CHAPTER EIGHT
1355 Words
SILVER’S POV
I didn’t even get to say no.
I just stood there, frozen in the middle of the library, as the words left his mouth.
“I, Kaiden Accus, reject you, Silver Night, as my mate.”
That was it.
No explanation.
No apology.
No time to breathe.
He turned and walked out like I was nothing. Like the bond—the one thing we don’t get to choose—meant nothing to him.
The pain hit a second later.
Not sharp, like a knife.
No. It was deeper. Like someone had reached into my chest and started tearing me apart from the inside.
I staggered back a step, my hand gripping the edge of the reading table to keep from falling.
My wolf whimpered.
The pain from the rejection was even more painful than I ever anticipated.
He rejected us.
He didn’t even wait to see if I was fine.
Tears burned behind my eyes, but I didn’t let them fall.
He ruined me completely.
And for what?
Stupid loyalty to Sterling?
That he would reject his fated mate for a best friend?
I forced my legs to move.
Out of the library. Up the stairs. Down the long hall to my bedroom. I shut the door quietly behind me, collapsed on my bed, and buried my face into the pillow—
And screamed.
It tore from my throat, raw and guttural.
I felt the rejection tearing into every piece of my soul, dragging sharp claws through the bond, burning every nerve that once sparked with connection.
I could literally feel the mate bond continuously breaking and my wolf howled in pain.
This wasn't fair to me.
Why was the universe against me?
I didn’t do anything wrong, I just wanted everything to be perfect.
Why would he reject me just like that?
Was I that undesirable and uptight as Sterling normally said?
Was I too plain for him?
That he would ruin me to this extent.
I was never mean to Kaiden, I just kept him at arms length and avoided him as I avoided Sterling the best I could.
Sterling was my brother. It was understandable that I would see him every time.
But Kaiden...
He didn’t even get to know me at all.
I wasn't perfect, much to everyone else's thoughts on me.
I struggled a lot and was forced to be silent and perfect, never complain.
Why was this punishment for being what everyone told me to be?
I didn’t know how long I had stayed there. Minutes? Hours?
But eventually, there was a knock at my door.
I didn’t move.
The knock came again—louder this time.
“Silver,” my mother’s voice called.
“Come downstairs. Now.”
My mother was equally not soft on me like my father was.
She pampered Sterling, but I was always left to be the bigger person.
The mature one.
The one to always keep the peace. The oldest.
No one saw or noticed how exhausting it was for me.
The nights I would read till I got nose bleeds.
Or when I covered my dark circles with power to avoid it being noticed.
Showing dark circles or tiredness was me being dramatic and attention seeking.
No one cared about the process, only the result.
That was something Sterling never tried to understand.
I wanted to be Alpha to change all these unfair norms and policies, not even for myself.
Now my mother, most especially my father, was disappointed in me.
I should’ve told her to leave me alone.
I should’ve screamed at her the way I wanted to scream at the world.
But I didn’t.
Because even broken, I still obeyed.
I always did.
The perfect daughter.
I dragged myself off the bed, wiped my face with trembling fingers, and walked down the stairs—limbs numb, heart hollow.
They were waiting for me in the office again. Both of them—my mother standing, arms folded, my father sitting behind the desk.
They didn’t even pretend to look concerned.
“What?” I asked, voice hoarse.
Father looked up.
“Sit.”
I didn’t.
“We’re proceeding with a formal alliance,” my mother said flatly.
“A political marriage.”
I blinked.
“I’m sorry—what?”
“You losing your virtue has spread through the pack already.” she continued.
“Everyone is talking. The scandal is worse now. You are no longer a viable heir to the Alpha title.”
“I never was, according to you.” I snapped.
My mother never stopped Sterling any time he said those words.
Deep down, I knew she agreed with Sterling.
A woman shouldn't be Alpha.
Father ignored that.
“But there’s still a way to salvage your dignity.”
I folded my arms, trying to hold myself together.
“By marrying someone I don’t know?”
“Exactly,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“The Alpha of the Cassano Pack has agreed to a union. He doesn't know about your virtue being lost. He is a suitable husband for you. You will be the Luna of his pack.”
The name sent a chill down my spine.
“You’re marrying me off to a stranger? One with a reputation for murder and rage?”
“It’s not murder if it was ruled a suicide.” my mother said sharply.
“Don’t believe the rumours.”
I stared at her.
“Are you listening to yourself?”
“This is what’s best for the pack.” Father said.
“You are no longer heir, but you are still of value. You can help secure an alliance with one of the most powerful and solitary packs in the country. To be linked to an Italian pack would do well for our pack.”
I took a step back.
“You want to sell me off.”
“We want to save you from complete disgrace,” Mother corrected.
“You should be grateful, Silver.”
“Grateful?” I laughed bitterly.
“You call this saving me?”
“It’s been arranged.” Father said with finality.
“Alessio De Luca is expected to arrive soon to negotiate the marriage. He isn't looking for a virgin, just a Luna. You are the best fit.”
I stared at them both—hollow, aching, enraged.
They believed I was no longer a virgin.
“You don’t care what happens to me,” I whispered.
“You only care about appearances. About power. Who told you I am no longer a virgin?”
My mother’s jaw tightened.
“This is the life of a Luna, Silver. Sacrifice is expected. Sterling said Kaiden had already taken your maidenhead. There is no going back.”
Of course, Sterling said that.
Of course, he is the one spreading lies about me just because he wants to be Alpha.
“No,” I said, shaking my head.
“This isn’t sacrifice. This is abandonment. You are abandoning me when I need you the most. As my parents, not as Alpha and Luna of Night pack.”
Neither of them flinched.
The silence stretched between us like a wall too high to ever climb again.
Then Father stood, walked to his cabinet, pulled out a thick scroll, and placed it on the desk.
“I suggest you start preparing,” he said.
“Alessio is to arrive soon."
I walked out.
Not another word.
Because what was left to say?
I had been rejected by my mate.
Disowned by my family.
Humiliated in front of the entire pack.
And now, I was being handed off like a pawn to a ruthless Alpha I’d never met.
I didn’t cry this time.
I just went back to my room, stood in front of the mirror, and stared at my reflection.
I barely recognized her.
But one thing was clear—
The Silver who stood there now wasn’t the naive perfect heir anymore.
She was something colder.
Sharper.
And soon…
She’d be someone no one could ever break again.
- Writer
