Chapter 1 Not A Transaction

• Gina’s P.O.V
• “I, William Hilton, future Alpha of the Abuja bloodmoon pack, reject you, Regina Thornton as my mate and future Luna” William said without batting an eyelid as he stood up from the bed.
• “What?” My jaw dropped open as I stared at him. It was hard to understand what he had just said because it didn't make sense, not after everything he said to me last night. My heart was literally breaking inside my chest. I had never felt so much pain before, it was worse than menstrual cramps. It felt like someone had removed my heart, stuffed a thousand needles into it and then placed it back incorrectly.
• We had just had the most amazing night in each other's arms. I couldn’t understand why he would suddenly reject me.
• “Last night was a mistake. It should never have happened. I got caught up in the mate's connection” his voice echoed as he put on his pants.
• Looking into his eyes, I could see that there was more he wanted to say but he couldn’t. I wanted to stand up and hug him, maybe if I was close to him again like last night he would remember the connection we shared but my legs failed me and I fell off the bed and landed on the floor. Panic flooded his amber eyes and just when I thought he was going to help me up. He opened his wallet and tossed some cash at me.
• “No one can know that the goddess set us up together” he didn’t wait for my response before leaving my room. As the door shut behind him, I wrapped my arms around my knees and finally let the tears fall.
• All my life, I’ve stayed away from guys, I knew I was going to find my mate, even after turning eighteen, four years ago, I still stood strong knowing my mate wasn’t far. I thought he’d be happy to know that I had kept myself for him. Last night after a dinner with William’s family, his parents forced him to give me a ride home. I was more than glad to find out that he was my mate, because I’ve always had a crush on him, I willingly gave myself to him, all the years of held back emotions had been released but now everything was ruined and I didn’t even know why.
• My head jerked up as my door was aggressively pushed open. William sauntered back into the room and shut the door behind him. I wiped at my tears. I didn’t want him to see me crying. He did not deserve to.
• “What do you want?” I was glad I could finally stand up, my wolf, Livy was back, she had been silent since the rejection. She was weak but at least I could feel her presence.
• William walked towards me, his eyes moved over my body, making me conscious of the fact that the only thing covering my nakedness was a little white robe that stopped above my knees. I hated that even though I was mad at him, I still wanted him.
• “You have to accept my rejection, or it isn’t complete” He stated with seriousness in his voice.
• “No” how could I accept the rejection when I didn't want to be rejected?
• “Accept it” he repeated, this time his voice held more authority but I was already in too much pain to care.
• I held my stomach to control the gut wrenching pain in my abdomen.
• “At least tell me why you rejected me” I whispered as my strength was failing me.
• “You have no family, sure you’ve called my family yours for a long time but it doesn’t count”
• I stepped back as his words pierced my already injured heart, my hand pushed unto the wall for support. He was right. I had lost my family ten years ago and his family took me in.
• “Why does it matter if I have a family? The goddess chose me for you, isn’t that enough?”
• He let out a low chuckle that sent shivers down my spine. Surely Williams had not always been this cynical. Had I just been too blind?
• “I am going to be the alpha, I need my Luna to be someone who can benefit the pack”
• “Marriage should be about love and not making connections. It is not a transaction” I stated through gritted teeth, even with my wolf back, the rejection was taking its toll on me, I felt like I was going to pass out at any minute.
• “On the contrary it is a transaction. Accept the rejection now, Gina” he moved towards me again and I moved back again, this time my back hit the wall, Livy growled inside of me.
• I was trapped but I wasn’t going to accept the rejection, not because his scent was clouding my senses or because his eyes made me weak. I wasn’t going to accept it because a little part of me was holding on to hope that he would regret his decision later.
• “I will not accept it” I Accidentally yelled and his eyes grew wide at my audacity, but he wasn’t mad, if anything, he looked surprised. His shoulders fell and his eyes softened, he leaned towards me, his breath tickled my face . Livy was jumping inside of me, she was sore from the rejection but she was excited at the proximity. His nose brushed mine and my eyes shut waiting for his lips to meet mine.
• “I will never want you, accept the rejection now and let us both be free” he whispered.
• My eyes snapped open and a tear fell out. His words had damaged any hope I had left. My knees felt weak, I had no idea how I was still standing straight.
• “I will not accept it” I said with fake strength to mask my pain. This time I wasn’t accepting it because I wanted to hurt him. I wanted to feel like even though I was weak I had some power over him. He wanted to be free and I held the key to it.
• His eyes filled with annoyance that his words had not moved me in the way he expected.
• “What is wrong with you?” he yelled. He wanted to say more but then the door was suddenly pushed open.