Two

Aurora POV.

"No no.. please do not do this" I grunt, my chest tearing apart with pain as I gripped Gavin's shirt.

What was happening? Why would he call me an Omega? And how did he get to find out about this?

Tears blurred my vision as my gaze landed on my stepsister, watching me with a smirk on her lips.

She did this!

But this was my opportunity, I will reveal the truth to Gavin now, he only rejected me because he thought I was an omega, but once he learns the truth, he will accept me and that is for sure.

"I..."

"Accept the rejection Aurora," Gavin growled, pushing my hand off his shirt so hard that I staggered backwards.

"Please, hear me out at least" I struggled to say.

"I want nothing to do with a useless person like you, accept the rejection now or else, I will snap your neck and feed your body to my dogs" Gavin threatened, fury swirling in his eyes.

"I...I Aurora Gemstone, accept your rejection" the words slipped out my mouth and instantly the mate bond between us, snapped into pieces as I fell on the ground.

Giving me one last look filled with disgust and disdain, Gavin walked away.

Tears rolled down my eyes as light whimpers escaped my lips. I was the center of attention as all the maidens threw rude remarks at me, including my stepsister.

My legs caved in and then I fell on the floor, but I couldn't care less, not when all hope I had for a better future was gone.

I had to keep my Alpha Wolf a secret, and the worst part? I was now a reject.

I was starting to feel lightheaded and dizzy like I was going to faint when I felt a warm presence behind me, enveloping me in warm strong arms, and with the very last strength in me, I managed to turn my head, to see who it was.

Jake, my best friend and my everything.

I had a crappy family, typical wicked stepmother and sister, but I had Jake, Jake has always been there for me since we were children. The only support system I had in this pack. Even though he was the Beta's son, he didn't let it get into his head.

"Shhhhh, it's okay, okay, come on, lets get out of here" He whispered against my ears, immediately fresh tears rolled down my eyes as i leaned into him.

Accepting him.

"I don't have anything else" I muttered, weakly. My voice barely a whisper, but he heard me.

"You have me, you are always going to have me Aurora, don't forget that" he corrected, picking me up from the floor as he led me out of the hall, I couldn't bring myself to look up but i could feel the people's mean, mocking pity stares, boring holes in my head and my back.

Once we were outside the hall, a fresh wave of breeze hit me as I grabbed Jake's hand. "Why me?" I stammered.

"It's okay Rory, you are going to be fine, Gavin is an idiot, but you know the best part, the moon goddess won't leave you mateless, and I'm sure about it" Jake assured me, cupping my face as he wiped the traces of tears off my cheeks.

"Nobody is ever going to want me Jake, why can't you see that? I'm a reject and..." I countered, breaking down into tears again as Jake pulled me closer, hugging me as he rubbed my back.

"It's a bad night Aurora but it will pass away okay? You did well, you summoned the courage to approach him, you are fearless and... special" Jake countered, holding my gaze as his hand dropped to my pendant.

"Jake..."

"Why wouldn't you give this to me?" Jake asked, running his fingers on the pendant.

I had no idea when Jake developed a special interest in my pendant but whenever I probed, he always termed it curiosity, but I had a feeling it was something more.

"It belongs to my mother Jake, the only thing about her I have left, it..."

"Jake!" An annoying voice that belonged from no one other than my step sister broke in.

I pulled away from Jake slowly, wiping my face as I looked away as her steps grew closer. A frown crept it's way on Jake's face as he turned to face her.

"What?!" He retorted.

"You are supposed to be my date for my night, and you know what a date does right? Hanging out with a lowly reject omega is the last thing on the list" She spewed her venom, looking at me like my entire existence disturbed her.

Well it did. But Jake was the only thing I had that Scarlet couldn't. No matter how hard she tried to be his friend and the fake sweetness, Jake never bought it. Never.

"You can go, I will be fine" I said taking a step back as I slipped the pendant into my dress.

"No...I don't want to...you need me, and that is the most important thing for me" Jake answered grabbing my hand, immediately our hands came into contact I felt an electric shock and immediately we withdrew our hands instantly.

"What was that?" Jake asked, raising his hands to his eye level, probably checking for a burn or something.

