Chapter 2 Rejection

Coriander’s Point of View

“Listen carefully. Avoid acting stupid, even just for tonight. Keep your mouths shut—especially you, Miss Lunaria. Remember, you are not guests here—you are servants. Do not embarrass the Silverpine Pack!” Mrs. Millers said seriously as she looked at each of us standing in a single line.

“Don’t worry. We already know our place. You’ve been reminding us every single day like it’s your life’s achievement,” I said seriously without looking at her.

I felt Theresa elbow me on the side, but I ignored her. I didn’t take my eyes off the white wall, as if it were the most interesting thing I had ever seen in my life.

“Well, your sharp tongue really never stops, does it? Try acting like that in front of the guests here, and let’s see where that attitude gets you!” she said. She looked like she was about to explode, as if smoke was practically coming out of her nose and ears.

“Tsk, whatever. Now, if you’re done with your speech, Mrs. Millers, I’ll go to the garden,” I said, then started walking ahead of them.

I hadn’t even taken three steps when the menopausal old woman spoke again. “And who told you you’re allowed to go to the garden?” she snapped.

I turned to her. “Oh, unless you want me to start a war inside the main hall?”

She didn’t respond immediately, as if she had also realized it was better if I stayed outside.

When I noticed she had nothing more to say, I decided to head to the garden. We had a short briefing earlier anyway, so at least I knew where to go, even if this hall was huge.

To be honest, I didn’t really mind serving inside the hall. I could probably keep my mouth shut if I tried. But as time passed, I became more and more uncomfortable in that place, so I preferred staying outside instead.

The aura inside was too strong because almost all the Alphas from different packs were gathered there. The mixed scents of their wolves were overwhelming and stung my nose.

When I arrived at the garden, there were only a few people there, just as I expected. There was a rectangular pool with floating red rose petals, and around it were tables and chairs covered in silver cloth elegantly.

I started working quietly. Most of what I did was pour wine into the guests’ glasses and clean the tables. Ever since I left the hall and came to the garden, I hadn’t opened my sharp mouth even once.

I was busy wiping a glass table that had been spilled with wine when I suddenly felt my heartbeat quicken and a strange heat rise under my skin.

It feels like my body recognizes someone before my mind does.

Don’t tell m—

“Oh, Alpha Donald, isn’t she your servant?” I heard a familiar high-pitched female voice echo in the garden.

My hand instinctively stopped scrubbing the table, and I slowly turned to look at them.

They were standing in front of me now, looking like a perfect couple. Alpha Donald was coldly looking at me, while Sabrina—the woman with him, the daughter of the Beta of the Bloodmist Pack—had her arm linked around Alpha Donald’s arm.

I chose this place to avoid trouble, but trouble itself is the one following me. Damn it.

I took a deep breath. “Do you need anything?” I asked flatly.

“Red wine, please,” Sabrina ordered with a smile.

I immediately followed her request since that was my duty for tonight.

“Anything els—”

I couldn’t finish what I wanted to say when she suddenly splashed the wine she asked for onto my face.

“Oh, dear. It seems I’ve mistaken your face for a floor rag. My mistake,” Sabrina said with a laugh.

Because of what she did, we ended up drawing even more attention from the other guests. It was obvious that Sabrina was enjoying every bit of the attention she was getting.

I tightly closed my eyes while wiping my face with my hand.

I saw another servant passing by carrying a more expensive bottle of wine. It was obvious from his expression that he wanted to avoid the situation, but I didn’t care.

“You know what? You’re right. That was dirty,” I said, which made Sabrina smile, thinking she had already won.

I took the expensive wine from the servant’s tray and, without hesitation, splashed it back onto Sabrina’s face. This immediately drew sharp gasps from the guests around us.

“Good thing I know how to clean things properly,” I added.

“Coriander!” Alpha Donald roared, immediately rushing to check on Sabrina.

“How dare you, you useless wolf?!” Sabrina shouted furiously.

