Chapter 2

Elena's POV

Alaric... on our bed with another woman?

He didn't even wait until the rejection ceremony. He was already in the arms of another woman. I thought he loved me.

I finally understood why the domestic staff had stared at me that way.

I didn't even realize tears were rolling down my face until they touched my cheeks. I walked into the bathroom, filled a bucket with water, and poured it over both of them.

Alaric immediately jerked awake and, seeing the woman beside him, quickly pushed her away as though he had nothing to do with her.

"You're so filthy!" I growled at him. "You couldn't even wait until the rejection ceremony before bringing another woman into our bed."

I screamed as loudly as I could. I was filled with pain and anguish, and tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.

"I hate you so much. Even words can't explain how much I despise you right now."

I then walked to my closet and packed all my belongings into the guest room. I couldn't afford to leave my things in this filthy room.

"Elena, I swear it was a mistake. You know I wouldn't do that. I never intended for this to happen. I promise," he said, stepping closer as he reached out to touch me.

"Get the fuck out of my face, Alaric! You're free to do whatever you want. After all, our rejection ceremony is just around the corner."

I walked out of the room immediately. He tried to follow me, but I walked faster, entered the guest room, and locked the door.

"My love, please. I swear I don't know what happened. Please just hear me out," he said in a broken voice.

"Get the fuck out of my door, Alaric," I growled.

I heard him let out a heavy sigh.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

A few seconds later, I heard his footsteps fade down the hallway.

I slid down against the door, drowning in tears and disappointment.

†††††

Five Days Later

It was finally the day of the rejection ceremony.

Although I hadn't seen Alaric since that incident, I wouldn't lie—I honestly missed him.

I didn't want to let go, but I had no choice except to dissolve this marriage.

I picked out a long-sleeved turtleneck top to cover the large birthmark on my shoulder. I didn't want more people staring at me like I was different.

In the Pack Hall

I arrived earlier than expected and sat in the first seat of the front row.

Some women were already there. I could see them whispering among themselves. I was used to it by now. The pack members had never liked me. They hated me for no cogent reason.

Some of the pack elders also arrived. I could see the mocking looks on their faces.

"Finally, the wolfless Luna is going to be rejected today. I wonder what took Alaric so long to realize you were a witch," one of them said.

"She finally covered that big, ugly birthmark on her shoulder," another added.

The others burst into laughter.

I tried to maintain my composure. I didn't want any additional trouble.

A few minutes later, Alaric arrived, along with the priestess, and the rejection ceremony began.

"My love," he whispered. "I know you'd never believe me, but I'm sorry. I love you."

His voice broke, and for the first time since I had known Alaric, I heard the strength in it falter.

"Go on with the rejection, Alaric," I said, turning my face away from him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught him looking at me. His eyes silently pleaded for forgiveness, clouded with guilt and regret, as though he wished he could take it all back. My heart clenched, but I forced myself to look away.

"I, Alaric Thorne, reject you, Elena Thorne-Vuk, as my mate and Luna of this pack."

The moment those words left his lips, I felt the bond snap. A sharp pain ripped through my chest, stealing the air from my lungs. I struggled just to speak.

"I... I, Elena Thorne-Vuk, accept your rejection," I whispered.

"The union has now been broken," the priestess announced before returning to her seat.

We both bowed to her.

I walked back to my seat. I had to wait until the ceremony was over.

One of the elders stepped forward and spoke.

"As we all know, today is the rejection ceremony of our dear Alpha, but I would also like to use this opportunity to introduce you all to our future Luna."

So it wasn't that hard to replace me... Wow, I thought.

I glanced at Alaric, where he sat.

He looked back at me, his eyes filled with silent apology and regret, but I turned away from him, my chest boiling with anger.

I wasn't going to cry anymore over what was never truly mine. I meant nothing to him, so he shouldn't mean anything to me. I kept telling myself those words, trying to stay strong, but deep down, my heart and soul were shattered. It felt as though something precious had been ripped away from me.

The elder then invited his to-be Luna onto the podium.

"This is Freya Daciana, the future Luna and the mother of the heir of this pack."

She was the same woman I had seen on his bed a few days ago.

The entire hall erupted in astonishment.

I was dumbfounded.

She was already pregnant?

How long had he been with her?

Maybe it wasn't about how long, I answered myself bitterly.

"I would love to have the Alpha on the podium. The elders and I agreed that she should be accepted as your mate here and now, if the priestess doesn't mind."

The elder smiled at the priestess.

"Inasmuch as you're the elders of this pack, I do not agree with making decisions without involving me first. I am your Alpha. Get that into your heads," he growled.

When the atmosphere settled, the priestess stood and smiled back at the elder before stepping forward to complete the ceremony.

"I, Alaric Thorne, accept you, Freya Daciana, as my mate and Luna," Alaric said slowly.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

His face remained stoic the whole time.

Then the elder turned in my direction with a smirk.

"Hello, wolfless and barren one," he mocked before barking out a laugh.

Everyone turned to look at me with ridicule.

I stood from my seat and began to walk away while his loud laughter echoed through the hall.

The rest of the crowd joined him, including his new Luna.

"Do you think a weak, wombless, and wolfless woman is fit to rule a pack of strong wolves? You're no better than a human," she said with a smirk I wished I could wipe off her face with a resounding slap.

Everyone gasped.

I heard Alaric growl, and the whole hall went silent.

"Inasmuch as she isn't my Luna any longer, I will not tolerate any disrespect toward her," he said to the elder.

I was happy that Alaric had stood up for me. He always had, but this time it made me happy. Still, it couldn't stop the tears threatening to spill from my eyes, and I didn't want that to happen here.

I immediately ran out of the hall.

"Elena!"

I heard Alaric call after me. He probably tried to follow me until I heard Freya's voice.

"Are you going to leave our ceremony just to go after this pathetic wench?" she asked.

I continued running toward the pack house, dashed into my room, and cried my eyes out.

That was the worst humiliation I had ever experienced.

Now that I had been stripped of my title as Lu

na, I had to find something to sustain myself before I could leave this place.

I knew very well that I wouldn't be able to endure staying here for much longer.