Rejected Once, Claimed By The Lycan Prince

Daisy's P.O.V

"I, Alexander Harding, reject you, Daisy Channing, as my mate. I severe our wolf bond under the red moon and I wish to have nothing to do with you."

The words rang in my ears like a bell and I fell to the ground as an excruciating pain shot through my body like an arrow.

"No, he couldn't do this to me." My head spun around the room as tears flowed down my eyes.

My body was trembling, my legs were numb and I clutched my chest to stop the pain my wolf was feeling but it didn't stop.

I slowly lifted my head to stare into his eyes. I wanted to know if he was faking it. I needed to know that in his heart, he loved me. I didn't want to believe he had rejected me like I was nothing.

But as I peered into his eyes, I felt nothing but an emptiness. There was no emotion in his gaze as he stared at me. It was like I was staring at a stranger and not my boyfriend who I've known for three years.

It hurt, it hurt so bad and I couldn't do anything. I felt this sudden urge to seize existing. And the pain worsened when a small smirk appeared on his face.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked weakly. "Why are you ending us like this?"

He chuckled before he answered. "There is no us." He said and I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. "Did you really think you'll become the Luna of this pack? You were fun to be my girlfriend but as the new Alpha, I can't possibly be with someone like you. That will destroy my reputation and make me a laughing stock to everyone."

Was I so terrible that he saw me that way? Was our wolf bond so useless that he didn't even deliberate before rejecting me?

"So you were just using me?" The words were too heavy to leave my lips but I desired to know why he chose to hurt me. Why after three years of our relationship, he decided to betray me.

"Using you?" His smile twisted into a frown immediately. "You were using me, bitch! You knew I was next in line and that's why you threw yourself at me. You pretended to care about me until I was the Alpha."

I couldn't believe he was saying that. "How can you explain the wolf bond?" I asked. "I have always loved you. I loved you even before I realized you were the Alpha's son."

"I don't need to explain it. I have already rejected the bond wolf."

Even though Alexander didn't love me, I loved him more than life itself. From the first time I moved into the pack with my mother, he was the only one I ever loved.

I had spent weeks crushing on him before I discovered he was the Alpha's son. But as I tried to stop my affection for him, I realized he was into me as well. The day our relationship started was the best day of my life.

Alex changed my life. He taught me things that my absent father never did. He cared for me in such a way that I was envied by every girl in the pack. He made me believe that love was incredible and it was worth fighting for.

Now he was throwing it all away. He was throwing away all our happy memories like he never loved me. I couldn't take it so I did the one thing I thought was right. I begged. I begged him like my life depended on him. Somehow, it did.

I crawled to his feet with tears in my eyes. "I'll do anything you say. I don't mind if you keep our relationship a secret, just don't do this to us. I'll not tell anyone we're mated and I don't have to live with you. Please, don't end this, Alex."

"It's Alpha Alexander now." He bit back. "And you won't tell anyone we're mated because I will banish you if you do so. I've found the perfect person for me. Now, stop wasting your time and go home."

It wasn't enough that he rejected me. He had already replaced me with someone else.

"Please, I –"

"Go home, Daisy!" He barked, rising to his feet. "I've run out of patience and I don't want to hear anything you have to say."

At that moment, I realized I had to accept my fate. It was done. I rose slowly from the ground to leave and I prayed silently that he would call me back. That he would embrace me and tell me it was all a lie. Or I would wake up from a terrible nightmare.

"Is she gone?" I heard a familiar voice ask as I turned to leave. There was no way I wouldn't recognize that voice.

I turned sharply and my eyes met that of my best friend. Chills ran down my body, numbing my legs. I stared blankly at her, like I had seen a ghost.

"Martha?" My lips quivered. "What–what are you doing here?" I stammered, refusing to jump into conclusion.

She rolled her eyes and sat on Alexander's lap. "I should be asking you that. The last time I checked, you're no longer his girlfriend or mate."

I could barely speak. "What–what is going on?"

