OBSESSED WITH MY REJECTED MATE

Seraphina's POV "I know, it will all work out. You've trained for this." I told myself as I stood in front of the mirror, staring back at my reflection. My fingers trembled, and I rubbed my sweaty pants against my thighs, trying to calm the nerves raking inside of me. I sighed and steeled myself. Everyone was waiting. Slowly, I opened the bathroom door and stepped out into the room. The servants were still waiting where I had left them. They were dressing me for the occasion tonight. My sister, Lydia, stood by the door watching everything. Her amber eyes burned into me and made me uncomfortable the entire time. Slowly, she stepped into the room and gently touched my hair. "I remember my coming of age ceremony like it was yesterday." She said wistfully. "The exhilarating feeling of succeeding in front of thousands of people." She laughed and stared me dead in the eye. "And I did it. Father was so proud." She said proudly. "Do you have what it takes?" She asked, her face suddenly transforming into a serious one. My heart slammed against my ribs at her question. All my life, my father had hidden me away in the farthest part of his castle and named me his heir, even before I knew what it meant, and even though Lydia was two years older and had already gotten her wolf. He also betrothed me to the alpha who was next in line for the throne and tonight, after I've transformed, he would claim me under the moonlight. It all seemed like too much responsibility for an eighteen years old who barely knew the world, and now Lydia was putting ideas in my head. "Ly... Lydia, p...please. Don't start." I pleaded. My voice stuttered because I was scared. "Oh, just shut up." She muttered. Then, she smirked and touched my hair again before finally leaving. I let out a sigh of relief, but I noticed the way the omegas were looking at me. As if they knew a secret which I didn't know. Then, it was my father who came next to check in. His blank face held no emotions as he walked and stared at me through the mirror. I couldn't bear to look at him because I didn't want to see the disappointment that he always seemed to harbor whenever it came to me. Lydia was his golden child, and I never understood why he made me heir and betrothed me to the alpha instead of her. More omegas dropped in, holding a white dress in their hands. They placed it on the bed and left again. "That is what you'll be wearing." My father stated. "White?" I asked in confusion. "But this isn't a ceremony for the moon goddess, it's for my transformation. Don't I get to choose what to wear? Lydia didn't wear white two years ago." I complained. My father glared at me with venom. "Your betrothed requested you appear a certain way and you will honor his wishes. Now, be fast with all this bullshit and get to the ceremony. Your carriage is already waiting." He barked and left. Jonathan Ashwood was not a man to be taken lightly and so the omegas doubled down on the preparation. Finally, it was time for me to get dressed. One of them picked up the white gown and brought it close. My breath caught at the beautiful details on the dress. Even though it was an odd choice, I couldn't deny that it was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. "You look so beautiful." One of the omegas said. Her name was Elena. I smiled at her in gratitude. Everything seemed perfect but I couldn't get rid of the sensation that something was about to go terribly wrong. "The carriage is waiting." Elena reminded me. I nodded and shoved my anxiety deep down where I wouldn't be able to reach it and stepped out of the room. Carefully, I walked down the stairs in my heels. My entire family was waiting for me. "My child..." My mother smiled and pecked me on the cheek. "Mother," I replied. It was always weird whenever I received even a little acknowledgment from her because of how much they had sidelined me growing up. I smiled awkwardly, trying not to show that the attention made me uncomfortable. My father extended his elbow for me and I took it gracefully. Lydia was the only one who didn't show any form of affection. We walked out to the porch and saw the carriage idling by the side. I moved to step down so I could get to it when my father drew me back violently. I winced at how tight his grip was on my fist. I turned to look up at him and saw anger brewing beneath his face. "Don't you know the significance of what you're wearing?" He growled. The white dress. Realization suddenly dawned on me and my eyes widened. "Until the priestess gives you the clear, you are not allowed to touch the ground, am I clear?!" I nodded furiously. The omegas handling the carriage stepped forward and lifted me into the carriage. My family walked right behind me as we headed to the square for the ceremony. Everything was already in motion and everyone was already gathered. I smiled, pretending they had all gathered for me even if I wasn't the only one proving her skills today. I looked around from my position, suddenly forgetting about the problems troubling me deep within. But the universe usually had a way of reminding me. The minute I looked forward, my eyes caught Lydia's and she smirked in an evil way. My eyes narrowed suspiciously, wondering what she was about to do. She quickly stepped in front of one of the Omegas carrying me and stuck out her foot. My eyes widened in horror as he stumbled. The rest of the omegas lost their balance, and the carriage came tumbling down. "No, no, no." I cried, wishing I could stop the inevitable. I found myself sprawled all over the ground with my white dress.