I reject you

LEILA'S POV~

I watched Brandon's disbelief as he stepped back, his gaze fixed on my faded clothes, making me feel ashamed. If only I had known I'd meet my mate today, I would have dressed better—although I didn't have any nice dresses!

Stammering, he asked, "Y-you're... You're my mate?" He scrutinized me, making me want to shrink and vanish.

Like an idiot, I timidly nodded, and his jaw dropped in shock. Neither of us could believe it.

Brandon was an Alpha, soon to succeed his father's throne after graduation. Wealthy, desired by many, and a known playboy, I knew I wasn't his type of girl, not to mention the future Luna.

"Bloody shit! What sort of stupid fate is this? You, of all people? A rut like you? Naïve, dresses worse than a nerd, dirty, weak, and barely able to speak for yourself? I'd rather die than accept you!" he roared, anger flashing in his eyes.

Like a frozen statue, his loatheful glare pierced me. The world faded away, replaced by a chilling emptiness. A coldness gripped me from my toes to my heart, the only thing I could feel was the feeling of my heart being torn from my chest.

Tears welled up in my eyes, my throat tightening as a painful shudder ran through my body.

"Wait... Please, can we sort things out?" I couldn't help the desperation in my voice and I hated it. I didn't want Brandon to reject me.

I had prayed for an early mate, my only hope to escape my cruel father and my weak life, to protect my sister and secure a better future. Rejection would destroy everything.

Brandon took a menacing step toward me, eyes blazing with disgust and fury as he pointed at me, while I cowered away like a soaked scared rat. “ First of all, aren't you the girl whose mother committed suicide?"

His question felt like ice in my veins, and I tensed. "Fucking answer me, you rut!"

"I... I am..." I gulped, struggling to speak.

"You're disgusting!" he growled. "Everyone knows your mother was a whore! She was so filthy that your father sought another woman to warm his bed! If I were him, I would have dragged her naked through the streets, caned her mercilessly, and made sure her soul never found peace!"

His words were like venom, each one a strike against my beloved mother, which made me gasp in shock and terror.

How could Brandon be so cruel? My mother had been my rock, a constant source of love and support. She was never a whore!

"Reject me!" I snarled, unable to bear his words any longer. I would rather die than let him speak of my mother that way.

Brandon looked shocked as he stepped back, studying my face. And for some seconds my hope rose that he would accept me back, probably he was trying to test my resilience but who was I deceiving? Myself?

"Reject me," I repeated, my body filled with a painful sensation. I wanted to get away from here. I was stinkiing from the urine sprayed across the tiles and I wanted to run home right now and disinfect.

"Of course, I will! But I'm not done. Next time fate tries to pair you with an Alpha, do everyone a favor and kill yourself! You're a burden, a weakling who needs constant protection instead of fighting alongside other women! No one wants to babysit you!"

Each word pierced my chest like a knife, my vision blurring as tears spilled down my cheeks.

Panic filled me as I realized my terrible predicament. I should have rejected Brandon immediately, but weakness consumed me. Before I could beg him to reject me instead again, the ringing bell signaled my doom.

I clutched my bag, eyes darting nervously, desperate to escape. But Brandon's iron grip captured my wrist, pulling me back.

"Where are you going? I'm not done with you!" I hated those words. ‘I'm not done with you yet!’ It signified nothing but extra humiliation someone wanted to give me. Those were the menacing words everyone who looked down on me always uses.

"Please, Brandon, let me go," I pleaded. "I know you can't accept me, and that's fine, but I need to leave."

"Shut up, you bitch!" His hand tightened on my frail wrist, and I felt my bones strain under the pressure. I winced in pain, struggling to break free, but his hold only grew stronger.

"Until we graduate, don't tell anyone we're fated mates!" he hissed. "You're too lowly, and you'll never measure up. If you were the last option, I'd choose to remain mateless. If I were you, I'd settle for a physically challenged individual or become an organ donor for sick wolves. Understand this: your existence is a waste. You're not worthy to live."

A sob escaped my lips as his cruel words pierced my heart. I continued to struggle, but the sound of approaching footsteps filled me with dread.

No! No, no…

People were coming!

"Brandon, please," I begged, eyes locked on the direction of the footsteps. "I swear I won't tell anyone about us. Let me go."

"No!" he growled. "I think I changed my mind. Right now I'm going to reject you in front of everyone. I want them to see what happens to a lowly bitch who tries to force an Alpha's hand. It'll serve as a lesson that pathetic creatures like you should be cast aside."

I fought against his grip as he forced me to face the gathering crowd.

The all-too-familiar voice of Stellina cut through the air as she approached with her lackeys.

"Baby, what's going on?"

My eyes locked onto my ex-best friend who wore an expressionless face, a chill running down my spine.