She placed a kiss on his lips and giggled. "If you haven't figured it out, Alex chose me over you. I'm going to be his Luna and not you."

"You're my best friend," Was all I managed to say as I broke down again.

"You're pathetic." Martha said rising to her feet. "What made you think he would chose you? What made you think you'll be fit for Luna? You're nothing but an omega with no status. My father is the Beta of this pack and your father is a drunk who ran off with another woman–"

"No, please."

"You're weak and could barely pass the wolf training. I on the other hand passed gracefully. Let's not talk about your body size and how dysfunctional you are. If I were you, I would give up on ever finding someone to love me."

"Stop talking," I begged, unable to take the hurt and betrayal from them. "I thought you were my friend. I would never do this to you. How could you, Martha?"

"The official announcement of our mating ceremony will be made soon. I do hope to see you there. I'm sorry this had to happen and you were dumped."

I didn't want to hear anything anymore. Sobbing, I dashed out of the pack house and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I was running out of breath but I didn't stop running. I didn't recognize where I was running to but I knew I had crossed our borders. I didn't care anymore, I just wanted everything to end. My wolf was in control of my body and I just let her out to heal our pain.

And then, I propelled myself too hard and slammed my body on a tree.

I crashed hard to the ground and everywhere became blurry.

"Mum..help me.." I whispered inaudibly as my eyes closed slowly. Everything became pitch black as I passed out.

Landon's P.O.V

"Sir!"

I lifted my head and my glance fell on my chief guard, John. He was a short, bulgy man who often got on my nerves. Especially when I needed my alone time and he disobeyed my orders.

"John, why are you here? I want to be alone." I said, slightly annoyed.

"Sorry Sir." He apologized but took a step forward. "We found a girl around the border. We thought she was initially dead but after some examinations, we realized she had a concussion and needed medical attention."

"Then give her one and do not bother me anymore."

He cleared his throat. "There's a slight problem with that. She's from the Lightcrest pack."

My ears shot up immediately I heard those words. Lightcrest pack? Could she be the one? Shivers of anticipation and dread flooded my body as I rose from my seat.

A month ago, I received a prophesy from the seer. A prophesy that held my fate and destiny. I would finally find my erasthai.

Cursed from birth, I was unable to ever feel the mate bond. I was destined to be alone and to die without feeling the love of a mate. I had been with several women but my desire to be with them faded immediately as I never formed a connection with them. For years, I have searched for a solution but everything I did proved to be futile.

Not until the seer revealed that my erasthai and the one who would break the curse would turn up during the red moon ceremony.

I didn't want to believe the witch nor the prophecy. There were hundreds of her kind that I had sought help from but disappointed me.

Many of them left prophecies and told me false visions about my erasthai and destiny. So, I didn't want to believe that she was right this time. But somehow, I held onto a little faith and ordered the patrol of the border throughout the red moon ceremony.

Of course, a lot of girls had turned up at the border within the week. But they weren't her. The prophecy revealed that she was from the Lightcrest pack, one that held no significant status in the pack.

And now, a girl had been found from the same pack. My heart hammered in my chest and I tried not to show my fear. Would I be disappointed again? Like the others, would I look into her eyes and feel nothing? Would she be just another lost girl who couldn't help me?

"Take me to her," I said to John who was watching me keenly.

He led me to the clinic where the girl was treated in a private room. As I stepped into her room, fear and anxiousness gripped me fiercely.

She was still unconscious and was lying gracefully on a bed. She was a young one, no older than nineteen. She looked fragile, hurt, broken and I wondered what she was doing so far away from home.

"Leave us." I ordered everyone in the room and they scurried away quickly.

I moved closer to her bed and examined her. I watched as her chest rose and fell steadily. Her scent filled my nose as I stroked her golden hair slowly. She was beautiful but she wasn't the one.

I swallowed as I took in another heavy disappointment. I felt nothing around her. Her scent moved me like no other did but that was it. She wasn't special, she was just like every other girl.

