene snapped.

I groaned in frustration and pinched the bridge of my nose. “All these shenanigans is giving me a headache. When you’re really ready to talk about something important… you know where to find me.” I gave them a mock salute and walked out of the throne room ignoring as Father called out to me while Darlene yelled on and on in that annoying shrill voice of hers about how she couldn’t wait to teach me a lesson.

And lucky for her, I was looking forward to it.