Chapter 1: The Rejection
CHAPTER ONE
LEONA
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When Fiona told me that the Alpha King had summoned me, I was both elated and terrified.
A week ago, during the mating festival, I was declared Alpha Kane's mate. But instead of accepting me, he rejected me because of my "disability." Being a crippled omega, I wasn't seen as desirable by anyone in the Crestwood Pack, let alone the Alpha King. His rejection turned me into a laughingstock, pushing me to the brink of despair. If not for Fiona's constant presence, I might have given in to darker thoughts.
Now, as I wheeled through the narrow halls of the Christian Castle, whispers followed my every movement. Servants in maid uniforms stared, muttering behind my back. My unease grew with each step, dread coiling tighter in my chest.
Why had Alpha Kane summoned me after all this time? Was he planning to make the final rejection that would sever the mating bond completely?
A magistrate in court robes approached us, his expression neutral. "The King is in his study. Follow me."
The journey to the study felt endless. Fiona gave me a reassuring smile, but I could only manage a feeble response.
"Do everything the King demands, no matter how absurd," the magistrate warned as we stopped in front of the study's grand doors. His sharp tone carried a note of disdain. "And don't meet his eyes unless permitted. He hates defiance."
I nodded numbly, wheeling myself into the study.
The room was breathtaking—floor-to-ceiling shelves stacked with books, their scent mingling with cedar in the air. My fingers trailed across one shelf as my gaze scanned the spines. Out of curiosity, I pulled out a leather-bound volume labeled Shakespeare's Poems.
"Did they not warn you never to touch my things?"
The deep voice startled me, and I dropped the book in shock. Whipping around, I found myself face-to-face with Alpha Kane. His sharp blue eyes pinned me in place, his tousled red hair and unbuttoned white shirt making him look effortlessly commanding.
"Lower your eyes," he ordered.
I tore my gaze away, heat rising to my face. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to—"
"I detest stammering," he snapped. "As if it isn't punishment enough that you're already crippled."
His words were a knife to my chest, reigniting the shame I'd been trying to bury.
"Are you about to cry?" he mocked, his tone sharp.
I clenched the arms of my chair, willing back tears. "I'm not crying."
"Why did you summon me?" I forced out, trying to maintain my composure. "You made it clear you wanted nothing to do with me because of my... disability."
"Yes, I remember my words, Leona."
My stomach fluttered at the sound of my name. Did he remember me because of the bond, or was it something else?
"And they haven't changed," he continued coldly. "But I've decided you could be of use to me. I won't reject you outright if you cooperate."
"What do you want?" I asked cautiously. The blueness in his eyes dimmed, a darker reflection overshadowing that ran sizzles down my body. He raked me over with his eyes before pushing away from the shelf.
"Let's not look towards what I want right now, but on what you want," He walked over, bending to pick up the book I'd thrown to the ground, and I couldn't have been more undone by his scent than I had been right then. "I happened to stumble on the knowing that your disability is something you hope to gain revenge for, upon a certain someone who we happen to share the same dislike for,"
Blood rushed to my ears. What was he talking about? And what did he know about me wanting revenge?
"And I know a little of your backstory, and how you were the creedsmen's finest assassin before you lost your glory...and your legs."
I heaved in a tight breath. How did he know that? Yet, of course, the disgraceful crumble of Haven Lee—which was my pseudonym as a former feared assassin— had been a sparking sensation to the ears of the entire Crestwood, but no one knew what I looked like to spread a rumor about me when I was just a helpless woman with only a sister to care for her or relate me to being Haven Lee, which I wasn't.
Not anymore.
"I think you have it wrong—"
"On the contrary," His sharp tone interrupted my attempt to deflect his inconspicuous interrogation. "I know that underneath this...feeble getup, there's a hardened woman on the inside who shouldn't be deterred by her disability."
"W...what has my past got to do with anything?" I mused, my tone almost a whisper. I couldn't understand where he was driving at with this, and if he wanted to reject me already, then he should without all this beat-up info about myself I'd rather keep buried.
Satisfaction flooded his face as he pushed the book into the space I'd plucked it from, so smooth and meticulous.
"There's only one way I'll accept you as my mate and spare you the disgrace of rejection," he said, his tone casual, but his words held weight. "I want you to infiltrate Zane's territory and kill him. Succeed, and we'll live as mated partners. A win-win."
His request hit me like a blow. My chest tightened as his words sank in.
As part of the Creed's men, we were always warned to avoid Alpha Zane and his territory during raid missions. A ruthless, murdering Lycan, he was rumored to have singlehandedly slaughtered ten of the most hardened Alpha Lords who had formed a coup against him. They said he cut them limb by limb and that demons aided his reign of terror. Alpha Zane was feared across the seven seas.
No one in their right mind stood against him unless they wished for the most terrifying death imaginable.
Once, I'd been foolish enough to ignore the warnings. I'd gone after him, driven by revenge for the devastation he'd caused.
He crushed me, shattering everything I'd worked for. My pride, my honor, my position—and my legs.
Now Alpha Kane wanted me to face him again? To walk into a second death sentence? I'd rather be rejected outright.
"I can't do it," I said, lowering my gaze. "What you're asking of me is a death sentence. If you hate me this much, just reject me."
"I don't hate you, Leona." His voice softened, but I refused to look at him.
My name on his lips might have stirred something in me if his words hadn't been laced with manipulation.
"I want what's best for us and the kingdom," he continued.
"I beg to differ," I said carefully, masking my growing disgust. "No one sends someone to certain death in the name of care. You don't have to pretend—"
"Leona!" His tone sharpened, and the air grew heavy.
He inhaled deeply before speaking again, his voice calmer. "Zane might have despised you as an assassin, but he's more agreeable when he sees a helpless, beautiful woman—especially one with a disability."
The words stung, even as I tried to ignore the small warmth that flickered at being called beautiful.
"He'll recognize me," I stated firmly.
Zane had seen my face that night, unshielded from my mask. He'd taken delight in watching my horror as I bled out. A man like him didn't forget faces like mine.
"He won't," Kane said confidently, sensing my doubt. "Zane Karvill, for all his pride and cruelty, doesn't retain the faces of people he assumes he's killed. It's just another corpse to him."
I didn't bother asking how Kane knew this. As an Alpha King, he had access to information about enemies. But still...
"I'm sorry, Alpha King," I said, keeping my voice steady, though I knew my refusal would change nothing. "I won't risk my life again. I'm not an assassin anymore. I can't do this for you or anyone else."
Silence filled the room, heavy with tension.
"Very well," Kane said at last. He strode to his desk, his sharp blue eyes pinning me as he sat. "You have chosen rejection?"
"I will accept whatever you decide," I replied, my head bowed. "But please, show mercy to my sister. Don't make her an outcast with me."
"Fiona has nothing to do with this," he said, his tone clipped. "Since you've rendered yourself useless to me and the kingdom, I, Alpha Kane of Crestwood, hereby reject you, Leona Elia Kazan, as my mate."
The rejection struck like a blade, slicing through me. Pain shot through my core, sharp and all-consuming, but I bit back a cry.
"I, Leona Elia Kazan," I said quietly, my voice trembling as I met his cold gaze, "accept the Alpha King's rejection."