Chapter 2 : The secret in the diary

Aurelia's POV

“Dear diary…” Isolde’s voice rings out across the rink. “On today’s episode of being in love with Jasper Viremont… I think I’m losing my mind.”

My chest tightens.

“I can’t stay calm when he’s near. My heart races, my thoughts scatter… and every little thing he does lingers longer than it should.”

Soft murmurs spread through the crowd.

“When he touches me—even by accident—it stays. It burns under my skin long after he’s gone.”

I shake my head weakly. “Please… stop…”

“But the worst part…” she continues, her tone sharpening, “is how badly I want him.”

A few gasps echo.

“Sometimes I imagine what it would be like if he were mine. I shouldn’t, I know it’s wrong… but I can’t stop myself.”

My breath hitches painfully. I had written those words most times when I'm ni heat and I do not know that anyone will ever read it. 

I squeeze my eyes closed as she reads slower now, each word deliberate. “And I touch myself, pretending it’s him… pretending I’m the one he wants. I hate myself for it. But it feels too real to stop.”

Jasper's eyes widen, his expression unreadable.

Isolde laughs. “And you actually thought you had a chance with him?”

She flips the next page. “Today is my eighteenth birthday and when Jasper comes to wish me immediately the time strikes twelve… I feel this bond with him. Though the bond is not that strong, I can still feel it. Is he my mate?”

She frowns. “What the heck?”

She quickly flips to the next page, her fingers tightening around the diary. “I can feel it now, he is my mate! The Moon Goddess has truly blessed me. But… then why is he not saying anything? Can't he feel the bond?”

She raises her head and stares at Jasper. “You are her mate?”

Jasper doesn't respond. He looks at me, guilt flickering in his eyes before he looks away.

That single gesture breaks me.

“Wait…” I yank my hands free from those holding me and push myself up. “Jasper… you know about our bond?”

“Yes.” His voice is barely audible. “I have already known about it for some years now.”

My breath catches. “Years? Why didn't you tell me about it?”

“Because it doesn't matter. Besides, I never thought you would ever discover it since you have a weak wolf.”

My chest splits open. “It doesn't matter?” My eyes water again. “You intended on keeping the bond hidden forever if I didn't know about it?”

He doesn't respond.

Of course, he did.

Isolde rolls her eyes. “Enough of the drama… just reject her already, Jasper.”

“And who the hell are you to tell him to reject me?” I snap, anger finally replacing my fear.

She scoffs. “You really think being his mate means he'll choose you?”

Before I can answer, she lifts her hand and shows off the diamond ring on her finger. “Jasper and I are getting married after graduation.”

My heart stops.

“You're getting married to her, Jasper?”

He looks at me. “Yes.”

The single word destroys whatever hope I have left. “But… why didn't you tell me?”

“I didn't think it was necessary.”

My eyes sting. “You didn't think it was necessary to tell me that you're going to marry someone else?”

His jaw tightens. “I will become the Alpha of this pack soon and I need a strong, capable Luna like Isolde by my side.”

His words hit me like a physical blow.

Isolde smiles beside him. “Now you understand, Omega. Being his mate doesn't mean he'll choose you.”

The tears flow freely, but I force myself to remain standing.

“Reject her, Jasper,” she says. “Let's end this already.”

Jasper's jaw tightens; he looks completely different. He doesn't even look like the same boy who would sneak out of his room just to play with me because no one wanted to play with the orphan girl the Alpha brought home from a trip. He doesn't look like someone who had been so worried about my dressing earlier. He doesn't mind that I am more fragile than most Omegas and that the rejection pain might kill me.

He parts his lips to speak, but I can't just let him do it. He is supposed to be mine.

“You will truly reject me? I'm your mate and the Goddess must have a reason to pair us together,” my voice is desperate, pleading, and it makes me look pathetic but I don't care. I just want him to accept me. Not because I want to be Luna but because I love him so much.

“No, you're my sister and the Moon Goddess must have made a mistake. She can't be always right, you know.”

A mistake.

The words echo inside my head.

“We are not family and you know it, Jasper. Everyone knows it. No one even cares about me in the palace except you,” I press harder.

There is a long pause, and I pray he changes his mind, but he looks at me head-on and says softly, “I'm so sorry that I have to reject you, Aurelia.”

Not pookie.

I think this is the first time I hear him call me by my name. 

I shake my head. “No, you're not sorry. If you are… you won't reject me.”

Something raw sparks inside me as I wipe off the last trail of tears sliding down my cheeks and the words spill out before I even realize it.

“I, Aurelia of the Viremont Dominion Pack, reject you, Prince Jasper Viremont, as my mate and Alpha.”

Shocked gasps echo through the rink. No one expects me to be the one to reject him, and honestly, neither do I. I'm just done being a pushover.

Jasper's jaw twitches like his ego has just been bruised. “I, Jasper Viremont, accept your rejection.”

The bond between us is not that strong due to my weak wolf, but it sparks anyway before snapping apart.

My chest aches, but I force myself not to clutch it.

Slowly, carefully, I turn and walk out of the rink. I am dying inside, but through the humiliation and mockery, I hold my head high and let them take as many pictures as they want.

Once I am far away, I begin running, and the tears rush down again.

I make my way towards the penthouse where I have spent my entire life with Jasper; it is the only place that feels safe, the only place I can be without anyone reminding me that even if I am in the midst of royals, I still do not belong there.

I reach for the key that Jasper cloned and handed to me just so I could come here anytime I want. With trembling hands, I open the small gate behind the building.

The moment I step inside, the silence hits me.

This place… once filled with laughter, stolen moments and childish promises… now feels empty, mocking me more than everyone. 

My chest tightens.

The pain I have been holding back cracks open all at once.

My knees buckle.

And this time… I don't try to hold myself together. I let go.