Rejection

Valine went frozen at his words. The words he spits felt like a stab to her, tearing every fiber of hope she built in her heart. Weak. She had been living in that word all her life. Being rejected for being weak. As his words rang in her ears, bits of her memories of her past resurfaced, threatening to escape from the deepest part of her mind where she buried them a long time ago. She wetted her blood-stained lips, tasting the metallic substance of her blood, lifting her hand to stroke her cheeks that felt swollen on her palms. If earlier, merely touching her cheeks made her flinch due to the stinging pain, now she disregarded the torment and on second thought incurred a greater amount of it. The sharp pain shoots into every part of her body, but she hides the pain with seriousness and an emotionless veneer. Yes, she was a normal werewolf. A woman with a wolf within her. Yes, she can turn into a wolf. The only difference was she was weak compared to the other normal people of her kind. She was weaker and more problematic. Her body healed very slowly when she was in human form. But no one knew it. She had hidden it along with the scars of her past. So, why is she acting like this? She lives with pain. Pain put her alive until now. This shouldn't make her crumble, for she experiences pain three times more than this. She gracefully wiped her tears and composed herself, got it together, constraining down the displeasure she felt. Concealing the pain of rejection. She put up her walls and displayed her mask. The mask she practiced for so long molded into perfection that anyone would believe it. He didn't want me. He doesn't want me as his mate. It was clear and she shall not force herself. After all, she is only here for work. She held the uncaring gaze of her mate and bowed before looking at him again. Smiling, she spoke as calmly as possible when the truth was she was breaking inside. "I understand, Your Highness. Be assured that I will not utter the word nor think about it." And for the first time seeing him, Valine saw a glint of surprise and confusion in his eyes. If by some stroke of good luck, she was a Lycan or enough for him, she would run toward him and pronounce her adoration for him since he was her mate. Her soulmate, the one bound to adore her. The one destined to love her. She could already feel the bond forming a knot between them. But the bond also holds pain and it was killing her inside because her mate just physically hit and rejected her. Her wolf, Amaris, stopped wagging its tail and instead went silent, retreating to the back of her mind. They were both hurting. She holds his gaze, memorizing his beautiful striking blue eyes and every part of his face. Gathering up courage, she braces herself from the pain she will automatically feel as soon as she drops her next words. Even though she does not want to utter her real name, she needs to. She needs to do it so she can do the rejection. "I Valine Maev Dela Croix reject you, Dimitri—" She stopped, confused when her mate suddenly laughed darkly. His voice was too enchanting for her ears. If only she could block his voice. "You cannot reject me, darling. No matter how many times you utter the phrase, it will not cut off our ties" he said, daring her to repeat what she was saying. Valine frowned, taking a temperamental breath. Her heart beat loudly against her chest. "What do you mean I cannot? Werewolves can do that!" Dread fluttered in her stomach when her mate's eyes turned deadly and in practically no time, she felt a large, calloused hand around her neck and her body lifted briefly till she was banged into the trunk of the limousine. She desperately tore at his hands and she felt her sharp nails tearing a portion of his skin. Tears descended her face as she struggled to breathe from the pain shooting into her body. "Do. Not. Speak. To. Me. Like. That." Dimitri snarls hands clamped tighter "Do you understand?!" Valine weakly nodded as the tightness of her chest became unbearable from lack of oxygen. Dimitri harshly pulled away his hand, hitting her jaw in the process. She coughed, clutching her neck and jaw that was aching. It was no doubt bruised. She slid down to the ground, lying down as she held her breath. "You will not be able to reject me because rejection did not affect me because I am an Alpha King. And Alpha King's were an exception to that practice. That is if we are the one who does the rejection" Dimitri hunched down before her and lifted his hand, daintily touching her delicate neck that had red imprints around it. Very much like he expected, she flinched at his proximity. "N-no" Valine whispered with difficulty, stunned. "Th-that's not possible." He smirked "In short, you are stuck with me for a lifetime, babe. You will be with me for a long time to do what the heck I want" The remark Dimitri enunciated ignited a new painful memory in Valine along with fury burning fiercely. Why does she always get stuck to people who thought she was a doll without feelings? A plaything that they can order and toss around when not needed. She gritted her teeth, scowling at him. She stands up, totally disregarding the unbearable agony of her body, imploring her to lie still. Her eyes darken as her anger grows at the man smirking in front of her. "Then f*cking reject me! You just said you do not have a weak mate! Then let's get this over with!" she yelled indignantly. She believed this should stop before it could grow into something agonizing for her. She wanted to prevent it before she fell into some