Rejected.
"I don't care, we came because of the lady but look at her," Alex replied, gesturing to Camen to glance at Nova.
Camen glanced at Nova, he saw her acting lovingly with a male. His expression seemed shocked,
"That's Mr Blackwood's son; Asher Blackwood. The lady seemed to be his mate," Camen blurted out with scrunched eyebrows.
"Yes, I think so. I can't feel any connection with her," Alex sighed and said, "What if I was mistaken, I don't know why all this is happening,"
Alex ordered Camen to announce his leave to the village head. Camen went to the village head and informed him about Alex's intention to leave.
The village head rushed to Alex instantly, his expression seemed unhappy with Alex's decision.
The village head escorted them to their horses, Alex smiled and commended the village head for his hard work. Alex hopped on his horse and girded it.
****
The celebration began, and today was the first day Nova felt excited about a celebration in her pack. The past celebrations were sorrowful. Nova stepped into the field gaily, the playing instruments made her joyous.
"Nova," Asher called out to her.
She turned back and smiled at the man who took her worries away. Asher walked to Nova and hugged her tightly. She blushed hard, hoping for that moment to last forever.
He pushed Nova slightly, held her hand, and led her to a seat. Everyone stared at them, but Nova felt protected because no one had the resilience to stand up against Asher.
"This is how it feels to have a mate,'' Nova chuckled to herself.
"What did you say?" Asher asked, staring into her eyes.
"Nothing, Asher,"
"Ok."
Nova stared at him, his gaze was fixated on the dancer who was performing on stage, she became jealous as his looks seemed flirtatious to the dancer.
Nova fidgeted, pondering what to do to stop his flirtatious look. The dancer halted her dance and left the stage for the village head. The village head called out the recently transformed wolves and hosted a toast to them.
Nova became dejected because she wasn't part of them, but she shrugged the feeling off and assured herself about a blissful life with Asher.
Nova's heart thudded against her ribcage as she saw Maia striding towards them. Nova bit her lips, hoping Maia won't come to her with a disastrous agenda.
Maia stopped in front of Asher and smirked, Nova knew she was up to no good. Asher raised his eyebrows and questioned her presence, she grinned and sat in between them; separating Asher and Nova.
Nova felt uncomfortable at Maia's sudden action, Nova hands trembled, thinking what Maia had on her sleeves. Nova truly wished Maia could disappear from her life and Maia's presence suffocated Nova.
Maia moved closer to Nova and whispered,
"Are you happy, Nova? But do you think he will accept you after I tell him your hidden secret,"
Nova held Maia's hand, pleading quietly. Nova became terrified, Asher got suspicious, he faced Maia and asked,
"What are you doing here? You haven't answered that, you just came and sat in between my mate and me"
Maia chuckled out, "What! My mate? you acknowledged this thing to be your mate?"
Nova gulped hard, holding Maia's hand to stop her from spilling the truth. Maia yanked Nova's hand off and said,
"Do you know your mate can't shift? I am sure she doesn't feel a connection with you,"
"MAIA, PLEASE STOP!!!" Nova screamed out, pleading vigorously.
"What! Is that true Nova? We need to talk"
Asher stood up, gripped Nova's hand tightly, and dragged her out of the field. Nova stared at Maia angrily, but Maia waved her hand and mouthed "Good luck," with a smirk.
"Asher please stop, your grip hurts," Nova said as they got nearer to Nova's cottage.
Asher ignored Nova complaint and pushed Nova inside her cottage. He ruffled his hair, pacing up and down in the cottage. Nova played with her fingers anticipating his next action. She hoped he would accept her nonetheless.
"Was that the truth, Nova?" Asher asked, demanding an answer from Nova.
Nova kept mute, her hands were trembling and she was afraid to mutter the truth.
"IS THAT TRUE, NOVA?" he yelled out, startling Nova.
Nova breathed out and said, "Yes, it is, but I can feel my wolf. I can't shift but my wolf emotions are still intact,"
He laughed hysterically
"I am your mate, I felt a strong connection with you the moment I came here, but it is funny how you don't feel anything," Asher said feeling disappointed.
"I accept you as my mate, though I don't feel any connection between us", Nova said, biting her lips.
Asher scoffed at her, "I only said you are my mate, I don't accept you as my mate, why would I take a weakling like you as my mate, what do you want people to say of me". He said and looked at Nova with disgust.
Nova felt an immense pain in her heart, after she heard his words, feeling rejected. She left her cottage, needing air to breathe well.
"What did I do wrong, moon goddess? What did I do that you have written my fate like this? You say mates are supposed to love each other, a part of our soul who'll never hurt us, go beyond every boundary for us", Nova cried out.
Asher came out, raging with anger.
"Argh, stop your cries, it won't change anything, and don't ever walk out on me like that". He uttered, holding Nova's jawline so tight. Nova pushed him, he glared at her with disdain and he left.
Nova sat on the ground, weeping. She thought Asher was different but he seemed to be like everyone here.
"I HATE YOU ALL." Nova screamed out, holding her chest, she felt betrayed and hurt.
"Tch Tch, your tears are tunes to my ears," Maia said with a grin.
Nova stood up angrily and asked, "Why do you hate me? I never did you wrong, but why?"
"Blame your existence for that and you don't need a reason to be hated. I can never let you have a mate that is of a higher class like mine,"
"What do you mean?"
She rolled her eyes,
"Whatever, I am exhausted from your silly talks. Bye,"
She giggled and left joyfully. Nova went to Ember's cottage, she needed someone's comfort. Nova told Ember all that happened, while sobbing.
"You mean Asher Blackwood did this to you?" Ember sighed.
"Yes, but how do you know him? Who is he?" Nova asked curiously.