REJECTED BY ONE I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD

CHAPTER 003

Claudia’s POV:

“Mate.”

This was the first time having to imagine that there was someone out there for me, someone that the moon goddess had destined I would spend the rest of my life with. I thought I was never worthy to have one. I simply thought it was impossible for me to ever be considered, but there he stood right in front of me, our eyes locked onto each other.

His eyes were a brilliant brown color and his hair was slightly tousled back, a sharp jawline, and prominent cheekbones to pair, lean built as well. He was perfect. He was everything I didn't know I wanted.

Raegan’s brown eyes stared me down, his brows knitted close together and a frown settled on his fine features. The loud music had dwindled to a stop, and everyone's attention was focused on us.

Raegan’s confused look shifted to disbelief and finally to disgust. His lips pulled upwards as he scowled. “Unbelievable.”

I waited. For what? I don’t know. Were we to continue in such an intense staring contest? This was the first time such a thing had happened to me.

Nevertheless, my eyes remained on Reagan. What was he thinking? What was he feeling at that moment? I didn't know what I was feeling either.

A slow smile crept onto Reagan's face, causing tension to rise within me, my nerves raking up and my palms sweaty.

He smiled!

Was that a good sign?

I wanted to scream with the numerous unanswered questions.

The more we stared at each other, the more I felt that something was not right. He was looking at me, but at the same time, it felt as though he wasn't seeing me, or maybe it was all in my head.

“What a joke”, Janet scoffed and threw a hand around Reagan, and for a split second, I wanted to rip that hand away from my mate. She had no right… but neither did I.

“There is no way this slut can be the alpha's mate, the luna of our pack,” she continued not so loudly, but clear enough for everyone to hear.

Alpha Reagan still hadn't uttered a word but did not refute her either, slowly ripping himself from Janet's hold and descending the stairs.

“She is not wrong, however,” the crowd parted like the Red Sea as he made his way towards me.

“Someone with your history is not fit to stand by me.” Raegan’s brows are knitted together as though confused about the whole situation as he finally comes to a stop in front of me. “The moon goddess is unbelievable. A weakling omega who had never transformed for a mate? I’d rather mate with a rat than you.” His eyes scanned every inch of my face with disgust, and with no context, I knew what was coming next.

I have heard of it quite a lot but never pondered the thought because it was never my business.

“I, Raegan Sean, future alpha of the seaside pack, reject you, Claudia Wayne, to be my mate, before the moon goddess and before men.”

The rejection was swift and short, but the pain, however, was retching. My heart must have stopped as I stared up at him, wanting to beg him to take it back, to plead, but the words were stuck in my throat; the room began to spin as Raegan turned his back on me.

Janet commented from the top of the stairs as Raegan reached her and wrapped his hands around her, “We don't allow whores to be rulers, nor omegas,” and the crowd burst out in a fit of laughter; everywhere I turned was a look of ridicule directed at me. I couldn’t breathe, gasping for air vehemently, questioning my very existence as I bolted out of there as fast as I could, the tears streaming down my face like a waterfall.

I had never bothered about having a mate because I knew I was never worthy of one, but why did the moon goddess have to torture me even more? The ache in my heart was unbearable as I made my way back to my room.

I didn’t know how long I stayed, but the next moment, I heard knocking on the door.

I opened it to see one of the other omegas there. She stared at me with disgust. “Luna would like to see you immediately and bring a glass of water along when going.” She said, turned and left.

I sighed, collapsing by the door’s side. I must have lost track of time because it was already morning. My heart still aches, but there was an important business to indulge in other than myself. I made my way to the kitchen and took a tray filled with water, heading to her chamber.

What could Luna possibly want with me at this time of the morning?

I wasn't scared; however, Luna Eloise had been the one person to treat me like I was part of the pack. Her presence made me feel at home even though I didn't know the meaning of that, “Luna Eloise? Your water,” After I had announced myself, I pushed the door open and entered.

The Luna, even in her pastel pink nightgown, looked regal and powerful, as a Luna should. I could have never had the potential to even come close if Raegan had accepted me as his mate anyway. The reminder stung, and I felt tears forcing their way, but I held on.

“Oh dear,” Luna Eloise called out to me as I set the tray on her nightstand, wrapping her arms around me, “Claudia, are you okay? I heard what my idiot son did at the party.”

She shook her head. “What a silly question for me to ask; of course you aren't. I can't imagine what you are going through right now.” Her voice was soft and soothing. The urge to cry kept on, and this time, I didn’t hold on. I let them fall freely. All I wanted was someone to confide in, and she was here.

“N—no.” I choked as she consoled me until my tears had run dry, unwrapping her hands from around me and pulling me to her bed. At first, I hesitated before allowing myself to be moved.

“Well, my son made a terrible mistake, and he is going to hear from me when everything gets bright. Rest assured I know he would set things right,” she tried to defend, but there wasn't much she could do. He decided to reject me, and honestly, I couldn't blame him for it.

I was not the prettiest, or the strongest, or the bravest; I could never make a good mate, let alone Luna.

I voiced my thoughts, but she turned them down.

“Nonsense, a Luna is not born, my dear; a Luna is made, and I believe you would make a wonderful Luna.”

My forehead creased in confusion. “Why?” I whispered, encompassing all my questions in a single word.

Luna Eloise offered me a single smile. “Because you remind me of my younger self, my dear.” That was all she said as she patted my back and stared down at me.

We sat for a little while before I voiced that I needed to head back to cleaning.

“Okay, dear, and don't worry; I'll make sure to talk to Reagan. He has to set things right,” she squealed, which shocked me, “I have always wanted a daughter-in-law, and I’m glad it's you and not that stupid whoring bitch, Janet.”

Someone who dislikes Janet too. A smile crept on my lips at her cheeky behavior before bidding her goodnight. For once, the smile on my face was genuine as I returned to work.

The chores were done, and the pack house had returned to its former glory. Exhaustion weighed heavy on me as I made my way to the basement, my sanctuary behind the stairs. Just one more hour before dawn.

But then, the alarm blared, slicing through the silence like a knife. I froze, my heart hammering as I pressed myself against the wall, straining to hear the frantic voices of the warriors.

“The Luna has been found dead in her bed.”

I gasped; the world tilted beneath me, the air thickening as my mind reeled. Luna Eloise—the only one who ever cared—was gone. And I was the last person to see her alive.