Chapter 5 Espitle 5

Ariana's POV

I took a deep breath and was about to knock on the door when I heard moaning and giggling from the inside. And somehow I couldn't help the anger that suddenly built within me. I opened the door with force and I was met with a naked Drew on his bed with a naked woman under him as they lose themselves in the throes of pleasure.

I gasped in horror as he finally turned back and paused for a moment.

"Don't stop?" The girl said and he smiled broadly and kept going.

I stood there shocked to the deepest of my bones. He was supposed to be my mate, the one who would love and cherish me. I was supposed to be the one bent under him, not some random she-wolf. I felt so heartbroken, he didn't even acknowledge me. Despite how hurt and betrayed I felt I didn't let it show on my face. It was very obvious that Drew never liked me, how I wish the moon goddess mated me to Robert.

Begrudgingly I made to turn around and walk out of the door.

"Stay!" He commanded using his Alpha voice. I stood there and listened to their every grunt and moan in pleasure until they were done. From where I was, my eyes rolled back in pain, and yet I somehow felt hungry for his touch.

"It's not true, right?" He asked, and I turned to look at him. The moment my eyes met with his and I caught a glimpse of the lady he was having s*x with, I felt totally stupid. The same Rachel who I was trying so hard to avoid is the same person I came to meet in Drew's room.

"Like you're supposed to be my mate?" He asked as he looked at me from head to toe.

"You're my mate," I confirmed and his face just twisted the more in disgust and disdain.

"Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but if you came here thinking I was going to accept you as my mate, you're dead wrong."

"Yeah, that's right babe, so she can finally know her place in this pack. You're a rogue. A common rogue and you think the soon-to-be Alpha of this great pack is going to accept you as his mate?" Rachel asked, placing her hands over his biceps.

"Well it's a good thing I didn't get my hopes high so let's just get this over with," I replied trying to keep my voice neutral, but deep down the pain of rejection was already eating me up.

From the expression on their faces, I know they were both shocked by my response.

Drew looked at me squarely, then said, "I, Drew McCarthy, soon to be Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack, reject you, Ariana, as my mate and Luna. At this moment, I announce that I am taking Rachel as my chosen mate, befitting the position of Luna of this great pack."

My knees buckled after hearing his words, and a sudden weakness spread through my limbs. I clenched my fists, trying to anchor myself against the overwhelming force of the rejection. Even though I knew he was going to reject me, I thought the mate bond would make it harder for him to do so. I didn't realize the mate bond could be this weak.

"I, Ariana Adams, daughter of Beta Adams of the Crescent Moon Pack, accept the rejection of Drew McCarthy," I replied and didn't even wait to know what his reaction was before dashing out of the room with an unsteady gait. Tears streamed down my cheeks, blurring my vision as I hurried back to my room. Once inside my room, I continued crying until I had no strength to cry anymore, and then I fell asleep.

***#****#***

When I woke up, I decided not to let Drew's rejection ruin my day completely. After all, it's not like I was expecting him to accept me. I still wanted to spend time with Olivia. Maybe being with her would help me forget about the rejection. I brought out of my bag a green gown that Victor had bought for Olivia and I a few months back, and after taking my bath, I put on the clothes and applied light makeup since my eyes were already red and swollen.

Immediately I came out of my room, I saw Rachel and her crew walking in my direction. In an attempt to avoid them, I bumped into the headmaid.

"You were one of the girls who helped with the preparations for the Lycan Prince's visit yesterday, right?" She asked.

But before I could reply she thrust a bowl of what seemed like blood into my hands. "Here, take this to the kitchen." She said then left.

Grudgingly I took the bowl to the kitchen, but on getting there the other maids started sending me from one errand to the other, even the lowest maids were sending me around. I kept on running different errands until it was evening and everywhere was getting dark. Once I was done washing the dishes that the head maid asked me to wash I sneaked out of the kitchen.

As soon as I got out of the kitchen and looked up, I saw Robert at the bottom of the stairs leading to the main palace. As soon as he saw me, he rushed toward me with concern and worry on his face.

"Ariana, where have you been? Are you okay? I've been looking for you all day. I wanted to take you out so we could have fun for your birthday, and Victor also asked me to be with you when you make your first shift under the full moon."

"I have been in the kitchen helping the maids out. I thought you'd be busy seeing that the Lycan Prince is in our pack." I replied with a forced smile.

"Ariana, you look so exhausted. Have you had any to eat?"

"I..."

"You know what, you go to our favourite spot and wait for me, let me get you something to eat. You'll need lots of strength for your first shift when the moon is out." He said before cutting me off.

I slowly dragged myself to the garden, where Victor, Olivia, Robert, and I spend most of our evenings, having picnics or light snacks. I lay on the grass with my eyes closed, waiting for Robert. A few minutes later, I heard loud voices of people talking, so I opened my eyes, thinking it was Robert. But lo and behold, it was Alpha McCarthy, Drew, Robert, Rachel, and a young, handsome man who was probably in his late twenties or early thirties, staring at me.

I quickly stood up and bowed my head in respect. "I'm sorry Alpha I didn't mean to intrude. I'll take my leave now " I said, bowing down repeatedly and then turning to leave the garden.

"Wait!" The handsome young man stopped me. "What is your name?"

"My name is Arianna Adams, sir."

Clearing his throat, he said, "I, Lycan Prince Edvin Murdock, next Alpha of the Darkclaw pack, accept you, Ariana Adams, as my mate and Luna."

I gasped, then looked up at him in shock. His eyes were almost black. I stood still, my brain still trying to process what I had just heard-or perhaps I had heard wrong. But the gasps of surprise around me confirmed that I hadn't heard wrong.

Then, suddenly, there was a loud growl from Drew which caught everyone's attention, and he quickly dragged me to his side.