6

I left the kitchen and go changed into the dress, it was a strapless dress that hugged me so well, showing all my curves, I walked with shaky steps up the stairs and when I reached the door she had mentioned I knocked and no reply came, I debated whether to talk back but before I knew it I stretched my hand and pushed it slightly open then a hand grabbed me from inside drawing me, in a swift motion they pinned me to the wall trying to kiss me but I moved my face away, who are you please let me go, I said struggling to get free from the broad shouldered man who was trying to force himself on me now, please I begged but he wasn’t having it, he reeked of alcohol and just then I heard footsteps and Katrina and Adrian came into view, he looked shocked and furious while she stood behind him with a smirk.

“You little bitch, can’t keep your dirty little self one place, you’re now going about seducing alphas and getting in their beds,” Adrian bellowed, his voice loud and bitter.

My eyes widened in disbelief. “What? Are you blind? He’s the one forcing himself on me! Can’t you see what’s happening?” My voice cracked as I tried to push against the stranger’s chest. His arm pressed harder against me, and the stench of alcohol poured off him like a warning.

Adrian’s face twisted with fury, veins standing at his neck. “Don’t lie to me, Ashley. Do you think I’m stupid? I walk in and find you wrapped up with him, and you expect me to believe you didn’t invite it?”

“I didn’t! I swear I didn’t!” My voice shook as I tried to yank my arm free. My nails clawed against the man’s grip but he only laughed low in his throat, his breath brushing against my cheek as if this was all some game to him. “Let me go!” I cried, twisting in panic.

“Adrian!” I shouted again, “look at me, please, look at my eyes and tell me you can’t see the truth! She set me up—” I pointed at Katrina with all the strength I could gather. “She’s the one who told me to come here. She’s the one who wanted this!”

Katrina’s lips curved, smug and pleased with herself. She didn’t even flinch. “Adrian, don’t listen to her pathetic cries. She’s just trying to cover her tracks. I warned you she was desperate. Didn’t I tell you she would stoop this low? Look at her—dressed up like that, sneaking into his room.”

“No! No, that’s not true!” My throat burned as I tried to fight the tears rising. “I didn’t come here to seduce anyone. I didn’t even know he was in there! She told me to—”

Before I could finish, Adrian’s hand came down with a heavy slap across my face. My head snapped to the side, my skin burning where his palm struck. For a second I could only hear the ringing in my ears, then his voice, raw and filled with rage, cut through me.

“Enough of your lies!” he roared, his chest heaving. “You think you can stand here and spin tales while I watch you with another alpha? Do you think I’ll let you shame me this way? You disgust me, Ashley!”

My breath caught as I staggered back, my cheek stinging. “How could you…” I whispered, clutching my face, “how could you believe her over me? You’re supposed to be my mate. You’re supposed to know me better than this!”

But Adrian’s eyes were like fire, burning into me with hatred. His fists clenched at his sides, his body trembling with rage. “Don’t you dare speak of the bond,” he spat. “Don’t you dare insult me by pretending you value it after what you’ve done.”

Katrina leaned closer to him, her smirk widening. “You don’t need her, Adrian. She was never fit to stand by your side. Everyone can see that now.”

The other man still held me tight against the wall, his grin mocking. “She didn’t resist that much until you showed up,” he sneered, twisting the story into something filthy.

“That’s a lie!” I screamed, my voice cracking from desperation. “I was fighting him! You saw me—”

But Adrian wasn’t listening. His eyes darkened and I knew what was coming before the words even left his lips. His voice was like steel, cold and final.

“I, Adrian Rodrigue, alpha of the Iron Fang pack, reject you Ashley Parker as my mate. From this day forth you cease to be regarded as my mate.”

The words cut into me deeper than any blade could. My knees weakened as my wolf, Alexa, howled inside me, thrashing against the walls of my chest. The bond that tied us together twisted and tore at the edges. A scream fought its way up my throat but I bit it back, clenching my jaw so hard it hurt.

“I… Ashley Parker… accept your—”

Another blow landed before the words could leave my mouth. Adrian’s hand cracked against my cheek again, sending me crumbling toward the ground. My vision blurred but I forced myself to focus on him.

“You dare not accept my rejection,” he snarled, his voice low but deadly. “You will live with the shame of being cast aside. You will not take the easy way out.”

Gasps echoed around me as I realized others had gathered, pack members surrounding us, their eyes filled with disgust and hatred. They whispered among themselves, shaking their heads, glaring at me like I was filth beneath their shoes.

My chest burned, my wolf howling in agony, clawing to break free. Rage built up in me, hot and suffocating, twisting with pain until I could hardly breathe. Slowly, I pushed myself up from the ground, my body shaking but my voice steady when I spoke.

I looked straight at Adrian, then at Katrina standing smugly behind him, her victory clear in her smile. My vision tunneled, but I forced my words out, each one coated in fire.

“Pray to the moon goddess to best not let me survive.”

And with that I turned and ran.

It is over, there is nothing left for me here. Alexa was howling in pain, my heart felt like it’s on fire