Chapter 3

Wren’s POV

“You filthy disgusting bitch!” Selene’s screech as she barged into my room, pouncing on me before I could even get my bearings. 

I threw my hands up on instinct as Selene pulled my hair, clawed at my face and literally everywhere she could lay her hands on with all the strength she had.

“You couldn't even wait for one whole day!”she yelled. “How shameless can you be?!” 

“What's this crazy bitch on about so early in the morning?” Astra stirred awake.

“What in the world is going on here!” My father's voice boomed from the doorway, stopping Selene for half a second, and I took the opportunity to get as far away from her as possible, rolling off the bed, and standing at the other end.

And that's when I noticed Patricia and my mate, Allen were also here.

“This shameless whore spread her legs for my boyfriend,” Selene revealed in tears. “I smelled her on him.”

Great. Just what I needed first thing in the morning.

“Why am I not surprised?” Patricia scoffed in disgust, as she crossed over to Selene who broke into a sob in her arms.

I just remained silent. It wasn’t my place to explain anything, besides, it's not like they’ll ever believe a word I say.

“Is this true?” My father's voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and that's when I realized his question was thrown at Allen, who had everyone's attention now.

“Wren is my mate,” Allen answered tersely.

“What?!” Patricia's eyes widened as she looked from me to Allen, and back to me again with all the poison in the world.  

But I didn't care, and for the first time in my life I dared to look at Patricia smugly.

“Yes bitch! This is completely out of your control!” Astra cheered through the mind link, her excitement mirroring mine.

"I felt the bond the moment we arrived," Allen continued, this time around his attention on Selene who was still a sobbing mess. "I didn't say anything because I didn't want to cause a scene. I thought I could handle it quietly, without anyone getting hurt." 

Selene broke into a fresh round of sobs at Allen’s confession. And even though she has been nothing but an absolute bitch to me my entire life, a part of me felt pity for her. She must have truly loved Allen and seen a future with him, but hearing he found his mate who’s just not anyone but your own half sister was devastating.

“Don’t you dare come close to my daughter!” Patricia warned, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Selene,” Allen called out softly. “You know I'd never betray you,” he glanced at me. “definitely not for that.”

I blinked in disbelief. Surely my ears must have misheard.

That. Not Wren. Not my mate. That. 

“It was a full moon last night, and when I went to reject your cousin she begged me not to, and threw herself at me I couldn't resist much because–my wolf–he…” a tear streamed down his cheeks, and I almost laughed out loud.

Not because anything he said was funny, but because my entire life has been a joke to everyone, even the goddess didn't think me valuable, because why else would she pair me with such a manipulative jerk? I should 've at least been given a great mate as compensation for all the shit life put me through.

But no. I get this.

Selene's face crumpled, and I could see the exact moment she bought his lies, and all I could do was feel pity for her. 

“I believe you babe,” Selene sniffled, going into his arms, and wiping his fake tears away. “I'm sorry for my outburst, I should have heard your explanations first. Anyone would be weakened by the mate bond under a full moon.”

Watching Selene wipe away tears that weren't real was terrifying.

He lied so easily that for one impossible second I almost questioned my own memory

I let out a humourless laugh. It was either this, or crying.

Everyone stared at me with expressions ranging from hate, disgust, and to disbelief.

I laughed until my chef ached and all I could do next was smile. 

Not because there was anything to smile about, but because sometimes dignity was all a person had left. I wasn't about to hand them that too.

I looked over at Allen who had his arms wrapped around Selene, and as painful as it was to watch I kept my smile in check.

“I Wrenley Ashbourne, reject you, Allen Greymark as my mate.”

Silence. Like everyone chose to collectively hold their breath. 

Allen didn't move. But for the briefest moment something dangerous flashed through his eyes.

Shock gave way to anger.

No...

Not anger.

Humiliation.

I'd just embarrassed him.

His jaw tightened, as briefly as his fingers curled into fists at his sides

“I, Allen Greymark, accept your rejection of me as your mate.”

"“Good riddance,” I grunted out, the searing pain from the rejection making it hard for me to breathe. But I held on to the last shred of dignity I had left, and dragged my feet to the door.

Every step towards the door felt like walking on shattered glass, but I kept going.

One step.

Two.

Three.

Freedom was only a few feet away.

“Stop right there Wrenley Ashbourne!” My father's voice bellowed from behind making me stop dead in my tracks, and something tells me he used his command as Beta.

This wasn't good. But I obeyed, against every instinct screaming at me to defy him.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room again, and only the sounds of my father's footsteps as he made his way towards me could be heard.

“You're not to step your foot out of your room until Selene and her boyfriend goes back,” he stated firmly, before walking out the door.

One after another they all made their way out of my room, while I stood frozen by the door.

The moment Patricia clicked the door shut, my legs gave way and I crumpled to the floor in defeat, unable to hold back my tears.

Not having the mental strength to keep Astra locked away, she let loose, and the sound of her painful howl was the last thing I heard before everything went dark.