Page 10 of Rejected By My Shadow Alpha
He didn't answer.
But he didn't need to.
I saw it in the hard lines of his jaw and the way his eyes refused to meet mine.
"Oh Goddess," I whispered. "You used me."
He slammed his hand on the wall, and I flinched. "I don't care! The Cornerstone Pack and your father are all my enemies!"
Something flickered in his eyes, something raw and dangerous, but he shoved it down with a cruel smile. "He took the Luna of our pack and destroyed everyone and everything that mattered to me." His eyes fell on the silver necklace on my neck. His eyes flashed with an intense fury that made me feel the depth of his anger," and now I've taken from him. I returned the favor." He stepped forward, towering and imposing. "You were just the weapon."
My knees buckled, but I didn't fall. I couldn't fall. I was still naked beneath his gaze, still pulsing from the bond that had flared just moments ago. My wolf whimpered, clawing at me from inside, howling in pain. The mark on my neck burned like a curse.
"You marked me," I whispered, disoriented. "You claimed me, yet you call me your enemy?"
"No." His voice was ice. "I branded you. Big difference."
I flinched, like he'd struck me.
"You're lying," I whispered. "I felt it, Drew. We connected. You wanted me. You kissed me like I was…"
"Stop." His voice cracked like a whip, but something flickered in his eyes…something raw. "Don't confuse lust with fate. You wanted to feel special? That's on you."
My heart broke with every word. "You're my mate."
He laughed, but it wasn't cruel. It was hollow, almost like he was in pain. "Fate's a joke, Ruby, and I'm done pretending it means anything."
His jaw clenched, and he looked away like he couldn't bear to see my face. His fists trembled at his sides, and for a second, his breathing faltered as if the weight of what he was about to do was crushing him.
Then his voice dropped, guttural, broken. "I reject you."
The silence that followed wasn't victorious. It was heavy and suffocating. Like both of us had just lost something neither of us truly understood. The words hit me like a physical blow. I felt my chest split open, and something sacred was ripped out. My lungs forgot how to breathe.
"No…" I gasped, clutching at my bare chest, trembling. "You… you can't…"
He turned away.
I felt dizzy and sick. My dress lay crumpled on the floor like the ruin of something sacred. I yanked it up with shaking fingers, not even trying to zip it. My hands wouldn't obey.
"You'll regret this," I rasped, tears clouding my vision.
He turned slowly. His eyes were cold and unreadable. "I doubt it."
"Coward," I spat, my voice full of venom. "You would rather suffer in your hate."
He flinched at that but only for a moment. Then his features hardened again. "Good. Now you know how it feels to lose the people you love. Tell your father I am coming for him."
I choked on a sob and straightened my shoulders. I wouldn't cry here, not in front of him. I adjusted my torn strap with trembling fingers, my heels clicking against the cold floor as I walked to the door.
"Ruby," he said suddenly, his voice strained.
I didn't let him finish. "I hate you," I said, my voice cracking.
He nodded, his eyes resolute. "Good," he said. "Hate will keep you warm."
I stumbled out the door, blood on my neck, betrayal in my chest. Every step felt like knives, but I didn't stop. I wouldn't. I had a thousand questions about Drew, my father, and Drew's clan being wiped out by my father. But first, I had to survive this heartbreak because what's worse than being betrayed? Being betrayed by someone your soul chose. The tears fell hard and fast.
Chapter 4
