Rejected By Her Mate, Mated To His Brother.

CHAPTER ONE: Rejected By Her Mate.

MAE'S POV:

“Ouch!” Nova screams for what seems to be the tenth time since I started working on the dress on her body.

Aunt Amaya glares at me from her position on the couch where she is currently looking over designs in a fashion magazine laid across her lap.

She is fully dressed in one of her most expensive dresses made out of pure and original silk. It may seem a bit over the top, but the Fated Moon Festival is an occasion for these sorts of things.

At the thought of the festival, my heart thumps hard in my chest, and a demure smile forms on my lips. Today is going to be the best day of my life, I can already feel it.

“Ouch–” Nova screams again, her face pinched in anger.

Unlike the other times though, this time, the pin actually pricked her for real. I grimace as I lower my eyes away from my aunt's stern look.

“I know that you are jealous, Mae, but the least you could do is hide it! I'm your cousin for crying out loud!” Nova says in a condescending tone as she glares down at me.

“It's not our fault that your parents abandoned you with only the clothes on your back, Mae.” Aunt Amaya finally says in that hoarse tone of hers as she glares at me.

“I'm sorry.” I say in a whispered tone as tears fill my eyes, although I refuse to let it fall.

After listening to them continuously talk down on me in this manner for over ten years now, one would think I would have grown a thick skin by now.

They never fail to remind me of the fact that my parents abandoned me when I was just eight. They went missing, and just never returned.

During lonely nights, when I'm forced to go to bed on an empty stomach, I like to believe that they are out there somewhere. Living happily. And that they will return when the time is right.

But today is not the day to be sad. I'm going to meet my fated mate today. I already know who he is. I've known for a few days now, and it's taken everything within me to keep it to myself.

Rowan Blackstone. The son to the Supreme Alpha. Today will be my last day serving my aunt and her cruel daughter. I will be free from them.

“Done.” I say with a smile on my lips as I rise to my feet.

“What are you smiling about? You don't even have a proper dress to wear. Are you sure you won't sit this one out?” Nova asks in a saccharine-sweet tone that drips with irritation and annoyance.

I inhale deeply as I remind myself that it all ends today.

“I will make do with what I have.” I respond in a soft tone as I step away from her.

Nova rolls her eyes at me before turning towards her mother. “Let's go, mummy! I can't wait to meet my mate.” Nova says with a dreamy look in her eyes.

Irrespective of all she's done to me since I started living with them, I do wish her well. I want her to be happy. Because then if she is, maybe she would stop making my life so miserable.

“Only the best for my daughter.” Aunt Amaya says as they head towards the door, then just before she steps out of the house, she turns towards me, and my heart drops to the bottom of my stomach.

I just know right then and there that she's going to do everything within her power to keep me at home.

“Don't leave here until all the clothes have been washed and ironed and the whole house is clean.” Aunt Amaya says in a stern tone.

“But Aunt, I can't miss the festival.” I say in a pleading tone and with a frown on my face.

“Is this how you repay us?! After everything we've done for you?!” Aunt Amaya asks, her voice rising with every syllable.

“I will do everything when I come back–” I try to explain, but she's having none of it.

“You will not leave this house until you are done with everything.” Aunt Amaya says through gritted teeth before slamming the door shut behind her.

The tears I've been trying to hold back for some time now finally slip down my cheeks.

Feelings of dejection consume me as I head towards the laundry room. My heart stops at the pile of clothes, and I realise I will never finish in time.

With my heart in my throat, I do something I've never done before. I step back and close the door.

I don't wait for another minute as I hurry up the stairs to the room at the end of the hallway which belongs to me. It used to be a storage of some kind, but I've since made it a bit homely and habitable.

I quickly change into the black dress I had managed to buy for myself. After working for a few of the other ladies around town, doing a little housework for them, I could finally put together my meagre earnings to purchase it.

Although it pales in comparison to some of the dresses that the other women will be putting on, I'm proud of it.

Having bought it with my money, I feel honoured that I will be wearing it when I perform the mating ritual with my fated mate.

I leave the house with red cheeks and a feeling of excitement I've never known. If I had the money, I would have called a cab, but I just have to settle for walking even though the distance is considerably far.

My hands tremble in anticipation, and shivers run down my spine as I stand in front of the large wrought-iron gates of the Blackstone Manor.

The large house at the end of the long driveway is already overflowing with people – all werewolves.

I mix with the crowd, careful to avoid my Aunt Amaya, but strangely enough, I don't see her and neither do I see Nova.

I'm grateful for the few moments of respite. I would hate for them to ruin this for me.

Standing alone, a little far off from the crowd, I don't even attempt to greet anyone knowing full well that they won't respond positively.

