56

I scoff, furious. “I didn’t come here to make a scene. I came here to tell you that I grew up in a wolf pack. I know that you cannot just reject your fated mate that easily. You must have a legitimate reason. Me, being who I am, can’t just be the only factor.”

His face turns white as he looks over his shoulder. I follow his gaze, only to see that his pack mates have stopped working, staring at us in shock.

I don’t care if they know. In fact, I prefer it. Did he really think he could keep me hidden like a dirty little secret? Bastard!

“What have you done?” he snarls at me, giving me a little shake, and this time, I let electricity flow throw me, giving him a tiny jolt to remind him that I am not as weak as he thinks.

He releases me with a growl.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I say, mockingly. “Were you planning to hide the fact that you have a fated mate out there from your packmates? Did I ruin your plan?”

I can feel my anger controlling my mouth, but it’s either that or tears of pain and humiliation. And I will choose anger any day of the week.

I let out a bitter laugh. “Did you think I’d come begging you to accept me?”

Even if that had been the plan, how can I when it’s clear as day what he thinks of me?

“I was in shock the other day.” I force my lips to curve. “I came here to get an answer out of you for why you are so desperate to turn away your own mate?”

That’s not begging, is it?

He sneers at me in a way that makes my wolf whimper. “I already told you. I don’t want something broken.” His words are cruel, each word like a physical blow. “I can do much better than you. If you’ve lived with a wolf pack, then you should know that fated mates can reject each other if the other finds one lacking. And I find you lacking in every aspect.”

I can feel the blood drain from my face, but I refuse to let him see the way he is stabbing me with his heartless words. As he speaks, it feels like my mother’s words are coming out of his mouth.

“I should have killed you when I had the chance.”

“You’re worthless.”

“Useless.”

“It would be better if you just went and died quietly.”

“Nobody will ever want you. Ugly, hateful creature.”

Something cold is spreading within me as I absorb his words, deep inside me. I can feel the cracking sound vibrate within me. Is this what it’s like to have your heart broken? I wonder, dimly.

“And even if it were not your hybrid status,” he whispers coldly. “I know all about the debts you have accumulated.”

My head jerks up at that.

“You think I’m going to expose my pack to someone like you? I don’t need loan sharks hunting down my pack mates because you go through money like water. You can barely feed yourself…what are you going to contribute to my pack? I don’t need the burden of a half wolf who can barely protect herself and stay on her feet.”

I stare at him, feeling numb inside now. “I see.”

He’s watching me, and I wonder if he’s waiting for the tears to shed.

But years of being beaten and ravaged like an animal by a mother who despised my tears has taught me how to hold them in.

He won’t get that satisfaction.

“Well.” I shrug, and it feels heavy. My whole body feels heavy. “I’m glad we got this sorted out.”

I will never beg this man for anything.

Years of trauma have made me accustomed to disassociating. And that’s what I know I’m doing right now. It’s like watching this whole thing happen from outside my body.

I don’t smile. I just look at him and say, “Let’s never cross paths again.”

His brows furrow at my sudden statement.

“I’m not as weak as you think. The next time you see me in trouble, please walk the other way. I have survived my whole life without you, and I’ll continue to do so now.”

A small part of me feels happy to see his confusion. He clearly expected me to break.

He’ll never see my tears again.

This time, I will walk away.

And I do so.

And as I walk away, my back towards my mate, there is an emptiness inside me that I know will never be filled again.

Chapter 6

Seline

“You look tired, Seline,” Ellie comments cheerfully as I lie down on the bench in the middle of the changing room, staring at the ceiling. “Rough couple of days?”

“Something like that,” I reply wearily. “I have trouble sleeping these days.”

I can see her changing in front of her locker, but I’m not really paying much attention.

“Why are you here, though?” Ellie looks at me, as she ties her hair in a high pony. “Doesn’t your shift start in four hours?”

“I picked up an extra shift,” I mutter. “Had nothing else to do, and I kind of need the money.”

“Again?” Ellie frowns. “You look like death warmed over. Seriously though, why don’t you try and catch some shut eye in the back room?”

I sit up with a groan, my whole body aching. “I wish I could, but I know I won’t be able to. I just need to work. Too many problems in my head.”

Ellie eyes me before asking hesitantly. “Anything you want to talk about?”

I give her a grateful smile. “You’re sweet, but no. I have to handle this myself.”

“Okay then.” Ellie gets to her feet and stretches. “I’ll wait for you outside. Grab a cup of coffee, though.”

I watch her leave before returning to my aimless staring contest with the ceiling.

It’s been a week, or maybe ten days. I’ve kind of lost track of time. I thought it would be easy to forget about Austin. The easiest thing in the world.

But it seems that I can’t shake him off like any regular ole’ man. I can feel my wolf’s misery every waking second. And even if it weren’t the case, the rejection of my own mate has broken something inside me. I can feel a hollowness inside me that I’ve never experienced before. Whatever bit of hope and happiness I had once held onto for the future…all of it has drained.