Chapter 3 Rejected and Mated

MILAN'S POV

I struggled to open my swollen eyes as the intense sun rays made my headache.

I strained to hear amidst the muffled noises and whispers around me. As I slowly sat up, I was startled to find myself surrounded by a whole pack of wolves. They formed a circle around me, their eyes fixed on me with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

Some of them were whispering to each other, pointing their snouts in my direction. Their hushed tones made it clear that they were discussing something about me, but I couldn't comprehend their language.

Feeling self-conscious, I looked down at myself and noticed that I was half-naked and covered in dirt.

Oh no!

I quickly jumped to my feet, scrambling to gather my scattered clothes, and hastily put them back on.

As I tried to recall the events of the previous night, my mind wandered back to the strange encounter I had with a stranger in the middle of the forest.

Though my memory was hazy and I couldn't remember everything clearly, one thing was certain- the entire pack must have found out about my reckless behavior.

Damn!

"What is happening here exactly?" a deep and familiar voice called out from behind the crowd, and the murmurs began to die down.

The pack members gradually moved aside, making way for the person- or people, I should say. It was Scott and Rosa.

Confusion and bewilderment were evident on their untidy faces, indicating that they had no clue about what was going on. I trembled with fear.

Nervously fidgeting with my fingers and biting my lip, I recalled the humiliating experience they had subjected me to the night before, and my heart raced as I worried about what would come next.

"I demand an explanation, what is happening here?" Scott growled at the pack members.

He stood in front of them, still unaware of my presence.

"She!" a male wolf from the pack roared in response, pointing his finger at me. Scott quickly moved behind him to get a glimpse of me.

When our eyes met, I froze instantly, my body turning cold and my cheeks burning.

"She? What about her?" he asked, his gaze filled with anger, and I cowered in fear.

"Alpha, we found her naked in the woods right here in this spot! She was involved in some sexual activity with an unknown wolf," one of the she-wolves nearby explained, and my legs went weak as I gasped.

"...Her nakedness suggests that she may have slept with someone, and we're now wondering if that person is her mate because everyone knows she doesn't have a partner."

Just hearing their words drained my energy and made me feel dizzy. My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the ground, huddled in despair.

"What?" Rosa chuckled unexpectedly, casting scornful glances my way.

"Tell us now! We want to know who you spent the night with!" the crowd angrily demanded.

"Yes, answer us! Was it your mate?" a woman yelled angrily at me.

"What a disgrace! She won't tell us anything. It's clear she gave herself to a man who is not her mate!" another she-wolf roared angrily, making ugly faces.

The wolves surrounding me kept shouting and accusing, pointing their fingers at me relentlessly. I wished I could disappear into the ground.

"Milan is my mate! Or was, rather," Scott suddenly declared boldly, shocking everyone into silence.

I was stunned and bewildered. What did he just say?

I stared at him, trying to make sense of his intentions, as a cruel smirk played on his lips.

I was certain he didn't want others to know about our bond as mates, which was why he heartlessly rejected me last night. So why was he now publicly claiming that I was his mate?

What was he trying to achieve with this?

"What do you mean-" I asked but before I could finish my question Rosa cut me off.

"Shut your mouth, you bitch!" Rosa yelled, cutting me off and preventing me from asking any questions.

But I ignored her, still wanting to speak. "What did-"

"I said shut up!" she yelled again, approaching me and delivering a harsh slap to my cheek.

Pain twisted my face, and I cried out.

"You're Scott's mate, yet you let someone else sleep with you, huh? Despite having your mate all to yourself, you sought pleasure in another man's arms. How shameless of you!" she cursed, and I flinched.

"God, she's such a slut!" she yelled.

"I can't believe she cheated even though she was mated to the Alpha's son."

"By the Moon Goddess, this girl is disgusting."

"No, no, let me explain." I tried to beg as I listened to their accusations and insults, hoping they'd give me a chance to explain, but my attempts were worthless.

"Is there anything to explain, Milan? After you've done something so heinous as this? Or do you want to tell us you never slept with a man when the evidence is right in front of our faces?" Rosa spoke again, spitting in my face, and I cringed.

"Or does she want to tell us that the Alpha's son was the one who slept with her last night?" Another person spoke up, and Scott responded before I could say anything.

"I've never slept with Milan and have no plans to do so. She's just a filthy whore who can't close the filthy hole between her legs."

"No!" I screamed internally.