The Pack’s Slut

I Reject You

The evening for the marking ceremony finally came. Alpha Ryker, Talon, and Adira were seated in the royal hall waiting for the arrival of Milly and her maids. A few members of the Darkwood werewolf committee were also present to witness the marking ceremony of their Alpha.

Ryker was perched down on the pad, his mind drifting to many thoughts. He was still reeling in pain. He had told Talon and Adira about what happened and also informed them that Milly would be rejecting him tonight. They argued with him, telling him he should be the one to reject her, and tell the whole people what she had done. Ryker explained to them that he didn't want to ridicule her. Although she hurt him so much, he still had a soft spot for her and it would take a while for their mate bond to thaw.

His wolf groaned, alerting him of Milly's arrival. He slightly raised his head. His heart broke into shreds when he saw her all beautifully dressed in her golden long dress, her hair was neatly packed and decorated with hairpins, she looked so elegant, so effortlessly beautiful as she walked towards the chair that had been prepared for her.

She got to the front of the chair but didn't sit, her eyes darted to Ryker who was staring intently at her. He avoided her gaze when he noticed her eyes were on him.

Milly stared apologetically at Ryker, hoping that he would change his mind at the last minute, but he was determined. He always spoke once, after which his orders must be followed.

"I welcome you all to the marking ceremony of Alpha Ryker and our very beautiful Milly." Talon rose to his feet to incept the ceremony. He sounded impatient, wondering why Milly wasn't rejecting the Alpha yet. "Can you two step forward as we pray to the moon goddess to bless your union?" He stretched his hands toward them, urging them to come to the middle of the hall.

Milly was the first to walk over, she waited for the Alpha. When Ryker was standing in front of her, he shot her a glare and asked. "What do you think you are doing? I told you to reject me. Do you want me to do that and make you an object of ridicule?"

"Alpha, we can make things work. Please give me a chance to right my wrongs. I promise…" Milly whispered.

"Reject me, now!" He half yelled, keeping his voice in check to avoid suspicion. He feigned a smile like he was hoping for something pleasant. "Now!" The look on his face was serious and vicious.

Talon stepped forward, "we ask for the blessings—"

He was cut mid-sentence by Milly. She boldly hoisted her head up, her eyes moving around the hall. She turned to Ryker, shutting her eyes regrettably, she pointed to her chest. "I, Milly Gareth, reject Alpha Ryker, the Alpha of Darkwood pack as my mate."

Ryker narrowed his eyes in shock, he had to pretend like he was shocked for people not to get suspicious.

"Milly, you can't reject the Alpha just like that," Talon said, his eyes bloodshot in anger. He understood what was going on, but he had to put on a show in front of the people to make them believe he was shocked.

"I reject you, Alpha Ryker," Milly repeated, she bowed her head in shame and ran out of the hall. Her omegas followed behind, all confused about what was going on.

"Is there an explanation for what is happening here?" One of the members of the committee queried.

Ryker lowered his gaze on him, his stern gaze scorching him. He stood in front of all the members present and prowled the hall. "You all witnessed what just happened, my mate rejected me in here. I don't want the news to spread around the pack. She must have her reasons for rejecting me and whatever the reason would be, I choose to respect that and wait until whenever she is ready to take me back."

"This is absurd, arrant nonsense!" Another of the members of the council, identified as Caleb protested. "She should be punished for rejecting the Alpha. That was so disrespectful of her."

All other members nodded their heads in agreement with Caleb's deductions. They were chattering amongst them as they deliberated on what just happened and the punishment that Milly should be subjected to for publicly disgracing the Alpha.

Talon called for order in the hall. They all stopped talking, turning to listen to what the Alpha had to say to them.

"I will decide what to do with her since she's the mate chosen for me by the moon goddess herself. I don't want you all to harbor disdain towards her, I choose to handle this myself." He said to them, glaring at their faces. They seemed unsatisfied with what he was telling them, but he didn't care about their opinions, he was the Alpha after all and his orders will be followed no matter what.

"Yes, Alpha." They chorused in unison.

"Since the marking ceremony didn't end on a good note, I would like to dismiss this gathering now. I have to attend to other pack affairs." Ryker informed them. Signaling to one of the pack soldiers, he whispered some words into his ears. The soldier left the hall afterward.

-

-

A few minutes later, the hall was empty like it wasn't full some minutes ago. Talon paced the hall, his eyes bloodshot red from anger, Adira tried to placate him.

"Why did you let her reject you? She should be punished." Talon glared at Ryker.

"How do you plan to punish her and the soldier, what do you want to do to them? They should be banished." Adira growled, buttressing Talon's point.

"I haven't decided what to do with them, Adira." He responded. "It's safer for her to reject me, I want to save her the shame." He said in a soft voice. He cared so much about Milly, he'd been excited that he was finally going to be with her. Even though he didn't love her yet, he cared so much about her and he was willing to treat her right if she eventually became his Luna. He had high hopes for her, but she shredded his heart. He was deeply hurt.

"I don't know why you are saving her name. She should be subjected to ridicule for cheating on you." Talon groaned.

"Talon, I order that you stop discussing Milly unless I want to discuss her punishment." Ryker inserted his hands into his royal robe, gawking at Talon. "I will call a meeting to decide what to do with them later on, but for now I wish to be alone." He turned his back to both Adira and Talon, his long frame hovering above them.

They respected him and left him alone. When Adira and Talon were gone, Ryker went to his room.

He shifted into his wolf form; a beautiful big white wolf with black stripes around his ears. He studied his environment before springing out of the pack. He was heartbroken and needed to be in his favorite place right now. He sprinted around the forest, headed to the only place he found solace in the world.