Chapter Three
NOT MY MATE
"What?!" Father roars. "Have you been drinking, Amber?"
"No, Father. I haven’t. I swear I’m telling the truth."
"Your words say otherwise. You sound like a drunken fool." His voice cuts like a whip.
The sting of his scorn burns deep, but I push through the pain. "Father, please, I overheard Reece. He’s planning to betray you!"
He chuckles darkly, then his hand flies across my face. The sting lands on the very cheek Reece had bruised earlier.
A shrill cry escapes me. I flinch, shrinking into myself, but he only glares harder. "If you’re desperate for my attention, earn it properly. Don’t feed me lies. You’ll only earn more slaps. Do you understand?!"
I nod frantically, choking on sobs.
He storms to the nightstand, snatches a glass of water, and throws it at me. The cold splash soaks my silver dress, clinging to me like shame.
"Go change. You look like some cheap whore." He spits the word with disgust before walking out.
The moment he’s gone, my cries break free, raw and strangled. But the sound dies in my throat when the door creaks open again.
Reece leans lazily against the frame, a smirk twisting his lips. "Told you he wouldn’t believe you. But you’re too damn stupid, aren’t you?" His laugh is cruel, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "You must feel like trash right now."
I clench my fists, my chest heaving with rage.
"Here." He tosses a handkerchief at me. "Wipe off your shame. I’ll be waiting for the last dance."
He turns to leave, but something inside me snaps. My voice breaks through the air, steady and sharp.
"I, Amber Reagan, reject you, Reece Trent, as my mate and future Alpha King."
He freezes mid-step. Slowly, he turns back, his expression murderous. "What did you just say?"
"Something I should have done long ago," I whisper, my heart pounding. "Now accept it."
His growl rumbles low. "How dare you, you slimy mutt?!"
---
The next day, I stand before the pack council, trembling under a thousand eyes.
Father sits on his throne, glaring at me like I’m filth. Elders mutter harshly, their disdain filling the air. The hall feels like a courtroom where I’ve already been condemned.
"Let this trial begin," the eldest elder declares, unrolling a scroll. "Amber Reagan, do you admit to unlawfully rejecting your mate?"
The truth chokes me. Yes, I rejected him. No, it wasn’t unlawful. If men can reject their mates, why can’t women? The law reeks of male bias.
"I had reasons," I begin, my voice unsteady. "Please, if you’d just hear me out—"
"What reasons?" an elder sneers. "You want freedom to sleep around? To abandon your mate for your lovers?"
"What?!" My voice cracks in disbelief. "That’s not true I don’t have any lovers"
"Show some dignity, Amber!" another elder snaps. "Admit your wrongs."
"But I’m innocent! Reece"
"Are you going to lie about me again?" Reece’s voice cuts across mine. He sits smugly among the elders, his face painted with false sorrow. "First you claim I’ll betray the pack. Now this? Why, Amber? All I’ve ever done is love you."
His words drip like honey, poisonous yet convincing. I see the elders softening. The crowd believes him. They always will.
"Reece, stop twisting"
"I can’t keep covering for you," he interrupts, sighing theatrically. "I tried to understand you, Amber. But I can’t. What do other men have that I don’t? Why throw away our bond for your lust?"
"Lies!" I cry, my voice breaking. "He’s lying! He’s the one who"
SLAP!
My head whips sideways. When my vision clears, Father looms over me.
"Father…" I sob, clutching my stinging cheek.
"You disgrace me," he snarls. "You should have died with your mother that night. It would’ve spared me this shame."
My breath hitches. His words are daggers, sharper than any blade.
"Reece was the best thing that ever happened to you, and you spat in his face. Now I’ll do the same to you." His voice is cold, final. "From tonight, you are no longer of this pack. You are no longer my daughter. If I ever see you near our borders again, I’ll kill you myself. This is my verdict. Case closed."
"Father, please!" I fall to my knees, sobbing, clawing at his boots for mercy.
"I already threw you away," he spits, storming off.
Reece stands, feigning grief. "Alpha, please give her one more chance."
Father shakes his head. "No. Let this serve as a warning to all promiscuous she-wolves. Take her away."
The warriors seize me. My cries echo through the hall, but no one listens.
Reece leans in close, his lips brushing my ear. "Don’t worry, little mate. I’ll sell this pack for a fine price. And your father will choke on his arrogance."
"You monster," I whimper.
He chuckles. "Yeah. But who cares?"
The warriors drag me through the crowd, their grip bruising. The pack watches in silence, their eyes cold as stone.
At the forest’s edge, the warriors release me, baring their fangs.
"Run," one orders.
I shift into my wolf form, my body trembling. My paws pound the earth as I sprint into the dark, the warriors chasing me deep into the wilderness—exiling me from everything I’ve ever known.