A few years back, Nova had sparked rumours that I'm a w***e, further ostracising me from the pack members.

Even though there was no evidence, they had all blindly believed her. That is one of the reasons this mating ceremony is very important to me.

Maybe, when I become Rowan's mate, they will realise the error of their ways and will start relating normally with me.

My brows furrow in confusion when I realise that I haven't seen Rowan around. Maybe going to check on him in his room wouldn't be such a bad idea.

With one last lingering look at the crowd, I head towards the back of the large building. I slip into the open back door which leads to a well-designed kitchen.

I head towards the back stairs, still unsure of the right direction to go.

It would be plain crazy to ask any of the guards because either they just won't answer or they will have me thrown out.

I decide to start on the highest floor. Considering how extravagant Rowan is, I wouldn't put it past him to have his room on the highest floor.

I count three closed doors before I stumble on a slightly open door.

Stepping into the room, I push the door further open. My eyes immediately shut close at the sight of two people on the bed, both butt-naked.

Shit! I should have just waited downstairs.

I'm about to stumble away, fairly certain that they are not aware of my presence when I hear the lady moan pit Rowan's name.

My heart rate speeds up, and for a second, I can't open my eyes, too scared of what I might find staring back at me.

No. No. No. It can't be. All of a sudden, my chest starts hurting very badly. I know it can't be because Rowan is cheating on me. I don't even have his mating mark yet.

What shocks me the more, is the owner of the voice.

Nova!

“What the hell are you guys doing?!” I cry out in an enraged and shocked tone, drawing their attention to me.

Nova immediately rushes off the bed, with a speed unique to werewolves.

For a second, I believe that maybe Nova will give me a plausible explanation or at least have the decency to feel ashamed for what she has done, but she merely smirks at me as she pulls on her dress.

The dress I made for her!

“What the f**k are you doing up here?” Rowan asks in an aggravated tone.

“How – how can you ask me that when I just caught you sleeping with my cousin?!!” I ask in a shaky tone as a sick feeling erupts in my stomach.

“And? What's wrong with that?” Rowan asks in a taunting tone as he stares mockingly at me.

“You are my mate!” I cry out in a completely broken tone. It's only when I feel the saltiness on my lips that I realise I've been crying.

“You must be very delusional if you believe that I will mate with you. You are never going to be my class. You are a disgusting weak she-wolf who will never be my Luna.” Rowan basically growls at me.

My heart stutters to a stop, shattering to a million pieces. I have to hold on to the door in order not to fall to the ground.

All my dreams of leaving the Winter's house and creating a life for myself destroyed in a matter of minutes.

“How could you do this to me, Nova?! You are supposed to be my family!” I say in between sobbing my eyes out.

“Oh please. It's not my fault you decided to dream of something so outside of your reach.” Nova says in a condescending tone as she rolls her eyes at me.

For the first time in a long while, I feel an unreal taste for blood. I have this strong urge to destroy her in the same way she has done to me.

“I wonder what the pack members would say when they find out you are the real whore.” I spit out at her, enjoying as the smile wipes from her face.

Before either of them can come closer to me, I turn and start running towards the crowd of people, when Aunt Amaya steps into my way.

She slaps me hard across the cheeks before I can say anything.

“I warned you to stay at home, didn't I? I tried to protect you from the heartbreak but you chose to come.” Aunt Amaya says through gritted teeth.

“Aunty! You knew all along didn't you!” I say in an accusatory tone as tears and snot roll down my face.

“And? What are you going to do about that?!” Aunt Amaya asks in a mocking tone.

“I'm going to tell everyone how evil you and Nova are. I will tell them how you schemed and plotted against me!” I say in a surge of anger as I glare at her.

“Oh, I don't think so, because if you do, I will tell them everything.” Aunt Amaya says, and I go still in shock.

“I will tell then your true nature, and I will watch with a smile on my lips as they burn you with a stake through your chest.” Aunt Amaya says in a pleased tone as she glares at me.

Oh, moon-goddess! What did I ever do to deserve this?! I've always been respectful and hardworking, what more would I have done?!

Before I can respond, Rowan comes out into the large front area with Nova in his arms. He has everyone's attention before he can even say a word.

I already know what his intentions are before he says a word.

“I, Rowan Blackstone reject YOU, Mae Ravenwood as my Fated Mate.” Rowan says without any prompts.

I feel a searing pain go through my chest, and in front of everyone, I'm almost ready to collapse to the ground.

What more could be worse than your own mate rejecting you?

“You can't reject what doesn't belong to you brother.” A cold voice calls out, sending shivers down my spine.

I'm too scared to turn back. Too scared to look. Maybe if I don't, this nightmare will pass away.