Chapter 1 1. Rejected

"You're just a lowly omega. How shameless of you to show up at a party like this! This party is for Jerold's invited guests only. What makes you think you belong here?" "Jerold invited me..." I defended myself. "Liar! There's no way Jerold invited you. Why would he? You'll only ruin the whole party!" "Even your own father doesn't acknowledge you, Celine. You should know your place." "This is a party for people who actually matter. You clearly don't belong here, fat pig!" "Oh, pathetic Celine. You're such a useless, obese omega!" Cruel laughter erupted around me. I clutched my dress, fighting back tears as the pack members surrounded me. I had endured their insults countless times, but tonight, they hurt more than usual. Because I had come here with hope. Tonight was Jerold's birthday, and he had personally invited me to his party. As the beta's son and my childhood best friend, he was the only one in the pack who treated me like I mattered despite being a weak omega. He was also the man I loved. I had spent hours choosing my dress and fixing my hair, wanting to look beautiful for him. "I'm not lying... Jerold invited me," I insisted, though my voice grew weaker under their mocking stares. "Then why isn't he here to welcome you?" Before I could answer, the crowd parted. Jerold stepped between me and the others, immediately silencing their laughter. "Hey, that's enough." His voice remained calm, but his presence was enough to make everyone listen. "Celine is our Alpha's eldest daughter. You should show her some respect." My heart warmed at his defense. That was what I loved about Jerold. He never needed to shout to command attention. And he had always been kind to me. I hurried toward him, my embarrassment fading as I remembered the gift I had brought. "I brought you something." I held out a small wooden box decorated with delicate floral patterns. I had spent hours carving it, imagining his reaction when he opened it. Jerold raised his eyebrows. "This is a gift for me? Even the box is beautiful. I wonder what's inside." A few people snickered. "Probably something useless." "Of course. What else would she give him?" I forced a small pout, but Jerold ignored their remarks and reached for the box. When our hands touched, a strange warmth surged through my fingertips, spreading up my arm and into my chest like electricity. Jerold froze. We stared at each other as an overwhelming sensation swept through me. It felt as though an invisible thread had connected our souls, drawing me toward him. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. Deep inside, my wolf stirred with unmistakable recognition. 'Mate.' Her voice rang through my mind. 'He's our mate.' Jerold was my mate?! A sudden breeze swept around us, lifting our clothes and loose strands of hair. Silver light spiraled around our bodies, shimmering like ribbons of moonlight before forming a luminous circle that seemed to bind us together. Overwhelmed with joy, I could barely contain myself. "You're my mate!" I exclaimed. Gasps filled the room. "Holy shit. Celine is Jerold's mate?! That fat-ass omega?!" "No way!" "But what about Cecilia? Aren't they dating?" My smile faded at the mention of Cecilia, my stepsister. What do they mean, Jerold and Cecilia are dating? Jerold had only ever shown affection toward me. I turned to him, searching for the same happiness I felt. Instead, his face twisted with discomfort. He abruptly pulled his hand away. The wooden gift box slipped from my fingers and cracked against the floor. "No." Jerold shook his head. "No, this isn't possible." He glanced at the people watching us. "This isn't what you think. It's not-" "What do you mean, Jerold?" I asked, confused. "Aren't you supposed to be happy?" He stared at me before frustration flashed across his face. "You're my mate?!" he shouted. "What kind of cheap joke is this?!" I flinched. "This isn't the true will of the Moon Goddess. This has to be some kind of curse!" "Why would you say that, Jerold?" My voice trembled. "We've always been close. You told me you liked me..." "I like you as a friend, Celine! Not as a woman! I only stayed close to you because I felt sorry for you!" he continued angrily. "No one wants to be around you, so I thought you should at least have someone!" His words cut deeper than any insult the pack members had ever thrown at me. "You should be grateful for that much!" I struggled to process what I was hearing. Had I misunderstood every moment we'd shared, every kind word he'd ever said to me, and every time he'd defended me? "Besides, there is no way I could ever like you." Jerold glared at me. "I love Cecilia. I always have, and I always will." "What...? I had no idea..." I whispered. "You never told me! You two never even seemed like you were together!" Jerold rubbed his eyes. "That's because we thought it wasn't the right time for anyone to know." "So... you really are dating Cecilia?" "Yes." His answer came without hesitation, destroying the last of my hope. I looked at the wooden box lying between us. The floral patterns I had carved seemed foolish now. Jerold took a deep breath, then looked me straight in the eyes. "I can't be with you, Celine. So listen carefully." Tears blurred my vision. "I, Jerold Brook, reject you as my mate and sever this unwanted bond between us!" Pain tore through my chest instantly. The bond that had only just formed tightened around my soul before snapping apart. I screamed as agony exploded through my body, as though a blade had pierced my heart. The warmth that had filled me moments ago vanished, replaced by a freezing emptiness. My knees buckled, and I clutched my chest as tears streamed down my face. My wolf howled in anguish. I had just found my mate, only to be rejected the very next moment in front of everyone. The laughter had stopped, but whispers continued around me. I could barely hear them through the pain or the agony came from the broken bond or the realization that everything I had believed about Jerold had been a lie. The first man I had ever loved had become the one who hurt me most.