Rejected by my mate, Claimed by the Lycan King

Chapter Four

Elara’s Pov

“Please, Find it in your heart to forgive us. We made a grave mistake by giving you to that man; we will find a way to rectify this, but one thing is sure: you will never return there”

Odessa's father finally spoke after a long silence, and I found myself just staring at him. He bore a striking resemblance to me, or perhaps to the true Odessa.

My mind was racing with questions. I didn’t mind stepping into another woman’s life to achieve my goals, but I needed to understand who this Odessa truly was.

To embody her, I had to uncover her identity and the identity of the "man" they had mentioned.

"I'm not angry with you, Dad," I replied, forcing the words out. It was a tough realization to accept, but their apologies were becoming overwhelming, clouding my thoughts.

I wished my own father had shown me the kindness of seeking forgiveness before his passing, so I wouldn’t have to carry such resentment for him. But now, I was speaking for Odessa, hoping to channel her thoughts wherever she might be.

“Your Luna ceremony is scheduled for next month. But your happiness is our priority; I wouldn’t want you to live a life of unhappiness!” Odessa's mother said, tears streaming down her face. I sensed that if I pressed her just a bit more, she would reveal everything in no time.

She seemed to be quite the conversationalist, and through her words, I was beginning to piece together hints about Odessa's life.

So, Odessa was a Luna in waiting, already promised to an Alpha, but who could it be?

First of all, I was completely lost, as I knew nearly all the Alphas in the country due to my status and my father's influence during his lifetime.

The Moonstone pack is one of the largest werewolf packs in the United States, so I was quite well-known.

I find it hard to believe there was an Alpha out there who didn’t know me; after all, many of them pleaded for my hand in marriage, which I turned down until I finally encountered Sebastian.

I mistook his intentions for love, not realizing he had his own agenda until he took what he wanted from me.

I struggled to figure out how to approach these people with my questions. In hindsight, when they were acting strangely, I should have pretended to forget everything, but I thought that would hinder my mission.

The moon goddess granted me a second chance, and I refuse to squander it on trivial matters.

I could still feel the wounds inflicted by Willa and Sebastian, the scars a constant reminder that twisted my insides with rage. If I had them in my grasp right now, I would squeeze the life out of them.

An unusual tension filled the air. My wolf, or rather the true Odessa's wolf that my own was trying to connect with, was restless, sensing something was off and wanting to escape this place.

Her incessant whining and growling worried me. My head throbbed, and my stomach churned as I tried to decipher the cause of her sudden distress.

“Are you alright? You look unwell, almost ghostly. You only appear this way when he’s around,” Odessa's mother exclaimed, her voice rising in alarm. It clicked when I realized Odessa's mate was present, explaining the sudden shift in atmosphere.

But why wouldn’t she just reject him instead of enduring this torment? Is he truly that Brutal?

Nothing humbles an Alpha more than being rejected by his mate, especially when he didn’t instigate it; that pain lingers for a lifetime.

I caught a whiff of his masculine scent and expensive cologne before he even stepped into the room. I quickly closed my eyes, letting my supposed parents take the lead in the conversation.

I wasn’t ready to explain myself just yet. I wanted to gauge the kind of person he was first, so I could engage in a meaningful dialogue and avoid embarrassing myself.

I could sense the immediate silence that fell over Odessa's parents the moment he entered the room.

I could hear his footsteps drawing closer, my heart racing wildly in my chest. He bore a striking resemblance to Sebastian, and if he had the audacity to throw his wife off a cliff, I could only imagine the depths of his darkness.

Just as he was about to reach for me, I felt the warmth of his breath on my skin when Odessa's mother suddenly let out a piercing scream of revulsion.

He paused, taking a moment before finally addressing her. “Why are you screaming as if you’re possessed? Are you indirectly telling me not to touch my Luna?”

“Your Luna? What kind of man hurls his wife off a cliff? You’re a monster!” Her husband attempted to soothe her with quiet murmurs, but she was relentless, fiercely intent on putting him in his place.

I admired her strength; I loved that she stood up for what she believed in. I wished I had possessed that kind of courage in my past life; it would have made my awakening so much simpler.

“You will pay for your defiance! I made you who you are today. Without me, you would have faded into obscurity…”

“And what? Should we die and grovel at your feet because you offered us help? I would rather die than let you take my daughter!”

“Then it’s settled! Guards, remove this insolent woman and her foul husband from my sight!” he bellowed, and the guards rushed in to obey, while my so-called parents desperately tried to get my attention, warning me not to follow him.

I’m not sure how I managed to stay composed amidst the chaos, but somehow, I did.

“Get up, Odessa. I know you’re not asleep; stop pretending.”

His voice cut through the noise, and my eyes flew open as I gasped. My breath caught in my throat at the sight before me—this had to be a cruel joke.

King Holden?

Sebastian’s fiercest rival and enemy is my second chance mate?

What a twist!