Chapter 29

Never did I expect her to be this beautiful and sexy.

She had every feature I ever desired in a woman and my imagination ran wild just looking at her, unable to stop the thoughts about her body.

The Moon Goddess must truly be on my side—she made her my mate.

It would be easy to get her to my bed; she would be blinded by the mate bond and also gladly hand over the throne to me.

Once I become the Alpha, I will reject her.

The thought alone made me grin as excitement rushed down my spine.

I watched her run into her father's arms, giggling as he spun her around in a warm embrace.

"Welcome home, sweetheart," Kane beamed, gently stroking her hair.

"I miss you so much, Dad. You have no idea how long I dreamed of this day," she whispered, her voice soft and sweet.

As she turned toward us, everyone bowed—except me. I couldn’t and that made Kane shoot a furious glare at me.

"Are you mad?!" he growled. My father nudged me sharply, urging me to kneel, but I ignored him.

"Your daughter is my mate," I announced.

A hush fell across the hall as everyone raised their heads, eyes darting between me and her.

"Reina, is that true?" Kane asked gently, but she was silent.

She stared at me with an expression I couldn't read, but I could tell she wasn't pleased at all.

"I’m Jaden," I said with a cool smile, stepping forward. "And your name…? it suits you perfectly. Reina. A name for a queen as stunning as you."

I smirked, expecting her smile or a bit of blushing as I flirted with her. But her eyes only darkened, and her mouth curled up in irritation.

"I can't believe the moon goddess could make this mistake." She muttered, and I froze as I contemplated with myself if I heard her properly or my ears were deceiving me.

In school, girls trailed after me like moths to a flame. I never had to try hard before I got them obsessed.

"At first I thought it was a prank," she sighed. "But it seems to be true that I am his mate because I can smell his scent clearly. Unfortunately." She shook her head, and Kane held her hand.

"You don't look like you like him a bit."

"I don't like me. At first glance, I already dislike him, so please can I have the silver knife so I can reject him immediately?"

Her words hit me like a blow, my legs stumbling back as I stared at her with wide eyes.

She looked utterly disgusted, fixing her gaze at the badge on my chest.

"Is he supposed to be my Beta?" She said, frowning deeply.

Kane nodded. "Yes, but you can change that. He only has that badge because his father is my Beta. You have full authority to choose or demote anyone you wish, daughter."

She smiled at her father, and for a second, I was mesmerized by how beautiful she looked when she smiled. But then she turned to me—and that smile vanished.

It was replaced with utter annoyance, as if my presence was pissing her off.

"Reina, have I done something wrong to you in any way? The moon goddess chose us for a reason. That is why he created this bond between us. We’re a perfect match. The whole pack would admire us. I—"

"You’re meant to be a hunter, not a Beta. I’ll choose someone else for that role," she said sharply, cutting me off.

I saw Diane's mother throw a mocking glance at me as if reminding me of what her husband told me earlier.

Did I just get demoted from being the aspiring Alpha to a hunter?

She can’t do this. Not to her mate. Mates are supposed to feel love at first sight, aren’t they?

I opened my mouth to protest, but my voice caught as one of the guards handed her the silver knife.

"You can’t do this to me. Reina, you’re making a huge mistake," I pleaded, my voice cracking.

"I, Reina Clark, daughter of Kane and future Alpha of the IronWood Pack, hereby reject you..." She paused. My heart leapt. Had she changed her mind?

"What’s your name again?"

She didn’t even remember my name. I couldn't believe she had already forgotten my name, which I just told her.

"Jaden Smith," Diane’s father answered cheerfully, clearly enjoying every second.

Oh God, is this a dream?

Not even my father could plead on my behalf, or at least try to stop Reina in any way.

"Thank you." She smiled at Diane's father before turning back to me with a grim face.

"I, Reina Clark, daughter of Kane and future Alpha of the IronWood, hereby reject you, Jaden Smith, as my mate forever, and sever every bond initially created by the moon goddess!" Her voice broke through the silence of the room.

It struck me in the heart, sharp pain, shock, and disbelief crashing down on me as my knees wobbled.

She slit her wrist, allowing her blood to spill to the ground, and I felt the heaviness in my chest.

Pain ripped through my chest, my knees giving way.

She sliced her wrist, and the blood hit the floor. The bond snapped like a rope under fire.

The pain of rejection was always higher for the one rejected and mild for the other, yet she was given a pain reliever while I was left writhing in pain.

"I am sorry, but I know of your obsession with the throne. My father told me! It is so ridiculous to have you as my mate because I know what will come next. You will snatch the throne from me!" She spat, disappointment laced in her voice.

Tears brimmed in my eyes, my chest burning with fury as shame crawled over my skin.

"I can see you in all positions, but permit me to change some things now that I feel like it." Her voice had so much authority for someone who is just twenty. It seemed she was already training before coming here.

Her demeanor was that of a strong, powerful king, just like her father, and she was already exerting enough energy to instill fear in everyone.

"YOU ARE THE TRUE DAUGHTER OF YOUR FATHER," Kane declared with pride gleaming in his eyes.

"You taught me well," she replied with a small smile before turning to Diane’s parents.

"Are you two couples?"

"Yes." They answered in unison.

"Don't you have any children?" She asked with a narrow gaze.

"They had a daughter," Kane answered coldly. "She betrayed us—ran off with a vampire and nearly endangered the entire pack."

"She’s dead now?" Reina asked.

"No, the young girl escaped with him after preventing us from capturing him, and she probably thinks she will be safe with that monster. Poor girl has no idea what she’s gotten into. From the frying pan into the fire. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was already dead."

"Okay, that's her sin. I already like her parents." Reina smiled. "What are your names, hunters?"

Diane's parents were full of smiles.

"Jared and Jane," they replied proudly.

"Congratulations, you are now the new Beta for now till I find a better replacement," She declared.

At that point, I wished the ground would open and swallow me up forever.

I just felt like dying off as I heard the shouts and applause in my ears like mockery.

Reina turned to her father. "I think it's time to announce me to the pack. I will keep training for the future war against vampires. You know, I promised to fulfill your greatest desire to rule over them."

"Yes. And I trust you to make me proud." He pecked her forehead before they faced us.

"You can all leave now. Don't forget to hand over your badge if you have been demoted. We will have the official handover next week," Kane announced before we all made our way out.

The fire and venom in my father's eyes was enough to hint to me, he was finally ready to take revenge.

"Son, fuck loyalty. We will make them regret doing this to us!" His voice cut through the mind link. I nodded as we both walked out together.

I will surely kill this Reina of a girl.