Stellina's nose scrunched in disgust as she took in the sight of Brandon holding my wrist. Her fake sweetness surfaced, a facade she reserved exclusively for him. No one would believe she was the same vicious bitch who had forced my face into the toilet.

Stellina sauntered towards me, asserting her dominance by planting a kiss near Brandon's lips before pulling away. "Please let go of her wrist," she said, her syrupy tone dripping with disdain. "I don't want you getting infected. This bitch fell into excrement."

Brandon recoiled, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at me. "No wonder you were oozing."

Stellina snickered, and the crowd erupted in laughter. I wanted nothing but to instantly disappear.

"Everyone, look who claims I'm her mate," Brandon announced, his voice cutting through the cruel laughter.

Gasps rippled through the crowd as all eyes turned to me. I hung my head in shame and humiliation, rubbing my arms in a desperate attempt to comfort myself.

Stellina glared at me with a murderous intent, causing me to shrink back even further.

"I, Brandon Blackwood, reject you, Leila rut..." Brandon declared, prompting a chorus of cruel snickers. He continued, his voice laced with disdain. "You'll never be my mate!"

I felt the pain radiating through my chest, but I refused to cower before these people. I nodded helplessly, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.

"One more thing," Brandon continued. "Get down on your knees and beg Stellina for forgiveness. I heard you got into a fight with her."

My head snapped up in shock, anger surging within me. "What?" I gasped as the pain intensified, clutching my chest.

"Do it now," Brandon ordered coldly. "I wonder what your mother, burning in hell, would think of you. She gave birth to one of the weakest links in the world, and she would be so ashamed. Others must be mocking her now."

An eerie silence settled over the crowd as all eyes turned to me, my face paling at the cruelty of his words. That was the most brutal verbal assault I had ever experienced.

My mother, ashamed of me for my weakness. The thought sent a cold fury coursing through my veins. Tears streamed down my face, and my eyes darkened as I took a step forward.

Stellina's taunting smile vanished, replaced by a look of uncertainty as she tensed, her crossed arms dropping to her sides.

I closed the distance between Brandon and me, my hands moving as if of their own accord. I pointed at him, and he froze, his hands clutching his throat as he began to choke, a gurgling sound escaping his lips.

The students gasped, their shocked whispers mingling with Stellina's desperate pleas. "Let go of him! Somebody help! Leila, you're going to kill him!"

I was too consumed by rage to heed her words, my eyes fixed on Brandon as he slowly sank to his knees, struggling for breath. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he thrashed on the ground. I wanted him to feel the same pain that I did, and I longed for it to intensify.

"HELP!!!" The panicked screams echoed around me.

Suddenly, I was levitating in the air, my vision consumed by darkness, with Brandon still fighting for breath beneath me.

Before he could draw his last breath, something struck me from behind. I gasped in pain, crashing to the ground as the invisible force holding Brandon released him. I watched as he lay there, unconscious, before the pain overwhelmed me.

I screamed as my principal and teachers surrounded me, but before I could utter a word, another blow landed on my head. My vision went black, and I succumbed to the darkness.

~. ~ ~

"What should we do? I haven't seen anything like this in over a hundred years," a voice murmured.

My heavy eyes fluttered open, and I felt a sharp pain shoot through me as I took in the sight of the principal and two teachers in the room.

Where was I?

"What do we do with her, then?" one of the teachers asked.

The question stopped me from attempting to rise, and my breath slowed as I pretended to sleep, straining to listen to their conversation.

"It's been ages since any white witch performed telekinesis, and they're all extinct now. We're keeping her,"

My eyes snapped wide open, and I shrieked, "No!"

Horror engulfed me as I realized my hands and legs were chained to the bedposts. "Please let me go! Please!" I begged, tears filled my eyes.

"Shh! It's alright, child. You're safe," the principal said, but I knew she was lying. "I just need to ask you some questions."

I sobbed and nodded, casting a wary glance at them.

"How did you do that? You attacked an Alpha without even touching him. Are you a witch, child?" she asked, her face expressionless.

"I swear I don't know, ma'am," I replied truthfully. I had no idea what had happened. All I remembered was getting angry, pointing at Brandon to warn him, and then a searing pain when someone struck me from behind.

The principal pursed her lips, studying my expression before turning to the teachers, who were casting me uncertain looks.

"We have to lock her up for a while and have her checked," the principal ordered.

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped on me, and I began to thrash in horror. "No, please let me go! You don't understand what you're about to do to me!" I cried out, desperation filling my voice.

The principal stopped in her tracks, her brow furrowed in confusion.

How could I ever explain to them that if I don't go back home on time and suck my father off, he would kill my sister?

“I'm sorry, stay still."

Those were the last words I heard before I felt something sting into my neck, my world turned black, and my words dying in my throat.