| Body |
“Are you thinking about my brother again?”
New Alpha Jasper’s voice cut through the stillness of the room, dragging me from the edge of sleep. The sight of mate made my heart race, a mix of fear and longing. His tone was playful, but the tension in his posture betrayed his anger.
His brother, Elias, was the rightful heir to the pack, he had been my boyfriend until his death. He was a kind-hearted soul without a wolf, and that made him easy prey for Jasper, who seized power after their father’s sudden demise.
In addition to the alpha position, he took more than just power from Elias. Fate is a cruel mistress. After he kicked Elias out of the pack and cut ties with me, I found out that Jasper was my mate.
Now, on the anniversary of that tragic day, the weight of my memories was almost too much to bear. Now, I can’t control myself. I had to speak out.
I rolled over to face him, my heart sinking at the sight of his piercing green eyes, dark with suspicion.
“What if I was? I do miss him.” I asked flippantly.
Jasper’s jaw tightened. His playful demeanor shifted instantly. He crossed the room in a few powerful strides and stood at the edge of my bed. His presence was overwhelming, and I felt a familiar, unwelcome heat rising within me.
“Iris,” he growled. “You should know better.”
“Elias was better than you in every way,” I snapped, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice. “Even without his wolf, he was more of a leader than you could ever be.”
Jasper’s eyes flashed with fury, and in an instant, his hand was around my neck, his knee forcing my legs apart. He leaned in close, his breath hot on my neck.
“Watch your tongue, my dear mate. You are speaking to your Alpha. Your little lover is long gone, and don’t you ever forget that.”
My pulse quickened, a confusing blend of fear, anger, and want.
“You will always be a pathetic nobody,” I spat. “With or without him.”
Jasper’s face darkened with rage, but he controlled himself, a dangerous smile surfaced.
“Elias is gone,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear.
Suddenly he crushed his mouth against mine, his kiss so powerful and insistent I tasted my own blood.
Despite myself, my body responded. The bond between us was undeniable, a cruel joke played by the moon goddess. His movements set my skin aflame, and I hated myself for wanting him.
This man had taken everything from me, and yet here I was, craving him, needing him.
Suddenly, my back hit the bed, familiar breathing tickles my neck. My anger warred with the fire he ignited in me, and I couldn’t resist giving in to him. His hands cover me, possessive and demanding. I couldn’t stop the sounds that escaped.
Jasper smiled when he heard it.
“You can’t deny what we are to each other,” he whispered, his voice rough with need. “No matter how much you want to hate me.”
“I do hate you,” I managed to say, though the breathlessness in my voice betrayed me.
He chuckled darkly.
“Hate me all you want, Iris,” he said sensually. “It won’t change a thing.”
But I couldn’t escape the memories of Elias. He had such gentle hands, such kind eyes. He loved me softly without all the violence and domination that Jasper brought.
Elias’s hands had always moved over me with reverence, his fingers trailing lightly over my skin as if I were something precious. He adored me, and I worshiped him. His kisses had been tender, each one a silent vow of love and devotion.
Jasper was different. He was possessive, demanding. He claimed me with rough, urgent hands that left bruises in their wake. His face crashed against mine with a hunger that bordered on violence, leaving no room for softness or tenderness. His teeth grazed my skin, leaving marks to show the world that I was his and his alone.
I tried to hold on to the memories of Elias, to the way he had made me feel cherished and loved. I tried, but I failed. They slipped away with each brutal movement, every bruising kiss.
Guilt twisted in my gut; a sharp, bitter ache that mingled with the physical pleasure Jasper gave me. Tears of anguish slipped down my cheeks, unnoticed by Jasper in his enjoyment.
His hands gripped me tightly, his fingers digging passively into my flesh as he moved. The bed creaked under our combined weight, the sound a harsh counterpoint to the soft sounds that escaped me.
Jasper’s eyes were dark with possessiveness, his face twisted in a mixture of triumph and desire as he watched me beneath him.
“Look at you,” he breathed, “you can’t get enough, can you?”
I wanted to deny it, to scream that he was wrong, but the words caught in my throat. My body betrayed me, responding to his words even as my heart cried out for Elias. His movement became more frenzied, that left me gasping.
“That’s it,” he growled. “You’re mine, Iris. Don’t you ever forget that.”
His pace quickened, his breath growing ragged. My nails dug into his shoulders, leaving red marks in his skin as I clung desperately to him. The room seemed to spin, my world narrowing to the brutal, unrelenting rhythm of him against me.
The pleasure washing over me in a wave that left me trembling.
