Chapter Five : Unspoken Rejection

Chapter Five

Vaelora's POV 

Cold air hits my skin, making me shudder. I hold my breath, watching him walk graciously to the empty seat but with a nonchalance I've never seen before.

The hall is drop dead silent as everyone focuses on him. I can hear my heart beating loudly in my chest, awe and anticipation wrestling for a space in my head.

"He's beautiful." Maya whispers besides me but all I can do is nod, unable to tear my gaze away from this man.

'How on earth could someone so divine be my fated mate?'

With a gentleness I've never seen, he sits on the chair and flattens the sleeve of his garment with his hands before looking.

I sharply turn to Maya, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest as our gazes almost meet.

“What's wrong? Are you okay?” There's concern written all over her face as she asks but I can only nod.

“Y-yes.” 

Her brows furrow. She doesn't believe me. “Are you sure? Why did you turn your head like that?” 

I clear my throat and look away, making sure to avoid his gaze.

“Nothing. I just turned to see if you were still here with me since you've been whispering how beautiful he looks and all of a sudden, you were quiet.” 

“Oh..” I can hear the excitement slowly returning to her voice. Good.

I can't lie for shit.

“Well, isn't he? He's so dreamy.” She clutches her chest, staring at his direction with wide eyes.

“Y-yes. He is.” I'd be mad to deny how absolutely gorgeous this man looks and that's why I can't believe what Blair is saying.

This man, with all of his grace and poise, would never be mated to me by the moon goddess. Heck, not even by chance or being forced.

I'm not so lucky. Never been, and probably will never be.

“Fiona hasn't said anything to me yet.” Maya complains and I turn to look at her.

There's a deep frown on her face and strands of her hair have been pulled back behind her ears.

“What?” I ask, in confusion.

“Fiona, my wolf. She hasn't said anything about him being my mate yet.” 

I stare at her, wondering if she's suddenly gone nuts before bursting out in laughter. Although it doesn't last long as my injured nose screams at me in pain.

“Ouch.” I cry out, rubbing the bridge.

A snort escapes her lips and I glare at her with a nudge to the side.

“Seriously though. Do you want Fiona to tell you that he's your mate?”

‘Mate.’  

My body stills as Blair roars inside me again. I resist all urge to turn back around and glance at him, training my mind to focus on Maya who's having a hard time with her inner wolf.

“In a way. I think I just want to find my own mate. Or he should find me. I'm tired of being in that house too, Vae. I just want to belong as well.”

My heart hurts for her but just as I open my mouth to speak, the host's voice blares through the mic.

“Thank you for your patience, everyone. It's now time for the soon to be crowned Alpha of the NightMoor Pack to be crowned. But before that, please enjoy yourselves.” He bows and quickly leaves the podium.

Still fixated on the bar stand and knowing that if I turn my head, our eyes will meet, I place a reassuring arm around Maya's shoulder and pull her close to me.

“I'm sure you'll find him. Maybe he could be the one and Fiona is just trying to mess with your head.” My heart aches as I say those words, the thoughts of him being mated to Maya piercing through my heart like a sword on skin.

I'd never recover if that should happen, even though I love my best friend to death.

“You think so?” She raises her head up to look at me but I don't meet her eyes.

“Well, there's a chance. You said it yourself.” I retrieve my hand and pick up my drink, unknowingly turning in his direction.

A gasp leaves my lips as our eyes meet. He's watching me, intently. Even from afar, silver dances in his deep, hazel eyes with a black rim around it. Heat rises up my face, my heart pulsating loudly as we lock eyes, none ready to look away.

His gaze is heavy and loaded. He's staring into my soul and a strong pull is pushing my body to go to him. His eyes twitch and I know he can feel it too but there's something else I notice.

There's an unreadable expression on his face, one I can't seem to understand and it scares me. As much as I know that he can also feel the mate pull, the feeling of resistance from him settles deep inside my stomach.

‘Go to mate. Now.’

Blair says but this time, her voice is low, almost as if she's begging.

‘I can't.’ 

I press down on my thigh, pinching myself to try and pull myself out of his unwavering gaze but I can't, until I catch the annoyance in his eyes and he looks away, almost as if he's disgusted with himself for staring too long.

“Are you good?” Maya asks and I nod, sipping on my drink in an attempt to swallow down the lump of disappointment hanging in my throat.

What did I think? That he'd want me? Of course he wouldn't. Although for a minute, I'd hoped he would. That for once, someone finally sees me and chooses me and even though he hasn't outrightly rejected me, I could see his resistance from his countenance and body language. The way he looked away like my stare burned, the twist of his lips into a frown.

Oh goddess. 

What if I'm reading it all wrong? That he'd actually pronounce me his mate? Can I ever have such a fate and change my life? 

“Thank you for your patience. We had a minor issue to attend to. “ The host begins, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“It's time for our Future pack leader to tell us if he's been able to find his mate so that we can begin with the coronation.” He pauses, glancing at Zarek who is standing up from his seat with a blank expression on his face.

He looks like he would be anywhere but here.

“Thank you.” He says as he takes the mic from the host and clears his throat, not meeting anyone's gaze.

I drop my glass on the table with a shaky hand, my heart pausing with the stillness of the hall as I wait for him to speak. To decide what becomes of me.

“Oh my gosh, Vae. He's about to pick someone!” Maya squeals beside me, excitement oozing from her entire body as she wraps her hands around mine.

An unsettling feeling churns in my stomach as I watch him, waiting for him to speak. He suddenly glances at me and my breath catches in my throat, a part of me wanting to look the other way but another part of me, the one that's hoping he says my name holds his gaze.

“I found her. My mate.” He says without looking away, his voice smooth like honey and caramel. The hall erupts in cheers and claps, dying down as quickly as it comes.

I swallow, my inside flaring up with heat as I try to contain the building happiness in my chest.

Is this really happening?

“I've been searching for her for years but I didn't realize that she was right beside me. Now that I know, I'm not letting her go.” Our eyes are still locked and even though he hasn't said my name yet, my heart is swirling with joy.

He's been looking for me. 

Tears pool in my eyes but I quickly blink it away, making sure Maya doesn't hear the small sniff I blow in.

Slowly, he tears his gaze away from me and I follow the direction of his eyes.

They land on a pale woman sitting alone at the far end of the bar, holding a glass of red wine to her lips with a cocked brow. Her hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail, the exposed skin of her neck shining brightly under the lights in the room.

She doesn't notice the entire hall staring in her direction until he speaks.

“Nyra.” He calls out, a small smile forming on his lips.

All the air leaves my lungs as I watch her look up at her with an innocent smile, almost as if she's been waiting for him to say those words.

Blood rises up to my heart, my body instantly going rigid in fear as I realize what he's about to do.

No.

Please.

“Will you do me the honors of being my Luna?” He asks and the silence in the hall envelopes me in a deathly choke, bringing my fear to life.

He's rejecting me.

Just like I thought he would.