Chapter 2: My mate's rejection (II)

“What?” I gasped in pain as though thousands of needles were being driven forcefully into my chest. The pain was so intense that my legs gave out, and I collapsed to the floor. 

I cried out in pain as I hit the ground hard. The crowd around me gasped as I struggled the rejection, my gaze still fixed on Jake who didn’t even glance my way.

“Just accept the rejection, my dear,” I heard my father’s voice in my head, his words coming through the mind-link for the first time. "You’re better than this." 

“But why? Why did he have to do this to me?” I screamed internally, the agony overwhelming.

“Accept the rejection, Exalia," Alpha Jake said, his voice was cold and void of any feeling. "You don’t need me to force you.” 

With immense effort, I struggled to stand. My left leg throbbed painfully under my weight, but I refused to give up. Clenching my teeth and sobbing, I pushed myself upright, using my trembling arms for support. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision as I looked at Alpha Jake.

"I, Exalia of the Moon Launch Pack, daughter of the beta, accept your rejection, Alpha Jake," I whispered, my voice cracking with each word.  “I accept it." My voice was barely audible between sobs and I swallowed hard, trying to push through the crushing weight in my chest that made breathing a struggle.

The room fell silent, except for the sound of my ragged breathing and sobs. I felt as though a part of me was being ripped away, leaving me to wither inside.

As soon as I received my mate, I was rejected. The moon goddess truly had it out for me. I managed a forced smile and hobbled out of the hall toward my room.

My shoulder shook with sobs as I pushed open the door and stumbled in. My body too weak to move anymore, I headed straight for my bed and collapsed onto it. 

Suddenly, I heard a soft knock, and before I could even turn to the door to ask who it was, it creaked open. Maria walked in with a smug expression. 

“How does it feel?" she taunted. "Don’t worry, I’ll be a good Luna to your mate." She approached me with an exaggerated expression of concern, her eyes widening as she saw my reddened eyes. “What’s wrong, Exalia? Can’t handle being turned down by your mate?” She sneered.

Before I could respond, Maria’s eyes flicked toward the door as Alpha Jake was about walking in.

Maria’s face twisted into a cruel grin. “Let’s see who’s more important,” she said, her smile widening. Suddenly, she slammed her head against the door frame and began crying out, “Ouch! Ow!” The speed of her actions left me stunned, unable to react.

“What happened, Maria?” Alpha Jake rushed in towards her, completely ignoring me.

“Exalia hit me because you didn’t choose her!” Maria’s voice was filled with false indignation as she pointed to me. He turned to look at me, his brows furrowing in anger.

“I... I didn’t do it,” I said weakly, trying to get up from my bed. 

“Shut up, Exalia!” Jake snapped. “I thought we could still act civil, but this? You’re not the little girl I once knew.”

“I really didn’t do—” Before I could finish, Jake rushed towards me and struck me on the face. The force of the slap sent me stumbling back and I hit my head on the headboard. My skin burned and tears streamed uncontrollably from my eyes.

Without another word, Jake scooped up the wailing Maria, cradling her gently. Her lips curled into a scornful smile as she looked at me. 

'I told you,' she mouthed, her eyes glittering with malice.

As Jake shut the door behind him, I collapsed onto my pillow, burying my face in my arms as I sobbed harder. Hours later, my father stormed into my room, his face flushed with anger. If I was to guess correctly, Maria had probably boasted about Jake's actions to his face. 

“How... how dare he do this to you?” my father roared, his voice trembling with fury. "That bastard thinks he can just reject my daughter, beat her up and get away with it because he’s the alpha and I’m his beta.”

I shrank back, my heart pounding. I had never seen my father so enraged. “F-Father, p-please, I... I don’t know what to do," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "I’m so tired of being bullied.” 

Without a word, he pulled me out of bed and dragged me through the hall toward the alpha’s study. Upon reaching the room, he pushed back the guards and kicked the door open with a powerful thrust.

“How dare you strike my daughter?” he bellowed, slamming his fist on the desk, causing Jake to stand up.

Jake's gaze moved between me and my father. “She harmed Maria," he replied nonchalantly. "I had no choice but to discipline her.” 

“Did you consult me, her father, before you decided to discipline her?" my father said through clenched teeth, his body shaking with his bottled rage. "You’ve known her for eighteen years, Jake. Would she ever bully anyone? You broke her spirit with your rejection. Why couldn’t you just let her be?” He took a step closer to Jake. “I don’t care if you’re the alpha, I want to make it clear to you that my daughter is not a toy!” I blinked away the fresh tears threatening to fall.

“Is that a threat?” Jake’s voice went cold as he narrowed his eyes at my father.

Without a word, my father’s fist flew toward Jake, landing squarely on his jaw. “Now that’s a threat!” my father said defiantly.

“Apologize, Beta!” Jake growled, as he shot out his claws from his hand. Seeing the tension now growing, I immediately knew it would not end well.

“Never!” my father shouted as guards walking into the study after hearing the commotion. 

“Alright then," Jake said, rubbing his reddened jaw. "Guards, make sure he receives no less than forty strokes of a silver rod laced with wolfbane.” I made to protest but Jake ignored me, turning on his heel and walking out.

I ran after him, desperation flooding me. “Alpha, please, have mercy!" I pleaded, falling at his feet, not knowing how to stop the punishment. "I’m sorry--" 

“Get off me!” he snapped, kicking me aside. I fell to the ground, clutching my belly in pain watching helplessly as the guards dragged my father away. 

I felt utterly powerless. How could my friend, my mate, be so heartless?