Chapter 3 Three

Elise Pov

Lilith didn't just push me to the floor but my already manageable pants got torn. With eyes brimming with anger, I did nothing but continue clenching my fist.

I truly wanted to rip her off, I swear!

" You are just as worthless as your pants! Do you still wonder why Jason doesn't want to see you?" Lilith spat out, scoffing at me who was still stuck on the ground.

I remain rooted on the ground. Too powerless and... emotionally weak to fight back. Just then a familiar voice shattered my last twig at hope.

"You are a disgrace, Elise! How can you stay on the ground like a beggar?"

I looked up to see Jason looking at me with disgust. I felt like being hit by a moving truck. Didn't he say he had to travel with the Alpha?

" Jason-"

" Oh, please stop with your emotional blackmail. How could you be so bold as to talk to me when you are looking like trash?" He asked, sneering.

"I.. I..." was this the same affectionate Jason who just left?

The words got stuck when my eyes met the mocking gaze of the man I loved. There was mocking laughter as more people came out of their pack house, including our servants.

"You what? Are you trying to say your father doesn't feed you well so you trip at any given chance?" Jason mocked further, stopping right beside Lilith.

"Jason, she is your beloved mate. Show her some love. Besides, she looked so pathetic!" Lilith chipped in sarcastically.

" Mate? To her? Does she even have a wolf to acknowledge the mate bond?"

I got up slowly with eyes as red as lava, fighting off the tears building in them. I stood up to go inside so I could change my torn pants.

" Where the hell do you think you are going?" Lilith asked, blocking my way.

" I need to go and change my pants," I simply said.

Instead of an answer, Lilith made a gesture to one of the servants and I was pushed down again, wallowing in my pitiful state.

" You don't expect me to go around putting on torn pants, do you?" I asked, my eyes darting around Jason and Lilith.

Why didn't I notice they looked so wicked together?

" Why not? It's not like you are someone special. You just need to take up the mop and trash can and do your job!" Lilith snapped, getting irritated at me.

"Are you comfortable seeing your sister walking around with torn pants?" I asked, my gaze never leaving Lilith.

"Why does my Lilith need to care? Do you actually think..." Jason stated, scoffing.

I looked at the man who I had loved but he was just standing there, saying nothing and my heart shattered into pieces.

" Your Lilith? I am your mate, Jason," I blurted out, shaking with anger.

" Not anymore, weasel!" He smirked, taking a step towards me with blazing eyes that was filled with disgust and anger.

Then with a loud and firm voice, he brutally let out the words. " I, Jason Walter, rejects you, Elise Smith, as my mate. May the bond between us remain forever shattered in all lifetimes."

My heart squeezed tightly as I fell down, unable to say a word. With clenched fist, I laughed bitterly as the clapping of thunder and strikes of lightning seemed to agree with his words.

I was pathetic, yet I wanted to keep the last shred of dignity left inside of me.

" I, Elise Smith, accept the rejection of Jason Walter. May the heaven bear us witness!"

Like a twig, I could hear the snapping sound of my heart. Or should I say the mate bond? I felt it, every ounce of pain as the thread that binds our soul as mates snapped.

The rejection shook my whole being.

I strode out of there as I allowed the long held tears to stream down my face. I will make them all regret it! Yet, I walked head high as I buried the hot tears fighting their way out of my eyes.

" They are not worth it. They were never worth it."

Those were the words I kept trying to tell myself. The words I wanted to sink into my very rejected being. Without looking back, I ran deep into the forest.

I needed some time alone.

As I walked deeper into the forest, the whispers of the wind grazed my skin as I shuddered violently. Was it just the wind, or was my tears trying to pull out?

I guess the latter was it then.

I let out a loud cry, burying my weakness into the forest. It wasn't just the tears that fell, my entire being seemed sucked up by what Jason did to me. How could he?

If he didn't love me, why did he give me his shoulders to cry on? If I wasn't the one, why did he make my heart beat for him all these years?

" Why, Jason?" I kept asking the question, yet no answer came out.

***

" Why, Jason?" I kept asking the question, yet no answer came out.

My feet made their way through the dark paths that lead to the goddess cave. It was also an abandoned cave used by the first Priestess of the moon goddess. It was said the Priestess committed a grave sin against the Circle and was banished twelve years ago.

However, the cave had become my solace for the past six years after the death of my mother. Perhaps, this was where I needed to let out my pains.

With a sigh, I took brisk steps into the cave. As I got closer and deeper, the air seemed to change drastically. It smelled of dangerous yet an alluring aura.