For a moment, we lay there, our bodies entwined, the only sound was our labored breathing. Jasper’s weight pressed down on me, grounding me in the present even as my mind drifted to the past.
When he finally rolled off me, I turned away, curling into a ball. The dull throb matched the pain in my heart. Jasper’s hand brushed my hair back from my face, his touch surprisingly gentle.
“Iris,” he said softly, but I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. The word lodged in my throat, a tangled knot of sorrow and longing.
He didn’t finish his sentence, getting up from the bed and dressing quickly. I watched him silently. He walked to the door before turning around.
“Oh, by the way,” he said casually, as if discussing the weather, “I plan on rejecting you on Friday. Just a heads up.”
The words hung in the air, sharp as a blade.
Chapter 2 Future
Jasper’s words stung, but I was used to his cruelty. His announcement shouldn’t have been a surprise. He loved to taunt me. And the only reason he hadn’t rejected me sooner was that I served as his useful prop, showcasing his supposed kindness and benevolence as the new Alpha.
Rejecting me, his mate, wouldn’t have looked good as an new alpha to the pack, although I was the girlfriend of the former rightful heir. But now his reign was secure.
And he could do whatever he wanted.
I should have felt triumphant, knowing that soon I would be free from his oppressive grasp, but the reality was far more complicated.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My mind scolded itself for being so overwhelmed with emotions. I shouldn’t feel as shocked and betrayed as I did. I shouldn’t feel anything at all. He took my parents and Elias. I should hate him.
I really shouldn’t have been surprised he had decided to reject me now. I should have known that was what he wanted. Behind the flirting and the occupying, he didn’t want me. There was someone else. And I knew that.
As if summoned by my thoughts, Naomi burst into my room, her eyes blazing with jealousy and rage. I hurried to cover myself, using the blankets on the bed, but she was too angry to notice or care.
She stood by my bed, towering over me as if trying to assert her dominance, but she only succeeded in looking like an angry cat.
“He was here again, wasn’t he?” she demanded, her voice sharp.
I sighed, too caught up in my emotions to give her any kind of reaction.
“He is the Alpha,” I said, keeping my voice calm and even. “He comes and goes as he pleases.”
Naomi did not like that answer.
Her hand struck my face with a sharp crack, the force of it turning my head to the side. I felt the familiar sting and the burn of tears that I refused to shed. Naomi crossed her arms, her eyes alight with hatred. But still, I did not have the energy to react.
“You think you can win his heart with your body?” She shouted, her voice echoing in my ears. “He is mine. He will always be mine. You are a toy! He will be bored of you soon enough!”
She never forgave me for being Jasper’s mate. Even though it was nobody’s fault.
We used to be best friends, growing up together as the daughters of the pack Beta and Gamma.
I met her eyes. Even after all this, I didn’t see her as anything but a hurt friend. I couldn’t bring myself to hate her in return. I missed her. She was fierce, but kind. We used to be sisters in all but blood. We had even dreamed of mending the rift between Jasper and Elias as their better halves. But everything changed after my 20th birthday when the bond between Jasper and me was revealed.
I hadn’t meant to hurt her. Not after everything she did for me. She saved me from banishment after Jasper usurped the throne. Her father had helped Jasper, but my parents had died protecting Elias.
She was there for me when I cried for them.
But after my birthday… her kindness turned to cold hatred. The sisterhood we once shared was shattered. And I was alone.
Still, I couldn’t hate her. I couldn’t even be angry. I could only take whatever abuse she lay down. I felt I owed her that much.
The sound of approaching footsteps broke through my thoughts, and I looked up sharply.
Jasper entered the room, his presence overwhelming. Naomi immediately threw herself to the floor, crying out as if I had attacked her.
“She pushed me for no reason!” Naomi cried, the fake tears already dripping down her cheeks. Her voice was filled with fake innocence, and her eyes were wide and tearful.
In an instant, Jasper was across the room. He picked Naomi up from the floor, cradling her in his arms. His expression hardened as he checked her for injuries, and he turned to look at me with cold disdain.
He could have shouted at me. He could have yelled or scolded me for the supposed offense. But he didn’t. He knew that wouldn’t hurt me. So he did something much worse.
“There is something I forgot to tell you about the rejection,” he said, his voice low and icy. “Naomi’s coronation as Luna will be the same day. You will serve as her omega maid in the coronation after the rejection.”
He looked down at Naomi with a sickeningly loving gaze, brushing a wisp of hair from her face.
“Then you can punish her whenever you want, my dear,” he whispered loud enough for me to hear.
He kissed her softly. It looked so different from how he kissed me. It looked so loving. He knew what he was doing. He knew the pain I was going to experience.
