Chapter 3 Rejection

Lia's Point of View

This was the first person I had ever killed. It was a shock to everyone-except me. I knew what I was reborn to do. After a few minutes, people began to comprehend what I had just done.

"Lia-" my dad looked at me, his mouth agape, as though I wasn't his daughter anymore. Disbelief was written all over his face. His eyes darted between me and Scarlett's lifeless body, as if to confirm that I had killed her. He reached out and touched her still body, searching for a response. There was none.

The crowd erupted in whispers, murmurs filling the air like the hum of distant thunder. I stood there with a smile, savoring the moment. I had taken a step closer to my ultimate plan.

You might be thinking I plan to kill everyone in the pack since they all killed me. But I won't. I will kill many, though. Enough to show them that I am not to be trifled with. I will be merciless. I tried to rule in peace before, and they murdered me. Now, I will make them suffer.

My father dragged me away from the scene, his grip firm. He didn't care that his birthday party had ended in chaos. He was more concerned about what I had done-and the person I had become.

If you're wondering why I ruined my father's party, my answer is simple: Look around. Do you think those people are happy he's still alive? Are they truly celebrating him, or are they here for appearances? Everyone is a pretender. You can't trust anyone. Words, smiles, gestures-all lies. Why bother pleasing people who don't deserve it?

But more importantly, I remembered this same event in my past life. It was the day I was humiliated beyond measure. Cheryl's friends had mocked me cruelly, and when my father arrived, he dismissed it as harmless fun. He was an Alpha, yet he failed to see what I, naive and trusting, could not.

Inside the palace, my father turned to me abruptly. "What was that out there? Did you just kill someone? Why?"

I stared at him, unflinching. "You were there. You heard what she said," I replied.

He frowned. "Does that warrant death?"

"She said I deserved to die because I was a half-breed. So I decided she deserved death for saying those words," I said calmly.

He looked at me, struggling for words. "Why? Do you think my judgment was wrong?" I pressed.

His silence spoke volumes. I leaned in. "Let me ask you this: If she had been given the chance to kill me, would she have hesitated? Would she have let me go?"

My father blinked, his expression pained. He knew the answer.

"But she's your friend. They're all your friends," he said weakly.

"They are not my friends!" I screamed, my voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Do you even know what friendship means?"

I bit my lip, forcing myself to stop. Thinking about it would only dredge up the painful memories of my death. Friendship. What a joke.

"Those women are not friends. Friends don't treat each other the way they did," I said, sighing.

I explained myself because my father deserved an answer. If it had been anyone else questioning me, they'd already be dead. "I'm tired of hearing hateful words from people," I said, turning away.

When I reached my room, I found Cheryl and Morgan waiting for me. I mentally rolled my eyes, bracing for their pretentious show of concern.

"What happened?" Cheryl asked, rushing toward me.

I forced a smile. "What did you hear?"

"It's ridiculous, so I want to hear it from you," she said.

I smirked. "I killed her using my witch powers."

Her eyes widened. "Did she try to hurt you? Why? I mean-"

"Enough," I interrupted. "I killed her because I felt she deserved it."

I glanced at Morgan. His face mirrored Cheryl's shock.

"What do you want?" I asked, my tone cold.

Morgan stepped forward, his voice soft. "Lia, what did she do? She must have made you angry."

I stared at him, refusing to answer. If I didn't know his true intentions, I might have confided in him.

Cheryl tried again. "What about Nanny Barry? I heard you stabbed her in the leg."

I smiled darkly. "Oh, I almost forgot about that. Everyone was so focused on Scarlett's death that I didn't give it much thought. Did she bleed to death?"

Cheryl scoffed. "No, she didn't die-"

"There's no need to answer," I cut her off. "She has people to rescue her."

Morgan moved closer, his eyes filled with false pity. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you."

I flinched at his words, the mate pull tugging at me. But the memories of his betrayal were stronger.

"You don't need to protect me. I hurt them, not the other way around," I said coldly.

"Lia!" Cheryl suddenly screamed, her voice filled with anger.

I turned to her, feigning confusion. "Why are you yelling?"

"You killed Scarlett! And now you act so indifferent about it?" she yelled, stepping closer.

Cheryl grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin. "You have to apologize to Scarlett's family and accept punishment for your crime!"

I yanked my arm free, scoffing. "Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?"

Morgan stepped between us. "Cheryl's not wrong, Lia. You killed a pack member. That's not something to take lightly. You should apologize and accept your punishment. And Nanny Barry-she's been with you since birth, but you stabbed her?"

Their voices grated on me. I was done listening.

"Leave," I said coldly.

Morgan hesitated. "Are you asking us to leave your room?"

"Yes."

They followed me as I walked out, like lambs to the slaughter.

When we reached the palace hall, Cheryl's voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention.

"Lia, don't be such an evil person!" she shouted. "You killed a good warrior-a Beta loved by all. How can you be so heartless?"

I smirked. "You're pathetic," I said.

"What?" Cheryl gasped.

Before she could say more, Scarlett's mother lunged at me, choking me.

"Give me back my daughter!" she screamed.

A twisted smile spread across my face as I let her strangle me. Then, with a flick of my hand, I pushed her away, lifting her into the air.

"You deserve to be punished for giving birth to Scarlett," I said, my voice dripping with malice.

Her mate transformed, lunging at me. My powers surged, transforming me into my full witch form. My hair turned white, my eyes red, and the hall trembled as if the earth itself feared me.

"You make me laugh," I said. "I've changed my mind. I want you both dead."

They screamed as their bodies contorted, blood pouring from every orifice. The room fell silent as their lifeless bodies hit the floor.

I turned to the crowd, announcing, "I am going to fully embrace being a witch."

Finally, I faced Morgan. "Because of everything... I, Lia Bryan, reject you, Morgan, as my mate."

His fury was palpable. He must have thought I'd never leave him.

What a joke.