UNCROWNED SILVER

ELARA “Elara Awryn” The next thing I heard after the Council elder announced my name was laughter—not the kind shared between friends and family, but the kind that screamed mockery and cruelty. The day I had silently been anticipating the most was finally here: the mating ball. I had turned eighteen a month ago, so I was eligible to be fated with a mate. I had always wondered if I was ever going to find a mate. A lowly omega like me couldn’t possibly dream about things like that, but that didn’t stop me from hoping at least. All the pack members were gathered at the great hall: Alphas, betas, council members warriors, and omegas. I stood at the center of the great hall, wondering if I had heard right. There must have been a mix-up somewhere, it had to be that. Across the room sat Alpha Draven White-thorne, clad in a black robe with silver hems. He was…perfect, I thought. The moon goddess had chosen him as my mate. My wolf jumped in excitement, “Our mate is quite the looker” she squealed. My eyes met his gray eyes, I took a moment to take in his facial features. His light brown hair was cut neatly, with a few bangs just on his forehead, jawline so perfectly defined, nose so perfect. How could someone look this good? For a fleeting moment, I thought my misery had finally come to an end, maybe the moon goddess had finally taken pity on me. I allowed myself to shamelessly reach for things I knew were never meant for me. I almost believed my life had finally found its purpose. Almost.. Alpha Draven finally got up from his chair. He took calm, slow steps towards me, his face showed no expression at all, his eyes ice-cold. My chest grew tighter with every step he took. He finally stood in front of me, and he said the most devastating three words I ever heard; “ I reject you” Maybe my intrusive thoughts had finally gotten the best of me, I was now making up things in my head, did he just say that? “Say that again” I muttered.. Draven’s jaw tightened, his fingers curled into a loose fist, and his gaze, colder than ever, he hated repeating himself. “I said, I reject you” How could he say that so easily? Was I that repulsive to him? I had thought that the bond formed between mates was so strong and unbreakable, one that anyone would want to cherish and protect.. yet, here I was, standing in front of mine, who had just rejected me in front of hundreds of Pack members. My wolf screamed A sharp agonizing pain tore through my heart, it was so excruciating, that my knees almost buckled beneath me. I knew I had to be strong, I could not give them the satisfaction of seeing me broken, even though I was. “No” I said. I barely recognised my own voice, it almost sounded like a plea “Don’t make me repeat myself” he said coldly. He was a man of few words I looked at his face, searching for anything; anger, confusion, hatred, regret, hurt. There was nothing. “Why”? I asked, “Did I offend you in any way? Whatever it is, I’ll change, I promise. Please, take me Alpha…” At this point, I didn’t care about whatever dignity I had left. I wanted him, my wolf wanted him. I already felt a strong pull towards him that I could simply not ignore. He was my mate, and I was going to fight for him, I thought. “ Just because you’re my mate doesn’t make you worthy enough to sit beside me as my Luna” he continued, completely unbothered by how deeply his words cut through my heart. “How am I supposed to show my face as Alpha of this prestigious pack, with a lowly Omega as my Luna?” This time, he actually looked disgusted. “Let the events of tonight never be heard of after tonight! Never shall it be said that the mate fate has chosen for me is a weak and powerless Omega! ” His words cut through every corner of the hall, loud enough to burn down whatever hope I had left. “Drav…” “Get out!” He ordered. The hall which had been silent a few seconds ago was suddenly filled with laughter, this time, even louder than before. I looked around, from the faces of the elders of the council, to the warriors, to the betas, and other omegas, to the women who had always reminded me of how worthless I was. My gaze fell on his father, the former Alpha. He had a look similar to Draven’s; disgust and disapproval, as I had personally offended him. I could hear the whispers among the other pack members, they were clearly mocking me. Well, I didn’t ask for any of this… I had spent the last 5 years, envisaging the day I finally met my mate. I had imagined that he would look at me like I was the most precious thing in the world. I had definitely not expected to be mated with the Alpha, let alone, get rejected by him. It then occurred to me that he did not reject me because he didn’t feel the bond, but because of who I was; a lowly ranking Omega, with no powers, family name, or connection. I was just someone the pack could tolerate, but never accept. I turned to my mate once again “Is that what you really want?” “Yes,” he said. For the first time, I saw something flash in his eyes… pain. He covered it up immediately and continued.. “I will never accept you”. My chest tightened, tears gathered at the corners of my eyes, threatening to fall. I let out a bitter laugh and looked at him straight in the eye… “Then look me in the eye and say it” I summoned all the courage I could muster, and looked at him, even though I wanted to look away. His teeth clenched, jaw tightened, his expression as dark as night, his nose flared, fingers formed a tight fist. His wolf was fighting him The room fell silent, everyone watching eagerly, enjoying my humiliation a little too much. “Tell me you do not feel something for me” I pressed, hoping for a moment that he would give in. “I do not feel a thing for you” My wolf whimpered. ​She was hurt, It was a lie…He knew it, I knew it…But he somehow managed to keep on this façade. I nodded slowly “Then I accept your rejection” I glanced at him for the last time. I thought he looked hurt, but I knew better than to think that I was special enough to make him feel such emotion. I turned around and walked towards the exit. I didn’t run, I wasn’t gonna give them that satisfaction. Whispers followed me like shadows. “Pathetic” “Who does she think she is?” “Did she think the Alpha was gonna accept her?” “I’d never show face again if I were her” After a long walk, I finally got to the exit, I was about to open the doors… “Wait” Draven said. Hope can be deadly. I had hoped he finally regretted rejecting me. “Leave before nightfall tomorrow” I broke completely. I guess this was my life now. “Already planned to” I replied, eyes heavy with tears, dreams and hope shattered. With that, I left the hall and never turned back.