I couldn’t even process it. All I could think about was how much he looked like Elias. The love in Jasper’s eyes as he looked at Naomi shook me. He looked so much like the gentle and passionate Elias. I thought about how Elias had looked at me the same way. Jasper had taken that from me.
Naomi’s eyes gleamed with triumph as she nestled into Jasper’s arms. He walked out without another word or glance in my direction, but Naomi peered over his shoulder at me with an ominous expression.
I let myself fall into the bed, trembling. Only when the door was closed did I allow myself to fall apart.
Jasper had officially taken everything from me. My parents were gone. My love was gone by his hand. My future was in ruins. My innocence was destroyed. And now, I was to be reduced to a servant, humiliated in front of the pack I once belonged to. I would be no better than a slave on a leash.
The rejection would strip away the last remnants of my connection to Elias, severing the bond that had been my only solace. And the thought of serving Naomi, being at her spiteful mercy, was almost too much to bear.
But I would bear it. I would endure. I had to. I had no choice.
Chapter 3 Mates
The next day, the sun was beginning to rise as I stood in Naomi’s lavishly decorated room. Golden rays filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow on the ornate furniture and the array of dresses sprawled across the bed.
I was helping Naomi with the dress she was going to wear in her coronation ceremony. The fabric was soft and luxurious, a deep shade of emerald that complemented her striking features.
As Naomi slipped into the dress, she admired her figure in the mirror, her eyes gleaming with pride and anticipation. She turned to get a better look, her smile widening. While she admired herself, my mind couldn’t help but slip to the past. Memories of our childhood together, of the times we were inseparable, flooded my thoughts. The mischievous adventures, the laughter, and the bond we once shared felt like a lifetime ago.
“Hey! Where is your head at? Your Luna needs some help here!” Naomi’s voice snapped me back to the present. She looked at me petulantly, her arms crossed, the smile replaced by a slight frown.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, stepping forward to help her with the intricate details of her dress.
As I adjusted the delicate lace around her shoulders and fastened the tiny buttons, I could feel the old closeness resurfacing. Despite everything, the connection we had was undeniable.
While helping with her crown, I can’t help feeling close to her again. The crown was heavy, encrusted with jewels that sparkled in the morning light. It symbolized power, authority, and a future that Naomi was eagerly stepping into. I placed it gently on her head, making sure it was perfectly aligned.
“Do you remember when we were kids?” I asked softly, hoping to reach some part of the Naomi I once knew.
She glanced at me; her face expressionless.
“I do,” she replied. “We were quite the troublemakers.”
I nodded, encouraged by her words.
“We had fun back then,” I said. “Everything was simpler.”
Naomi’s face hardened and she snapped, “Those days are gone, Iris. I’ve grown up. I had to.”
“I know,” I whispered. Then, feeling brave, I added, “But I miss the girl you used to be. That girl laughed and cared about others.”
Naomi whirled around to face me fully, her eyes cold and unyielding.
“That girl was weak. She didn’t understand what it takes to lead, to survive.”
“Is that why you hate me?” I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop it.
Naomi’s eyes flashed with anger. “Hate you? You took everything from me, Iris. Jasper was supposed to be mine, and you stole him.”
I shook my head, tears welling up. “I didn’t steal him. I wasn’t something I had control over. You know that.”
“Control?” Naomi spat. “That’s what it is all about. And now, I have it. I have the power to make my own choices. And as for you, Iris, don’t think for a second that I’ve forgotten what you did. I will enjoy watching you suffer. Consider it payback for all those years I lived in your shadow.”
The venom in her words struck me like a blow. I had known Naomi was angry, bitter even, but this level of hatred was beyond what I had imagined. I looked into her eyes, searching for any hint of the friend I once knew, but all I saw was a stranger.
“I don’t want to do this,” I said weakly. “I just want my friend back.”
She laughed, a cold, mirthless sound.
“Your friend?” She asked, as if the words were strange to her. “That girl is gone, Iris. And what you see now is what I have become, what I had to become. You can either accept it or suffer the consequences.”
I couldn’t leave it there. I had to ask one last question.
“You never told me, who is your mate?”
Naomi’s eyes flickered with an emotion I couldn’t quite place. She was a few months younger than me, so when she got her wolf, I was already Jasper’s mate.
“He is gone,” Naomi said. She looked at me in the mirror with a dangerous smirk.
I blinked, trying to process her words.
“Gone?” I asked. “What do you mean?”
“I asked Jasper to get rid of him as soon as I found out who he was,” she said nonchalantly, examining her nails. “He is not my mate. He is only an obstacle standing between me and my true happiness.”
