CHAPTER 4: REJECTION

Elaine's POV 

The hall buzzed with loud music. Gold and purple draped across every pillar. The crystal lights hung overhead, giving a cool but sophisticated aura. Mates clinged to each other, their fingers intertwined, whispering and laughing like the night only belonged to them.

At the center, Finn stood in a purple tuxedo, shaking hands and smiling wide for the guests. Beside him stood Olivia arm linked with his, giving her brightest smile. Laughing at the slightest joke made.

Behind them was my father–Maxwell, arms linked with my stepmother, smiling at Olivia. The same smile he once gave me before it turned ice cold. One would think they were a nice and perfect family until they got into their closet.

I slid into the corners, making myself invisible to the whole scenario. Perhaps, if I stood there, the whole night would forget I ever existed.

“Oh look who's hiding” a familiar voice laughed behind me — kylie.

“It's the Alpha's reject” Cassandra joined, completing her statement like they had rehearsed it before coming to meet me.

I turned, my gaze meeting theirs. “And who do we have here?” I smirked “ it's leaches minions, who do nothing but smear others' names whenever they get the opportunity.” I fired back, smiling slowly but sharp.

Their expression cracked for half a second — disbelief, then anger. It had always been that way, after Finn's betrayal, I had grown more guts than I had. 

I didn't wait for their reply. I turned and left them. Hiding in another corner.

“Why are you here Elly?” A worried familiar voice cut through the silence behind me.

I turned around to see Clara standing, hands crossed her chest waiting for an answer.

“He requested my presence, and I can't defy it else the consequence will be brutal as he's the soon to be alpha.”

She sighed, closing the gap between us, she wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

“Everything will be fine bestie, everything will be fine" she whispered, her breath warm in my ears.

“You are all welcome to the annual mating ceremony” The announcer’s voice cut through the chatter bringing a silence to the noisy crowd as everyone took their respective seats.

I broke the hug, urging Clara to return to her seat. She stared at me for a while, then said "I'll see you later.” with that she left.

“As we all know, those who have found their mates will come forward with their partner, for them to be blessed by the elders and the Alpha thus recognizing their union” Thunderous claps and whistles erupted from the audience.

“All mates should come forward with their respective partner.”

The announcer stepped off the stage.

The hall surged back to life. Couples moved forward, fingers intertwined with their partners. Finn and Olivia were ahead, leading the long queue towards the elders. 

Finn's hand was tight around her waist. My throat tightened. Each step they took felt like it was pressing down on me, cutting my source of breath.

Something was whispered in Finn's ear. His smile disappeared. The light in his face went out, replaced with a cold and flat expression. He scanned the room looking for someone. As his gaze landed on me, his face twisted in disgust.

“Elaine Theodore” I heard my name ring out. All heads turned. Olivia's smile stretched wider, sharp and satisfied.

“Elaine Theodore” 

The announcer called again. My chest flared hot. 

“ What could they want from me now?” I thought. Legs unsteady, I forced myself out of the corner.

“present,” was all I managed to say.

“Step up the podium, please.” I cautiously climbed the little stairs, fearing that I would trip and fall flat on my face with all the stares boring into my skin. I kept my face down, striding to where the announcer stood.

Finn, already there, took the mic from the announcer without a word.

“ I Finn walker, soon to be Alpha of Whisperbane Hollow, hereby renounce you as my mate” 

My body began to tremble. The pains were much worse than what I felt the previous day. It felt like my heart was being ripped apart forcefully. The weight on me intensified, my knees buckled beneath me, dropping me hard on the floor.

Tears burned my eyes, but I forced my head up. If he wanted to throw me away in front of everyone, fine. I wouldn't let him say I begged

"I reject you too, Finn Walker as my mate." I said, my voice shaking but clear. 

"I sever this bond." 

Murmurs and gasp erupted from the crowd after hearing my rejection. Olivia stared at me eyes wide, mouth agape.

Another wave of agony rolled through me as the last bond snapped. My wolf howled inside me, silent to everyone else. 

Finn's face twitched. For half a second he looked caught off guard.

“No matter how strong you try to prove you are, you are still weak.” He crouched down close enough, that I could see the contempt in his eyes.

“Let that stick to your empty brain. And no matter how stubborn you try to act, standing up to me, you will still remain a weakling—nothing more.” 

He stood up, straightened his shirt, like he had just discarded trash and walked away without looking back.

“Thirty thousand dollars.” A masculine voice cut through the silence like a knife. loud enough for everyone to hear. 

Someone hissed. “Nightshade.” A mother near the front pulled her daughter behind her, eyes locked on the floor. No one wanted to be noticed.

“I'll purchase the Alpha's rejects for Thirty thousand dollars.” He repeated, stepping forward. Eyes studying me.

The hall went dead silent.

It was Beta Israel. The beta of the most feared pack—Nightshade Nook.

My father stood up and strode towards him. Scanning him from head to toe. 

“No" His voice was flat, final. For a second I thought he would reject it.

"Hundred thousand dollars.” 

color drained from my face. His words hung in the air, and my mind refused to process them. I stayed there, staring at the man I believed to be my father.

Clara ran towards the podium trying to come towards me but was stopped by the guards. She looked pale, fuming in anger, she wrestled her way with the guards rushing to my side.

“Elly” she called, taking my frozen body into her hands. 

His eyes dragged down my body like he was checking livestock for breeding.

“Seventy." 

“Hundred thousand. That's final." My father said, turning to return back to his seat.

“Fine. We have a deal.” Beta Israel said.

My father turned, he stared at me for a while before turning back to him. “Deal” 

A cheque was slid into his hands.

My father took one last glance at me, “Don't embarrass me again." He said coldly, straightened his suit, and returned back to his seat.

He strode towards me ignoring Clara pleas. 

“It's time little miss, I'll give you enough time to bid your friend goodbye" with which he left without waiting for a reply.

Striding towards the mic, he took it from Finn to address the audience.

“Beta Israel of the Nightshade Nook sends Alpha Dylan's dearest regards. She is no longer yours but ours” He declared dropping the mic like trash.

No introduction. 

No reasons.

Just declaring ownership and plain cold greetings from a name that sent shivers down my spine.