Cruel Rejection

Chapter 1

📍Shannon📍

Today is the day I officially get to be mated to my boyfriend. I had waited for this day all my life, and now that it's finally here, I can't contain my excitement. The thought of it alone sends a shiver down my spine.

My sister, Karen, was my rock through it all. She had supported me with the best dress for the event. I was never one for fashion; my introverted nature had kept me in the comfort of plain, modest dresses. But Karen? She knew exactly what would make me look good.

And as I stood there in front of her, the silky fabric hugging my figure just right, I silently thank her.

As we made our way through the crowd, I could feel the energy of the room building up inside me. The sound of loud music buzzed through every corner, with people clapping and cheering happily, all moving to the beat of the music. 

But amidst the large crowd, my eyes were only searching for one person.

Damien. My mate.

I stood there, scanning the room carefully when suddenly I heard a familiar voice behind me. Turning around, I saw Damien wrapped up with Karen in what seemed like an intimate embrace.

When Damien's eyes met mine, his expression changed in a split second. His gaze darkened, his body went stiff, and he quickly pulled himself from Karen.

A strange feeling settled in my chest, a dull ache of unease. But I pushed it aside. They were probably just catching up. It wasn't unusual for an affinal family to be close, right?

I took a deep breath and walked up to him, reaching out for the warmth of his embrace.

But he shoved me off.

A quiet, sharp rejection.

“We shouldn’t be doing this here. Come on,” he said, barely sparing me a glance. Then, he turned to Karen, his voice softening.

“Do you mind dancing with me?” 

I froze.

My stomach twisted painfully as he reached for her hand.

Karen’s lips parted in surprise, but then—she nodded.

Just like that, he led her to the dance floor, grabbing her waist like they belonged together. Anyone who sees them would definitely mistake them for a couple.

My mind raced in thoughts. Something had to be wrong. Damien and Karen had never even met before today—at least, not to my knowledge. Could they have crossed paths without me knowing? 

No. That's not possible.

Karen would have told me long ago if she had met him before. 

I clenched my hands into fists, forcing myself to breathe. Maybe he just wanted a good dance partner. Maybe he didn't choose me because he knew I wasn’t a good dancer. Yes, that had to be it. That had to be the reason.

But deep down, an unsettling fear gnawed at me, whispering that something was terribly, terribly wrong.

Then, the music faded, and the hall fell into a still silence. It was time.

Damien was about to choose his mate.

I sat up straighter, my heart racing.

His father, the Alpha, stood tall at the center of the hall, his voice commanding as he addressed the crowd.

“Damien, you are to go round and choose a mate for yourself. When you have, bring her right here so we can all see her and seal the bond between you both.” He announced, handing over the mantle of power to him.

A proud smile played on my lips. I didn’t have to worry. He had already chosen me.

Damien rose to his feet, his presence commanding, powerful. But he didn’t reach for the ceremonial mantle. He didn’t need to.

“I’ve found my mate already,” he announced, his voice firm, resolute.

My heart swelled with happiness as he stepped forward.

This was it.

I held my breath, my fingers trembling with excitement as I watched him move through the crowd, his gaze locked ahead—straight towards me.

But then…

He walked right past me.

The world around me blurred as I turned, my stomach burning.

Damien wasn’t coming for me.

He was walking toward Karen.

And before I could even process what was happening, he took her hand and pulled her into his arms.

Gasps echoed through the hall, but I barely heard them over the deafening silence in my head.

My breath came in short, shallow bursts as I stared, frozen in shock. This can’t be real.

Then, suddenly, my body moved on its own.

I stirred forward, racing towards him in desperation. I grabbed his arm, my grip tight, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Damien, what’s going on? I thought—” My voice cracked, my chest constricting painfully.

He turned around, his dark eyes boring into mine.

And for the first time in my life—

I saw nothing but cold hatred in them.

A slow, cruel smirk spread across his lips.

“Thought what?” He taunted, his voice dripping with amusement. “That I would accept someone like you as my mate?”

His laughter was sharp, cutting through me like a blade. My knees wobbled.

“You disgust me, Shannon.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, my heart shattering into a million pieces.

“You are nothing but a pathetic, weak omega,” he continued, his voice laced with venom. “What makes you think I would ever choose you?”

The words crashed into me, stealing the air from my lungs.

I looked down at myself, at the dress Karen had chosen for me. I had felt beautiful just moments ago. Now, I felt like nothing.

But Damien wasn’t done.

“You know what? I might as well put you in your place.” His eyes gleamed with a sinister smile.

My heart pounded in my chest as he took a step forward, towering over me.

“I, Damien Trax, reject you, Shannon Clark, as my fated mate.”

The words struck like lightning, burning into my soul, ripping me apart from the inside out.

Pain. A searing, unbearable pain exploded in my chest. The mate bond—breaking.

Tears blurred my vision as my hands trembled at my sides.

“I advise you to get the fuck out of here before I have the guards throw you out.” He continued, his voice etched with disdain.

Then, with a triumphant smirk, he raised Karen’s hand high, claiming her before everyone.

He leaned down and pressed a deliberate kiss to her cheek.

The room erupted with gasps, but I barely heard them.

Everything inside me shattered.

Just then Damien turned to his father, his voice filled with confidence, with certainty.

“Karen is the one I have chosen. She is my fated mate.”