I was shocked. The weight of her words settled heavily on me.
“Naomi, how could you?” I asked, shaking my head in disbelief.
She shrugged, her eyes cold and detached.
“He was nothing to me,” she explained, “Just a name, a face. My destiny is far greater than being tied to someone who would hold me back.”
I couldn’t handle it anymore. A wave of nausea hit me, and I started to dry-heave. The room spun around me, and I grasped the edge of the vanity to steady myself. Naomi’s face turned white and then red with anger as I covered my mouth, gagging up spit.
She stepped closer, her voice low and threatening.
“Don’t play any games, Iris. You know even if you are bearing Jasper’s child, it won’t change a thing. Besides, I won’t let it happen.
Chapter 4 The Rejection
Today is the coronation day of Naomi, and I was waiting in my room for Jasper to come and reject me. My heart pounded and it was getting harder and harder to breath. I paced back and forth, unable to stand still. My bedroom, usually a place of comfort, felt like a prison today.
I could hear the sounds of bustling activity, preparations for Naomi’s big day underway. The grandeur of the occasion was lost on me, overshadowed by the impending rejection.
“It is for the best,” I said to my wolf, Molly.
“My life will be more livable after the rejection,” I said, trying to convince myself of the truth of my words. “Naomi’s resentment is only misguided. I can try and get her to trust me again after. At least I would have her back. And if I am to work as her servant, making amends would make my life easier in that regard.”
My wolf whimpered, her sadness mirroring my own.
“I know, Molly,” I said, sitting on the edge of my bed. “It’s just… this bond with Jasper has become too heavy a burden to bear. Maybe… maybe it is better this way.”
Just then, the door creaked open, and Jasper walked into the room.
Jasper was dressed impeccably, his black suit highlighting his strong, commanding presence. His eyes, however, were void of the warmth they once held for me. They were cold, detached, a stark reminder of the gulf that had grown between us.
“Let’s just get it over with,” he said, his voice devoid of any emotion. The words cut through me.
After all of this, I wasn’t even worth a few minutes of his time. I was just something to cross off his checklist. Even though I was in pain, I forced myself to remain stoic.
“Sure,” I answered, matching his tone. My voice was flat, empty, reflecting the hollowness I felt inside.
But then, something in Jasper’s expression changed. His eyes softened, and a hint of a smirk played at the corners of his mouth.
“You know, if you beg nicely, I can put you in a cute little house…”
The suggestion was both insulting and infuriating. I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on.
“No need,” I said quickly. “I am fine being Naomi’s maid.”
His smirk disappeared, replaced by a look of irritation.
“You despite me, don’t you?” he said, pulling off his perfectly knotted tie with a sharp, frustrated movement.
I didn’t answer, my silence speaking volumes.
The truth was, I didn’t despite him. Even now, I still couldn’t. I despised the situation, and the circumstances that had led us here. But before I could speak, he closed the distance between us, his hands gripping my hands firmly.
His grip was firm, almost bruising, as he pulled my hands over my head. The intensity in his eyes both terrifying and magnetic. His forceful and demanding kiss left no room for hesitation. The kiss was the culmination of our pent-up anger and frustration, a desperate attempt to reclaim something that had long been lost.
His hands swimming, and I responded by tangling my hands in his hair, pulling him closer. His suit jacket was the first to go, hitting the floor with a soft thud. My hands moved to the buttons of his shirt, fumbling in my haste. One by one, they gave way, revealing him slowly.
His eyes darkened with desire as he took in the sight of me. For a brief moment, the anger seemed to melt away, replaced by a raw, unfiltered hunger.
He traveled lower, kissing, and I shivered in anticipation. I was completely vulnerable now at his mercy. But I wanted this, I needed it more than I could express.
The sensations were overwhelming.
“Jasper,” I gasp, tugging at his hair. He pulled back, his eyes meeting mine with a predatory gleam.
We moved in perfect sync, a dance of passion and desperation.
I felt the pressure building, a tight coil in me ready to snap. Jasper’s movements became erratic, his breath coming in harsh pants.
The wave crashed over me, leaving me breathless and trembling.
Jasper collapsed beside me as he caught his breath. I lay there, staring at the ceiling. For a brief moment, everything else faded away.
I thought of Elias. Here, about to be rejected, desperately needing Jasper… I thought of Elias.
Jasper shot out of the bed without warning, looking at me with anger and maybe a little hurt in his eyes.
“I’m glad that I am going to be done with you and this stupid betrayal pain,” he spat, his voice laced with bitterness.
