CHAPTER 27: REJECT

Once Darek’s eyes met mine and he froze in surprise, the chatter immediately died down, replaced by an uncomfortable hush.

Every head turned to me, the only figure in red in a sea of official black Alpha uniforms and the occasional elitists. Some of them looked shocked to see me and I could see Rhea’s mouth visibly dropping open like she couldn’t believe I would dare show my face after the spectacle she pulled last time.

She probably expected me to hide out in my room in embarrassment for the remainder of my stay after what she pulled. Definitely not to walk in there in a dress that even I thought I didn’t deserve before.

I smirked as the slit on the side moved to reveal the rest of my legs, which made Darek pull a sharp intake of breath.

I didn’t hesitate.

I kept my gaze fixed on Darek who was now looking at me with something close to awe, and I walked straight to the oval table, supporting both my palms over the surface, facing all of the confused Alphas and elitists.

"I apologize for disrupting this probably very crucial meeting," I said as my voice echoed in the sudden silence. "But you have all been missing the obvious threat. A threat that’s been in plain sight for far too long. Tolerated for too long."

All eyes now shifted from me to Darek nervously, murmurs breaking out within the other Alphas, confusion marring their faces. Darek was still watching me closely, so many questions brewing in his stormy eyes.

I continued.

"I’m sure I don’t need to explain what this is about. Since it’s about the person standing in front of you, ruling over you, and commanding all of you by taking advantage of your fear. He has no intention to save this world. He only ever uses his power to satisfy his sadistic urges." I gave a short, humorless laugh. "I was just a fool to believe in a mate bond with a man like that."

My fingers pointed to Darek at the last sentence as collective gasps sounded from the crowd.

Now everyone knew about the mate bond. No. More. Secrets.

"He plays with people’s lives as if they’re just chess pieces on a board. Just moments ago, he had dangled the man that I loved in front of me just to watch me writh in pain, to see how I would react. This is never a man I want as my mate. So, in front of the entire Council, I, Maeve Lester, reject Alpha Darek Korvash as my mate."

Darek jumped up from his seat at the table. The shock on his face was replaced with pure unbridled anger.

"Maeve," he warned, clenching his teeth impatiently. "This is not the time or place for this. A rejection is only possible under the full moon during the mating ceremony. You are just not thinking straight."

"This is my official rejection in front of the Council. I think the events that happened today are enough for me to think straight. This rejection will make sure I’m not bound to you anymore. You cannot control me as much as before. That’s enough for now. I will gladly reject you during the mating ceremony, too, when the time comes."

I turned my attention back to the other Alphas, and my eyes scanned each of them until they landed on a newly turned one I hadn’t seen before. He had a delicate face with a small scar running along his left eyebrow, hair like spun honey falling over his forehead and his eyes were kind, too kind to be part of that crowd. He was sitting at the far end of the table, the farthest from Darek.

I held my gaze with the new Alpha as I walked towards him, my steps deliberate and slow, the folds of my red dress trailing behind me on one side. Everyone’s eyes followed my movements, their breath held in anticipation. I walked past all the shocked faces to where he sat, his eyes widening as I stopped right in front of him.

I leaned in close to his face, close enough that I could notice the tiny freckles that dotted his nose. My hands went around the back of his chair and he froze like a deer caught in headlights. I could hear his heart beating out of his chest.

"I’m sorry," I whispered, just loud enough for his ears, but too quiet for the others to catch on. "I just need a volunteer for a while. Will that be okay?"

He seemed to gather himself and gave a very slight nod of his head, slowly and measuredly. But there was curiosity in his eyes. He was curious to know to what extent I would go to piss Darek off.

He didn’t have to wait longer.

Because I moved forward and pressed my lips against his.

It wasn’t long or passionate like the one I had with Darek. Just quick and sharp, enough to make a statement, long enough to make sure Darek noticed. To seal my rejection of Darek even further.

I pulled back to look straight at Darek, when a large thump resounded against the walls.

A large crack was forming on the wood where Darek had slammed the table with his fist. His face was a mix of fury and disbelief, and his eyes were burning with so much rage, but I didn’t feel them as much as I did before. The bond between us was weak now, since I had already rejected him.

The Alpha I just kissed actually had a very small smile playing on his lips.

"I’ll be in my room now, Darek," I said, smiling. "You can find me there if you’re ready for a proper conversation."

I turned and walked away, leaving behind the same sea of stunned faces. But those faces were not the ones I had wanted to see.

In fact, I don’t think I would ever want to forget the look on Darek’s face.

Everyone always played by his rules. But tonight, I had changed all of them.