Rejected by my mate, chosen by fate

Chapter5

Nora

I felt Logan’s eyes on me before I even dared to look his way. His stare burned into my skin, hot and heavy, like he could see through me, like he knew something I didn’t want to admit.

My heart pounded in my chest, loud enough I was sure everyone at the table could hear it. His lips parted slightly, and I knew what he was about to say.

Mates.

The word echoed in my mind, sharp and undeniable. My breath caught in my throat. Not here. Not now.

I shifted in my seat, trying to ignore the pull between us. My pulse was racing, my hands trembling slightly under the table. I gave him a small shake of my head, barely a movement, but Logan caught it immediately.

His jaw tightened, and the words died in his throat. But his eyes, his eyes said everything he didn’t.

I swallowed hard, forcing my gaze down to my plate. But then I felt it, Sylvester’s hand on my thigh. His grip tightened, not just firm, but painful, like he wanted to remind me who I belonged to.

I froze.

Sylvester leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. “What was that?” His voice was low, a dangerous growl rumbling in his chest. “Care to explain?”

I felt my stomach twist into knots. Why does finding a fated mate change wolves like this? Sylvester had always been gentle, but this, this was different.

I forced a smile, my voice barely a whisper. “Just a misunderstanding.”

But Sylvester wasn’t stupid. His eyes flicked between me and Logan, sharp and suspicious. He felt it, the shift in the air, the spark between me and the Alpha sitting across the table.

And I didn’t care.

A flicker of something, hurt, maybe, flashed in his eyes. Like I had betrayed him without lifting a finger. And maybe I had.

The tension at the table was suffocating. Mira, ever the actress, laughed at something someone said, her shrill voice grating against my ears. She was faking it, I knew she was. She felt the tension too, even if she pretended otherwise.

But Sylvester’s gaze never left me. And Logan… Logan’s eyes were still locked on mine, like he was trying to memorize every detail of my face.

I couldn’t breathe.

Then Logan stood.

The sound of his chair scraping against the floor echoed through the silent room. Every head turned toward him. The entire pack held their breath.

“It’s an honor to be here tonight,” he began, his voice steady and deep. But his eyes… his eyes were only on me. Everyone else could see that. Why was he giving a speech?

My heart hammered in my chest. I felt Sylvester stiffen beside me, his grip tightening painfully on my thigh. But I couldn’t look away from Logan. I wanted Sylvesterto feel like a failure.

“In times like these,” Logan continued, “leadership isn’t just about strength. It’s about loyalty, trust…” He paused, his gaze darkening, his jaw tightening. “And knowing who stands beside you.”

My pulse raced. What is he doing? Why is he giving a speech on leadership? Not like I and Sylvester’s marriage held. No one had asked him to speak.

I wonder if those who came for this dinner knew that the couples were not getting married anymore? One has found his fated mate. They seemed too busy and happy to be aware.

“And it’s clear this pack has found its Luna.”

Silence.

My breath caught in my throat. No. No, no, no.

I wasn't Luna. Logan was causing more embarrassment than honor.

Mira’s fork clattered to the floor, the sharp sound slicing through the tension. Sylvester’s hand turned to stone on my leg, his body going rigid.

Logan’s next words hit like a thunderclap.

“Nora.”

Gasps rippled through the room. I felt Sylvester’s fury vibrate beside me. Mira’s face turned as pale as the moon.

“She’s not Luna, you know!” Mira snapped, her voice sharp, filled with venom.

Logan didn’t even flinch. His expression stayed calm, bored almost. “Isn’t she?”

Sylvester shot out of his chair, his face twisted with rage. “Nora is mine.” His voice was a snarl, his eyes glowing with barely restrained fury. “She’s nothing to you.”

Why was he claiming me now?

Logan’s gaze darkened, his jaw clenched. “Then give her away and see if she’s nothing to me.”

The words were like a slap to the face. Sylvester’s fury boiled over, but Logan didn’t move. He just stepped forward, his eyes still locked on mine.

And then he did it.

He reached out, his hand warm and steady as it wrapped around mine. The second our skin touched, sparks shot through me again. Bright and sharp, lighting every nerve in my body on fire. My breath hitched, my heart racing so fast it felt like it might explode.

“I need your help, Nora.”

His voice was soft, but it echoed in my ears like a roar.

Sylvester’s chair screeched back as he lunged forward. “She’s not going anywhere with you!” His voice was wild, desperate. I felt his panic, his fear. It was thick in the air, suffocating.

But Logan didn’t flinch. His fingers tightened around mine, grounding me, anchoring me to the moment. His eyes burned into mine, and in that moment, the world disappeared.

“I haven’t even made a request yet,” Alpha Logan said to Sylvester, his voice calm, almost amused.

Mira’s face was ghostly pale, her mouth opening and closing like she couldn’t find the words. The entire pack stared, their eyes wide with shock, but all I could see was Logan.

And Sylvester.

I could feel him vibrating with anger beside me, his jealousy a living, breathing thing. And it felt good. Let him feel it. Let him feel the pain I’d carried since this happened. Let him drown in it.

I stood.

My heart was pounding so hard I could barely hear the rush of blood in my ears. The room felt too small, too loud, but Logan’s grip on my hand was steady. Sylvester’s eyes were wild, Mira looked like she might faint, but I didn’t care.

Because for once, I was in control.

“I will help you,” I said, my voice steady even though my insides were shaking. “Whatever it is.”

Mira gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Sylvester growled, low and furious, but I didn’t look at him.

Let him burn.

Because at that moment, I wasn’t Sylvester’s. I wasn’t anyone’s. If he wanted me, he should have fought for me before Mira. But he didn’t. He chose her.

Now, I was mine.

And Logan… Logan knew it.

The room erupted into chaos. Voices shouted, chairs scraped against the floor, but Logan never let go of my hand, and I never looked back.

“Let’s discuss it in private,” Logan said, his voice soft but firm.

I nodded, not once, but several times, holding his gaze. I didn’t care about the stares, the whispers, or the chaos.

I cared about one thing, making Sylvester feel the loss. Letting him know that he couldn’t play with me and expect me to wait.

As we walked out, I felt his eyes burning into my back, and it was the sweetest feeling in the world.