The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Marked or Not

The ballroom seemed to spin around me. Everyone in that room seemed to know what was about to happen next. Corey barely even looked at me when I stepped up the stage.

"COME," he said ruthlessly, and went straight backstage.

The humiliation was doubling, crashing over me in waves. I could hardly register the cheers and jeers from the crowd.

But still, I followed him. Even though I am not allowed to think like this, from the bottom of my heart, I wanted Corey, hoping that once he marked me, something would change. As we walked backstage, my heart was racing. I heard that the mate bond will change people, and maybe, just maybe, after this, he'd see me differently.

Like now, he looked at me almost tenderly. His eyes caressed all over my body, from top to bottom. I held the hem of the old lace dress with the side open awkwardly in my hand, hoping he would not notice.

As soon as I got backstage where no one could see, Corey immediately pressed on me. His touch was anything but gentle. It was like he was marking his territory.

His fingers rubbed against my neck, back and forth, until it started to burn. He was staking his claim on me, yet I could hardly fight.

All of a sudden, he intentionally bit me because he wanted me to feel the pain of being marked by Alpha. It turned out that this was the feeling of being marked. It was very painful, a slight touch of electric shock, and nasty when red warm blood flowed down my neck.

I noticed Corey's eyes deepened as he took in the sight of the blood.Just as things were about to take a more intimate turn, Corey's demeanor shifted from desire to something else entirely. His grip on me tightened, and I could feel his energy pulsating with a strange intensity.

"F**k!" Corey's voice was surprise and agony.

He pulled away from me, his eyes wide with shock, his hand clutching at his chest. I watched in confusion as he stumbled back. It was like his alpha energy was draining away, leaving him weak and vulnerable.

And then, just as suddenly as it had started, he looked at me, horribly, disgustedly.

"What did you do? You're cursed, aren't you? You've cursed me, you c**t!"

His words cut through the air like a knife, each syllable a painful reminder of the humiliation I'd endured.

Pushed away on the cold floor, I shivered and shook my head, murmuring, "I didn't do anything, please..."

Corey gave her a contemptuous look and cut her off.

"I, Alpha of Crismon Moon Pack, reject you, Eleanor Sinclair, as my mate."

The rejection came so suddenly and I didn't have time to process what was happening.

"You're not fit to be anyone's mate. You cursed omega!" His angry voice echoed in my ears before he dragged me out of the room, and pushed my head into the pool.

"Maybe the water will wash your sin!"

The world around me blurred as I fought to breathe. My lungs burned with the need for air.

"Say that you accept the rejection! Say it!" His hands grabbed my head, and pressed it into the water, again and again. I could feel the movements of his hands getting stronger and quicker.

I kicked and thrashed, desperate to escape the suffocating embrace of the water. But all I got was pushed deeper and longer. My vision faded to black, and the world seemed to blur.

"I... I accept!"

After I accepted his rejection, Corey finally let go of me. I fell completely into the water. I didn't know how to swim. I felt the water keep rushing into my lungs, which were on fire. My hands kept slapping the water around me, but all I could perceive was the feeling of choking and despair.

Was I going to die? Did Corey want me to die? He knew I didn't know how to swim.

Then I heard someone jump into the water. Strong arms encircled my cold body. Someone seemed to find a way to pull me back to safety. When I got out of the water, I took a big breath of air. But the near-death feeling hasn't worn off on me yet.

As I adjusted my breath, my eyes met his, and something shifted between us. It was like a spark. And... A sweet and bitter smell of a mix of cinnamon and sandalwood.

Mate!

Again?

A flush of embarrassment spread across my cheeks when his hand brushed against my breasts accidentally.

Gasping for air, I clung to my savior. His touch was surprisingly gentle as he helped me with my dress.

I finally looked up at him, taking in his features for the first time. He was handsome, with silver hair, green-grey pupils and a rugged charm that was hard to ignore. But there was nothing in his eyes.

"Thank you." When I finally calmed down, I said to him. My voice was barely above a whisper.

"No need to thank me," He leaned in a bit and responded to my ears, "I've seen omegas like you before. Don't think I will pity you, even if you are my mate."

His words were so distant, without any emotion. He disliked me. This was obvious.

When more and more people came to check what happened here, he slowly lowered himself to assist me in wearing my soaked shoes. I couldn't help but notice his touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary. Corey's gaze narrowed slightly, a clear sign of his discontentment.

"Alpha Gideon, what are you doing here?"

Alpha Gideon?!

The whispers of the crowd grew louder, and then people started to recognize him – Gideon Caldwell, the next Alpha king from the powerful Silverthorn Pack!Unlike when he was with me, he looked fierce, like a predator ready to pounce, and went straight for Corey. His gaze unwavering, his stance commanding.

"You dare to harm an omega in this manner?" Gideon's voice was a low growl, a warning that sent shivers down my spine.

"You can do much better than this."

Corey, whose face twisted in anger, was still reeling from Gideon's blow and stumbled to his feet. He tried to approach, but Gideon's commanding presence stopped him in his tracks.

"Enough, Corey." Gideon's expression remained unchanged. His gaze fixed on Corey.

And then he turned back to me. His silver hair gleamed like moonlight against the velvety darkness.

"This is the guy that you don't want as a mate?"

"Then please, Miss." With a warm smile, he extended his hand and bowed, as if inviting me to the ball like a prince offering a dance to his beloved.

"Be my guest."