That's when I looked up and saw her. This time, it wasn't in my dream.

The woman with raven hair and the most dazzling body stared at me, a faint smile lingering. She felt oddly familiar, and also dangerous.

" Who are you?" I questioned, afraid yet I was drawn to her.

" Three days, Alia. She would come to you-" the woman replied.

Alia? Who the hell was she talking about?

Confused at her cryptic words, I couldn't help but ask, " Who would come? And who the hell is Alia?"

" Your wolf would come, Alia. Keep her a secret until you turn twenty-One. Only then will you be safe," The woman said.

Before I could ask more questions, she had already disappeared. Was the woman referring to me?

I kept walking into the forest when I heard a muffled groan and metallic smell of blood.

Someone was hurt.

As I continued drowning in my dejected rejection, I perceived a strong bloodlust in the air and increasingly hurried steps. It wasn't a human foot sound.

It was a wolf.

I swallowed hard, scared of what might come. I took several steps backwards, my heart on the edge. The prospect of being attacked by rogues, filled my entire soul. I was a helpless wolfless werewolf, an easy target for rogue wolves.

Jason had saved me once from those werewolves. That's how I fell in love with him and I foolishly thought he felt the same. Not until they brought me back from my fantasy. I was still thinking of how to run back to the pack house when something leapt on me.

Heavily.

" Arrrrrrggg!" I let out but it came out in a muffled tone.

Still struggling, I heard a deep throaty voice. " Make another sound and you can kiss your life goodbye!"

What? I guess the moon goddess was certainly partial towards me.

Then the silence, and perhaps the uneasy breathing of fear in my heart. I could also hear his muffled breath even when he desperately tried to sound fearful.

What? I guess the moon goddess was certainly partial towards me.

But then, I smelled something bloody. A metallic smell of a bloodied person, and an aura that was so powerful it could crush even the swaying leaves.

I wanted to ask, yet my words got stuck until my insides swelled with a peculiar scent. A peculiar scent that was mixed with lavender oils and something else.

Wolfsbane?

" How the hell did you let him escape?" I heard voices, a little distance away. I stiffened, afraid of them catching up with our scents.

" This cave is enchanted. Just stay silent..." his deep throaty voice cut through my fears. Relief washed over me, however, fear lurked around. This man was definitely more dangerous.

" He wouldn't go far with what we shot him with. He should be lying around here. Send a mindlink to the mistress," Another one chirped in.

After a while, I no longer heard their voices. I felt a push and a groan at the same time. I turned around to see the figure leaning against one of the rocky walls of the cave.

He was shirtless, and his pants were torn. I approached cautiously, noticing the scratches on his chest and abs. Even in this state, he was damn hot.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked softly, shaking myself off those thoughts.

He looked up, his eyes glazed over. "Water...need water," he muttered.

Fortunately, this was my regular hideout. I swiftly moved to a hidden spot and brought out an old skin gourd. I helped him drink from the gourd, and as he took a sip, his eyes locked onto mine.

For a moment, I felt a spark of connection. Just like the scent.

But then, his expression changed, and he pulled me closer.

"Kiss me," he whispered, his voice husky.

I hesitated, but he drew me in, his lips crashing against mine. The world around us melted away, and I lost myself in the kiss.

We stumbled to the ground, our bodies joined in a hot tussle. I couldn't think straight; my senses were overwhelmed. The next thing I knew, we were lost in passion, our bodies moving in direction I had no control of.

My first time, and with a stranger.

When it was over, we lay there, panting. I slowly came to my senses, and he seemed to have passed out, his chest rising and falling with each breath.

I tried to move away, but my body felt weak. I lay beside him, trying to gather my thoughts.

Hours passed, and I finally woke up to find him still asleep. I sat up, looking at him properly for the first time. His features were chiseled, and his jawline was strong.

As I gazed at him, a sudden realization hit me. Those piercing hazel eyes seemed familiar. I had seen them before.

My heart sank as I realized who he was. The Alpha's face was etched in my memory, and this man was him.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the truth. The truth of the person sleeping peacefully in the cave with me.

And then, it hit me – the mate bond. I could feel it, strong and undeniable. He was my second chance mate.

My mind reeled as I scrambled to my feet, trying not to wake him. I backed away, my heart beating fast in my chest. How could this have happened?

I was a wolfless girl, rejected by all.

I turned and ran, not stopping. He can't find out it's me. This was messier than being with Jason.

What was I going to do now?