Chapter 2: Rejected

Naomi nearly refused to become Renji Jing’s wife with everyone watching.

“Repeat after me,” the elder instructed. “I, Naomi Bellari, take Renji Jing as my husband and Alpha.”

She stood alone before Renji, with both founding families seated behind her and Phoebe somewhere among them. She could still see the photographs on her phone. Renji in bed with Phoebe beside him.

“I, Naomi Bellari…” Her voice failed.

A few guests shifted in their seats. Her mother frowned from the front row, but Naomi thought of her father standing among people who had trusted the agreement between the Bellaris and the Jings. She had already chosen to finish the ceremony. She decided she would confront Renji afterwards, hear his explanation and decide what remained of the marriage then.

Everything could still be explained. Everything could still be all right.

She swallowed and continued. “I, Naomi Bellari, take Renji Jing as my husband and Alpha.”

Renji repeated his vows without hesitation. His voice remained steady when he promised to protect her, honour their bond and place the pack above himself. Naomi listened and wondered how he could speak of honour after spending the night with his bride’s sister.

When the elder pronounced them husband and wife, Renji placed the ring on her finger. Naomi did the same for him. The guests rose in celebration, but she noticed Phoebe beyond his shoulder. Her sister was not clapping.

Renji leaned towards her for the ceremonial kiss. Naomi wanted to pull away, yet both families were watching and the ceremony had already cost her enough. His lips touched hers without affection, and he withdrew when the guests began applauding.

The reception was held at the Jing mansion. The entire yard had been decorated and turned into an outdoor ballroom, string lights strung between the trees, round tables draped in white linen, and a dance floor laid directly over the grass. Renji appeared to be occupied with guest from table to table laughing and discussing in loud tones while Naomi managed through greetings.

Katerina approached her with Phoebe beside her.

“Smile properly,” she ordered. “People are beginning to notice.”

Naomi adjusted her expression. “Why is she here?”

“Phoebe is your sister.”

“She was in my husband’s bed this morning.”

Phoebe checked the people around them. “Lower your voice.”

“You were not worried about shame when you slept with Renji”

Their mother stepped between them. “This is your wedding reception. You chose to continue, so behave like a wife instead of creating another scene with that long face”

Just then Renji approached and they all cleared away from her corner. He pulled out the chair beside her and sat, loosened one button at his collar and glanced at her untouched plate in front of her.

“Don’t you think it’s time you told me why you’ve been carrying a long face all day?”

Naomi crushed the napkin in her fist. “We need to talk. Meet me inside.”

She shoved her chair back, gathered the front of her dress and strode into the mansion. Her heels struck the stairs as she hurried upstairs. She thrust open their bedroom door, yanked the pins from her veil and flung it onto the bed.

Renji entered and shut the door.

“Why did you do it?”

His brows knitted. “Do what?”

Naomi snatched her phone from the dressing table, opened the photographs and thrust the screen towards him. “Why was Phoebe naked in your bed?”

Renji took the phone and scanned the pictures. His thumb halted over the last one before he returned it without a word. She had expected him to fall to his knees and apologize but he seemed less concerned.

“You don’t have anything to say?” Naomi demanded.

“What do you expect me to say?”

“Tell me they are false.”

He tugged at his collar. “I drank last night so I was drunk. I even woke up late to prepare for the ceremony “

Naomi jabbed a finger at the screen. “Did you sleep with my sister?”

“I do not remember enough to answer that.”

She recoiled. “You woke up beside Phoebe on the morning you were supposed to marry me, and you didn’t care about my feelings?”

Renji’s mouth tightened. “I didn’t tell you I woke up with her”

Naomi clutched the phone. “We lived under the same roof for six months. I have tried to please you, learnt everything to be the perfect wife for you. Was all of that meaningless?”

“You chose to do those things.”

“Because I believed we were building something.”

Renji scoffed. “We were preparing for an agreement between two families. You saw it as a love story.”

Naomi’s face fell. “So you never wanted me at all?”

His brows lowered. “You want an answer that will make this easier for you. I do not have one.”

“Do you love Phoebe?”

Renji flared his nostrils. “This is not about Phoebe.”

“It became about her when she entered your bed.”

He planted one hand on the chair beside him. “You want the truth? Fine. I don’t love you”

Renji shoved the chair aside. “You married me because the Bellari family needs this alliance. You wanted the Jing name, the Luna title and everything attached to them. You have them now. Do not demand feelings that were never part of the arrangement.”

Naomi’s mouth fell open. “You believe I spent six months trying to reach you because I wanted your money?”

“What else was I supposed to believe?”

“That I loved you.”

He laughed humourlessly. “You barely know me.”

“I knew enough to defend you when everyone warned me you did not want me.”

“I didn’t ask for any of it ”

Naomi pressed her lips together, then asked, “Will you ever love me?”

“No.” Renji’s face remained stern. “I regret marrying you, Naomi. I do not want you as my wife.”

Her hand dropped to her side. The phone struck the folds of her dress, and she caught it before it slipped from her fingers. She blinked rapidly, then turned her face away and pressed her lips together.

“Then this marriage means nothing to you.” She rasped

He glanced at her, his ocean-blue eyes now grey. His mouth opened, but he closed it again, shook his head and walked out on her before she could call him back.

Naomi almost fell as every word he had said flashed through her memory. She had rejected suitors for him, and when she fell in love with him, knowing he did not love her, she still hoped she could make their marriage work. But hearing those words from him, it finally dawned on her that this might be the end of their union.

But she still hadn’t decided if she was going to leave or stay