Chapter 1– THE REJECTION
Elara’s pov
“Do you accept the mate bond?” The question echoed through the hall. Nobody moved or breathed. Every pair of eyes was fixed on me, waiting for the answer they'd already decided I would give.
I looked at the man standing across from me. Cassian Draven. After months of seeing him in person, I understood why the author made him the male lead. He was unfairly handsome. Unfortunately, the author has given him a terrible personality.
Cassian watched me expectantly. His expression held a trace of amusement; he was confident. Of course he was; why wouldn’t he be? He never had to wonder whether someone chose him.
Not until now. The silver mark on my wrist burned. The bond was waiting; so was everyone. The high priestess looked at me again. “Elara.” My fingers tightened around the fabric of my dress; I could hear whispers from the crowd.
“She’ll accept,” one person said. “Obviously, She’d be foolish not to.” Maybe they were right. But I already made my decision.
I lifted my eyes to Cassian. He tilted his head slightly. “What’s taking you so long?” The corner of his mouth twitched, but the smile never reached his eyes. I wondered for a moment whether rejecting him had frightened him more than it had offended him.
There was something almost irritatingly calm about his voice. I smiled, but not warmly. “I was thinking,” I said. “About?” Whether I should make it easy for you, but I didn’t say that. Instead, I said, “Nothing important.”
His brows drew together for the first time; uncertainty crossed his face. Good. I turned toward the high priestess. Her hands were clasped together around the ceremonial staff. “Your answer, Lady Elara.” I looked at the silver mark, then at Cassian, then past him.
Darius Vayne stood near the pillar at the edge of the hall. He wasn’t watching the ceremony; he was watching me. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. His presence shouldn’t have mattered, but it did.
I looked away. “Lady Elara.” I took a slow breath. Cassian stepped closer; the bond reacted quickly. Heat rushed through my veins; my wolf stirred. My body recognized him; my mind didn’t.
Cassian lowered his voice. “You don’t have to be nervous.” I nearly laughed. Nervous. That wasn’t what this is.
“You’re taking long,” he murmured. “I know,” I told him. “Then answer.” his eyes held mine; for one strange second, I wondered if he knew. He couldn’t, and that’s exactly how I want it. The high priestess raised her staff. “The moon goddess has chosen—“.
“I reject the mate bond.” The words were quiet; they didn’t need to be loud. The hall heard them anyway. Silence. Cassian couldn’t blink. The high priestess looked at me. Someone dropped a glass.
It shattered against the marble floor; a whisper rose from the crowd. “Did she just—“ another person said, “she rejected him.”
“No, that’s not possible.” Cassian finally moved one step, then another. His expression had changed. The amusement was gone; so was the confidence. “What did you say?” I held his gaze. “You heard me.” His jaw tightened. “You rejected me.” I glanced toward the mark glowing between us. “No.”
His eyes gleamed. “I rejected the bond.” What I said seemed to anger him more. “What difference does it make?” He said, “A lot.” his voice became colder. “You know what you’re doing?” I stared into his eyes. “Yes.”
That answer stopped him; his eyes searched my face. For what, I didn’t know. Right perhaps. Fear. Hesitation.
I gave him nothing. “You have changed,” he said. My heart gave one hard beat, and I smiled faintly. “Have I?” I said, “Yes.” he stepped closer. “Why?” There it was: the question I knew would come, the one I couldn’t answer. Not here. Not now.
So I gave him the only answer he deserved: “Because I don’t want you.” Something flickered in his eyes- anger, maybe hurt. The crowd went silent again, and Cassian’s voice dropped. “You don’t mean it.” He said. “I do.”
“You will regret this.” I looked at him. “Maybe,” he leaned slightly closer. “But not for the reason you think.” his expression changed.
Before he could ask what I meant, a low voice came from the other side of the hall. “Interesting.” Darius. Everyone turned toward him. He hadn’t moved from the pillar; his eyes were still on me.
Cassian looked irritated. “Did I ask for your opinion?” He asked while looking at Darius. “No.” Darius shifted his gaze briefly to him. “I was speaking to her.” My stomach tightened. He looked back at me; there was nothing warm in his expression, nothing hostile either, just curiosity.
As though I were something he wasn’t expected to see. “You’re certain?” he asked. I nodded. “Completely.” Darius studied me for another second, then his eyes dropped to the fading mark on my wrist.
Something unreadable passed across his face. He looked up again. “Then I suppose there’s nothing left to discuss.” He turned away.
I watched him go for some reason; the back of his coat disappearing bothered me more than it should have. Cassian noticed; his eyes followed mine, then returned to my face. “Is that why?” He asked, “Why what?”
“Why you’re rejecting me?” I stared at him. “No,” he didn’t believe me. Neither did I. The high priestess announced that the ceremony was over, but nobody seemed willing to leave.
Cassian stood in front of me, his voice quieter now. “Tell me what I did.” I looked at him. For a moment I almost answered, something I had promised myself not to, at least not here or now.
Until the time was right, so I stepped around him. “Goodnight, Cassian,” I said. “Elara.” I kept walking; his voice followed me. “You can’t run from this forever.” I stopped at the doors. Slowly, I looked back. “No,” I said. “It can’t.” his expression softened, just slightly. Then I added, “But I don’t need favors.” I walked out before he could ask me what I meant. Behind me, the door closed.
