Chapter 2 Accepting Fate

• Raya's POV
• My father dropped my hand and took a few steps back.
• “Father!” I muttered beneath my breath, tears streaming down my cheek.
• The entire hall was in a frenzy with everyone murmuring while some were bold enough to gossip loud enough.
• I looked around, and everyone seemed to be mocking and jesting. I looked back at Darius, who stood there mercilessly.
• I dragged my heavy feet towards him, my lips trembling as tears won't stop falling down my eyes.
• “Darius, is this supposed to be a prank? How could you do this to me? You and I have been friends since we were children. Who would you rather be mated to,” I began saying.
• “Just tonight, you complimented my look and told me I looked beautiful. I thought perhaps your words have a meaning to them. Tell me this is all a joke.” I held his shirt, hoping he would say something to relieve me of the inner turmoil that I now feel.
• “I'm sorry, Raya, but that was just a compliment. I say that to every woman, but it doesn't mean I want to be mated to them all.” He scoffed, and I staggered back in embarrassment.
• “But….” I stuttered, trying to make sense of it all.
• “Look, you are not fit to be my Luna. You are just fit to be a good friend, and that's all,” He continued, and I froze in shock.
• “What!” I exclaimed in disbelief.
• “I need someone more suitable from a prestigious family, not someone like you.” He slammed me with his words, with his face twisted in disgust.
• “I am Alpha Darius Nightbane of the West Wood pack. The most powerful Pack in the west region. Do you think I would accept a weak emotional wreck to be my Luna? You are not worthy of me, Raya.” Darius' words shot daggers through my heart, piercing every fibre of my being.
• “I was only friends with you all these while because your father and mine were a bit close. You are nothing but a subordinate. Did you really overprice yourself?” Darius mocked me with his words.
• “I have chosen who I want as my mate before now. I had no idea the moon goddess wanted to play a fast one on me,” Darius announced, and everyone gasped in anticipation.
• I ran back to my father like a hungry puppy. I can not believe how terribly the night has turned out to be.
• “Father, please do something. You can't let Darius reject me like this. The moon goddess has mated us together. Clearly, this is no mistake.” I tried coercing my father, but he wasn't even looking my way.
• “Tell him how intelligent, kind, and intuitive I am. Explain to him that I'm your only daughter. We come from a renowned bloodline. So why am I not suitable?” I cried out, not minding how pathetic I looked.
• My father shrugged and walked away from the stage, leaving me stranded.
• “Enough of this nonsense” Darius yelled, and I flinched.
• I looked back at him, my eyes begging for mercy. This is not the Darius I fell in love with. This man in front of me is cold and callous.
• I chuckled mockingly at myself. Maybe he has always been this way, and I was too blind to see it.
• Darius walked up to the stage and walked past me like I didn't exist. He took the microphone and everywhere went still and silent.
• “Since we are all here, I would like to introduce my Luna and mate whom I have chosen. Lillian Blackhood of the Hill Mountain tribe.” Darius said, and everyone cheered.
• My father looked at me with so much contempt and hatred in his eyes that I shivered in cold.
• He stormed out of the hall and I slumped on the floor, crying my eyes out.
• “Oh don't be such a pathetic fly. Have some dignity, would you?” I heard Lillian's mocking voice come closer with each approaching step.
• “Oh, Alpha Daruis. I assure you that you have made the right decision by choosing my daughter. She's the only one for you.” Alpha Blackwood said.
• “Come here, Lillian,” Darius ordered, and Lilian threw herself into his arms, rubbing it in my face.
• Lillian walked up to me and bent down. With her fingers, she brought her face up to hers and smirked at me with a loud scoff.
• “You overestimate yourself. Did you really think I was going to let you have Darius? When will you learn to stay in your place?” Lillian mocked, and I whimpered in pain as her nails dug into my flesh.
• “Your Pack might be powerful, but my Pack is more powerful. You are nothing but a fly, and I will gladly step on you over and over again,” Lillian said and pushed me away as I fell on the floor completely.
• “How pathetic!”
• “I can't believe she's still here.”
• “She lost him!”
• I heard different words and jabs being thrown at me.
• “Miss Raya!” Sara ran towards me and hugged me. She had tears in her eyes, which broke my heart.
• “Who the hell makes friends with their maids? See the reason why you are not suitable? You need to be firm if you are to rule. But all of that is useless anyway. You will never be the luna.” Lillian pointed out.
• “I'm sure you will find someone for yourself.” Lillian concluded with a condensing laughter.
• I finally found the strength to stand up with Sara supporting me.
• “Do it,” my shaky voice spoke, and Darius's eyes flickered in shock.
• “Very well,” he said with his lips tightening.
• “I, Alpha Darius Nightbane of the West Wood Pack, reject you, Raya Ashthorne of the Black Moon Pack this day before many witnesses,” Darius's loud voice cut through the air.
• “I, Raya Ashthorne of the Black Moon Pack, accept the rejection of Alpha Darius Nightbane of the West Wood Pack this day before many witnesses.” I accepted his rejection and immediately felt a sharp pain to my chest.
• I looked at Darius one more time and ran out of the hall with tears flowing down my cheek uncontrollably.