Chapter 1 The Rejection

“I reject you, Eli Catherine Fisher!”

And just like that, the little part of my world that I thought was perfect collapsed.

My heart sank. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move. The suitcase slipped from my hand as I stared at him, stunned.

Steven. My Steven. My boyfriend of five years. The man who was supposed to be my mate just rejected me. We were supposed to leave town tonight, run away, and finally live free from my stepmother’s cruelty. But instead… this.

"No." I said; my voice barely above a whisper "You can’t do this to me, Steven. We already planned everything. We are mates, we’re supposed to leave this town and start a life together. We…" my voice cracked as a tear slid down my cheek.

He didn’t respond. He just looked at me and for the first time, there was nothing in his eyes. No love. No warmth. Just emptiness.

"Why?" I whispered, desperate. "Is it Sarah? Did she do anything?"

My stepmother Sarah has tried to take Steven out of my life many times so I won’t be surprised if she has something to do with this.

Steven sighed, his voice low. "Eli… I got a real job now and I can’t afford to be held back by you anymore."

My chest tightened. "Held back?" I questioned in disbelief "I’ve never held you back. I’ve always supported you."

"Well, this is different. I don’t need your support." He said sternly as he turned to leave but I quickly grabbed his hand.

"No! You can’t leave. I gave you five years. I waited for this night. I prayed for us to be mates and now we are finally together, you can’t do this."

He pulled his hand from mine, his face hardening.

And then he said it. The words that killed whatever was left of me. "Let go of the past Eli. I don’t love you anymore, after all you’re just an Omega."

I froze. My tears burned, spilling down my cheeks, but I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.

I watched him turn and walk away without looking back. A part of me wanted to run after him. To scream. To beg. But deep down, I knew.

Steven was gone. I lost my mate.

I don’t know how long I stood there or even when the rain began. All I know is it started slowly, then poured until I was drenched, but I didn’t move. My suitcase lay at my feet as if abandoned. My heart felt numb, my mind replaying the same words over and over.

I don’t love you anymore.

How could he just say that to me? I was there for him when he was homeless, when he hadn’t even found his wolf and now he doesn’t love me anymore?

Tears streamed down my face. I felt like a loser- empty inside and betrayed. I guess Sarah was right all this time because he did what she said he would… he betrayed me.

Then, through the storm and my spiraling thoughts, my phone rang. I almost didn’t answer, but when I saw the name, Dr. Mary, my chest tightened. With trembling fingers, I picked up.

"Hello." My voice, barely above a whisper.

"Hello Eli, how are you doing?" She replied, her tone warm but distant.

"I’m okay. Is Dad okay? Is he fine?" I asked panicking. Anytime I get a call from her, my heart heavies.

"His condition is unchanged," She replied "But I didn’t call to say that, I called because of the surgery. Mr. Baldwin's surgery is still pending due to delayed payment. I’m afraid if it’s not paid soon, his condition could worsen."

"What?" I gasped. "How is it delayed when my stepmom paid for it yesterday?"

"Yeah, about that. She didn’t really make a payment. She came by, but made no transaction. I thought I should let you know.”

I felt the world spin around me. My head throbbed with disbelief and anger. "This can’t be happening. She told me she took care of it."

"She probably confused it with something else. But I’m certain she didn’t make the payment." Her voice softened a bit, but the urgency was still there "Mr Baldwin’s condition will only worsen if the payment is delayed. Make sure to make it before the end of today."

"Okay, I will.." My voice cracked as I hung up the phone.

For a moment, I just stared at the silent screen, rain soaking my hair as the weight of betrayal pressed harder than ever. Then I turned. I didn’t even think or scream or cry, I just walked further and my feet just moved, carrying me through the storm.

To my stepmother. To my step sister Hannah’s wedding hall. I thought I was going there to beg for help. But I had no idea I was walking straight into a trap.

Getting there, I scanned the wedding hall around me, desperately looking for Sarah. I can feel she’s up to something. There is nowhere she would forget something as important as paying for Dad's surgery.

Walking around the wedding hall, I noticed Sarah’s best friend, Emily. I rushed over to her, "Hey Emily. Do you have any idea where Sarah is?"

She glanced around the hall for a moment before she turned her attention to me. "No, I don’t. But anyways congratulations." She exclaimed, stepping closer to wrap her arms around me but stopped. Her eyes raked down my body "Why are you wet and not dressed?" She asked

"It’s a long story."

"Ohh okay, but the bride needs to be dressed. You walking around with wet cloths and hair makes you less of a bride."

"What are you saying? I’m not the bride, Hannah is." I replied

Emily can be many things, but I don’t think she would mix up such an important detail. This is not my wedding. It’s my stepsister, Hannah’s. Surely, she knew that.

For a moment, she looked confused and opened her mouth to speak but I cut her off not having enough time for chit chat "Excuse me, Emily. I’ll talk to you later. I really have to find Sarah now."

As I wandered through the venue desperate to find Sarah, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Guests kept approaching me, offering heartfelt congratulations as if I were the bride.

Hannah and I look nothing alike so why are they confusing me with her?

I finally spotted Jasmine, one of Hannah’s bridesmaids, and approached her. She greeted me with a bright smile, and I couldn’t help but ask, "Do you have any idea why everyone is congratulating me on this wedding?"

She scoffed with a chuckle, "Are you kidding me?"

"No, what’s going on?" I pressed, my heart racing.

"Wait, are you serious?" She replied, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Yes, I am! Now tell me what’s going on."

"It’s your wedding, Eli,"

"What!" I gasped, my heart racing out of my chest.

Jasmine laughed, clearly caught up in the excitement. "Yes! Why are you acting so surprised?"

Before I could even breathe, a banner dropped on the stage, the words blazing in gold: “Eli & Malik… bound for eternity.”

No. No, no, no. This isn’t real. This can’t be happening.

I shook my head so hard it hurt. "I’m not getting married!" I snapped, my voice cracking. "Hannah is supposed to marry him, not me!"

Jasmine’s grin faltered, and she stepped back slightly. "Oh, Sarah didn’t tell you?"

My throat went dry. "Tell me what?"

"Hannah backed out, Eli. She didn’t want Alpha Malik so you’re getting married to him."

Her voice vibrates in my head. I couldn’t respond… I didn’t even know what to say. All I could do was stare at that banner, those words, my name… his name…

And then it hit me. This was real. My stepmother set me up with a man I know nothing about.