CHAPTER TWO

"I, River Grayson of the Moonfang Pack, reject you, Lira Hale, as my mate.”

The words echo my ears with an intensity that rip my soul apart.

Our bond wasn't that strong because my wolf isn't strong and he hasn't mark me yet. We were saving the marking for the mating ceremony which would happen after we've graduate from college.

But then, I feel a pain that is more overwhelming than the rejection pain. Betrayal.

How could he lead me on when he knows he doesn't love me?

How could he give me a shoulder to lean on and just remove it when I least expect?

“Accept my rejection,” he roar.

My chest is heavy with barely restrain fury as I wipe the last trail of tears sliding down my cheeks.

My expression harden. “I,” my voice echo through the room. Confident. Solid. Surprises even me. “Lira Hale, accept your rejection, you dumbass.“

And that is it..

The pain of the rejection hit me like a freight train. My wolf growl and then fell silent. My body tremble but I didn't let myself crumble. Never! Not in their presence. 

Clutching my dress in both hands, I turn and walk out of my room. My legs tremble as I climb down the stairs but I made sure not to fall.

The cool night air brush against my expose skin as I walk past the dormitory gates. I didn't know where I was going this late but I kept walking. Until I find myself in front of a high-end bar at the outskirts of town. 

Inside the clubhouse—Wolves and Whispers was everything I hate; never been to this kind of place before. Red neon light. Loud music threatening to rip my ear drums. The stench smell of cigars and alcohol linger in the air making it difficult for me to breathe.

It was sinful and secretive—i have to wear a mask to conceal my identity. I find it strange but the guard at the entrance said it is because they have a lot of high profile customers that would want to have fun without the fear of being judged.

I slip in front of a booth at the counter. The bartender—a petite lady with blonde hair and face conceal with a golden mask—looked at me weirdly. Probably wondering why I was wearing a ball dress to a club.

“Your strongest drink, please,” I say.

She nods, mix some drinks together and hands me a glass. 

I down the liquid which burn down my throat, yet not enough to blur out the traumatizing scene of them making out in my room. On my birthday.

I swear, I will make sure they regret this.

I don't know how I'm going to do it…. but they would surely pay for this.

“Another glass,” I said, my voice drunk filled.

The bartender hesitate but hands me another. I keep requesting for more until the fourth glass.

By this time, I'm already feeling lighthead, dizzy and most importantly, I need to use the restroom. 

I stand up, steadying myself and walk into the restroom. Inside, I stand by the mirror, remove the silver mask I had on and throw some cold water on my face to wash off my smeared make-up.

I force a smile at my sad and broken reflection in the mirror, muttering, “Forget about that asshole, Lira. He doesn't deserve you.“

The door swing open. Startle, I quickly pull the mask back on.

A guy walk in—tall, broad, and sexy as sin. Two buttons of his shirt undone, golden mask, intense gaze that immediately dropped to my cleavage.

I shift uncomfortably, my cheeks flush, heat pooling beneath me and goosebumps appear at the back of my neck.

For a moment it feels good to be notice. And my body react to him in ways I didn't expect. Loudly. Sexually. Lustfully. 

River—that bastard said I wasn't attractive and sexy but the way this stranger looks at me is entirely different.

He look at me like I'm the only thing he can see in the restroom. Like he can see past the pains, the rejection.

“This is the men's restroom,” he finally says.

Oh..“ I mouth. “I didn't know.“ 

I realise I was too disoriented to even check earlier.

I swallow hard and move pass him but his voice stop me.

“You're beautiful,” he say, his voice deep but smooth like silk—reverbrating through my soul.

Beautiful? This is the best word I have heard all day. 

A small smile tug on my lips as I turn. “Thank you.“

It is silent for a while.

Then River's words echoes in my ears like a bad music playing on a loop. Boring. Innocent. 

I step closer to the stranger, heart thundering. “Would you like,” trailing my fingers down his exposed chest, “to have some fun with me? A wild sex?“

He grab my wrist firmly but not enough to hurt me. Just enough to flip my stomach upside and make my thighs tremble. “Are you sure, young lady?“ His voice is sharp, sending a chill down my spine.

I hesitate. I know I shouldn't do this. But I just wanted to feel wanted, even if it was just for one night. Even if he’d forget my name by morning. “Yes,” I say firmly. “As long as you have condom with you.“

He pull me closer, my breasts pressing against his hard chest. “Sure. I always do.“ His finger trail my cleavage. 

Ohhhh…. I felt my nipples harden, pressing against my bra and my cunt throb so hard that it hurt.

River had never had this type of effect on me. I love him, I trusted him but he didn't make my body shiver this way.

He place both hands on my ass and lift me up. He move towards the counter and drop me there.

Fuck! 

I bite down on my lower lips to muffle the moans trying to escape me.

He reach for my neck, and I lower my mask.

And he freeze.

“Lira,” he blurt.

I blink, confuse. “Who are you?“ I asked. “Do you know me?“ 

He is quiet for a while. 

I expect him to remove his mask but he didn't.

“It's Rylan,” he replies.

Rylan?

My breath seize..

That explains why he will never remove his mask.

We stand there, breathless and wide-eye.

Rylan? What the hell is he doing here?