Chapter Four: The Rejection

Thalira's POV:

I stared at him for a moment and shook my head, my heart pounding loudly against my ears.

I must have heard it wrong.

Giovanni avoided my eyes for a second before exhaling heavily, almost like I was stressing him out.

"You're joking right?" I asked and slowly shook my head. "You must be joking."

"You heard me, Thalira." He said firmly, his eyes sizing me up. "It's over."

Just like that? He wants to end things...... just like that?

"No........" I shook my head quickly, grabbing his shirt. "No, you don't mean that."

"I do." He replied sharply.

I stared at him, waiting for him to laugh. To tell me that this was some horrible joke. To tell me that he was confused and would never hurt me.

But Giovanni only looked uncomfortable. Far from guilt or heartbroken, if anything, he was so eager to get it over with and leave.

Tears gathered in my eyes as I stared at him.

How could he do this to me?

"Is this because of what happened to my face?" I asked quietly, my gaze unwavering from his. His jaw tightened, he bit on his lip, and glanced away.

"That's not the point."

"Then what's the point?" My voice cracked, the tears that had long gathered in my eyes rolled freely down my cheeks, soaking the gauze on my cheek.

"Just three weeks ago you couldn't stop talking about the Red Moon Rite, what changed?"

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Things changed." He muttered.

My stomach twisted violently and slowly, his shirt slipped out of my hold, my lips trembling.

I could hear the laughter echoing faintly from the dining room. Everyone was happy while my entire world was collapsing.

"You promised me." My voice trembled, my fingers curled beside me. "You said it will only be me."

He rolled his eyes before finally meeting my gaze.

"Come on, Thalira." He muttered. "Look at you. There's no reason why we should be together anymore."

"You said you love me!" I screamed, my entire body shaking violently.

Giovanni stepped closer quickly, lowering his voice. "Keep your voice down."

A broken chuckle escaped my lips, my breathing became shallow, my hands trembled at my side.

"You're leaving me because I'm scarred?" I asked shakily before quickly shaking my head. "Or is this because of Lora?"

He exhaled slowly, his lips stretched in a smile. "She understands me better."

For a second I could only stare at him as tears rolled down my cheeks. Then disgust crawled violently through my chest.

"You disgust me," I muttered under my breath.

Giovanni frowned, his eyebrows arched.

"You disgust me!" I repeated louder, tears streaming freely down my cheeks.

I wanted to dig the ground and bury myself alive. I wanted to do anything as long as I don't wake up every morning recounting this awful memory.

No wolf. No mate. Scarred face. 

The moon Goddess sure has decided to punish me more than I could bear.

The night of the Red Moon Rite arrived far too quickly.

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at my phone screen.

The room was silent except for the distant sound of music echoing through the wall.

The rite had begun.

Girls my age were probably laughing, fixing each other's makeup, and giggling excitedly about the mates they hoped to meet tonight.

My gaze slowly drifted towards the covered mirror across the room.

I still haven't looked at myself..... properly.

The doctor said the burns were healing, but that didn't mean disappearing.

I scoffed and shook my head. The burn healing doesn't mean I'd get my beauty and my reputation back.

A knock sounded softly against my door before it creaked open.

Mother stepped inside dressed in a long emerald gown, her fiery red hair falling into a messy wave around her shoulders.

"You're not dressed yet?" She asked quietly, avoiding my face.

I swallowed and looked away. If my own mother couldn't look at me properly anymore, then who would?

"There's nothing there for me," I whispered.

Mother stared at me silently, her head tilting slightly.

"You can't miss the Red Moon Rite, Thalira." My mother said as she walked deeper into the room. "Stop acting pitiful and get yourself together."

Pitiful?

A bitter laugh nearly escaped my lips as I watched her.

"Your life doesn't end because something happened to your face." She added and rolled her eyes, "I had the maids prepare a dress for you."

She turned towards the door and stopped abruptly, her hand resting against the doorknob.

"At least come and cheer for your sister."

I clenched my jaw tightly as I watched her disappear from the room.

Cheer? Why the hell would I cheer someone who destroyed my life?

"I hate everyone," I muttered as a single tear rolled down my cheek.

****

The moment I stepped out of the packhouse and into the bonfire clearing, the entire place fell silent. 

I swallowed hard, my fingers slowly curling into fists at my side.

They were staring at me with all sorts of eyes. A few didn't even bother to hide their pity.

My chest tightened painfully beneath the dark blue gown that my mother had forced me to wear. The fabric clung tightly to my waist while the golden cashmere shawl draped carefully over the left side of my face, hiding most of the scars beneath the gauze.

Whispers slowly drifted across the large gathering.

"That's her......"

"I heard the acid melted part of her skin....."

"She used to be so pretty....."

I lowered my gaze immediately, fighting the urge to turn around and run back inside.

I shouldn't have come here.

Tonight was supposed to be magical. Bonfire blazed brightly at the center of the field while Pack members surrounded it in beautiful ceremonial clothing.

Instead of enjoying the beautiful moment, I felt like an animal being publicly displayed.

My eyes scanned the crowd anxiously, in search of Lora. Then I saw them.

She stood near the bonfire wearing a shimmering silver gown that hugged every curve of her body perfectly.

Giovanni stood beside her, she laughed softly, her cheeks reddening as he whispered something into her ear.

Lora turned slightly, her eyes meeting mine. The corner of her lips curled upward slowly.

Giovanni turned, his eyes widened slightly then he looked away.

"Thalira."

I stiffened at the familiar voice, my heartbeat rising slowly.

A few girls standing nearby smiled awkwardly at me.

"Hi," The voice greeted again.

I recognized her.

A month ago, she wouldn't even dare talk to me because she spent most of her time hating on me for having Giovanni to myself. Now she looks at me with that pitiful expression plastered all over her face.

"You look nice tonight." She said hesitantly.

The lie was so obvious, it almost made me throw up.

"Thank you," I whispered.

Before the awkward silence could stretch any further, a drum suddenly echoed across the gathering. The crowd shifted excitedly as Father and his Beta— Giovanni's father stepped into the center.

Father dressed in a ceremonial black robe lined with silver fur, a staff in his hand.

"Tonight," Father's voice boomed proudly across the crowd. "We gather once again beneath the blessing of the moon Goddess for the Red Moon Rite."

Cheers erupted in the crowd. I shut my eyes briefly and sniffled. 

"It's almost over," I whispered to myself. "I can survive this."

"This sacred night marks the beginning of new bonds, new mates, and a new future for the children of Thunderfang."

My throat tightened painfully as I watched everyone's excited faces.

It should have been me.

One by one, unmated wolves stepped forward, towards the bonfire to publicly choose their partner for the rite of bonding.

Laughter echoed in the crowd, some tears of joy.

Everything felt blurry around me until his name was called.

"Giovanni Corvin."

I slowly looked up as Giovanni stepped forward, his hands deep inside his pants pockets.

I felt sick.

Just a while ago he couldn't stop talking about how he couldn't wait to have everyone know that I'm his.

He couldn't wait to have me by his side.

Words that had once comforted me became a thorn in my mind.

Giovanni's gaze swept through the crowd briefly before stopping on Lora.

"I choose Lora Whitmore."

Lora gasped, covering her mouth with her palm before stepping into his open arms while everyone applauded loudly. Everyone but me.

The crowd continued cheering while father looked pleased as he whispered something to his Beta who smiled and nodded in return.

Mother smiled proudly, and even Lyander clapped louder than everyone.

I chuckled bitterly, a deep frown settled on my face.

They knew it was supposed to be me..... they knew.