"No..." Luther whispered disbelief etched on his face. "No, this can’t be. The Moon Goddess… she wouldn’t… she wouldn’t make this mistake."
My heart clenched at his words. Of course, he would think this was a mistake. I could see it in his eyes—the anger, the denial, the sheer disbelief that someone like me could ever be destined for someone like him.
He took a step back as if repelled by the very idea, his lip curling in disgust. “My fated mate is you?” He snarled, the words dripping with venom. “Ridiculous!”
The room went deathly silent, every eye on us, on this spectacle of the Alpha and the slave. Whispers rippled through the crowd, a wave of shock and disbelief. The guests from other packs exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves, their eyes full of pity and scorn.
But I barely noticed them. All I could feel was the crushing weight of humiliation bearing down on me, the sting of Luther’s words like daggers piercing my heart. Tears welled up in my eyes, unbidden, and I clenched my hands into fists to stop them from falling.
Enough. I’d had enough.
I’d been broken down, humiliated, and stepped on for too long. I lost my parents, I lost my sister, I lost everything that ever mattered to me. And now… now, this? Being rejected, humiliated, by the one person who was supposed to cherish me above all others?
Why? Why me? Why must I suffer endlessly?
I straightened my back, lifting my head slowly. For the first time in a year, I forced myself to stand tall, just like I did in my own pack. My gaze sharpened. I wouldn’t let him see me crumble. Not today.
Luther sneered at me, his voice cold and sharp as he spat out the words. “Don’t even think about it. I will never accept a slave as my mate.” His eyes hardened, and he took a step forward, his jaw set with grim determination. “I, Luther Casimir, rejec—”
“Stop!” My voice rang out, clear and strong, cutting through the air before he could finish.
The room gasped, but I didn’t flinch. I met his gaze head-on, raising my chin defiantly. I’d endured enough. If this was how it must end, then so be it. I would rather die on my feet than live another day on my knees.