Rejected by the Alpha: The Lycan Queen's Rising

CHAPTER 002

CHAPTER 002

SIENNA'S POV

Cassian’s voice slapped me like a slap, loud and sharp. “Sienna, what the hell were you thinking?” “You embarrassed me in front of everyone!” His words pierced me deeply, immobilizing me, leaving me with no choice but to remain motionless.

He was pacing in front of me, his anger so thick I could almost taste it in the air, and we were back in our bedroom. “You made a scene with Laura, in front of the entire pack.” “Do you know how much damage you’ve done?”

I tried to open my mouth, but nothing came out. I didn’t know how to defend myself anymore. I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to. The sting grew more painful with every word that came out of his mouth. Did he really think it was me who made a scene? He actually thought I would on purpose spill my drink on Laura’s dress?

"Why can’t you just let things be?" He continued, his voice cold. He turned away from me, running a hand through his hair in frustration. 'I’m trying to keep things under control, and you—'

I was shaking, each moment the mere flogging of my subconscious. Was he really yelling at me for something that wasn’t even my fault? The whole banquet had been a disaster. I knew Laura had bumped into me on purpose. Cassian didn’t see it that way, though. He was too busy being there for her, comforting her, as if I didn’t exist.

At the banquet, I remembered when I knew that things had gone too far. When the drink spilled on Laura’s dress, Cassian had done just what I’d been afraid of. He hadn’t even looked at me. There was something in his eyes then; they had gone soft and were full of concern, so he turned to Laura and offered his jacket to cover her stain.

“Sienna, why are you standing there?” "Help her!" he snapped at me, his words as icy as ice. It was a slap in the face; he didn’t even care that I was there, his mate, his Luna, while Laura got all of his attention. I had attempted to say something, to explain, but my words had stuck in my throat. I was just standing there, feeling like the invisible woman in a room full of people.

At the end of the night, I was empty. Yes, Cassian had almost completely ignored me; his focus was locked on Laura, making sure she was okay, while I faded into the background. The evening had turned out disastrously, and the most distressing aspect was my deep-seated suspicion that Cassian didn't trust me. He didn’t believe it was an accident. He thought I did it on purpose.

I clung to some shred of my confidence. I was still his mate. I was still Luna. The words were hollow; they didn’t mean anything when he didn’t believe in me.

My blood ran cold later that day when I was walking through the halls of the packhouse and I overheard what I heard. The two servants sat gossiping in a corner, unaware I was so close.

‘She’s not fit to be Luna,' one of them said quietly. Remember, she was an omega before.” How could she be the Alpha’s mate?

I felt my heart drop into my stomach. I wanted to scream at them, to tell them they were wrong, but I couldn’t. Not here. Not with the pack watching. My mind raced as I kept walking. They didn’t know how much it had cost me to get here. How hard I’d worked. How much I’d sacrificed.

Instead of reacting, I did what I always did when I was angry: I took control. I rushed into the kitchen, where the servants were still at work. They froze the moment they saw me.

“Is there a problem?” I asked, my voice tight. I was determined to hold them accountable. “Why are you gossiping about your Luna?”

One of them stammered, not knowing what to say. “We didn’t mean—”

I snapped, “I don’t care what you meant.” You're here to work, not to whisper behind my back. If you can’t do your job without spreading rumors, then maybe you need to find another position.”

They frowned at my words, but I didn’t care. No one was going to disrespect me. Not today. Not anymore.

As I was preparing to leave, Laura stepped through the door sporting an unreadable something—or perhaps something unreadable—in her eye. It smirked on her lips as she lifted an eyebrow to search through her for my gaze.

“Are you always so harsh?" she asked sweetly. “They were just joking, I’m sure.”

I tried to keep my cool and said, “They were gossiping about me, Laura.” “I don’t find it funny; you might.”

And Laura’s smirk widened, like she was getting off on this. “Oh, come on. They can’t take you seriously. You were an omega once. They didn’t exactly have you in mind when they thought of a Luna.”

Her words ignited my blood. I wanted to yell, to push her away, but I turned on my heel and walked out. I refused to allow her to irritate me in front of the servants. Her voice followed me as I walked away.

'I think if you'd just step down," she teased, 'you'd know.' “Give up the title. ‘You’d be much happier if you stopped pretending to be someone you’re not.”

The words stung. They went deep into me, hitting places I didn’t want to acknowledge. I wasn’t like her. I wasn’t like any of them. They could call me whatever they wanted, but I was Luna.

I had to get away, clear my head. I went to the second-floor balcony, the one I used when I needed to think. It was secluded and quiet. I leaned against the railing and looked out at the moonlit landscape. A cool breeze ruffled my hair, and for a moment I was calm.

The calm didn’t last long, though.

I turned around to see footsteps behind me. Her smile was too sweet, her eyes too sharp, and Laura stood there.

She took a step closer. “You know, I really think you’re wasting your time here.” “Why be Luna when you’ll never be accepted?” You’re just holding onto a title that doesn’t belong to you.”

My stomach churned, the words cutting into me like knives. I tried to respond, but nothing came out of my mouth.

I stepped back instead, trying to push her words away. “I don’t know anything about you.”

“I know plenty,” she said, her voice low now. "I know exactly what you're trying to prove." But it’s not working. Not to anyone who matters.”

I could feel my hands shaking, but I would not allow her to see it. She wasn’t worth the energy.

Then she did something that I wasn’t expecting. She shoved me hard in the chest.

My heart raced, and I stumbled backward. Grasping her arm, I pulled her toward me, and before I knew it, we were both falling.

We tumbled, timing slowed, and when we crashed down to the ground, it felt painful. The impact took the air from my lungs, and I gasped for breath.

Her eyes too wide with shock, her hair tangled in my fingers, Laura was on top of me. Neither of us moved for a second. She pushed herself off me slowly, her breathing heavy, but her face twisted with fury.

"What the hell, Sienna?" Her voice laced with venom, she spat.

I didn’t know what to say. My mind raced, and I just stared at her. What had just happened? Was this the end?