Chapter 4: Rejection

Lexy’s POV

The same Alpha wench who had shouted at me earlier was on all fours on my mate’s bed, stark naked, while he pounded into her from behind, his face twisted with lust.

I froze, unable to move, my breath caught in my throat. That’s when Leo finally noticed me. His face went pale, like he had seen a ghost. He pulled out, shoved her aside, and jumped toward me—completely naked.

“Lexy, let me explain! It’s not what it looks like…”

“Not what it looks like?!” I screamed, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Not like you’re screwing another woman in front of me? I loved you, Leo! I trusted you!”

I covered my face with trembling hands, unable to look at him. He tried to hug me, but the sparks of the mate bond—normally so warm and soothing—burned like fire, a cruel reminder that our bond meant nothing to him.

“What is going on here?!” My father’s voice roared like thunder, echoing through the room.

I turned to see my dad, Alpha Jacob, standing in the doorway with Elizabeth and the visiting Alpha Caleb.

Leo quickly grabbed a pair of shorts and dressed while the Alpha’s daughter scrambled off the bed, now fully clothed. She ran straight into her father’s arms.

“I’m sorry, Daddy, I’m such a disgrace,” she sobbed, her voice shaking. “I came here just to talk, but he seduced me and… took advantage of me. He sweet-talked me and… and he took my innocence!”

Leo’s eyes widened in shock. “I did not—”

But his father cut him off sharply. “It doesn’t matter. The wedding is in two days. Kids have their… fun, but let’s not make a big deal out of it.”

The pain in my chest grew sharper, almost unbearable. So it wasn’t just betrayal—it was a lie. He had been playing with me all along, using me while knowing his wedding to another woman was already set.

The pain was suffocating. I could barely breathe. I turned on my heels and ran out, as fast as my legs would carry me.

I felt his scent before I heard his steps—warm, familiar, painfully intoxicating. Leo was behind me, moving faster than I could escape. In a blink, he caught my hand, spinning me around to face him. At least now, he was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt.

“Lexy, please,” he said, breathless. “Just listen to me. I was trapped in this marriage. I don’t want it. I love you. I want to be with you.”

I stared at him, my chest tight. “Did she trap you into sleeping with her?”

“EXACTLY!”

“No,” I snapped, my voice sharp and trembling. “You did it willingly, because you wanted to.” I wasn’t going to let him to fool me. Maybe I had been naive once, but I did not believe him anymore.

“I was on the edge,” he argued, his tone laced with frustration. “You kept refusing me, Lexy, and she used my desire against me.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. “So now this is my fault?”

“Lexy, that’s not what I meant.” His voice softened. “I will spend the rest of my life begging for your forgiveness.”

God, I hated this. Hated him, hated myself, hated how every part of me still longed for him. My heart was still holding on to him when I knew I should let go.

“Will you not marry her?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Silence. His silence was louder than any words. My chest tightened painfully as the answer was clear before even he spoke.

“Lexy,” he finally said, his voice breaking. “I can’t stop this. She must be my Luna. It’s for the pack’s strength- for power, for finances. But you’re the only one my heart belongs to. I’ll pay for your art school, I’ll take care of everything. You don’t need the burden of being Luna. Just paint and be with me.”

Each word sliced through me like a knife. My breath hitched, my stomach twisting in disgust.

“You’re offering me what?” My voice was cold, trembling with rage. “To be your side piece? Your secret? Do you really think I have no self-respect?”

His jaw tightened. “No… I mean, yes… no it is not like that.” He cursed under his breath, lost in his own pathetic excuses.

I stared into his eyes. Today he was a totally different person driven by power and lust, not a sweet loyal guy I feel in love with. Did I even knew him well? Or I just saw what I wanted to see a beautifull fairy tail with a happy ending for myself?

I felt hollow. Betrayed. His love had never been real. Maybe I was just a burden to him, a useless outcast his wolf clung to only because of the mate bond.

I drew a deep breath, steadying my trembling hands. Something inside me snapped. A fire I didn’t know I had rose up, burning away my fear.

“I, Alexandra Smith…”

“Lexy, no! Please, no!” Leo’s voice cracked, and I saw the tears gathering in his eyes. Orion was in agony, his wolf’s pain crashing against me like a wave. For a second, I faltered, remembering his smile, the warmth of his touch, the sweet moments we shared.

But then… The image of them together. Her moans echoing in my head. I clenched my fists, and the storm inside me rushed back to life.

“I, Alexandra Smith, reject you, Leonardo Ashword, as my mate.”

Leo dropped to his knees, groaning in pain.

I didn’t even flinch. Maybe because I had no wolf, the rejection didn’t torned me the way it did him.

My voice sounded foreign to me, firm and cold: “Accept the rejection.”

“No, Lexy… I love you. Please don’t leave me,” he begged, pale and trembling as he forced himself to his feet.

A deep voice cut through the tension. “Son, accept the rejection.”

Alpha Caleb had stepped out of the house. Behind him stood Mirabel and my parents, all of them watching this painful unraveling.

“I… accept,” Leo whispered, his voice breaking. Mirabel reached for his hand to comfort him, but he jerked away.

I turned and walked away, my vision blurred by tears. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. Just this morning, I was living my dream, counting down the days until I would be one with my mate. Now, I was broken and alone, heading home to pack my bags—to leave the pack forever. I wasn’t just walking away from him—I was walking toward the woman I was meant to become.