CHAPTER 3: The One I Rejected

DAPHNE’S POV

I was eighteen.

The hospital was quite empty when I arrived because it was already very late. My younger brother, Daven, was standing by the reception desk, seemingly inquiring about something.

"Daven," I called out, my body drenched in sweat.

"Daphne!" Daven turned around, ran over to me, and gave me an update. "Father is fine. He’s sleeping. Do you want to go visit him?"

"Is Mom there?"

"Yes, she’s keeping watch by his side in case he needs anything." Daven pulled me toward a chair, and we sat down. He pursed his lips. "I’m sorry, sister. We should have been at home celebrating your birthday."

"Is that why Father was driving home early?"

"Yes. Everyone thought it would be a surprise to celebrate a day early." The smile faded from his face. "But I didn't expect it to turn out like this."

"Do you know why his car went into the river?"

"Father fell asleep at the wheel."

"Just like that?" I was momentarily dazed, my thoughts drifting toward other possibilities.

"It seems so. Are you okay? You look... weak." Daven placed his hand on my forehead. "You’re burning up. I’ll go get you some medicine."

"No, I’m just... a little tired. I’ll go home. If anything happens to Father, let me know, okay?" I stood up.

"Yes, but are you really okay? I’ll ask Theron to drive you home."

"No!" I almost shouted, drawing the attention of the entire hospital. I lowered my voice, feeling embarrassed by my brother's stunned expression. "No, I’ll go home by myself. I can just take a taxi."

"It’s almost 12 o’clock. Theron needs to head back to the pack anyway, and he’ll pass by our house."

"Theron is here?"

"Yes, he was the one who brought Father in." Daven replied, looking behind me, "There, he’s right there."

I turned around, my heart pounding faster. Theron seemed to have just stepped out of the toilet; his entire body was soaking wet. He was walking toward us.

"Can you take her home? She’s not feeling well," Daven asked.

"Sure." Theron nodded and stepped forward. "Let’s go, Daphne."

He opened the car door for me. My whole body froze for a second before Daven pushed me forward. I stepped out the door, and Theron followed. We both remained silent the entire way to the parking lot, and we stayed that way until the car stopped in front of my house.

"Thank you." I quickly opened the car door and dashed out.

Theron frowned, getting out of the car with me. I walked to the porch. He remained there when I unlocked the front door. He looked like he wanted to come in, but I blocked him. "I'm inside now."

Theron arched an eyebrow. "I need to make sure there are no intruders."

"Intruders?" I laughed. "There aren't any. You can smell the air yourself!"

Theron pushed me aside and stepped inside. "Get ready for bed."

He liked to give orders. He had been like that since we were kids. It wasn't just because he was two years older than me, but because he was just like his father, Alpha Nicholas. My mother thought he would eventually become an Alpha just like his father.

However, he was overly calm and quiet. I had been close to him when I was little, but he would only show up to watch the fun, never participating.

Sometimes people thought he was distant, but I knew he was very close to us, especially my family. That was why he acted so fiercely protective. As for me, I usually tried to make him feel comfortable in our home.

"You can use the bathroom, you know. You can wear Father’s clothes; they might be a bit old-fashioned, but they’ll look decent," I called out as he went to check the kitchen.

He nodded silently, not even bothering to ask if I was alright. I ignored him and headed upstairs.

"Daphne," Theron called out suddenly. I stopped and looked down at him. He was standing at the foot of the stairs, looking up at me. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you," I smiled, then headed up to my room.

Once upstairs, I rushed into the bathroom, and I began to hear the sound of water running downstairs.

Perhaps it was fate that kept my family at the hospital, leaving the house all to ourselves. As I stepped out of the bathtub and entered my room, wrapped in a white towel, I hadn't even had a chance to close the door yet.

Just as the clock struck midnight, my body temperature began to soar as if I were burning. My heart constricted so violently that I fell to the floor. An intoxicating, intense scent overwhelmed my senses. My vision suddenly blurred.

Fast footsteps echoed up the stairs, then stopped.

I looked up because the scent and the desire were filling my body. He stood there, wearing nothing but a pair of my father's sweatpants. The bulge between his legs was prominent. Water clung to his bare, toned abs, and a few droplets rested on the dark chest hair, glistening like undiscovered diamonds.

His face was radiant, handsome. He curled the corner of his lips in a devious smile. "Everything is exactly as it should be."

Just like that, he lifted me into his arms. When he laid me on the bed, my entire body screamed that I belonged to him, and he to me, forever.

I let the desire take control, not refusing his sweet kiss. His scent was amazing, and his hasty, clumsy movements were endearing.

He bit my neck, then kissed it. Kisses were scattered across my face and chest. His hand slid between my legs, bringing the first pleasure of my life.

"Theron..." I could only moan his name while he was between my legs, as he penetrated deep inside me.

All that remained was the instinct of two teenage werewolves who had just caught the scent of their fated mate. He took me from pain to bliss. I scratched his skin, kissed him, and left my own obsessive bite marks on him.

By the time it was over, by the time I lay beside him with my hand on his chest and he had fallen asleep, I realized everything was terrible...

That morning, I woke up early, dressed properly, and waited for him to wake up. I sat on a chair, trying to stay as far away from him as possible.

He woke up and flashed a radiant smile. It was the first time he had smiled like that at me. It was sad that I had to extinguish it.

Looking deep into his eyes, I opened my mouth. "I, Daphne Leandros..."

"Daphne! Don't you dare!" Theron roared.

"...reject the fated mate bond with Theron Aethelion. I accept all the consequences this brings."

As soon as I finished, my head ached like crazy. Theron clutched his face and screamed horribly. I was no better; everything in front of me turned pitch black. Two streams of liquid flowed from my eyes and nose. My heart pounded madly. My body burned as if I were being consumed by fire.

I collapsed to the floor and groaned.

"Why, Daphne? Why?" Theron asked me, in agony.

"Because it has to be this way, Theron. Because it has to be!"

I never regretted the decision to reject Theron back then. Even though it caused us both excruciating pain and pushed me to the decision to leave Junglerage.

I knew that the right and most logical thing to do was to reject him.