Chapter Three

Everett's POV. 

My hands trembled by my side as I stared back into Cassian's face. The words felt heavy on my lips but I said it anyway. 

“I, Everett Meadow, accept the rejection” 

Cassian's face went hard. For a moment, he clutched his chest while pain flashed across his face. 

He straightened his back seconds later, his gaze sweeping over me in disgust before he turned. 

Tears streamed down my face and I swallowed hard to keep myself from breaking completely. 

The room was still silent when I heard Cassian's voice across where I was standing. 

“Lissa….” He called. 

My head snapped. He was kneeling in front of my sister, holding a ring in his hands. 

My eyes widened in shock. 

“I've always known you were the one. I've always wanted you to be mine.” He paused. “Will you be my mate and Luna, Lissa Meadow?” 

My jaw dropped. Lissa’s face lit up with delight and she squealed. “Finally!” 

She held out her hand like she had been expecting this. Behind her, Mom and Dad held themselves and smiled. 

“Yes! I'll be your mate, Cassian. I've always been yours!” Cassian slid the ring onto her finger and the crowds cheered. 

The situation refused to sink in at first, but when it finally did, my blood ran cold. No…. No, that can't be. 

I stepped towards them, facing my family and Cassian with trembling lips. 

“You've been seeing each other?” My voice cracked. 

The cheers stopped, everyone turned their faces to me. Mom stepped in carefully behind me, whispering to my ears. “Don't cause a scene, Everett! It's a happy moment for your sister” 

And what about me? I wanted to ask, but my voice caved in. 

Cassian spoke. “Don't be a problem, Everett. I rejected you, what else do you want from me?” 

I couldn't speak. I stood frozen at the spot and my gaze traveled around every one of them. They looked smug and happy, not caring about me a bit. 

Lissa stepped in front of me, walking elegantly with a wide smile. Her hands landed on my shoulder and I didn't flinch. 

“Oh dear” she muttered. “Look how pathetic you look” 

“Wait…. How could you be so delusional to think Cassian would be mated to you?” She said, rolling her eyes. “A useless fat girl who claims to be a healer?” 

My sister….. My own sister spoke about me like I was a mistake that wasn't supposed to exist. She reduced my skill to nothing and called me useless. 

Even though she's my stepsister, I've always treated her like a real family, including her mother. 

Tears stung my eyes but I refused to let it fall. I turned, wanting to find myself a personal space to process my thoughts. 

The moment I took the first step, someone's legs entwined with mine and I found myself falling, face landing flat into the big cake placed in the middle of the room. 

The frosting stuck to my face, chest and dress. Pain shot through my whole body. 

Laughters erupted from the crowd and the next moment, I heard camera shutters clicking around me. 

I forced myself up, wiped the cake off my face, and looked back. Lissa was still there, smiling, feeling proud. 

I looked at the crowd and they were laughing as they took pictures. Trepidation washed over me and I wished the ground would swallow me whole. 

I folded my clothes in my hand and ran out of the hall. Outside, I tore the dress from the hem down to the thigh. 

I needed to run, to get away from all that. I ran until I reached the mansion, panting heavily. 

My body was exhausted but I dragged myself upstairs and locked myself in my room. 

I crouched down on the floor beside my bed and buried my face into my hands, crying loudly. 

I loved Cassian. I trusted Lissa. But the both of them had been courting each other, letting me feel stupid this whole time. 

I cried for what felt like an hour. Until a knock came on the door. 

I lifted my swollen face. The maid's voice followed. “Miss, your parents are back. They want you to come to the living room immediately” 

Why would they want to see me now? I thought. Deep down, I hoped they wanted to see me because they were worried. 

I stepped out of the room, face pale and laced with dried tears. 

In the sitting room, Mom and Dad stood beside each other, their faces cold, hardened. 

“Look at the state of your dress, Everett!” Mom yelled, her words throwing me off balance. “Do you know how much shame you've brought to the family tonight?” 

I wasn't allowed to speak before Dad's voice rose. “Everyone is talking about you. My daughter; the one the alpha rejected.” 

“Dad, It wasn't my fau—” I tried to explain but his voice cut me off. 

“You should have known better than to embarrass us! Don't say this isn't your fault!” He growled. 

My whole insides curled with fear. He looked angry, really angry and my stepmother wasn't helping. 

“I've told you times without numbers to lose weight. You just didn't listen!” She spat. 

Tears rushed to my eyes, blurring my vision. Now everything is my fault?

“You are not desirable enough, that's why Cassian didn't choose you but your sister, and that's on you!” 

My heart shattered. 

“You knew the both of them were together. None of you said a word to me!” I said, voice broken. 

“We found out this morning,” Dad said calmly. 

“I’ve had enough of this embarrassment, Everett” He stepped closer to me, looking at me with his darkened gaze. “You leave me no choice” 

I bit my tongue until I tasted blood, trying not to break at his words but his second sentence confused me.  

“Pack your things,” he paused. “You are leaving the pack tonight” 

My body froze and I blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?” 

For a moment, none of them uttered a word. Dad looked away as if he was suddenly feeling guilty while Mom stayed silent. The silence told me everything. Something was wrong, and whatever it was, my life would never be the same again.