Filled with anger and disappointment, I turned quickly to leave the room. But I heard her voice whisper to me.

"Stay. Stay with me." Her voice was tender and alluring. I turned around to face her but she was still unconscious. Something within me convinced me to stay and I didn't fight it.

****************

I knew she had woken up when her heartbeat increased. I spent the entire night with her despite John's plea to escort me back to my room. From across the room, I watched as she rose slowly from the bed.

Her eyes scanned the room quickly until her gaze met mine. And then the most incredible thing happened. For the first time in years, I could feel my wolf.

Not only could I feel him but I could hear his thoughts and desires. And right now, he wanted no one but her.

"Who are you?" She asked, looking terrified. I tried to open my mouth to speak but I was overwhelmed by several emotions.

My erasthai was sitting right in front of me. The prophecy was right. How couldn't I feel anything yesterday? Could she feel the bond? Would she want me?

All the years I had searched for her and she just found her way to me. I wanted to hold her desperately, to kiss her and tell her how long I had longed for her.

"Excuse me, Sir." Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Who are you? And where am I?"

I cleared my throat and pulled myself together. "I'm Landon and you're safe."

"Safe? I need to get back home." She mustered. "My mum must be worried sick."

"You had a concussion and need enough rest. You might pass out again on your way home." I answered, trying to restrain myself from moving closer to her.

"I can manage." She said and tried to get out of the bed.

"Stay." I said while rushing to her bed side. "Stay with me." My eyes reached deep into her soul and begged her to stay. I couldn't let her go, not yet.

She was taken aback by my statement and tried to regain her composure. I saw as she tried to blink back tears and my heart sank.

"At least, tell me where I am." She begged with tears in her eyes. "How far am I from home?"

I breathed. "You're in my home. The Crescent Pack. And like I said, my name is La–"

"Landon Grayson." She replied, cutting me off. "The Lycan Prince." She had finally recognized who I was.

"What's your name?"

She swallowed before running her hands through her hair which tumbled over her shoulders. I couldn't help but stare at her. Her blue eyes were enthralling, like the sea on a calm morning. She had a glossy skin which looked delicately soft. Her lips were pouty and full. She had a comely figure which was stem-thin and a scent which pulled me toward her.

"I'm Daisy. Why are you helping me??"

I had expected her question but I was still unable to answer it well regardless.

I licked my lips nervously. "Because I've been searching for you for over a hundred years."

She didn't bother to hide the shock on her face. "Me?" She chuckled. "Why have you been looking for me because I think you've got the wrong person?"

"A month ago, I received a prophecy that a girl from Lightcrest pack will find her way to me. And she will be the answer to all my problems." I paused, then continued. "I was losing hope until you showed up."

She blinked rapidly. "I don't understand. What does that have to do with me?"

I moved closer to her and lifted her chin to meet my solemn gaze. "Daisy, you are the answer to all my problems. You are the reason I'm going to know what true love feels like. You are my erasthai."

Daisy's P.O.V

"You are my erasthai." The words replayed in my head over and over. Was I dreaming or did he call me his mate?

He had to be joking. Yet, he didn't look playful or amused as I stared at him. His eyes seemed to be challenging me to deny his claim. They seemed to want me to test him, so he could show me how real they were.

"What do you mean?" I managed to squeak out instead. "Are you joking?"

He gently shoved a strand of my hair behind my ear. "What do you think I meant?" His smile was delicate as he asked. "I mean, you're mine. You're everything I've been searching for and I'm blessed to have found you."

My heart fluttered crazily at his words regardless of my inability to digest his words.

No. I couldn't be happy with it. I didn't have to even consider being the mate of a Lycan I just met in minutes. I was tired of being treated like an object and my heart was still aching from being dumped and betrayed by my best friend.

I didn't need another mate to claim me or pretend to love me. I needed to get home and figure out my life. Satisfied with the pep talk I gave myself, I stole a glance at Landon.

