Chapter 2 Rejected My True Mate

• Gabriel,” I called his name. I took a deep breath as Gabriel looked at me with a mysterious expression on his face. My muscles were tense because I knew he was about to tie himself to me as a werewolf couple. I looked to Alex, who had always protected me. However, only his voice buzzed in my ears as Gabriel took a step closer to me. I felt an explosion inside my body, and my wolf squealed in delight at the sight of her mate.
• Gabriel smiled so sweetly that his dimples were visible. His tan skin glistened in the full moonlight. His brown hair moved as the wind blew it slightly. His tall, muscular body was clad in a long white T-shirt and black jeans attached to his legs. I couldn't tear my gaze away from Gabriel's figure, which was doubly mesmerizing tonight. He stands in front of me, looking at me with soft eyes. “Grace, my lovely mate. I found you, my soulmate.”
• I feel like crying out loud in his arms as Gabriel touches my left hand and kisses my palm lightly. This is the first time I've been treated like a princess by a man. No! I wasn't a virgin, so I didn't deserve him, who was the future successor to Beta.
• “Sorry.” I was obliged to withdraw my hand from his grips. I immediately shifted my gaze in another direction when my gaze collided with the sad look in his eyes. “Gabriel, I'm sorry I can't be with you. I can't accept this mate bond because I don't like you,” I said quickly, obviously full of lies.
• The surrounding atmosphere suddenly turned suffocating, making it hard for me to breathe properly. Alex didn't say anything, but I caught a glimpse of him smiling at me.
• “Grace, this joke of yours is not funny. Bonding with your mate is essential, even sacred. It involves powerful forces and changes the nature of the werewolf. So, when we find each other, it becomes a decisive moment. We gain new powers and become more useful in strengthening our bond,” Gabriel said as he cupped my face so that I could look up at him. Oh, no! I just broke my mate's heart. Look, his eyes are glazed over. “Tell me that you have the same feelings as me. We are mates, Grace. Our names were written by the Moon Goddess long before we were born into the world. I beg you not to mess with our bond. You know the consequences of rejecting the bond of destiny, right?”
• I nodded quickly and tried hard not to be provoked by his words. “I will bear the karma,” I replied to him. I took a deep breath. “I will bear the karma if it takes me away from you and breaks my bond with you!”
• The sound of screeches mixed with words of derision came from the people around me and became a melody in the chilly night. I stared at Gabriel, who stood in front of me, then my gaze shifted to Alex, who nodded his head.
• I bit my hand, causing blood to flow freely. My vision turned dark as my wolf shouted angrily. 'I'm sorry, Maria,' I told my wolf through the mind link.
• 'You will regret it for the rest of your life if you reject our mate. I will never shift with you again. From now on, think of yourself as a werewolf without the wolf. Have it your way, and congratulations on the title Luna that will be attached to your name after this,' Maria retorted in a heavy, growling voice. Then I couldn't feel her presence inside my body anymore.
• My mind refocused as I looked at the blood flowing from my hand, and then I rubbed the blood on my forehead. With my eyes tightly closed, I said, “With this blood of mine, I, Grace Annalisa, reject Gabriel Otieno as my mate. Instead, I accept Alex Haword as my second chance mate. And sincerely, I offer myself to be claimed by Alex, the future Alpha of the Moon Pack!” I said it in a loud voice. The first thing I saw after I opened my eyes was Gabriel's sad face.
• “I didn't expect you to reject me just to be Luna,” Gabriel said under his breath. I knew he was in pain because I felt the same way.
• “I'm letting you go, Gabriel. You deserve a much better mate than me. I'm sorry, I don't deserve to be by your side,” I said softly and walked away from him. Alex walked beside me while holding my hand tightly. I didn't hear his words clearly because my ears kept ringing with the sound of Gabriel's screams, which seemed to break my heart slowly.
• My steps stopped as my parents stood at the end of the field. I knew they must be angry with my decision, as evidenced by the hardened look on their faces.
• “I'm sorry,” I said softly as I looked up into my parents' faces.
• “You really embarrassed us, Grace. We never taught you to behave like an asshole!” My mother yelled out loud while crying loudly in my father's arms.
• “I'm sorry.” That was the only sentence that came out of my mouth.
• “Tonight is a night I will never forget in my life. My only daughter threw feces in my face in a way that rejects Beta candidates. You embarrassed us!” My body trembled as my father yelled at me, as this was the first time the man I respected raised his tone. It was natural for my father to be angry because he was good friends with Gabriel's father.
• “Why are you two scolding Grace? You should be rejoicing tonight. Grace will be a Luna Moon pack. I claim this perfect daughter of yours to be my mate!” Alex stood in front of me with his arms outstretched. Then he led me to a large rock at the end of the field.
• “Alex, I'm afraid to stand here,” I said as my feet touched the rock face.
• Alex turned around, looking at me with a sweet smile on his handsome face. “Why?”
• “I don't belong here.” My hand moved to brush away my blonde hair, which had flown up in the strong night breeze. I was nervous when I saw the Moon Pack of people standing crowded on the field. Honestly, I felt uncomfortable with the atmosphere tonight as well as the gaze they were giving me.
• “You deserve to be next to me, Grace; you are my Luna.” He kissed my hand for a long moment, then his gaze shifted to the front. “I, Alex Haword, hereby declare Grace Annalisa to be my mate and Luna Moon pack. By uniting two great powers, we will lead the Moon Pack to glory that our predecessors never achieved!” he exclaimed in a loud voice.
• Everyone fell silent after hearing Alex's words, as did my parents, who immediately bowed deeply. Simultaneously, they all bowed their heads in honor of the Moon Pack's new Alpha and Luna. Even the former Alpha and Luna bowed as well. I knew how strong Alex's influence was on the pack, so his parents respected his decision.
• However, out of the many herds that bowed in respect to me and Alex, only one person did not, and that was Gabriel.
• The gleam in his blue eyes seemed to sink me to the bottom of the vast ocean. I knew that one day karma would come my way. Karma resulting from my rejection of Gabriel, my true mate.