Rejected by my mate, chosen by fate

Chapter4

NORA

The air in the restroom felt suffocating, and my heart raced in my chest as Sylvester’s hand hovered, trembling, just inches from my face.

"Isn't that a bit much?" The voice was low, commanding, and familiar. I looked up to find him, the one whose presence had disturbed me in ways I couldn’t explain.

His dark eyes met mine, sharp and unwavering. His hand was firm on Sylvester’s wrist, but it wasn’t the strength of his grip that sent a chill down my spine. It was the quiet confidence in his stance, the way he seemed to belong here, even though I had no idea who he was or why he was interfering now.

Sylvester jerked his arm back, eyes narrowing as he turned to face the stranger.

“Alpha Logan, you don't have to interfere in my pack’s business.” Sylvester snarled, his voice tense with barely contained anger. He looked between the two of us, but his gaze kept shifting back to me like he was trying to make sense of the scene before him.

Sylvester had just called his name, Alpha Logan. I knew that name. Everyone does! Even Sylvester always told me how he looked up to being like Alpha Logan one day.

Was he the one? He was the person who claimed to be my mate.

Sylvester's voice dropped into a dangerous growl. "Stay out of this, Nora." He stepped toward me, his face inches from mine. His words felt like a slap. "You've done enough, haven't you?"

I could feel the venom in his tone, and my skin prickled, not just from the anger, but from something darker. I had to escape. The tension was suffocating. I didn't want to be part of this.

Not wanting to be part of the drama in the restroom, I made my way to leave, offering an “excuse me.” as I maneuvered through the crowd.

I found myself seated at the Alpha’s table. Initially, I had sighted where Sylvester and Mira stayed, so I just took a space next to it knowing that nobody stayed there.

Shortly after, everyone in the restroom returned, apart from Mira. She must have been taken for treatment and I still can't understand why she lied and inflicted pain on herself.

Sylvester sat where he stayed initially, leaving a space between us, the space where Mira was staying initially. On the other hand, Alpha Logan took his space close to me.

Why again? I asked myself inwardly. With the look on Sylvester’s face, I couldn't tell if he knew something yet. Had Alpha Logan lied to him that he was my mate? Because I can't feel anything. Not yet,

“The party will continue now,” The person with the microphone announced.

Because the drinks had been served initially, before I arrived, I took an empty glass and wanted to pour some white wine for myself, when Alpha Logan took it from me.

"I'll help you with that." His voice was smooth and deep, and every word seemed to send a tremor through me. His Adam's apple moved with the motion, and I found myself frozen, unable to say anything.

I don't want to decline so I just let him do it while genuinely wishing that he left me alone.

He set the glass in front of me, his usual smirk in place. The first time I met him, his presence had been intimidating, but now…now he seemed perfect. Too perfect. I couldn't meet his eyes for long.

“Are you okay?” He whispered.

“I am perfectly fine, thanks,” I replied. I didn't want to give the impression that because he helped me with the drinks, we could converse.

"You didn't look fine in the restroom," he added, but l ignored him, taking a sip of my drink and focusing on the dancers around the room. Anything to distract myself from the heaviness in the air.

Soon, Mira returned, she had changed her dress and I could see little bandages on her body, the wounds had been treated.

She took her seat, wrapping her hands on Sylvester's neck, and he didn't remove them. I looked away, regretting catching a glimpse of that.

“Don’t be mad at Nora for what she did to me. It’s understandable. You both have been together for ten years, so take it easy on her when she overreacts.” Mira said, her voice was audible enough for everyone at the table to hear it. She was giving off the nice person vibes again.

I felt Alpha Logan’s gaze on me from the corner of my eyes, but I dared not look at him. I knew what he wanted to ask or what he thought. Shame clouded me, but I controlled it, pretending none of this was bothering me.

Eric walked up to Sylvester and whispered something to his ears. Something that caused him fury.

“Nora, did you attack Mira in the packhouse this morning too?”

This was a party and even if no one cared about me, can't we all pretend and settle everything later when this is over?

I saw the wicked smirk on Mira’s lips. She had managed to gain Eric’s side too. It was she who intentionally showed me her mark yesterday. Why would she say I attacked her?

“I didn't. We can talk about this after the party.” I said. The embarrassment he was causing me was much, and this would only increase the number of people who disrespected and mocked me.

“I didn't ask to see your bride for you to humiliate her. And if you have a mate, why do you still call her yours?” Logan interrupted.

Eric left the table while discomfort was written all over Sylvester. I had just realized that it was Logan who made me come here like he promised outside.

I could almost hear Sylvester's thoughts, fighting to control the anger and confusion that seemed to consume him. He looked at Logan and shot back, "Are you interested in my wife, Alpha Logan?"

“She’s not your wife.” Logan challenged back.

“Yeah, but she belongs to me,” Sylvester said with confidence.

By then Mira’s expression had changed. She wasn't happy that the conversation was not going in the way she wanted. And maybe, she doesn't understand why Alpha Logan seems to be on my side.

“Isn’t that a mark on your mate’s neck? Do you plan to have two Luna’s?”

Sylvester immediately pulled back. He didn't predict anyone to see or talk about the mark, more of that he was hiding it from me.

But I already saw it, long ago, and still acted cool.

“I would take your silence as consent that Mira is your mate.” Logan then turned to me. “Since Sylvester had chosen Mira, would you accept me now?” He asked.

I could not differentiate whether he was joking or not, but whichever one he did, my answer was going to be the same.

The only thing I enjoyed was the pathetic expression on Sylvester’s face. A taste of his own medicine, and he can't even handle it.

“Alpha Logan, stop making a fool of yourself,” Sylvester said to Logan who was still waiting for a response from me.

"A fool of myself?" Logan echoed, his eyes gleaming with challenge. "Nora, did you not tell him?"

I froze. My heart stopped. The room seemed to spin. The last thing I wanted was for Sylvester to know. A part of me was still waiting. Waiting for him to come claim me.

Just as I was about to speak, Sylvester’s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with a force that made my heart stop, his voice low and deadly “Tell me everything. Now!” He commanded.

Before I could respond, Logan's gaze flicked to Sylvester, his voice cold and final, “She’s not the one you should be worried about.”