His eyes, green as sharp blades of grass was mesmerizing as he studied me. They were soft eyes, which shone brightly with joy. His lips were curved amusingly like he found me genuinely funny. He had a Roman like nose and half dome cheekbones which sat above an oaken jaw. He had well defined chest and abs almost visible underneath the tight shirt he wore. His thick black hair fell carelessly across this face and I resisted the urge to run my hands through them.

"Oh for goodness sake! Focus." I yelled at myself inwardly. I couldn't be fantasizing about a man I just met. But something about him stirred my wolf so hard.

I quickly averted my eyes before I fell harder. "I have a mate." I voiced.

I caught the sudden change in his expression and knew I might have unconsciously started a feud between him and Alexander. Lycans were known to be extremely possessive and to be mated to them was both a gift and a curse.

"And why hasn't he marked you yet?"

"What?"

"Why hasn't he marked you?" He growled.

"He planned to but–"

"Anyone who hesitates to mark his mate is considered unworthy of her. I can smell him all over you and yet he hasn't claimed you either by scent or a mark."

I was dumbfounded and it felt like I had lost control of my tongue. How could he tell all that by my scent? Regardless, he didn't have a right to judge me.

"It's none of your business what happened between Alexander and I." I said, fighting back tears. "He loved me. He promised to love me forever and –"

"Shhhhhh." I didn't realize I was crying until Landon was wiping my tears. His eyes met mine and I could see how enraged he was. I could also feel his pity for me and it was like I could communicate with his wolf.

Maybe he was right. Maybe somehow, the moon goddess had given me another chance to find true love. I didn't have to grieve over Alexander anymore because he was my erasthai.

"Did he hurt you?" He asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Pretending to be ignorant, I asked. "Who?"

"Your ex."

I swallowed. "No. Not exactly." I didn't want to relive the memories. "We were dating before I found out we were mates. I thought he was going to mark me immediately he found out but instead, he rejected me and chose my best friend over me. They betrayed me. He said I was unfit to be Luna and I never cared about the position. I loved him and I didn't deserve that."

"No one deserves to be rejected by their mate." He said pulling me closer to himself. "But he will pay for hurting you. I can't deny that if he hadn't made that decision, you wouldn't be here with me. But I promise to make him regret every decision he made that hurt you. You're mine now and I won't treat you like he did. You don't know how long I've waited to have you."

For the first time in my life, someone was willing to fight for me. I didn't even need to beg him to do that. He was ready to put me first in his life and it felt so good.

How did I feel about all that? You know, if by any chance that I wasn't dreaming. Well, it felt incredible. I had been dreaming of being loved by a man this way for years and now I found exactly my dream mate.

It's like when you wanted something that you thought was impossible to get. You dream about it for a long time, though you stopped believing you would ever get it. When you finally get it, you just don't know what to do with it.

However, I didn't want to get my heart broken again. Yet, this was Landon. The Lycan Prince every girl dreamt of being with. The most powerful person in the entire territory and he wanted me?

I stared at the handsome man in front of me. It couldn't be possible that such a man wanted to be with me. An Omega with no status, a rejected wolf with an aching heart.

"If I'm your erasthai, how come you haven't searched for me all these years?" I asked, refusing to believe that I was given one more chance at happiness.

"Because I was cursed from birth. Even if I met you, I wouldn't know. I believe the moon goddess heard my plea's and decided to send you to me."

"Can I still go home? I have to see my mum and tell her I'm ok." I asked and I saw an emotion flicker in his beautiful eyes.

"Sure you can." He replied, then held my hands. "But you have to return to me. You have to promise to come back to me or I will burn down villages in search for you."

"I promise I won't run away from you." A small smile danced across my lips. "I would have to talk to Alexander before I return."

"Why?" He quickly asked, slightly bothered.

"I haven't rejected him as well. If I am to become yours, I need to reject the wolf bond. Then I will return to you."

"Then I'll come with you."

There was no argument. I simply accepted it. Yesterday, I was rejected by my mate and I fled the pack. But I was returning with the Lycan Prince as my soul mate.