02 Too Shocked To Say Anything

Willow.

I remained on my knees and swore my loyalty to the alpha, and the moment I was done, the head maid led me to a room allocated to me. People returned to continue their work. As I followed the woman who would soon introduce herself as Ingrid, a bitch and traitor, I planned my next move. I knew Christopher would make a show of the rejection to please his luna. I wasn't going to give them the opportunity to embarrass me like that again.

I was given a modest room, the same as before. A single bed, a wooden chair by the only window where I could see the training field and garden, and a desk with another chair for paperwork, if any. The double-door metal locker that would hold nothing but my ugly work clothes stood tall next to the door that led to the bathroom. Luna Aida kept my work clothes ugly for her selfish reason. So while all the servants dressed nicely in lovely A-line skirts and fitted blouses showing their cleavage and curves, my clothes were oversized long dresses, sometimes hindering my work.

I walked to the window and closed the curtains. I hated it. In my past life, I would see Christopher train with his men. He ignored me, and it hurt. I wondered if he ever regretted his decision to reject me or if he was remorseful. I really didn't care. One thing I wasn't going to be was that pathetic girl again. I could not afford to be a fool twice.

I sat on the chair by the window and thought of my mission.

The schemes played by the luna and her supporters played in my mind. Aida's cruelty intensified when she asked Christopher to send me away after I caught her with Beta Mark. He said no, and she took it out on poor me. I was naive then. I was pleading, promising to keep my promises. Trying to assure her I would not tell her husband. I was a fool, and she knew it.

I had a goal: to make sure Aida and Mark pay for everything they did. Once I am through with them, I will leave.

"You have forgotten a crucial part of the deal, Williow," my wolf, Raya, said to me, and I wanted to shut her up, but I knew she would speak anyway.

"We have one year to rectify the problem." She said, and I grumbled.

"We have a duty. We are back for a reason.." She continued, and I had had it.

"Enough! Raya!" I yelled at my wolf. "Have you forgotten what we went through with these people? Christopher did not protect us; he rejected us and made a spectacle for Aida's benefit. They quickly condemned us to death. Have you forgotten what walking to the guillotine felt like? Have you forgotten what living here felt like? We will leave this place once we have exposed Aida and taken our revenge, and that is final. I do not care for Christopher. He did not protect us from his bitch of a wife. He was a fool for her," I told my wolf, and she growled.

"You know that is not true, Willow. He did the best he could. We need to try again." My wolf pleaded, longing for our mate and revenge.

"So what do you propose?" I asked my wolf, calming down from the rage I was feeling. My rage was mixed with fear. Fear of failure, falling in love and losing myself. I needed to be numb to succeed.

"Win Christopher and the pack members to our side. Take what is ours. We were nice and naive last time; we will be smart and mean to beat Aida at her own game. Trust me, we have been through a lot and learned enough to deal with that bitch. Christopher is ours for a reason. Aida did not love him, and she wasn't faithful. He needs us. Our mate needs us, Willow," She said, growling, and though she was right, it felt tedious, and I doubted it was worth it.

"And then what, Raya? We have just one year," I said; she was silent; she knew I wasn't lying.

"We have to try, at least. Mark and Aida aren't the only problems, and you know it. If we leave after exposing them, he might still die. He has to stay alive for us to truly succeed," my wolf pleaded with me, and I finally let it rest.

I knew Christopher would soon come for me, so I decided to shower. A maid brought me ugly clothes to wear. They were oversized and looked really bad. I accepted the clothes with gratitude. I washed the sand and blood from my skin and hair. I cleaned myself thoroughly and packed my hair. I was determined to look breathtaking in this life. I was a beautiful woman, and I was going to be unapologetic about it.

I went to sit by the window and waited. I had no reason to be outside the room, so I remained.

The knock finally came, and I stood up from my chair.

"It is open," I said, and Christopher walked in. He was a handsome man. Dark hair, grey eyes, and tanned skin. Pronounced jawline and soft eyes. He was about six feet five inches. Tall and very handsome. I was mesmerised by his looks in my past life, but not in this life; I was numb to anything that had to do with him.

He cleared his throat and looked at me. His eyes were gentle and affectionate.

"Willow, you know why I am here," he said, and I was quiet.

"Kindly follow me to my office," He said, and I nodded and waited for him to lead the way.

I entered his office, and Luna Aida was there. I greeted her politely, knowing she would make an issue of my greeting. I hated the bitch.

"I am the werewolf princess and the only heir to the werewolf throne, so you would address me as your highness and not Luna," she said calmly, and I bowed to her respectfully.

"Take it easy on the girl, Aida," Christopher said.

"I am already taking it easy, allowing you to keep your fated around," she growled, and I wasn't surprised he had told her.

Alpha Christopher chuckled a bit and looked at me.

"What do you have to say for yourself? Why were Lycans after you? What happened out there?" He asked.

"Lycan's came after us, and my mother said they were rogues. Before then, we lived in a cottage in the woods of Brent." I explained, and he nodded. That was all he was going to get out of me. Not the long story of my mother's exile and hardship. I wasn't going to give anyone material to work with when plotting against me. These assholes did not know my mother, yet they were quick to judge both our characters.

"Well, as long as you keep the rules, you are welcome. I won't turn you away. So you have nothing to worry about. Ingrid will give you clothes and delegate your chores to you, and you are to do them diligently. You will be placed on a weekly allowance for your work. We do not believe in slavery here, so we pay all our workers. Do you understand?" he said, and I nodded.

"Is there anything else you want to tell me before I discuss the real reason I brought you here?" He asked, and I nodded. I had so much to say, but I knew why he had brought me there. He brought me there to explain why we can never be an item, not now, not in a million years. He brought me there to warn me about getting ideas in my head about him. He brought me there to reject me in the presence of his luna, after which he would take me outside and announce it in the presence of everyone for good measure, as per Aida's request.

"Yes, I do, Alpha," I said calmly, and he motioned me to speak.

"I, Willow Brooks, reject you, Alpha Christopher Walker as my fated mate," I said, feeling a huge pain in my heart. Christopher was shocked, but the pain he felt overrode his shock as he clutched his chest and went to sit at his desk. I remained on my feet. I felt the bond severing, and I was waiting for him to accept the rejection. I hoped the break would be complete this time around. He looked confused and in shock. I bet he did not see that coming. I was sweating and in pain, but I was happy that at least I got to reject him this time around. I was proud of myself. I waited for him to accept, but he was too shocked to say anything.