unbearable pain that might result in her breaking beyond repair. Dimitri stepped forward. He raised his hand and caressed his mate's swollen cheek with his eyes locked on her emerald-green orbs. The pain and anger dance on her irises. He could feel his wolf howling in his head at the sight of his mate. Fortunately, he blocked him. He can't allow his wolf to influence him and surrender to the bond. The woman before him was powerless as damnation. It was basically impossible that he would acknowledge a lady that was not a Lycan or strong enough to stand by his side. He took his hand on her cheek and then to her chin, gripping it firmly. A high-pitched cry came from her red and luscious lips while her soft hand grabbed his wrist. Her futile attempt to free her chin from his hand was amusing. "Why would I reject you if I could use this?" he dragged his other index finger at her bare arm. He felt her shivering under his touch, making him grin. This was the thing he just enjoyed about mates, the delight the bond can provide for one another from a straightforward touch was like no other. That was the reason he bought her after all. To be his mistress and warm his bed. The moment she stepped foot on the stage, he knew in an instant that she was his. Valine was his. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. "My sweet Valine, why would I waste the gift of the goddess for me, right? If I can do so much more" Valine had her eyes closed all the time since he touched her arm. Her fist clenched on her side as the damn sparks lingered on the skin where he touched. She was disgusted by the feeling even though it was so addicting. Because in her mind, the truth lies. Her mate doesn't want her. She opened her teary eyes. "Please, just reject me." If anyone sees them, a she-wolf begging to be rejected. She was certain this would be a great battle as it, had not heard that there was a werewolf desperately wanting to be rejected. But she had no choice. Before Amaris could feel the bond, even more, she had to cut their ties. Perhaps, quite possibly, they could live. "I am begging, just reject me" she whispered again with tears streaming down her cheeks. Dimitri didn't like that she was begging for rejection. It somewhat infuriates him. "Do not say that again!" he growls, grabbing hold of her reddish-brown hair and flinging her into the front of the car. Her back slams hard against the car. Valine felt a stinging pain everywhere as a loud, piercing cry came out from her wounded lips, and the pain in her back doubled. Dark specks blurred her vision as her body shut down voluntarily. Her eyelids felt heavy. She was being pulled into darkness, and this time, she succumbed to it, wishing when she woke up, she was nowhere near the man she called mate. Dimitri just stared at the motionless body of his mate on the ground. He could still hear her breathing. She was still alive. That act was not enough to kill even a weak werewolf like her. If not, she will be healed in a short time. He took a deep breath, calming himself, taking his awareness away from what his mate was trying to do. Hurting her to this degree was not his plan, but he did in the end. He was overcome with rage at the first sight of her because of the fact that his mate was like her. Powerless. It goads him for the most part at the trick she did. The lady had no qualms about dismissing him. His jaw clenched in frustration. "Do you want me to carry her inside the car, Alpha?" Darren—his gamma offered. Dimitri shook his head, not wanting to have any man touch his mate. He walked towards the unconscious woman, lifting her with one arm under her legs and the other supporting her back like a groom carrying his bride. She was so light as a feather. His skin tingles in desire as he touches the woman. Her enticing smell clouded his senses. Her sweet scent imbued with dew that is alternately sweet and green was addicting. Darren hastily opened the door for them. He gets inside the car with Valine in his arms and lays her down on the soft bench seat, carefully putting down her head. He then settled himself on the set across from her while Darren closed the door and soon after, the vehicle started to move away from the tavern. He leaned on the backrest while his eyes focused on his mate and let himself take her natural sweet scent. Her cheek was swollen and a purplish mark was beginning to shape. She was beautiful. Too beautiful. That was something he cannot deny. Among the women showcased in the auction, she got the most attention. Her thick, long eyelashes brushed her skin. Her perfect red, heart-shaped luscious lips were slightly pressed together. Perfectly shaped brows and pointed nose complement her forest green eyes. Damn those eyes of hers. It was captivating. Lastly, her curves. Goddess, she had the best assets. Her body was perfect. An hourglass-like body from her bosom, hip, and long, fair legs. When he touched her earlier, her skin was so soft. It was enticing. He wanted to touch her skin and feel the softness of it again against his skin. He shakes his head, pushing back the thought. Indeed, she was stunning and a natural seductress with her beauty. It was still fresh to his mind the way she stared at the tinted glass room. Those sensual gazes of her green eyes promise pleasure. He had mistresses and all of them were good in bed and all gorgeous with tempting bodies. But his little mate surpassed them with her beauty. She was a perfect fit for him. To be his mistress. And that is just how his little Valine will be. His tenth Mistress.