Chapter 3
1704 Words
Jessa POV
The cold wind hit me as soon as I stepped out of the taxi.
I have just arrived at The Lumen Hall after a 2 hours drive. As I entered, the light are bright, lighting up the dark night. The music thumped so loud that everyone was having a nice time.
I took a deep breath and stepped toward the doors. My fingers tightened around my bag. This was the place where alphas came when they wanted privacy, when they wanted to make deals without the world knowing. And tonight… I was walking alone. I am not an Alpha and I am not supposed to be here either.
A muscular guard stopped me. Tall, broad shoulders, gazing coldly down at me.
“Evening. Any reservation?” he asked. He looked me over.
I straightened. “I’m here to see Alpha Eryx Blackthorn.”
His expression changed. Recognition, then caution. “One moment.” He stepped aside and spoke quietly into a runic device.
As I waited, people entering the hall looked at me, some with curiosity, some of those who knew me looked at me with pity. They knew who I was. Daughter of late Alpha Rowan. No pack. No status. Nothing.
Minutes passed slowly. Ten, maybe fifteen. Then the guard came back, shaking his head.
“Miss… Alpha Eryx said he will not see anyone tonight.”
Suddenly, a voice behind me said, low and calm, “She’s with me.”
Starled, I turned. A tall, broad man stood there, dark hair, sharp features, amber eyes. He didn’t smile, but his presence made the guard step back immediately.
“If she wants to go in, I see no reason you should stop her.” He added. Immediately, I see the guard step aside in fear as he bowed in respect.
“I’m… I’m sorry alpha. Right away.” Said the guard and then he turned to me.
“I’m sorry Miss…”
I looked at him, surprised. Something about this stranger made me feel safe. I nodded.
I stuttered a quiet, “Th-thank you,” Before I could say another word, he was already walking away.
Who is he? I wondered but whoever he is, I didn’t want to let it bother me. As long as he has helped me get through. That’s the only thing on my mind right now.
I pushed off the thought.
Entering the main hall, there he was. Eryx. Calm. Cold. Perfect. And beside him is Mara. Her hands placed across his as she acted so clingy.
I hear a wolf across from him laugh. “Alpha Eryx, I heard a beautiful woman came looking for you. Didn’t know you ever refused anyone.”
Eryx didn’t look up.
The wolf leaned closer. “Your ex-mate,” he added, smirking.
Eryx’s golden eyes shot up, sharp and deadly. Silence fell. Even Rylan and Jace, his subordinates, tensed.
Just then, Mara’sgaze slid across the room and locked onto me.
And I see something poisonous flickered behind her eyes the instant she recognized me standing there. Almost at once she replaced it with a friendly smile. and lifted her voice just enough for the nearest tables to hear.
“Oh… Jessa,” she said, soft, as if the sight of me had tugged at some long-buried kindness in her heart. She approached.
“I heard about your father. I’m so, so sorry. Alpha Rowan was a good man. Truly.”
Just then, a ripple of murmurs began to spread around us.
“How gracious of Mara,” someone whispered.
“Mara’s always been so accommodating,” another voice agreed. “Even after how Jessa hates her, she still wishes Jessa well.”
“A heart of gold,” a third voice added, loud enough for me to catch every syllable.
“Not many would bother.” Another added.
My stomach twisted.
They were praising her, the woman who had smiled while she sank her claws into my life for being merciful enough to toss a few polite words at the mate she’d helped destroy.
Who would have thought it’s all pretence and she is not what they think she is.
Mara tilted her head, the picture of innocence, and just enough to look sincere.
“I understand you’ve come all this way to beg Eryx. I know how much you love him” she asked, voice dripping with pity.
A few soft voices.
“Mara actually cooed in sympathy for her.”
“She’s got so much good heart.”
“Oh, such a sweet girl.” Another added.
Mara wasn’t finished. She steps forward.
“And Jessa… I’m truly sorry Eryx chose me. I swear It was never my intention to break your home.”
The words landed like silver knives between my ribs. She is good at acting. She’s also the same woman who manipulated me years ago after I found out Eryx was cheating on me with her continuously. In fact, she had been there before I married him. They are both childhood sweethearts.
