Chapter 2. Rejecting the Alpha

It was Matt in his wolf form, running through the trees at full speed toward me. He then hid behind the tree and shifted into a human form.

Afterward, he showed up with his naked torso drenched in sweat and disheveled hair. But it cannot change the fact that he still looked handsome.

The Alpha also walked behind the other tree, then Matt grabbed my hand and pulled me with him before Alpha could show up. "What are you doing here?"

"Just getting some fresh air," I mumble. "I was walking home, and he came out of nowhere."

"Wrong timing, Gwen."

"I know. Is he an Alpha?"

"Exactly. Now you have to deal with him," he uttered, hurling me a warning glare.

Holy shit! This can’t be!

"I never expected someone to be in this place, a dark place where danger is lurking," a baritone voice spoke behind us, and I realized it was the Alpha, who was now in his human form, seriously staring at me. If I'm being honest, he has a perfect physique, amethyst eyes, a sharp jawline, and brush-up black hair. He was very well-built, and it wasn't hard to notice the obvious signs of power radiating from him.

I felt as if the whole atom of my being had gone cold in that instant. I could feel dread at this moment, and my mind immediately began to brood about what could happen next and, more importantly, what would happen now that he saw me.

"Hey, bro. I didn't know you were coming here," Matt greeted and veered around to face the Alpha. He gave a light punch on his shoulder.

"So you two met already, huh?" the Alpha questioned, smirking. He gave us the once over. His gaze lingered for longer on me than Matt's.

"Yeah, bro. She's my childhood friend," Matt introduced.

"What's her name?" the Alpha asked, staring at me intensely as if he wanted to devour my entire soul.

"You can ask her, bro."

"I'm asking you, Beta."

"She hates that behavior. You can ask her directly," Matt reasoned out until our minds linked.

'Hey, Matt! Is he a good man?'

'You will never know if you don't give him a shot,' he quipped.

"You sure he won't kill me? You know my situation, Matt."

'Funny how you think I'll let you die. You can trust me, Gwen; he's a good man. A friend of mine. But the choice is yours.'

"Beta," the Alpha interrupted us from conversing.

"My best friend suggested it would be better if I give you time," Matt stated, and my brows crumpled.

"I didn't say that," I protested as I glared at him disapprovingly.

"Sure. Leave us alone, Beta."

Without hesitation, Matt walked away from us and vanished into the woods, leaving us standing still. I wanted to run, but I knew that would only worsen things.

Now, we were both left to face each other.

"Are you always this quiet?" the Alpha asked me.

I shook my head in denial. "Of course not."

He sneered, amused by my response.

There was so much tension between us now; it was just so intense, especially the way he glanced.

"Then tell me your name," he urged, demanding.

I glimpsed at him before averting my attention again.

"I think my mom is waiting. Maybe I should take my leave."

Turning around, I was about to walk away when the Alpha called out, "You're not going. Stay with me."

I stopped dead in my tracks.

For a moment, I was skeptical about whether to turn my back on him or ignore him. But then he began to talk again. "It's rude to leave without saying goodbye to your mate."

Still, I refused to make any move. And so I waited.

After a few minutes had passed, he grabbed the chance to speak again.

"I am Alpha Ace Louvion, asking you to accept me as your mate,” he paused. “I've been searching for you for a year, and if only I knew you were here in this place, I would've come sooner.”

His words struck a chord in my entire being, I could feel every word he had spoken, yet I was unable to create any kind of sound in return due to apprehension.

Finally, I spun around to face him with an expressionless face. "I'm sorry, but I'm contrary to your expectations."

His face darkened as he heard me. "Am I hearing the truth from you or what? You rejected me?"

"Yes. And forgive me if I can't accept you as my Alpha. From now on, forget that you have Luna because that's the stupidest thing I will ever allow."

The pain could be seen in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it. He then made his way toward me, grabbed my hand, and before I could free myself from his grasp, he pinned me against the tree. "I am Alpha Ace, and I don't accept rejection, especially from my own Luna," he whispered harshly to my ear as he tightened his hold. However, I don't see any harm or fury in his eyes. It is rather a pain and confusion.

After a moment of stillness, his grip loosened, and he released my hands.

"I'm sorry. I know it will pain us both, but I can't commit, and I am rejecting you now, Alpha Ace."

The pain penetrated me as I conveyed my words to him. I felt like I was burning inside, and so he was. It was evident in his eyes.

That's an oath from our Divine Reverie, who is now extinct. For every rejection given to one mate, there is pain that follows. But this pain is different. It's a pain caused by the fate of love, the kind that cannot be separated like water in the profound sea. It's a pain shared with those who belong together and does not want to be separated, but one of them is opposed. This is why we both felt the sudden agony because I rejected him, and it would only disappear if I changed my mind and accepted him as my Alpha.

'Forgive me, Violet. But this is for our safety.'

'I understand. You're just protecting our life. Just be ready to endure the pain,' she said painfully.

While I was in the middle of mulling, Alpha Ace then spoke, and his words honestly stunned me completely.