Page 4 of Two Years Gone

I watched Ella take a deep breath before standing up, tears still falling.

“I, Ella Matthews, accept your rejection.”

I gripped the desk tightly, slightly bending over and letting out a low growl. My wolf howled in pain, the rejection ripping through both of us. I hadn’t expected how much it would hurt.

She walked out of the room, leaving me there alone. Once I knew she was out of earshot, I finally released the breath I had been holding in and fell to my knees.

It was the worst pain I had ever felt. But it was over now. I could look forward to choosing Mariah and making her my luna when I got home from training.

I straightened myself and made my way out of the office to the training grounds to let off some steam, glad it was over.

Chapter 3

ELLA

“Jerk,” I whispered as I made my way back to the kitchen. My eyes were puffy, and my face was flushed. My mom looked at me with horror as I continued with my work.

“Ella?” Sophie spoke quietly as she opened my bedroom door. I pretended to sleep, hoping my mother wouldn’t push it. But she did. Mom sat beside me on the bed, stroking my hair.

“I know you’re awake, Ells Bells.”

I smiled a bit at the sound of my nickname. I sat up and let my mom hold me.

“He rejected me,” I finally said.

My mom snapped up and looked at me.

“Who? Who rejected you?” She grabbed my shoulders and shook them lightly.

“You found a mate?”

I nodded.

“It was Zane. We felt it at school. He doesn’t want me.” I could feel myself crying again.

My mom shook her head in disbelief and then spoke quietly, petting my hair.

“Maybe it’s for the best. You’ve always put on a brave face, but I know things aren’t easy for you. You’ll find another mate and things will be better.”

I laughed bitterly.

“I never want a mate again.”

When I woke the next morning, my mother was asleep next to me in the bed. She had spent the night holding me and comforting me.

Even though I knew I was nothing to him, the rejection still stung. I had always thought that my mate would love and accept me, the kind of love I had seen my parents have.

I knew school was going to be torture. I would be a hot mess if I ran into Zane. The mate bond didn’t just go away overnight. It took time to fade, and it was still strong inside me.

Last night, I was woken up by feelings of Zane. I could feel him having sex with Mariah and sense the intense pleasure and emotions.

My mate was with someone else, and it hurt so much that I almost screamed.

“So what’s it like being rejected?” Mariah spat out as I entered the school.

I lowered my head and kept on walking, hoping she would drop it. She didn’t.

“Omega, I’m talking to you!” Mariah yelled, making the whole hallway pause to see the commotion.