And now, she’s acting like a saint.
Before I could speak, Eryx stood in front of me.
“What are you doing here?” He snaps, his eyes filled of fury as Mara takes a step to him, holding his arms, the words leaving her lips.
“I don’t want any trouble. Please Eryx, you can fix things with her. She loves you so much. Please reconsider.” Her words were filled with fake concern.
“On one condition.” He says coldly, taking a step and standing in front of me.
His lips curls into a devilish smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes.
“I want to see you kneeling on a spilled drink, crawl to me and beg. I want to see you beg for my love, Jessa Emberfall.
Mara stepped closer, faking concern. “Please, Jessa… just do it, only then he’ll consider having you back,” she said.
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering.
For some strange reasons, my wolf senses want to do it.
He is the only man I love and leaving him would leave me empty. Maybe if I do it, he will accept me back and love me right this time.
Every nerve in my body screamed to obey, to beg, to do it, to take the humiliation they all expected.
Their voices began to rise.
“Oh, she’ll do anything for him,” someone murmured.
“She’s going to crawl for him!”
“She’ll do it… watch her kneel.”
“Oh, poor Jessa.”
“She loves him so much and can’t do without him.” Their words kept coming but I didn’t let it register in my head.
I stand straight, scanning everyone’s cruel faces as I hold up a glass of drink.
I turned, walking back toward Eryx.
Standing in front of him, his lips curled into a cruel smile but it didn’t last long.
With every little energy I could summon, i pour the drink to his face, sending the liquid splashing on him as it drips down, staining his perfect looking suit. His once smiling lips are now replaced with fury, his eyes dark and cold in humiliation.
Instantly, everyone gasped, unexpecting the turn of event.
I take a few step, standing just an inch from him.
“That’s for every lie, every betrayal, every time you made me question my worth.”
Every wolf was holding their breath.
Eryx’s jaw twitched, his Adam apple popping in and out. Angry written all over him, his fingers fidgeting beside him but I see how powerless he looked.
I stare at him without fear. “That’s for every lie, every betrayal, and every time you made me question my worth.”
Instantly, I see a few people bringing out their phones, filming Eyx’s humiliation while some of the murmurs in disbelief.
“Oh my! She’s got so much nerve.” A lady exclaims.
With that, I take a few steps away and stand in their midst boldly, holding their gaze.
“As from today. I am Jessa Emberfall, an heir of the Hale pack. No one would address me as Jessa Blackthorn. Eryx is my past now and I’ll appreciate it if everyone sees it that way and whoever tries to trespass will have to answer to me.
The murmurs start again. Quiet at first, then growing. Some whisper to their neighbors. Some just stare, as they film every damn scene. .
A man near the bar says loudly, “Did she just reject him? Reject the Alpha?”
Another replied, shocked, “No one rejects Eryx Blackthorn! That’s impossible!”
A group of young female wolves exchanged wide-eyed looks.
“Oh my goddess… she actually did it.”
“She said it so boldly.”
“What courage… I could never stand in front of him like that.”
Closer to me, an older she-wolf lifted her chin proudly.
“Good for her,” she said. “A woman must know her worth.”
But not everyone supported me.
“She’ll regret this,” another muttered. “Eryx doesn’t forgive insults.”
Another says harshly,
“She should have crawled and begged like he asked. That’s an Alpha she just challenged!”
A young omega stood up straighter and said loudly,
“Nice choice. She chose her honor. I respect that.”
Someone else murmured,
More gasps rose.
Eryx moves then, his alpha dangerous eyes appear as he approaches me. My wolf wants to flee. My body wants to run. But my heart challenges me to face him.
“You will regret this Jessa. I know you will come back. Your live revolves around me, Jessa. That’s the truth and there is nothing you can do.”
He tightens his fists, his wolf’s aura roaring. But I don’t move. I don’t flinch. I stand tall, every inch of me alive, unafraid.
Some wolves shift uncomfortably, lost at the scene. What was supposed to be a celebration ground is now chaotic. The Alpha himself looks like he’s about to explode. But I have taken my self worth and dignity back, and no one can take it from me.
- Writer