"I... don't know"

"Jake, you need to come with me now or else I will go back there and report this to your father" Scarlett threatened. I mean that's all she knows how to do regardless.

But something was going on with me, Just as I opened my mouth to speak, my heart skipped a beat. Twice.

Gem was active again. And then I heard a small whisper coming from her, "Mate" it was so weak but my eyes widened in shock.

This has to be a joke right? 

The moon goddess seems to be playing a quick one on me, but why?

I just got rejected less than five minutes ago and now I was getting another mate? 

Could this be because of my Alpha Wolf?

"Jake..." I started trembling . I was so scared to say it out, as I had no idea what to expect from him.

Would he accept me? Even though I couldn't be Gavin's mate, If I stayed by Jake's side I will be able to prove to everyone that I have the Alpha Wolf.

"Aurora" Jake gasped. The same realisation I'd seen on Gavin's face was written all over his as the feeling became stronger.

"Mates" we chorused together as a small smile filled with hope crept its way to my face.

"We are mates Jake, you can feel it right?" I squealed, the pain of Gavin's rejection diminishing little by little.

"Yes Aurora...I can feel it" Jake's words were cut off by the loud announcement my father made at the same time.

"... I'd like to break this news to every member of the pack as y'all deserve this, my daughter Scarlett has received the Alpha wolf and hence, I declare that she will be the next ruler, alongside her mate, Jake"

My heart dropped instantly, as my lips quivered.

"No, no it can't be Jake, you can feel the bond between us right? You are my best friend, my only support system, so this cannot happen between you and Scarlett, you don't even like her" I said in between tears with folded hands as I threw a look at her. 

But she had this smug smile on her face as she walked closer to us, linkin her hands with that of Jake, "Let's put an end to this show my love so why don't you tell her?" Scarlett purred, resting her head on his shoulders.

"Jake...you are..." Before I could complete my statement, Jake dropped my hands as the warm comforting look he had earlier disappeared, and a cold smile replaced it.

For some reason, I had a bad feeling about this, with the way Jake stared at me like I was a stranger and not his best friend.

"What are you waiting for baby? Aren't you going to reject her and claim me as your mate? Or don't you want to rule by my side?" Scarlett drawled with a sultry tone while shooting daggers at me.

So this was it. My Stepmom and her ploy to keep my wolf suppressed but for now long?

How low are they going to stoop to deprive me of my happiness? Gavin rejected me because of the false rumors and now they have cornered Jake too.

I wiped my tears moving closer to Jake, "Listen Jake, you and I belong to each other, do not do this to me please" I begged, but my heart knew otherwise.

"I, Jake Blackwoods reject you Aurora Gemstone as my mate and hereby claim Scarlett as mine" Jake pronounced.

I anticipated the rejection, but why did it sting so badly? my legs gave in, causing me to fall once again.

"Jake..." I whimpered, tears running down my eyes.

"Go ahead and accept the rejection Aurora, nobody wants anything to do with a lowlife like you" Scarlett added, resting her head on Jake's chest.

I opened my mouth to beg Jake, but instead of pleas, the words of acceptance slipped out of my mouth. "I... Aurora Gemstone accept your rejection" 

The familiar pain of a broken bond seared across my body and with blurred vision as Jake's lips spread into a smile. 

"One more thing," Jake stated, crouching down, "You don't need this anymore, you don't even have the Alpha Wolf so it's worthless to you" He whispered and then yanked the pendant off my neck.

"Arghhhh" I screamed in pain, wrapping my hand around my neck but then immediately Jake turned and knelt down in front of Scarlett with the pendant in his hands.

"Will you marry me Scarlett?" Jake proposed right in front of me without wasting any time.

"Of course I will," Scarlett purred as she hugged Jake, throwing a glance at me, one filled with pride and disdain.

The whole crowd cheered at their union as I remained on the floor, worthless.

I had one prayer, I wish the ground would open up and swallow me, I couldn't tolerate all this humiliation, not in this lifetime.

Suddenly, I heard a low growl from behind, the crowd paved the way as a figure emerged.

"Father?" Jake murmured as the crowd turned silent completely.

"You thief! So this is where you are after stealing my gold ring you thought I wouldn't find out?" The Beta yelled, pointing his fingers at me with angry eyes.