Chapter 2 The Pain Of Rejection

Chapter 2

Alyssa's POV

The sound of her scream snapped me back to reality and I felt all the colour from my face drain as Iris furious eyes glared at me. Even the moon goddess herself couldn't save me from her wrath.

“Answer me!” She yelled, her voice, if possible became even louder as she closed the distance between us.

“I-it’s not…” the words stuck in my throat. I knew that nothing I said was going to be a good enough reason for the position she met us.

Ryder shifted beside me, I could still feel the warmth from his body, but he didn't say anything…no denial or coming to my rescue. Instead, he looked pissed, replacing the hunger for my body that was in his eyes a few minutes ago.

I was certain my life was ending today…Iris would make sure of that.

When I couldn't come up with anything, Iris grabbed my hair, pulling me away from Ryder, who didn't make any attempt to stop, making it obvious that I was on my own.

“You’re going to regret laying a finger on what is mine.” She hissed, and it didn't sound like an empty promise so begging wasn't going to change anything. I might as well accept my fate.

The door slammed open and two warriors ran in, bowing their heads to show their respect.

My heart seized, “no…he wouldn't–”

“Take her away.” He ordered, his voice flat and something inside of me broke.

The smirk on Iris face widened as she let go of my hair and skipped over to him, twining her hand with his. “Babe, you should teach her a lesson…you belong to me now.” She looked over to me before kissing his lips.

“Ryder please, d-don’t…” I cried as the warriors dragged me away.

Tears streamed down my face as I begged no one in particular. I already accepted that my mate didn't want me but throwing me into the dungeon was a whole new level.

The warriors dragged me through the hallway, my cry echoing off the walls. Several heads turned to see what was going on, a look that I could describe as ‘you deserve it’ rested on most of their faces. Only a few of them had pity in their eyes.

“Can you go a day without embarrassing our family?” My mom snapped, causing the warriors holding me to stop. And if eyes could kill, I would be more than six feet below. “Your father should have taken you with him…” I let out a growl before she could finish talking.

“Leave dad out of this!”

But she just chuckled, “take her away, and make sure she doesn't ruin the ceremony tonight.” She warned, her voice stern.

“Yes ma.” They chorused, as they continued the journey to the dungeon.

I stopped fighting, nothing could save me now…not like I expected my mom, who got married to the Beta of our pack barely a month after my dad died. She didn't even feel guilty that she was part of the reason dad chose to end his life.

The stench of rot and dampness hit my nose before I caught sight of the stairs, announcing our arrival to my new home. My stomach twisted and I felt bile rising in my throat. I swallowed hard, my teeth clenched as they pulled me down the stairs and into one of the stalls. Even though it was still a bit bright outside, the dungeon was the complete opposite of that and our only source of light were the lamps hanging on the wall.

My back rested against the cold stone, sending shivers down my spine, reminding me that I wasn't properly dressed for the dungeon.

A sad smile made its way to my lip, “not like I got dressed everyday expecting to be thrown into the dungeon.” I thought.

Everywhere was silent apart from the growling of my stomach, reminding me that I haven't eaten anything apart from the chocolate bar I managed to sneak into my room after preparing breakfast for the pack members.

The silence was broken when I heard a small cough that I was certain didn't come from me, making me realise I wasn't alone like I originally thought…someone else was also a victim of either Ryder or Iris’s wrath.

“Who's there?” I asked, my voice hoarse and barely above a whisper.

Instead of an answer, another cough filled my ears and my hand tightened around my knees. “Who's there?” I repeated and almost immediately, a small figure crawled out from the other end of the stall where it was completely dark.

I gasped when her face came into view. She was beyond dirty, her hair looked like a resting place for birds and her clothes were nothing but rags clinging to her skin.

“Luna.” She called, her voice hoarse like she hadn't spoken in months.

I shook my head, “I'm not the Luna.” I told her and I didn't miss how her eyes widened in shock.

Not that I blamed her. Ryder had made it known to everyone that I was going to be his Luna while we were together until my eighteenth birthday.

“How long have you been here?” I asked. No doubt it has been a while since she still thinks I am the Luna. And for a moment, my own pain was forgotten and my heart went to the girl who looked like she was younger than I am.

“I-I can't r-remember.” She stammered.

Between coughs, she told me how Ryder had ordered her to be put in the dungeon when he thought she was spying on him when all she had done was wait for him to be done with his call before serving him his coffee but no amount of explanation could save her…just like me.

I wasn't sure how long we spoke for because the next time I opened my eyes was because of the pain in my chest which made it hard to breathe.

“A-Are you okay, Luna?” The Omega, whose name I found out was Elara asked.

I shook my head, my body felt like it was on fire. At first, it was a sting—then a knife twisting deep. My chest locked, every breath slicing through me like glass. I crumpled against the stone, trembling.

The bond was tearing. I could feel it. Ryder was giving himself to her. Choosing her. And with every snap inside me, another piece of me burned away.

Elara's hand rested on my arm, shaking but steady. “Luna?” she whispered, fear laced in her voice.

But I couldn’t answer. All I could do was shake my head. I wasn't…not even close to being okay.

The bond was breaking. I felt it.

Ryder was choosing her. Making her his mate. And with each shred of the bond that snapped, it was like another piece of me died with it and just when I felt myself slip into darkness, I murmured quietly,

“I, Alyssa Crestwood, reject you, Ryder

Ashford as my mate.” My chest ripped apart– grief, agony, freedom. And then, silence.