Chapter 1: I reject you

WILLOW

“Could you move that a little to the right, please?” A frown made its way to my face almost immediately. They’d done what I asked them to do, but it wasn’t looking how I’d pictured it in my head. Gesturing to the vase, I motioned to the left. “No, take it back a bit. Yes, a little to the left.”

I stifled a groan the moment they were done. It still wasn’t right. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get the perfect position to keep the vase.

“That’s fine.” I sighed, finally giving up. The nerves were getting to me. “Just leave it as it is and make sure everything else is perfect. Nothing must go wrong tonight. Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.” The maids nodded in unison before dispersing to get everything else done.

“You.” I pointed to another maid. “Make sure these glasses are sparkling before I get back.” I ran my thumb over the rim of a glass nestled on the buffer table. From where I stood, it looked clean enough, but I wanted everything in there to shine. Tonight must be perfect.

Soft music played in the background. The song would change when the party started. For now, it was perfect. A deep breath escaped me as my eyes roamed the hall. It was coming together nicely, and I couldn’t help but feel proud of myself. String lights circled the huge chandelier, lighting up the entire place.

The lights were dim, giving the neon lights the opportunity to bathe the hall in a colorful ambiance. It wasn’t a lot, just a few flashes from time to time. When Asher asked me to plan this party, I hesitated. But looking at everything I put together, I knew he would be proud of me. I could almost hear the compliments.

To the right was the buffet table, with every variety of meals you could think of, and that wasn’t all. I expected the imported wines to arrive during the middle of the party. It was a lot, but only the best would do to celebrate the Beta’s son and my boyfriend.

My boyfriend. I giggled at the thought. Asher and I had been dating since forever, and it had been his dream to succeed his father as the Beta of the Blue Moon pack. Today would mark the beginning of that dream, and I would do anything to make sure it came to pass. Taking over the post of the Beta of the Blue Moon pack meant Hunter would have to take a wife. Me.

“Ma’am.” A gentle tap on my shoulder pulled me out of my monologue. I spun, coming face to face with another maid. “Beta Asher would like to see you.”

“In his room?” A wide grin appeared on my face. “ Okay, I’ll be there right…”

“No, no, ma’am,” she cut in. “He said to tell you that he’s waiting for you on the balcony.”

“Oh.” My smile faltered. I had no idea why, but that didn’t sit right with me. “ Okay. No problem. You may go now.”

The maid disappeared to resume her work, and I headed in the opposite direction. Anxiety gnawed at my sides as I tried to find Asher, but I shook it off.

It was probably nothing, and I was overreacting. For my sake, I hoped to be wrong.

“Asher.”

His name rolled off my tongue the moment I found him on the empty balcony. It wasn’t a difficult task as he stood out in the vast enclosure. His broad back was all I could see as he stared down at the garden below. I had the maids trim them earlier in case the party moved from the hall to there.

“Asher,” I called again, rushing to my boyfriend to wrap my arms around him. A content smile formed on my lips as I took in his scent and buried my head on his chest. “I missed…”

“You’re here.” His voice was curt, cold. My smile disappeared as he peeled my hands off him.

“Asher?” I called out, confusion lacing my voice. “ What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“Yes,” he replied. But from his demeanor, I could tell something was wrong. My heart raced as I skimmed over the activities of the last few days. I had been a good girlfriend. Nothing I had done was so unforgivable it should have him upset at this party. “I need to talk to you.”

“Okay,” I said. Pushing back the dread that coiled around in my stomach, I nodded. “ Is anything the matter? The party’s already started, and guests will start trooping in soon.”

“I can’t continue this with you, Willow,” Asher stated, his gaze as hard as steel. My blood ran cold as the weight of his words pressed down on me. “We need to end this charade.”

“What?” I let out breathlessly. Shaking my head, I stared him in the eyes. This had to be a sick joke. But his stoic expression didn’t change. “Asher, what are you saying?”

“I, Asher , the soon-to-be beta of the Blue Moon pack, reject you, Willow .” No, this couldn’t be happening. It wasn’t possible. “You are weak and have no right to be by my side.”

“Stop it,” I snapped. My finger stabbed his chest. “If this is a joke, stop it.”

Beads of sweat lined my forehead as my heart thundered. It must be a prank. Asher had a reputation for pranking people, so this was one of them, right? It has to be. There was no way he would tell me to plan a party for my rejection. That was cruel, and Asher wasn't evil.

“It’s not.” Asher took a step back and continued, “You’re a weak and puny omega who has no right to be by my side. You’re worthless and can never amount to anything, so I reject you.”

I sank to my knees. The world around me blurred as tears streamed down my cheeks. My ears buzzed as his words rang over and over in my head. No, no. It wasn’t possible.

Whatever doubts I had flew out with the wind as Asher’s receding footsteps reached my ears. My heart split into a million pieces, and a wave of pain spread through my chest. I let out a shriek, pulling on my hair in hopes that the ache from my scalp would snap me back to reality. A reality where I was still Asher’s beloved mate.

How could he do this to me? I loved Asher, and he loved me, too, so why? Why did he have to do this? If there was a problem, we could talk about it. My chest hurt as I pressed my palm against it. I had no idea which hurt more, the rejection or the fact he waited until today to smash my heart. Even in a million years, I wouldn’t have seen this coming.

Tears streamed down my face, and sobs wracked my body. I had no idea how much time passed as I lay there on the floor crying. Frankly, I didn’t care. With a sniffle, I pulled myself to my feet. I had no particular destination in mind, but I trudged on, allowing my feet to lead the way. Ultimately, I found myself heading in the direction of the hall.

The party was in full swing now, and it made me sick to my bones. My party. I worked hard for this party. I swiped a bottle from the tray of the first waiter that crossed my path.

Throwing caution to the wind, I downed its content in as many gulps as it took. I didn’t do too well with alcohol, but to hell with that. The liquid rolled down the corners of my lips, drenching the front of my dress. But I didn’t care. I wanted more. Another waiter passed, and I grabbed another bottle. It went on like that until I was on my fourth bottle. And drunk. Very drunk.

I staggered deeper into the party. My knees buckled, and I chuckled hysterically. People threw quizzical glances my way, but I didn’t care. I care about anything or anyone. Not even about Asher. He was nowhere to be found as I made myself to the center. Before I could announce to everyone in the pack what an asshole their Beta to be was, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room. I tried to fight them off, but I was too tired.

“Willow,” the voice said. I spun at the sound of my name. All it took was a blink, and a man appeared in front of me. He let go of my arm, his hands dropping to my waist. “Are you okay?”

“I’m f-f-fine,” I slurred. The drinks had messed with my senses. My vision blurred. His voice was familiar, but I couldn’t place it now. I didn’t want to. I just wanted to drink. “But-but-but you see Asher? He’s not. He’s not fine. He’s an asshole, and he will rot in hell.”

“Willow, you’re drunk.”

“Duh. But you can’t prove it.”

Going closer to the man, I sniffed him. His fragrance was… nice. So nice I inhaled again. It made me heady, and when I reached out to steady myself, he grabbed me. His arms were firm, and I found myself leaning into him with a grin. His scent enveloped and soothed me. I touched my hands to his face and sighed. His lips were too soft, even his hair. I liked him.

“Do you want to fuck me?” I asked

“What?” he whisper-yelled, taken aback by my brazen request. “Willow, you need to rest or…”

Before he could get any more words out, I pressed my lips hard against his.