“Oh look who’s here!” Brandon announced to the whole pack, his voice echoed in the place. Terrible and intimidating to be honest, even for a brother.“My brother, Zarion!”
It’s their wedding day and announcement of Hestia as the Luna.
Great. Just fucking great.
It’s not a great day for us, but we’re here already. We need to face them and have the fucking rejection ceremony.
I’m also going to make sure they will not have a great day either.
Elliot wasn’t with us, but he gave us herbs and medicine in case one of us—Cassidy and I—will feel something horrible coming.
I just hope my fucking inner demon would rot just for this day. Please.
Looking at the grin on my brother’s face, I badly wanted to punch it until his smirk slid off. He was the sole reason why Cassidy is suffering every night. Just for this day, I will let him off the hook. Just for this day, so we could get what we want… and that’s the rejection.
So she can be free from his chains, and I can no longer see her tears every night. He won’t have any responsibility to Cassidy anymore. He can’t fuck with Cassidy’s mind and soul anymore.
My Cassidy will be free from now on.
“Why are they all staring?” Cassidy asked me, and I grabbed her waist to close the distance between us. “Don’t mind them. Remember, we are here for the rejection rite.”
“Okay, I trust you,” she nodded and squinted her eyes at Hestia.
“Why are you here, brother?” Brandon stalked towards me confidently, a glass of cocktail on his other hand while his other hand was holding Hestia’s waist.
“I want you to come with us to the Moon Goddess Temple,” I replied to him.
He nodded at the woman beside me. “Oh, the rejection?” His teeth flashed, amusement glistening in those white teeth.
“Yes,” Cassidy said aggressively so I pulled her back to me.
“Relax, babe,” I whispered in her ears. “I got this. I know how his mind works,” I added then grinned at Brandon.
“I’m sorry, brother, but as you can see, I’m so busy. I have a fucking hot and beautiful wife, my soon to be Luna,” he made sure to put emphasis on the last word, “and I can’t ruin that for her. For you.”
“You think rejecting your mate will ruin your day? I doubt it. That’s going to fucking make your wife happy, right, Hestia?” I grinned at Hestia who stood straight and looked at her husband.
“Y-Yeah…” she nodded, stuttering when realization hit her.
“See?” I gestured my hand at them. “A happy wife… a happy life, Brandon.” My brother’s jaw clenched so hard because Hestia heard me. And I made a point in front of everyone. “You fucking son of a bitch. You chose a great day to ruin my mood!” He mumbled when he bumped my chest as he walked out of the place, towards the Moon Goddess’ temple. I grab Cassidy’s wrist and make sure she’s safe around me, within my reach.
This is not our turf. I know Brandon’s been brewing something.
And I will not let my guard down.
***
We arrived at the Moon Goddess Temple in half an hour later.
Brandon, Cassidy, and I all trekked towards our destination with Cassidy tightly gripping my arm while Brandon was a few paces ahead of us.
The air was heavy with anticipation as we stepped inside the sacred sanctuary. It was a place of divine significance, a haven where love and unity were once celebrated. But ever since Brandon took over my pack, the Madfur Claws Pack. But today, it would bear witness to the dissolution of a bond, a bond that was once thought unbreakable. The bond that the werewolves considered sacred and a gift.
The tension in the room was palpable as Brandon, with a pained expression etched upon his face, stood before Cassidy. The Moon Goddess statue cast an ethereal glow upon them, as if acknowledging the weight of the moment. And then, with a voice tinged with sorrow, Brandon spoke the words that would sever their connection. And I came to witness.
“I, Alpha Brandon Styles, reject you as my mate,” his voice echoed through the hallowed halls of the temple. Then silence reverberated.
Cassidy, though her eyes shimmer with unshed tears, displayed an astonishing strength of character. “I, Cassidy Salem Bentley, accept your rejection,” she responded, her voice laced with a mix of resignation and determination. And profound happiness.
A silence followed, heavy and suffocating, as if the very walls of the temple held their breath. The bond that had once tied Brandon and Cassidy together was finally broken, its shattered fragments scattered across the room.
As the reality of the moment settled in, Cassidy turned to me, her gaze seeking solace. It was clear that she needed to escape the stifling atmosphere, the weight of lost love hanging in the air. And the pain brought by the rejection rite.
With a nod of understanding, I guided her towards the exit, a quiet promise to be there for her this time. Outside the temple, we found ourselves on our own, surrounded by the tranquility of nature alone. Cassidy's tear-streaked face looked up at me, her vulnerability etched in every line. I could feel her heartache, the pain radiating from her very being.
“No, it’s not that I love him. This is just the mate bond thing. Fuck this!” Cassidy shrieked and didn’t bother to hide her face from her palm’s cover.
I nodded at her because I understood deeply. Wholeheartedly.
She doesn’t love my brother. But fucking seeing her crying because of him, hurt me so much like a burning knife to my heart.
Alpha Brandon, his remorse evident, approached us with a hesitant step. “Cassidy, I...I'm sorry.” I’m surprised he has the guts to approach us and apologize to her face. Most of all, the fact that his voice is filled with regret…I don’t know man. I truly don’t know if it’s genuine or just his facade.
I watched the exchange of sorry between them, observing the layers of emotions intertwined within their every word and gesture. Brandon's apology seemed unfeigned though, yet I couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that gnawed at my intuition.
Something about his remorse seemed off, as if there was an ulterior motive lurking beneath the surface.
Brandon attempted to lighten the mood with a teasing remark, a feeble attempt to bridge the gap between them. “Maybe stay for a while for our wedding, brother?” he offered, a faint smile blooming across his lips.
Cassidy's response was swift and resolute. She shoved him off, her gaze holding a mix of disappointment and determination. It was clear that she wouldn't allow herself to be swayed by false promises or half-hearted apologies. Or the sweet invitation to Brandon and Hestia’s holy matrimony.
As we walked away from the Moon Goddess Temple, the weight of the events lingered in the air. Cassidy's heart had been broken, and while Brandon may have apologized, doubts plagued my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his apology that meets the eye.
“Wait.” I growled, feeling a surge of unease ripple through me. My instincts screamed at me, urging me to pay attention. Ignoring the urgency, I shifted effortlessly into my powerful wolf form, allowing my senses to sharpen. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, focusing on Elliot's scent.
I’m sure it was his. It can’t be.
Cassidy, too, shifted. “What is it?” she mind-linked me.
Before I could reply—and to my shock, it was gone a heartbeat later.