Chapter 7

Cold Treatment.

Lena’s POV

“Ouch!” I groaned in pain as my knees hit the cold, jagged floor of the cave. The echo of my fall bounced off the stone walls, blending with the howling wind outside.

I could feel the rejection seeping through every inch of my body—like a poison running wild through my veins, burning, shredding, destroying. My wolf whimpered deep inside, a sound of agony and loss that made my heart twist painfully.

I forced my trembling hands against the floor, trying to push myself up. My fingers slipped on the damp surface, and I collapsed again.

Tears welled up, hot and blinding, but I swallowed them back. No. I refused to give in. I refused to let him see me broken.

He stood there, motionless. Kade. My mate. My curse.

His expression was void—cold, almost detached—as if what he’d just done was nothing more than a meaningless chore. No remorse. No hesitation. No sympathy.

The pain in my chest intensified as our bond snapped completely. My wolf howled in anguish, clawing against my mind, begging for release, but there was no comfort—only silence, only emptiness.

“Lena…” Kade’s voice broke through the echo of my shallow breathing.

I looked up, my vision hazy but my fury sharp. “Don’t.” My voice was hoarse, but the word cut like glass. “You don’t get to say my name after rejecting me.”

He took a cautious step forward, guilt flickering across his face. “You don’t understand. I had no choice—”

I pushed myself up, stumbling to my feet. My body screamed in protest, but anger was stronger than pain. “No choice?” I spat, my eyes blazing. “You chose her, Kade. You chose your pride. You chose the easy path. Don’t insult me with lies.”

He looked away, jaw tightening. “Lena, listen to me. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. I’ll—”

“Don’t,” I snapped again, my voice trembling. “Don’t you dare pity me.”

“Camilla—”

I laughed bitterly. “Camilla is nothing but your shield. You think hiding behind her will make you strong? You think rejecting me makes you a better Alpha?” I took a step closer, my voice low and fierce. “You’re not strong, Kade. You’re a coward. The moon goddess chose me for a reason. But you—you just spat in her face.”

He clenched his fists, but his eyes betrayed uncertainty. “You’re wolfless, Lena. You wouldn’t survive beside me. I’m protecting you from a fate you can’t handle.”

I stared at him, disbelief turning to disgust. “Protecting me? You broke me.” My voice quivered, thick with unshed tears. “But don’t worry, Kade Marlowe. One day, you’ll wish you never said those words.”

I turned and walked out before my knees gave way again. The cool night air slapped my face, mingling with the tears I could no longer hold back. Each step away from him felt like tearing open a new wound—but I kept walking. I had to.

By the time I reached home, my legs were trembling, my head spinning. The small wooden cabin I shared with my family came into view, its lights flickering weakly through the window. I hesitated before pushing the door open.

My brother, Skylar was sitting by the fire, his face dark with anger. He looked up as I entered, his eyes narrowing. “Where have you been?”

I said nothing. I didn’t have the strength to explain. My silence only enraged him further.

“You were with him, weren’t you?” he barked, standing up abruptly. “You’re a disgrace, Lena! You’re bringing shame to this family!”

“I—Skylar, please, I’m not—”

Before I could finish, his hand came flying across my face. The sound of the slap cracked through the small room. I staggered backward, the world spinning, my cheek burning like fire.

“Skylar!” I gasped, holding my face. “Stop—”

He advanced again, eyes wild. “You’ve always been a curse to us! Now the whole pack will know you’ve been rejected! How do you think that makes us look?”

“I didn’t ask for this!” I shouted back, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Do you think I wanted it? That I wanted to be rejected?!”

He raised his hand again—but before it could land, the door creaked open.

Our mother stepped in, her expression cold as ice. She froze at the sight of me—tears, blood on my lip, trembling. But instead of concern, disgust twisted her face.

“What have you done now?” she hissed.

I stumbled forward, trying to steady myself. “Mom, I—”

She shoved me back before I could finish. The force wasn’t much, but I was weak—too weak. I hit the edge of the table, almost falling.

“You’re bringing bad luck into this house,” she snapped. “You’ve embarrassed us enough already. First you're wolfless, now you’re rejected by your Mate? Maybe you are cursed.”

Her words pierced deeper than Kade’s rejection. I stood there, shaking, breath shallow, heart aching. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

I realized then—there was no place for me here anymore. Not in Kade’s world. Not even in my own home.

The moon outside glowed faintly through the window, casting a silver light over the tears streaming down my face. My wolf whimpered again, broken and lost.

But somewhere beneath the pain, a spark flickered. A small, defiant spark that whispered—

This isn’t the end.

I straightened slowly, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. My voice came out barely above a whisper, but steady.

“You’ll all see,” I murmured. “You’ll see who I really am.”

My eyes widened with shame. I couldn't withstand the insult raining down on me, so out of impatience, I barked at her, “I'm not cursed! I'm not! You need to go and ask the moon goddess what you did that affected me.”

Then I turned with intense fury, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces—but my will hardening into steel.

A gentle grin grabbed my arm, I shook with surprise. I turned back immediately and my eyes landed on my mother. Her eyes blazed with fury.

“You said I'm responsible for your wolfless and cursed nature!” Her thick voice thundering across the room. I became silent, bowing to the overwhelming strength she held me. “How will I cause it to be rejected because of your wolflessness? Did I give birth to you for that to happened?”

Her voice rises with each syllable. “She was just born to bring disgrace to us.” Skylar said, his voice firm.

I couldn't talk despite the effort I tried to resist the allegations and the inhumane treatment.

“Can't you talk?” She shrieked, her voice feral. I shook, trembling with fear. She raised her hand, squeezed my neck so tight that I could barely breathe.