I smirked. “That wine is much more expensive. You should be honored,” I replied sarcastically.

I was about to walk away and pass by them so I could change my clothes, but Alpha Donald immediately grabbed my arm to stop me. When I looked at him, I saw the fire burning in his eyes—pure rage.

“Apologize and kneel!” he said calmly, but his voice was sharp and commanding.

“No. Why would I do that? You clearly saw she was the one who started it!” I argued back.

“I said apologize and kneel! Didn’t you hear me?!” he repeated, his voice louder this time.

A deafening silence filled the entire place. No one dared to interfere or step in.

“I said no! Didn’t you hear me either?!” I shot back.

His jaw clenched tighter, and his eyes burned even brighter with anger. I noticed some servants helping Sabrina wipe her face and clothes while she continued crying dramatically.

Tsk, so dramatic!

“Okay, fine. You don’t want to listen to me? Then don’t blame me for what happens to you after this.” He stood straight and looked at me coldly. “I, Alpha Donald Hanger of the Silverpine Pack, hereby reject Coriander Talon Lunaria as my fated mate,” he said with a satisfied smirk.

My eyes widened—not because of sadness or anything like that, but because of happiness. I let out a slow breath, tilting my head slightly as if I was bored.

“Finally,” I said softly. “Took you long enough.” I pulled my arm out of his grip without even struggling, then I looked straight at him. “I, Coriander Talon Lunaria of the Silverpine Pack, accept Alpha Donald Hanger’s rejection.”

After I said that, it felt like the heat I usually feel whenever he’s near me vanished like smoke. Alpha Donald looked at me in disbelief, as if he couldn’t accept that I had actually taken his rejection so easily.

I waited for it. I braced my soul for the agonizing rip—the legendary pain that had killed my sister. But there was only... nothing. Yet for some reason, my knees were trembling.

More wolves gathered around. In the distance, I could see Theresa trying to push her way through the crowd of guests.

“How dare you act as if my rejection is nothing! You should be begging, crying in pain, and apologizing for what you did!” he shouted.

I even saw his eyes flash for a moment, but he quickly restrained it because shifting inside Lycan territory was forbidden.

“Begging, crying, and apologizing require interest, Alpha. I don’t have any, so I don’t see the point of wasting my time on you,” I said without hesitation.

“Damn you! From now on, you are no longer part of Silverpine. I don’t care if your parents contributed greatly to my pack! I never want to see your face again. From this moment on, you are a rogue!” he finally snapped.

“I don’t ca—”

“Enough.”

A deep, commanding voice cut through the air.

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck and arms rise instantly at the pressure of that presence behind me. I hadn’t even sensed him approach, so I flinched slightly when he suddenly appeared beside me.

I looked up at him for the first time.

“Alpha Hanger, you really haven’t changed…” the man beside me said calmly.

Alpha Donald, who had been raging moments ago, suddenly looked like a restrained child in front of him.

“King Mavr—”

“Your pack’s affairs are your own. However, such public displays of disrespect are not acceptable,” he said.

I saw Alpha Donald clench his jaw, clearly restraining himself from confronting the man standing beside me—someone I didn’t even know.

“I’m sorry, King. I will make sure she will be punished,” he said, then turned to glare at me.

“This woman is no longer under your authority, so how will you do that?” he asked. “You rejected her, and she accepted. The bond is broken. She is now under Lycan jurisdiction.” Then he looked at me. “You, Omega, step forward,” he ordered.

But instead of obeying, I didn't move. My knees were still trembling from the rejection, but my pride kept me rooted to the spot. I stared back into that icy blue gaze, refusing to be just another terrified servant. I could hear the whispers spreading around us, but I didn’t care.

I saw him smirk, as if he was pleased with my reaction. “From this moment, she is under my protection. No pack may claim, reject, or dispose of her again without my judgment. She is now mine,” he declared, which made my jaw literally drop.