Chapter 2

REJECTION ACCEPTED

AMY

"Let go of me!" 

I threw a punch at Flint, but it felt like I hit a wall. He didn’t flinch. His hand stayed wrapped around my throat, cutting off my air. I struggled until my strength left me completely. Only then did he release me, and I dropped to the ground, gasping for breath.

He crouched beside me, his expression suddenly different. Softer. I glared at him, refusing to show weakness. His eyes darkened, and I realized he was linking someone. A few seconds later, he cleared his throat. "You’re to be locked in the dungeon for the next few days," he said.

My breath hitched. "But she started it," I croaked. I had been to the dungeons before. They were cold, damp, and full of shadows that whispered nightmares. The guards there had no morals. They hit for fun. Some touched what wasn’t theirs. I hadn’t been raped—but it had come close.

He stood and turned away like he was done with me. But then he paused and looked over his shoulder.

"Before I forget," he said, voice flat, "I, Flint Masters, reject you, Amy Crash, as my mate and future Luna."

His words echoed in my head. I didn’t move. I didn’t speak. My mate… He had known all along. He let them beat me. He let them treat me like dirt.

Flint stood over me, face unreadable. He felt nothing.

"Guards!"

They came fast, heads bowed. Behind them, Kiara followed. Her hair was a mess, and her perfect doll face was scratched and swollen. She walked over to Flint and whispered something in his ear. He looked thoughtful, then nodded.

"Lock her up," Kiara said, her voice sweet and clear. "Whip her every day until I say stop." I stared at Flint, but he didn’t even glance at me.

A hard slap landed on my cheek. My head snapped to the side. I blinked in shock, feeling the sting. Before I could react, two strong hands grabbed my arms and dragged me away. I didn’t scream. I didn’t fight. There was no point.

They threw me onto the cold floor of the dungeon like I was nothing. The heavy door slammed shut behind me.

That was when it hit. My chest tightened. Something inside me cracked open and burned. I curled into myself and cried. Cried. For the first time in years.

I cried for every year I had spent alone. For my parents, who tossed me aside. For the girl I used to be. And for Flint. The mate I thought would protect me. Instead, he broke what little I had left.

Flavor disappeared into the back of my mind, her sadness pressing into my bones. She didn’t speak. She didn’t fight. She just hid.

Days blurred. The guards came like clockwork. Their lashes cut through skin and muscle. My back bled and burned. They fed me once a day—dry bread and dirty water.

Flavor stayed silent. So I stood, shaking and alone in the dark, and pressed a hand to my chest.

"I, Amy Crash, accept your rejection, Flint Masters." The bond didn’t break for me. But I knew it would for him.

And he would feel it. Every inch of pain he gave me would crawl back to him.

FLINT

I stood at the entrance, greeting guests for the treaty celebration. My chest felt tight. Valor kept growling inside me.

‘She killed my uncle,’ I said. ‘She was thirteen. ‘It was self-defense,’ he snapped.

No one believed her. My uncle was cruel, but he was family. She could have handled it differently.

‘Her wolf is strong,’ Valor said. ‘She defeated an Alpha.’

I knew he was right. Amy had always been strong. Even now, beaten down, she didn’t break. She was beautiful. Dirty clothes or not, she made heads turn.

‘She could be a good Luna,’ Valor said.

‘She won’t be ours,’ I replied. ‘Kiara will be Luna. That’s what my parents want. Her family is powerful. We need that.

Kiara got on my nerves most times. She cried too much and acted like the world owed her something. But I kept her around. She was useful for my image and, honestly, decent in bed. Still, every time I touched her—or any other girl—I pictured Amy instead. Her eyes, her lips, her curves... just the thought of her made my pants tight.

I excused myself and walked to my office. I couldn’t take the pressure anymore. Once inside, I called an omega. She came quickly, eager and smiling. She dropped to her knees and started pleasing me without a word. I leaned back, closing my eyes.

"More, Amy," I whispered by mistake. She didn’t stop. I groaned and released into her mouth. She got up and smiled proudly.

"You’re amazing, Alpha," she said. I didn’t answer. I went back to my chair, trying to relax, but then it hit me—a sharp pain in my chest.

I gasped and leaned forward, clutching my heart. The omega stepped closer, worried, but I growled at her. She jumped back and ran out of the room.

‘Valor, what’s happening?’ I asked. He didn’t answer right away. He was in pain too. Then he whispered, broken and weak, ‘She accepted the rejection.’

I froze. The pain grew stronger. I roared, flipping the chair behind me.

“No!” I shouted.