Chapter 3 Episode 3

Roxanne's POV

"Do you think I'm stupid, Roxanne? Do you think I can't see through your lies?" His voice was cold, cutting through me like a blade.

"What lies? I wasn't lying about anything." I didn't even know what they were talking about.

I stared up at him, completely lost. "I don't understand. What are you talking about? I've done nothing wrong!"

Elena scoffed from beside him, crossing her arms with a smug expression. "Nothing wrong? Why don't you tell him why you came back after sleeping around with different men? You have no shame, do you?"

"What?"Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I gasped, shaking my head desperately.

Where did the rumor that I have been sleeping around with different men come from?

"That's not true! I've done no such thing! You're lying!" My voice cracked as I pleaded with Phillip to believe me, but it seemed impossible for him to trust me.

My eyes flew to Elena only to find her staring at me with a smug look on her face. I knew this had to do with her, that was the only explanation.

Phillip's jaw clenched tighter, his nostrils flaring. "You expect me to believe that? I saw you leave with a man, Roxanne. With my own eyes. And now you dare to stand here and call me a liar?"

I froze, realizing what he was referring to. I was freezing out there in the rain, about to die. And the man had only helped me. And yet they saw it as me cheating?

"Yes, I left with him, but it wasn't like that!" I said, desperation creeping into my voice.

"He helped me because you threw me out in the rain! He drove me to a motel so I wouldn't die from the cold, but nothing happened between us. I swear it!"

"Why would a man help you for free, Roxanne? What did you offer him in return?" Elena added and Phillip's eyes shifted to her.

At this point, I knew Phillip wouldn't believe me. His laughter was dark and bitter."

"You think your words can undo what I saw? Do you think I'm blind to the truth? You disgust me," he spat, shaking his bead.

His words stung more than I could bear, but I couldn't stop the words that tumbled out next.

"And what about you, Phillip?" I hissed, my voice trembling. "You've been sleeping with Elena, haven't you? And yet-" Before I could finish, my face turned to the sides, my words cutting off.

The impact sent me staggering back, my vision blurring as I collapsed to the ground.I couldn't believe it, but it was right there.

My cheek burned from the slap, but the ache in my chest hurt far worse. Phillip had hit me. My mate, the man I trusted.

"You dare question me? You, who are nothing but a lying, deceitful woman" He sneered

I braced myself for the inevitable blow, my heart shattering as the words fell from his lips, a lone tear slipping down my face.

"I, Phillip Stone, Alpha of the Stonewood pack, reject you, Roxanne, as my mate. You are no Luna of mine

**A few weeks had passed since I was rejected, a week since I got thrown out of the pack I grew up in.I left the area entirely, going to a different region as I tried to make out something for myself.

I found a small town miles away from home and picked up a job as a barmaid. I had to go far because I didn't want anyone I knew to find me.

I wanted to be gone and away from the place that brought me pain.

The bar wasn't glamorous, but it kept me busy and helped me forget the ache that lingered since Phillip's rejection.

Here, I was just another face in the crowd, and that was fine by me. No one knew me or pitied me as the rejected Luna."

One night, the bar was packed as usual. Locals, travelers, and drifters gathered in clusters.It was like this most times, and I loved it.

I usually got busy, keeping my mind off things I shouldn't be thinking about. And it gave me more money.

I weaved between tables, taking orders and delivering drinks, thankful for the distraction.

"Hey, Roxanne, give me one of those cups," one of our regulars called out, a few drops away from getting drunk.

"I'd be right there," I called out, forcing out a laughter.

It takes a lot of alcohol for a werewolf to get drunk, a whole lot. You have to be either filthy rich or ready to go broke to want to get drunk.

I was already getting tired of walking around, ready to call it a night and then go home. But then a man walked in.

Not just a man, but someone who radiated danger and power. He didn't belong here, and yet, I couldn't look away.

I sucked in a breath, My heart thundered in my chest, each beat louder than the last. Everyone turned silent as they watched him silently, their eyes following his movement.

The man seemed like he belonged to a dangerous world, a world entirely different from mine, one I could never belong in. One I shouldn't even think of being in.

He screamed for power and dominance, commanding submission from everyone all around us. And oh, was I ready to submit.

His eyes were dark, filled with so much intensity, it sent a wave through me.

They scanned the room before settling on a seat at the far end of the bar. If he wanted to be mysterious, then he got it.

People gave him space without a word as if sensing he wasn't someone to mess with. I didn't know why, but something drew me toward him, an urge I couldn't ignore.

So, defying the stares of everyone else, I approached him, drink in hand, and slipped onto the stool beside him.

I was supposed to be home right now, in the comfort of my safe blankets, But here I was.

I needed something to help me forget Phillip, someone to take my mind off things, And this was him finally.