Two

“Salma Grey, Omega of Crescent Moon pack. Will you be my mate?” Maxwell asked Salma, bent on one knee.

Salma’s face gleamed with awful joy. I just stood speechless, still trying to process the whole thing.

“Yes, I will,” Salma replied, and he slipped the ring on her finger, got up, and hugged her tightly.

“I love you, Elana, and would never do anything to hurt you.” — Wasn’t it the same Maxwell kneeling before Salma that had said this not too long ago?

No, no, this can’t be happening.

After digesting the sight in front of me, I walked over to where they were.

“Salma, why are you in the dress you advised I should save for my wedding? Why are you getting proposed to by my boyfriend?” I asked her, my expression seeking to understand what had just happened.

She remained silent, her eyes fixed on the ground. I was about to speak again when Maxwell took the honors.

“Salma is the one I love, we only used you.” I searched his face for any form of humor, but I couldn’t find any.

“Maxwell, you said you loved me. You told me you were going to make our relationship public today—everything you promised me, Maxwell, what’s happening?” I asked him, my hands dangling hopelessly at my sides.

“Why does this always happen to us, Elana? We’ll never be good enough,” Tally said. I wasn’t in the mood to pay any attention to Tally’s negativity.

“Elana, I do not love you, and will never love you. You’re a reject, nobody wants a reject. And one who is as weak as you are. You are useless to me,” Maxwell said, staring me straight in the eyes.

I’m still not ready to accept this. This is nonsense. Maxwell was supposed to be my breakthrough. The one who would put my enemies to shame.

But he’s one of them. “You can’t say that to me, I’m your girlfriend. You love me,” I said, my body trembling and almost losing balance.

The hall was dead silent. Looked as though this was a rehearsed play.

“Elana, I do not love you, in fact—- I, Maxwell Brownwood, son of the Beta of Crescent Moon pack, reject you Elana Melody White, daughter of the Gamma of Crescent Moon pack, as my mate,” he said. That statement which I dreaded the most.

Giving me PTSD from just some months ago.

“I, Michael Elias Owen, Son of the Alpha of Crescent Moon pack, reject you Elana Melody White, daughter of Edward Felony White, the Gamma of Crescent Moon pack, as my mate. You’re a whore and you disgust me.”

“Elana, we have been rejected twice, we are worthless and useless. We must leave this place immediately,” Tally suggested, and for the first time, I agreed with her.

“I am so done with this pack, and I am done with mating,” I said, my voice quivering due to how heavily I was crying.

Maxwell was about to speak when my father rose from his sitting position and approached us.

“I thank the moon goddess, your mother isn’t alive to witness this humiliation you have brought upon our family,” My father said, and then spat on me, pushing me on his way out of the hall.

At this point, I couldn’t help but break down, weeping foolishly in the presence of every single pack member.

My brother came up to me, shook his head disappointedly, and left the hall with my father. I’m useless now, I’m tired. I can’t take this anymore. “I Elana

“We’ll be okay,” Tally reassured me for the first time.

It was done. I accepted the rejection and immediately headed for the exit of the hall.

But of course, I won’t leave just like that. I turned around and approached Salma, gripping tightly on one of the ruffles on the dress and yanking it hard.

It came off and ruined half of the dress. At least now, I won’t be the only one embarrassed. I left the hall and headed back home. I shall leave the Crescent Moon pack tonight.

*******

It was 3 am, and I was just about reaching the pack closest to mine. I had left right after I was done packing up my things.

I took a few clothes in a small bag, my toiletries, and a few survival items. And now here I stood, at the entrance of Silver Moon pack territory.

My father had been here a lot and always had stories to tell about his visits here.

I was let in, because I lied that I had goods to deliver, and showed them the top of my bag which was covered with boxes of perfumes.

When I got in, I had no clue where I should go. Tally had left after the incident in the hall. So I was on my own.

The territory looked rather modern and classy. And some places were still open for business.

So my best offer was the 24hrs bar, whose lighting could be seen from miles away. I decided to rest a bit there and maybe get something to eat.

“Hello, what would you like to order?” The bartender asked if she was busy cleaning the desk while I took a seat.

“Umm, I’ll start with water thanks,” I replied, looking around and taking in the features of the bar.

“Okay. I’ll get that for you right n— YOU,” she said, finally acknowledging my presence and appearance.

I was confused as to why she was staring at me like that.

“Me?” I asked. Just then, her co-worker came to our corner and looked at me too. He looked at the woman and she nodded.

I sat there confused. “Can I get my water please?” I asked, a bit uncomfortable.

“Sorry, we don’t attend to rejected mates. And especially a double reject,” he said, sizing me up with his eyes.

My mouth was gaped wide open. Did I just get disrespected by commoners in another pack? “Excuse me??” I said, offended by their statement.

“We all know you are Elana of Crescent Moon pack and a double reject. And I said we do not attend to rejected mates. Bar policy” he said, cleaning out a glass with a cloth and not even sparing me a glance.

The woman just stood, arms crossed, sizing me up.

I was about to leave when someone spoke from behind me. “And who made that policy?” The voice asked, making my body hair stand.

The workers, startled by the presence, quickly stood behind the counter with their arms behind their backs.

“Welcome sir,” they said, not looking up.

“I asked a question. Who made that policy?” He asked again, setting his elbows on the counter beside me.

I used the opportunity to take a look at the man who made them tremble.

My heart immediately sank into my stomach. This man was gorgeous and majestic. His scent was strong and tempting. His jaw was lime sharp enough to shred meat.

His eyes are dark and intimidating. And his height was the most intimidating of all his features. A very good-looking middle-aged man.

No Elana! This is inappropriate. You do not know this man. I mentally facepalmed myself. “No one sir. We were just messing with the lady,” the male bartender said. Still not looking up from the floor.

The man leaned back on his elbows, pushing himself to stand up straight. Revealing his scary height.

“I see. Give the woman whatever she wants. The bill will be multiplied and deducted from your pay. You do not make policies in my bar,” he said, turning around to leave.

“Sir please, we’re sorry. It’ll never repeat itself-“ The woman began to beg but was cut off by the irritated man.

“Shut up this instant,” he said, looking over his shoulder and at them.

“Sir, she does not belong in our pack. She is a homeless-rejected commoner from Crescent Moon pack,” the guy said.

The man turned around slowly and looked at me. “Is that true?” He asked.

It wasn’t completely true. I am not a homeless commoner. But I chose to go along with their claim.

I nodded hesitantly. “My punishment still stands. Take her order, or I’ll take it for her and make sure to order the whole menu. Any complaint and you’ll be no more” he said, adjusting his tuxedo.

The workers accepted their fate and brought me the menu. “As for you. You begin work tomorrow,” he said to me, heading towards the stairs leading to the first floor.

“Excuse me??” I asked. What does he mean by resume work tomorrow? Resume work where and as what?

“Did I stutter? I said you resume work tomorrow,” he repeated himself. “You’re homeless no?” He asked, and I nodded hesitantly.

“Get your uniform from one of them,” he said, reaching the stairs. His steps were fast and smart.

“I don’t want to work,” I finally said. Who does he think he is, talking to me like this?

“Then leave my territory,” he said, pausing in his tracks so he could look at me.

I sat still. There’s nowhere else I could go, but this is too much disrespect.

“That’s what I thought. You’ll be having 12-hour shifts with 1-hour breaks,” he said, climbing up the stairs. Not even waiting for my response.

At least now I can add the pay and get a place to stay. I am not going back to Crescent Moon pack.