The realization hit me. Now I knew why he never failed to show up at the worst of times.
“Don’t.” He cuts me off when I try to say something.
He stopped me from saying anything further, his hands raised in a silent plea. The rejection ceremony began, the ancient words of separation flowing out of him. I spoke in a shaky voice but said them as well.
The breaking of the mate bond was excruciating. It felt like a part of my soul was being ripped away. The pain was so intense, so overwhelming, that I passed out. As consciousness slipped away, I felt a warm liquid on my legs.
Panic surged through me, but I was too weak to move. My last thought before darkness claimed me was a single, horrifying realization.
It was blood.
I have just begun to feel a subtle vitality in my body few days ago. Now this vitality has turned into deathly silence.
Could it be...
Chapter 5 The Coronation
I woke up to someone rocking me violently. The world around me was a blur, and my head throbbed with pain.
“Wake up! The coronation is about to start! Naomi is waiting for you!”
The voice was urgent, insistent, pulling me out of the darkness. My vision slowly cleared, and I recognized one of Naomi’s attendants, her face pinched with annoyance.
When she left, I struggled to sit up, aching from the aftermath of the rejection. I glanced down and found blood on my legs, a stark reminder of what happened. My heart ached, not just from the physical pain but from the realization of what I had lost.
My wolf, Molly, was quieter than usual, her sadness mirroring my own. “We could have had a lovely little puppy.” I heard her painful whispering.
The bond with Jasper, once a source of strength and joy, had been brutally severed, leaving us both wounded. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
I forced myself to freshen up, washing away the traces of blood and tears. The reflection in the mirror showed a pale, haunted face, but there was no time to dwell on it.
Naomi needed me. Despite everything, I still had to fulfill my duties. I dressed quickly and made my way to Naomi’s room.
Naomi looked at me with worry as I entered the room, her eyes briefly softening. But then she quickly masked it with condescending pity.
“Well, well, well. I guess you took the rejection pretty hard there I see,” she said, her voice dripping with false concern.
I didn’t say anything, my silence a shield against her taunts. The pain was too fresh, too raw to respond.
The coronation of the new Lune in our pack was a monumental event, attracting every powerful Alpha on the continent along with their Lunas. The grand hall was filled with people, the air buzzing with anticipation. Even the recently reappeared Lycan King had answered the invitation, his presence adding to the gravity of the occasion.
The invitation had suggested that the new Luna was going to be me, the new Alpha’s mate and the daughter of the old Beta. So people were shocked when Jasper got up to make his announcement.
He radiated authority, the perfect image of an Alpha ready to lead. His dark eyes scanned the room, momentarily resting on me, and I felt a pang of loss.
The crowd fell silent as the air filled with expectation.
“The Great Pack,” Jasper began, addressing them as one. “Thank you for coming to this occasion. Today, we mark the beginning of a new era.”
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. There was a murmur of excitement from the crowd, their eyes fixed on him. Jasper had always been a compelling speaker, able to command attention with ease.
“As you all know,” he continued, “the position of Luna is one of great importance. It is a role that requires not only strength and wisdom but also the unwavering support of the Alpha.”
He took a breath, his gaze hardening as he said, “But before I name my new luna, I must inform you that I have rejected my mate.”
Gasps and murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd. My heart pounded, each word a dagger twisting deeper. I stood there, frozen, as Jasper’s declaration shattered the expectations of everyone present.
“This new Luna will be my true love, Naomi,” Jasper announced, his voice resolute. He gestured towards Naomi, who stood beside him with a victorious smile.
“She is the daughter of a loyal supporter, someone who has stood by me and our pack through thick and thin. Her dedication and commitment are beyond question.”
Naomi stepped forward, her face glowing with pride and satisfaction. She basked in the attention as the guests looked on, their expressions ranging from surprise to confusion to pity.
“I assure you,” Jasper continued. “This decision was made with the best interests of the pack in mind. Naomi and I will lead this pack with strength, wisdom, and a commitment to our shared future.”
The crowd remained silent, absorbing the news. I stared at the ground, standing silently beside the beaming Naomi, accepting the pitying glances of those around me. My heart was heavy, but I kept my head down, determined not to let them see my pain. Naomi beamed, basking in her newfound status. I remained silent as my emotions churned.
Just then, Molly alerted me excitedly that my mate was in the crowd. My heart skipped a beat, fear gripping me at the thought that the rejection between me and Jasper hadn’t worked. But Molly reassured me otherwise, her excitement infectious.
I scanned the crowd, my eyes searching for the source of Molly’s enthusiasm. And then, my eyes locked with a man I thought I would never see again.
Elias.
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