Mocked by the entire pack.

Presently, Claudia thought what she had just experienced must have been a dream because it felt too surreal to be real.

How could it not be, when everything seemed so strange? she doubted herself.

When Claudia’s eyes fluttered open, the first thing she noticed was that she was lying on a pristine white couch.

Maybe it really was just a dream, she whispered. Claudia’s lips curved into a small smile as she spread her hands across the soft fabric, relishing its warmth.

For a fleeting moment, she wanted nothing more than to sink back into its comfort and let sleep claim her again.

But unease prickled through her. Something wasn’t right.

Stretching and yawning, Claudia sat down upright on the couch only to be met with a harsh reality.

She wasn’t alone. She was surrounded by people, their wide, hostile eyes fixed entirely on her.

Claudia’s breath caught in her throat. What’s going on?

She blinked several times, scanning the room in disbelief, her gaze darting from one face to another. The expressions were unmistakable: hatred, suspicion, disgust. The weight of their stares pressed down on her chest.

Wait… what about the rejection? That wasn’t just a nightmare, right? Claudia thought as panic clawed at her.

She tried to steady her breathing, but her eyes locked onto Alpha Derrick’s piercing amber gaze. The sheer intensity of it made her tremble.

Claudia curled into herself, hugging her knees tight as her heartbeat thundered in her chest. Every instinct screamed at her to look away, but she couldn’t. Alpha Derrick’s glare was sharp, merciless like a blade pressed against her skin.

The room seemed to close in around her, every whisper and movement made Claudia to become terrified.

Claudia’s wolf, Nyx, whimpered inside her, restless and uneasy.

Pftt!

Claudia squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, fighting back tears, but when she opened them again, something strange stirred at the edge of her vision.

Alpha Derrick extended his hand, and someone rushed forward with a bucket of water.

Claudia had no idea what he intended, but before she could react, the icy contents splashed across her face, soaking her from head to toe.

A roar of laughter erupted around her.

Instantly, Claudia’s chest tightened, humiliation burning hotter than ever before as the water dripped from her hair and clothes.

She lifted a trembling hand to wipe her face, her vision blurring as tears mixed with the water.

When Claudia’s gaze met Alpha Derrick’s piercing amber eyes, her heart cracked all over again.

“I trust the water has jolted you awake,” Derrick said coldly, his voice slicing through the crowd’s laughter. “You’re filthy and no wolf would ever claim you as mate. As I’ve already made clear, I won’t mind repeating my words.” He stated, pausing for a while to observe the pitiful expression of Claudia.

Alpha Derrick let the silence drag for a moment before his words fell like a blade.

“I, Alpha Derrick of the Silvercrest Pack, reject Claudia Kendal as my mate and Luna.” He declared with authority as he shifted slightly, his hand gesturing to the radiant young woman at his side. “Kathryn will take her rightful place as my mate and Luna.”

“Kathryn is from a good background.”

“Yeah, she would make a great luna.”

“She’s also so beautiful and intelligent.”

“Kathryn is a powerful wolf.”

The pack erupted in approval as they joyfully whispered within themselves, but to Claudia, the sound was distant, hollow.

Claudia’s world shattered in that single instant.

Tears streamed freely down her cheeks as her lungs struggled for air. She felt like a corpse who was alive only enough to feel pain.

Derrick’s eyes hardened. “No one will ever want you, Claudia. Accept my rejection.” He spat fiercely and his tone wasn’t a plea; it was a command, absolute and merciless.

“Why is that pathetic thing still quiet? Let she accept Alpha Derrick’s rejection so that the pack party can continue right away?”

“Pftt! I believe she still hope for Alpha Derrick to change his mind.”

“Woah! She’s so shameless.”

“Shameless? What else did you expect from a wolfless wolf?”

Insults flew from the crowd, striking Claudia like stones.

She bit down on her bottom lip until she tasted blood, forcing her voice to emerge despite the tremor.

“I… I, Claudia Kendal,” she stuttered, her throat raw, “accept the rejection of Alpha Derrick of the Silvercrest Pack… as my mate.”

Claudia’s words wavered, thin as a dying flame, and the sight of Derrick’s cruel, satisfied grin made her heart collapse all over again.

The sting of the rejection felt like if Claudia’s heart has been set on fire and quickly, she opened her mouth, gasping for air.

Alpha Derrick leaned in closer to Claudia, and the closer he got, the more she leaned backward, till her back was now touching the couch.

Her breath hitched, her hands trembling at her sides.

Claudia was terrified of Alpha Derrick since he had long despised her for being the sole wolfless member of his pack.

Why must the Moon Goddess be so cruel to me?

Alpha Derrick’s lips brushed near Claudia’s ear, his hot breath prickling her skin.

“You’ve done nothing but irritate me, you pathetic thing,” he whispered, his voice dripping with hatred.

Straightening, Derrick spread his arms and addressed the watching crowd. “Tell me,” he sneered, “isn’t it amusing that she dared to reject me so boldly?”

His eyes burned with mockery, but his words weren’t really questions but instead, they were daggers thrown for the pack’s amusement.

“She sure is.”

“She even has the confidence to speak.”

“She’s such a joke.”

Once more, the pack members made fun of Claudia while laughing at the same time.

“Pathetic,” Alpha Derrick spat as he waved his hand. “Get this repulsive thing out of my sight.” Alpha Derrick commanded.

Swiftly, two pack members broke from the crowd.

They seized Claudia like she was nothing more than garbage, dragging her limp body through the doors of the Silvercrest pack house.

Outside, they hurled her onto the cold ground.

Claudia’s soaked dress clung to her skin as her body struck the ground with a sickening thud.

A sharp pain shot up her spine, stealing the air from her lungs.

Nyx was silent now. No growl. No comfort. Just an aching void.

“Don’t ever bring your filthy self back here,” one of the men spat before they both disappeared inside, laughter trailing behind them.

Claudia remained immobile in the cold darkness, feeling her heart and soul ripped apart piece by piece.

It was as if Claudia’s heart had been suddenly emptied and a strange anguish had entered her body, consuming her and leaving her wailing alone in the dark.

She clawed weakly at her clothes, fighting for breath as her body trembling with despair and or a fleeting moment, one desperate thought flickered in Claudia’s mind.

“Just end your life,” Claudia thought to herself, because ending it all felt easier than enduring another day of torment after Alpha Ethan had rejected her twice, and in front of the entire pack.