Chapter 7 Rejected 

6. Rejected

Tears welled up in my eyes when I witnessed everyone around me finding their mates. It was a painful moment, and I felt a deep sense of longing. I had hoped someone would step forward and claim me as their Mate, but no one did.

I gasped when I recognized Edward's image. It was a moment of revelation, as I realized that I did have a mate, and my feelings for Edward were not just infatuation; the Mate Bond was at work.

I looked the throng for Edward; I'm sure he has seen this as well, so why isn't he approaching me? Shouldn't he have been the first to notice the occurrence and rush over to me? I'm not sure where he is now.

My heart was pounding with tremendous anguish. I had no idea what that was, but when my sight was drawn to Edward, I noticed him licking a brown wolf that belonged to someone I knew.

They swiftly returned to their human forms and stood up, covering themselves. Edward's eyes met mine for a brief moment, but he quickly returned his sight to Charlotte, who stood alongside him.

My heart pounded with immense pain. I couldn't comprehend what I was feeling, but it was evident that Edward's affection was directed at Charlotte, not me. It shattered my heart.

I would have dismissed it as my imagination, but the proximity between Edward and Charlotte was too real. It was a physical pain, as if my heart were being squeezed in a vice grip.

They began strolling towards the center of the field, where our parents were sitting. They started with his father, Edward got down on one knee, and bowed lightly in front of the elders.

Alpha Brad and Luna Lizzy stood up, proudly staring at their son.

They drew Edward and Charolette up in a hug and began speaking to the pack in front of them.

"On this important night, which only comes around once a year, I am pleased to inform you that my son Edward Hudson, your future Alpha, has found his Mate. This is a proud moment for me as the alpha and also as a father who will see his son become the alpha in the coming future. This calls for a celebration, so a feast will be held in this same ground where everyone will witness the union of these two and welcome our new Luna to the pack. I am proud to welcome my daughter-in-law and Edward's destined Mate. I welcome Charlotte Renes into my family, and I hope she will carry out the duties of a faithful Luna and mate in the footsteps of my Mate Lizzy Hudson. I'd want to invite all recently mated wolves to take their vows and move on to the mating ritual. Please, Edward, take the lead." Alpha Brad gave the order.

I was listening to everything until it occurred to me that I was observing Charlotte's wrist because, when mates are revealed a unique mark of their mate forms on the wrist.

I'm aware of Edward's mark. It's a tiger that's etched on Edward's shoulder. I saw it once while he was playing basketball.

For most males, it appears when their wolf first appears; for those who do not, it is revealed when they find their mates, and a mark is made on both of them.

If my theory serves right, then a mark must have appeared on Charlotte's wrist.

Edward's stare caught mine, and he quickly turned his focus to my wrist. On my wrist, I observed a mark developing.

I didn't think a mark will appear on my skin because I'm not yet nineteen.

This meant that Edward knew I was his Mate even when he was with Charlotte. The only explanation was that he was quietly rejecting me, a rejection he didn't want anyone to know about.

I couldn't take it any longer; my parents' agonizing gaze was enough to drive me insane.

They believe I have not found my Mate this year, which is unfortunate for them.

I wish they would believe me when I say I've found my Mate, but he's not ready to accept me.

I scoured the ground for my brother, and there he was, quietly slipping from the corner.

He didn't find his Mate this year, either.

I was still lost in my thoughts when I noticed Alpha Brad greeting Edward on stage.

I've heard that after destined mates are revealed, if their partner becomes close to another person or cheats on them, the pain will be worse than death itself.

I'm not sure if I'll feel the pain because he hasn't claimed me as his Mate, but I can't risk standing here as they take their vows and do nothing. I can't make a fool of myself yet again; it's better if everyone thinks I haven't found my Mate, but confronting rejection in public is worse than death for me.

I stepped back and met Edward's gaze one last time. I gave him a sour smile and rushed away from the ground.

On my walk, I saw people sympathizing with me; I know they're sorry I've been standing on the ground, and my Mate hasn't hasn't showed himself; they could assume I'm disheartened because I haven't found a mate.

I don't care what they believe; they are free to think anything they want.

I took patient steps away from the ground, and as soon as I was out, I allowed the tears that had been bottled up inside me to escape.

I just needed to get away and find some solace.

I shouldn't have allowed myself to have such fantasies. I didn't deserve anyone's love, and if the Mate bond was as alluring and beautiful as I'd heard, then why did Edward pretend to be Charlotte's Mate?

"Aah..." Pain surged through me, and I couldn't ignore it. It felt like my soul was being ripped from my body. The reason became clear: Edward had taken his vow with Charlotte, and I was left to endure the consequences.

I recognized I was in the woods and close to a restricted area, but I felt compelled to go beyond those boundaries.

I couldn't move an inch, so I sagged to the ground and grasped my heart.

My heart felt like it had been stabbed with a million swords. I couldn't help but cry out in agony.

"Help, please," I yelled. Still, I knew no one was coming for me, especially in this region where everyone is frightened to come. Yet I feel a sense of tranquility emanating from them. Samantha, my childhood friend, had vanished here, and since then, no one has been allowed to enter.

I gradually felt the pain go away, and I soon became numb.

Nothing matters now that I know it's all over. Mom is going to kill me if she finds out that my Mate rejected me, and the worst-case scenario is that I will be banished and forced to fend for myself.

When I was able to stand up a little more, I slowly began dragging myself towards home. I need some clarity, regardless of whether things will turn out in my favor or against me, but I need someone's straight words to lead me farther and let me know where I am putting myself.

When I got close to the end of the woods, someone grabbed my hand and dragged me into a corner while gripping my waist with the other hand.

"Leave me," I whispered between suppressed sobs.

They let me go, and I turned around to discover it was Edward.

"Why are you here, Edward? Shouldn't you be with your 'Destined Mate'?" I mocked it with air quotes.

"Astrid, I need to talk to you. Please listen to me," he urged, turning me around.

"What exactly is it? What else can you do to wreck my life? "I asked, accusing him. I feel he knows what I'm saying, yet he also chooses silence.

"I know you're upset with me, Astrid, but please forgive me. I am sorry for what I did," he continued.

"Are you sorry because I am your Mate, or because you claimed someone else as your Mate in my presence, or are you sorry for faking innocence when you are anything but that?" I pushed into his chest.

"Astrid, I'm sorry, I know you're my Mate, but there's nothing I can do. I want someone powerful to hold the title, and we all know you're wolfless. It's Charlotte I've always admired, and she's the right person for the job." He spoke on with no guilt.

"So you only care about your power and have no feelings for me? Sorry for bringing Luna into this, but she, too, is a human, but your father loved her with everything he had, and you can't do the same for me." I tried to fight back my emotions as my voice became hoarse.

"My mother is pure blood human Astrid, and you can't compare yourself to her. I'm sorry to say this, but you are too weak to rule over the entire werewolf realm, and I know everybody is going to object because you are taboo to the entire werewolf world. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but I have to do what is best for my pack" His words surprised me. That stung more than anything else. So that's what he's been thinking of me all along, that I'm a taboo subject for everyone.

"I'm sorry, Astrid, but I, Edward Hudson, reject you Astrid Stephnie Jones as my mate."

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Thoughts so far, please.

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