Reject You As My Mate

"Are you out of your mind?" she shouted, her voice sharp with anger. He clenched his fists tightly, glaring back at her. Both of them stood face-to-face, tension thick in the air, their tempers flaring like fire. His eyes stung, and he blinked rapidly before rubbing them roughly. The burning was intense, making him growl under his breath.

Without a word, she yanked off her hoodie and tossed it toward him, hitting him in the chest.

"Press it on your eyes. Then gently wipe beneath them. It’ll ease the sting," she said, her tone still rough but calm enough to follow. He hesitated, surprised by her sudden care, but did as she advised. The soft fabric cooled his skin, soothing the irritation until it faded. His shoulders dropped slightly in relief. Slowly, he lifted one eyebrow and turned his gaze to her, unsure of what to make of her actions.

He didn’t expect help from her. Not after everything.

"I’m not worried about smelling like you," she said with a sly grin, "but now you’ll definitely carry my scent."

His eyes widened as he realized he was gripping her hoodie against his chest. He hadn’t meant to. His body stiffened, and he clenched his jaw, glancing at her in disbelief.

"You shouldn’t have crossed the line with me," he said, his voice low and threatening. He stepped toward her, fists clenched, clearly ready to hurt her. But as he stood just a breath away from her, something inside him froze. His hands shook, but he couldn’t do it. No matter how angry he was, something held him back.

It was Liam, his wolf.

"If you touch her, I’ll turn against you," Liam warned inside his mind. Luther Steph gritted his teeth, jaw tight as he tried to ignore the voice in his head. His wolf’s words echoed louder than his rage. He didn’t look away from the woman in front of him, and she didn’t move, simply watching him closely. She was calm, but her eyes stayed locked on his every movement.

Luther dropped his gaze, breathing deeply to settle himself. His chest rose and fell slowly before he finally looked back at her, his expression different now. Hurt. Resigned.

"I, Luther Steph, no longer accept you as my mate," he said quietly. A single tear slipped from his eye. His wolf, Liam, let out a soft whimper, then a broken howl echoed inside him. The pain of cutting the connection between them was raw, tearing through both man and beast.

She gasped, eyes wide with shock, and took a step back...

"Mate," she whispered, struggling to accept what she just heard. Her heart pounded, confused and hurt, while Liam smirked deep within Luther Steph’s mind, proud of himself for turning against Liam—the very wolf who dared to defy him.

"You wanted to stand in my way for her. But look at how deep my love for you runs. I had to destroy the reason causing it," Liam responded coldly from inside, his voice quiet but firm. Luther gave a slight grin and turned his gaze to her. But the satisfaction in his face quickly disappeared when he noticed the sadness building in her eyes. They shimmered with tears she was trying not to shed.

Before he could question her or figure out why she was suddenly so emotional, a man came into view from behind and calmly placed his hand around her waist, holding her close.

"Valentine... we should go now. We need to arrive on time," the man said, speaking softly while looking into her eyes.

Luther clenched his fists tightly, trying to hold himself back. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the stranger’s hand resting on her waist. He didn’t speak, but the warning in his glare said enough.

"Yeah... sorry, it slipped my mind. Let’s go," she muttered under her breath, keeping her face down as they walked off together.

Luther stood there, silent. Watching her go, unsure if the bond he just broke was truly broken in his heart.

"Not so effortlessly," Luther Steph declared, his voice strained, but before he could make any move or grasp Valentine Spade's hand, a thick, opaque haze enveloped the entire vicinity. The sudden appearance of the smoke was disorienting, its acrid scent stinging his nostrils. He began to cough uncontrollably, the fumes burning his throat and lungs, forcing him to retreat a few paces. His vision became indistinct, a swirling vortex of grays and blacks, making it impossible to distinguish anything clearly. He extended his arms, blindly reaching out, desperate to locate Valentine Spade, to ensure her safety or at least to confirm her presence, but his efforts were futile. The dense smoke created an impenetrable barrier, isolating him in a world of sensory deprivation. Panic began to set in, a cold dread creeping up his spine as he realized he was utterly helpless, unable to see or protect her. The silence, broken only by his own ragged breathing and the distant sounds of the city, was unnerving. He strained his ears, hoping to catch a sound, a whisper, anything that would tell him she was still there, but there was nothing.

"The Alpha," he discerned Micha's voice, a welcome sound cutting through the oppressive silence and the lingering haze. Luther Steph immediately pivoted, his head snapping in the direction of the sound, his blurred vision attempting to focus on his friend. Micha's presence was a small anchor in the chaos, a familiar point in a world that had suddenly become alien.

"Are you alright?" Micha inquired, his tone filled with genuine concern, his own voice slightly muffled by the dissipating smoke.

"Indeed, I am, and you?" Luther Steph responded, his voice still a little hoarse from the coughing fit. He quickly assessed Micha, his eyes scanning for any signs of injury, a deep sense of responsibility for his packmate overriding his own discomfort.

"I am also fine," Micha confirmed, his voice steady. Luther Steph gave a brief nod, a silent acknowledgment of their shared ordeal and their mutual relief. As the smoke began to thin, gradually revealing the surroundings, and the air cleared, his gaze instinctively darted towards the spot where Valentine Spade had been standing. His eyes widened in shock; she was no longer there. He frantically scanned the area, his head swiveling from side to side, searching every shadow, every corner, but she was utterly absent. She had vanished without a trace. It was as if she had simply disappeared into thin air.