Chapter 5

I am to reject Axen in the Chapel before all our ancestors.  The Pure are all here, along with the head of each of the High Ranked families, and looking conspicuous amongst this Pure Blood Royalty are Vigil's parents.  The Alpha and Luna lead the procession into the Chapel,

I follow and behind me is Axen assisted by attendants.  He is in a daze from the drugs he's been given but at least able to walk.  He is aware of his surroundings and what he needs to do.  Mother had been her most kind and gentle, explaining everything to him carefully as she patted his cheek and held his hand until he understood.

The Chapel itself is small and very austere.  It has dark grey marble walls and a small altar facing the entrance. There are no windows and only on large spherical light hangs in the centre of the room. To one side of the altar is a heavy door with a large iron bolt.  It leads to the sacred area below.  The Chapel we are standing in is only the tip of the iceberg with the main area is below, hidden away.

Standing waiting for everyone to take their place is nerve-racking.  I can feel Axen's eyes on me.  I want to look at him, hold him and tell him this is for his own good, but I don't look at him.  I won't acknowledge his existence until I have to.  Instead I keep telling myself I have no choice.  We will both be able to breath again once this is done.  My father calls me forward to stand at the altar.  Then he calls Axen to take his place, the attendants help him stand in front of me.  It is the first time we have looked properly into each others faces, eye to eye.  He is beautiful beyond belief, those amazing green eyes full of tears and his lush sweet mouth trembling.  He is barely holding himself together.  We are so close, the pull is almost overwhelming.

I take a deep breath and brace myself "I, RavyCostas, Alpha of the Pure Blood pack reject you as my mate. Our bond is broken with the blessing of the Goddess."  There was silence for a minute.

I couldn't help but jump back in shock when Axen howled in agony, rearing back and throwing off the attendants like rag dolls.  Everyone stood back in surprise. He stared at me for a moment, his beautiful face made ugly and defiant by the pain he was feeling.  His wolf suddenly leapt forward to protect him.  It was so close I could feel it's breath.  It's red eyes blazing hatred at me and it's lips drawn back to bare it's jagged teeth.  Just as quickly it retreated.  Axen looked at me without a speck of emotion on his face and said...

"I accept. Our bond is broken with the blessing of the Goddess.'  Axen tried and failed to hold back another howl.  In the end he let loose a loud heart breaking cry that felt like a dagger to my heart, then fell back hitting the hard Chapel floor with a thud.

There is a rush for the door, there's a feeling of panic in the room.  I don't think any of us has seen a rejected mate react that way.  Normally it is painful but it isn't normal for the mate to retaliate...his wolf was ready to attack....unheard of.    The attendants and Axen are the last to leave the Chapel and I go with them back to the car where the physician is waiting.

The car has left the compound and I'm alone.  I'm trying to work out how I feel.  I wait and wait...then I realise...I feel nothing.  The bond, the heat is gone but so has everything else.  I feel empty.

Axen PoV Past

When I woke up my mind was clear again, the pain was gone. I lay in the cool bed simply enjoying the fact that my body was back under my control.  As soon as I sat up an efficient army of servants appeared to ask I how I was, the physician came to check my wounds, food and clean clothes appeared.  When I finished eating I was asked to bathe as I would have visitors soon.

I examined myself in the mirror, making sure I looked vaguely presentable.   Unfortunately, my lips were still raw and cut and there wasn't anything I could do to hide them.  The dark shadows under my eyes were darker than usual but at least my eyes were clear.  I dressed in the crisp white shirt and black trousers I was given, made of the softest fabric and so different from the quality I'm use to.  I couldn't help but run my fingers along the sleeves.  I sat by the window looking down at the formal garden as I combed my hair.  I absentmindedly ran a comb through it as I tried to make some sense of the fragments of memory floating around in my head. The fevered delirium I'd experienced had made me lose track of time and I was disorientated. In fact I had no idea how long I had been here.

When the Alpha and his Luna entered the room unannounced I jumped up and bent my head respectfully.  Their entourage followed and stood to one side.  The reality of where I have been for the last few days and who has been taking care of me suddenly made me feel very awkward.  When I raised my head I saw Ravystanding by the door.  He was watching me, a blank, cold expression on his face.  His eyes following the fall of my hair over my shoulders. I stood up and pushed my hair back out of sight.  Our hair is meant to be tied back when in public, it was extremely ill-mannered of me to have it loose in front of the Alpha and his wife.   But more than that I didn't want Ravyto see it, it felt like an intimacy that he no longer deserved.

I remember exactly how I felt about him when I was in heat and we were bound together.  If I had to, I would have crawled over hot coals to get to him.  I had wanted him so badly, I would have let him doing anything he wanted just to please him and have him close.  He had wanted me desperately too...I felt it as clearly as I felt my own emotions.  He wanted to do things to me that shock me now, but then, I would have begged for more.  He needed my body more than air.  But that was then and now I was nothing to him but a lowborn, I was his discarded mate, a problem that had been fixed.

"Axen.  It's lovely to see you looking well."  It was Ravy's mother who stepped forward, extending her hand and smiling at me.  "You poor thing how you suffered."  She took my hand and I couldn't help but smile at her, she had been the woman in my dreams.  She had been the soft touch and the soothing voice during the worst of my pain.  I went down on one knee and put her hand to my forehead.

"I remember your kindness.  Thank you.  I am indebted to you."  I sincerely meant it.  The rest of them could go to hell but Luna was a good, gentle soul who had shown me only kindness and patience. There was a low growl from the Alpha and she retreated behind her husband.

The Alpha spoke in his deep impersonal voice.  "Now that you are well, we will arrange for you to return home.  Your family has been compensated."  The pompous arse looked like he thought he was being benevolent.  At this point a new and all-encompassing rage started to bubble up in me.  A rage that had it's birth at the rejection.  I had felt it then and so had my wolf.  I could feel my face harden, my claws were close to extending and when I spoke there was a huskiness to my voice that didn't sit well with my soft appearance.  Years of anger at being bullied, ignored, treated like I was not worthy fuelled that anger.

"It appears the Goddess decided to play a joke on all of us." The look of shock on all their faces was worth any punishment I might get.  It was heresy but I really didn't care anymore.  I hated them.  I hated the fact we had to mate the way we do, turning us into mindless beasts.  I was humiliated and wouldn't let my anger go lightly.  I looked straight at Ravy.  His eyebrow shot up.  "I'm ready to leave now. I would hate to inconvenience you any longer than is necessary."

"Considering what you have been through we will forget your heresy."  The Alpha had expected me to know tow and be grateful for his generosity, and to a point I was. They had treated me well, but not with respect.  With nothing else to say they turned and left, with the exception of Ravy. 

He walked towards me and my anger deflated like a balloon. I tried not to flinch, even though inside I was quaking.   The memory of wanting him was still fresh in my mind and I couldn't help but blush.  When he stopped he searched my face for something. I was hoping he would say what he needed to say and go, being alone with him was unsettling.  

He moved closer and cornered me against the window.  I realised then how much taller he was than me, how broad-shouldered he was, and how his general manner was totally unnerving.  He face was masculine perfection.  Ravywas everything I was not.  He would have no trouble finding a mate, in fact he was free now to marry whoever he wanted.  He could marry for love.

He looked into my eyes, his brow furrowed, he was confused.  He cupped my face and turned it one way and then the other, searching it for an answer.  "What have you done to me?