Chapter 4

Luciana's POV

I could feel my heart stop beating for a moment upon hearing those words from my own mate's mouth. His words were like a sharp knife, piercing down to my heart, reaching to my soul.

I never heard such painful words before, except from him and I can't believe this to be excruciating. Yes, I was hurt even if I didn't know him that much. But we already felt each other. I could feel a connection to him that I never had before and the pain in my heart now is valid.

“Alpha Massimo, you can't do that to me. We are mates, and we couldn't disobey the Moon Goddess' decision…”

I hope I didn't sound like I was begging him to keep me as his mate. But I was just giving him an option. Rejection can be painful, and I started to feel it now.

I looked at him deep into his ocean blue eyes. His lips curled into a playful smirk as he looked back at me.

“Who the hell are you to tell me what to do? I can reject whoever I want, and you're included. I never expected that my destined mate smelled like that,” he responded, covering his nose.

I just bit my lower lips, keeping my tears from falling. It's just so painful that he rejected me in front of everyone. He never hesitated to utter those words without considering the impact it will cause me.

My heart almost shattered into pieces. I just wanted to disappear abruptly, but how could I even do that?

I have no ability to disappear anytime I want to and there's no other option than to walk in the middle of the wolves, while they are humiliating me.

“Get off from my life, Luciana. I don't need a mate like you and I would rather choose to be in pain, instead of enduring the stinky smell you had.” 

And after telling me those words, he walked out. I bit my lower lips, keeping my attention below.

It's painful that my own mate just rejected me in front of everyone—those who judged me quickly without knowing what's really behind my scent.

It's just all about my scent. This scent that worsened everyday. I don't know how to get rid of this and I am so f*cking tired of being bullied.

“Poor Massimo, he had a stinky mate. Well, he made the right decision of rejecting you. Your smell is just really bad,” Scarlet mumbled. 

I looked at her, my eyes filled with disappointment.

“You will regret what you did to me, Scarlet. The Moon Goddess will make you pay.” 

As I mentioned these words to her, Scarlet moved closer. She was still smirking as she looked at me.

“We all know who's gifted between the two of us. I have everything in life already, and you…” Scarlet paused, looking at me from head to toe, and she continued, “Your beauty will not erase the smell of your body.”

I gritted my teeth, my hands were clenched. My mind was telling me to slap her and just before I could even do that, someone spoke.

“Don't continue what you're planning to do, Luciana, or we will be forced to remove you out of the pack and take your scholarship!” 

I was stunned in my direction when I heard that voice. As I turned around, I saw the dark expression of the Alpha. 

I bend my head down. 

“I apologize, Alpha.” 

Without further ado, I ran away from the ball. I don't want to create more chaos here. The rejection and humiliation I received earlier is enough already to bear. I wanted to rest. I've been hurt already, and I couldn't take it anymore.

Instead of going back to my cabin, I decided to stay in the garden area of the function hall. But when I got there, I noticed a figure of a man, standing in the dark area.

I stopped on my track and was about to go back when he spoke.

“Where are you going?” 

I was stunned upon hearing his voice. Biting my lower lips, I looked at him. He's already facing me, his brows are furrowed.

My mouth widens when I suddenly recognize that man. It's Alpha Klein, Massimo's brother. He is no different from Alpha Massimo, but this man, I can feel that he's mysterious.

“I-I will go back to the ball, Alpha,” I responded, but he shook his head. 

He crossed his arms, his lips curled into a playful smile. I swallowed my saliva upon seeing that reaction.

“My brother already rejected you, and you still wanted to go back there?” 

I was stunned by what he said, making my heart pound so fast.

He knows it.

“I guess you already know the reason—” 

“Yeah, I heard it.”

I sighed, “I need to leave now. You won't like my smell.” 

When I was about to walk away, he immediately spoke, which made me stop.

“I couldn't smell anything.” 

My mouth widened from what I heard, but Alpha Klein's reaction was just blank.

“You couldn't smell me?” I asked, making sure if I guessed it right. 

He nodded his head and that response made me relieved.

“I'm sorry to hear that, Alpha Klein.” 

The Alpha looks stunned from what I did. I know he never expected that I would ask for an apology. Well, I've said that because having a dysfunction felt like you're different from the normal wolves. I can relate to him and until now, I can still feel the pain they caused me.

“You're not supposed to ask for an apology. I should be the one to ask that for what my brother did. He shouldn't reject you just because of your smell. You're his mate and that asshole will pay!” Klein exclaimed, but I shook my head.

“His reaction is valid. I have an illness, and it's his right to reject me. I am such a disgrace to him if ever he accepted me,” I responded, but the Alpha just shook his head.

He looked at me for about a minute and I couldn't help but feel nervous about what he's thinking now.

“It's still not a valid reason. Massimo should not reject a mate. That asshole has to be punished.” 

I could feel my heart stop beating for a moment when those words escaped from Alpha Klein's lips.

“W-What do you mean, Alpha Klein?”

And then he smirked at me.

“We will make him regret rejecting the most beautiful woman in this pack.”