Rejected By My Mate, Claimed By Contract

Fiona's POV

I sat at the edge of the bed, eyes burning, and heart heavier than it was this morning. The silence in the room, which was broken by the clock's tick and occasional murmurs of the guards Kael had planted in front of my room to watch me, was suffocating.

Laila's pregnancy announcement had gutted me, but the house arrest sealed it all. And now, the Ravaryn festival-my chance to reach Alpha Derek-was slipping away just when I thought the moon goddess finally remembered me.

I have never felt this hopeless in my entire life before, my mind was clouded and my eyes looked distant. But despite this pit of despair I was thrown in, giving up wasn't an option as I still believe a miracle could come before the festival and it did come that morning. 

I was seated at my dressing table, running a comb through my hair with slow strokes when I heard the door creek open without a knock.

"Fiona?"

I turned to see Kael leaned casually against the doorframe, with his damp golden-blonde hair dripping onto his shoulders. The way his eyes racked over me in a carefree manner like he hadn't just gotten his mistress pregnant under my nose and locked me away for getting angry about it, made me feel even more useless for a mate and more like a possession he still has right to claim.

"I'm going to the Ravaryn Festival," he announced, "Laila is down with a cold, she can't go. So, I want you to come with me."

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I said..."

"I heard what you said perfectly," I cut sharply, "I am just wondering why I get to be treated like a side piece that is only picked up because your little miss is unavailable. I'm your Luna, Kael. I should be your first pick in everything."

"That is not what this is," he replied.

"Then what exactly is it?" I yelled.

After a short moment of silence, "You should be grateful I'm even considering taking you despite your misbehaviors. Get dressed. We leave in one hour," Kael stated.

He walked out, leaving me trembling with humiliation and rage at the thought of how I had been reduced to nothing. Shoving the bitterness aside, I forced myself to focus on what truly mattered.

 After having my bath, I slipped into an emerald silk gown, not caring if it impressed him as he wouldn't be able to see me anyway, and quickly applied a light layer of makeup on my face before stepping out of the room. The moment I got outside the courtyard, the line of SUVs on the driveway came into view along with Kael standing beside the first car, checking his watch.

 I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly as I made my way to him. Just as I was about to step into the back seat of the opened car Kael was beside, "Alpha Kael," a familiar voice called out from behind us, and I turned to see Laila dressed stunningly in a wine-red velvet gown that hugged her bump that was surprisingly showing already like a crown.

What the hell? What is she doing out here, dressed? Isn't she supposed to be down with a cold and locked away in the pack clinic to rest?

 Kael's face lit up. "Laila?" He rushed to her and snuck his hands protectively around her waist. "What are you doing here? I thought..."

 She planted a kiss on his lips before he could finish and went on to say, "It was all an act. I wanted to see if you would stay back for me," giggling lightly. 

 "Laila," Kael stressed, grinning from ear to ear.

 "Anyways, I'm coming with you," she said simply.

 "Are you sure?" Kael asked.

 "Don't you want me to?"

 "Of course. I would love that."

 And just like that, they turned, walking towards me. I also turned to enter the car when Kael's voice stopped me. 

 "Fiona, ride in the next car with Gareth, Laila is riding with me."

 I opened my mouth to protest, but shame silenced me. Swallowing my pride as I thought about how this wasn't the moment to act on it, I headed to the next car where Gareth waited with a sympathetic look on his face. 

 The drive to the Moonfang pack took less than three hours, but somehow, it felt endless. When we finally arrived, Alphas and elders from different packs across the region were mingling and the atmosphere was agog with celebration. 

 I trailed behind Kael and Laila like an unwanted shadow, watching elders scold him for bringing his mistress to such a gathering while he mumbled incoherent excuses. As they asked after me, I slipped away, smirking at Laila's face that was flushed with embarrassment.

The festival glowed with Silver lanterns, silk banners carrying intricate patterns, and the soft flutes that serenade the air. But I barely paid attention to it as my eyes swept the crowd, searching for Alpha Derek.

"Luna Fiona," a voice called beside me, and I turned to see two young wolves, approaching me. One held a clipboard and the other a sack bag.

"Do you want to take part in the brawl challenge?" The clipboard boy asked.

"Uhm..."

"You can join one of the exhibition fights, it's tradition and a great way to make a name," he continued. "Plus players are matched fairly and you don't know your opponent till you are called up."

I hesitated. "What category will I play in?"

"Mixed Combat. Group red, round four."

The other boy pulled a folded outfit-a fitted black vest top, crimson pants with gold sash and arm wrap-from his sack. He pointed to the tents nearby, "You can change there."

I went ahead to change quickly and returned as the festival began with the commentator, an elderly woman with blonde hair and an annoying high pitch voice, announcing the first match. Looking for a space to sit, I spotted Kael and Laila with Gareth. I held their gaze for a while before slipping away to sit alone.

As the matches unfolded, I kept looking forward to his arrival, but there was no sign of him. My hope was starting to fade, thinking it might just be rumors, when a convoy of black Escalades that flanked a white Rolls-Royce arrived. Warriors in red spilled out in numbers, surrounding the white car. I stopped breathing as Alpha Derek stepped out.

He had a tall, towering look with dark tousled hair that looked artfully disheveled with a chiseled jaw like a sculptor's masterpiece. He was adorned with dark shades, a black coat trimmed in silver, and held a silver cane with a wolf-handle.

He snapped his head in my direction and I was about to roll my eyes away when I remembered he's blind. But the way he moved, with warriors flanking him on all sides, no one will ever guess it. His presence sucked the air from the atmosphere, forcing heads to turn.

I watched him disappear into the front row, wondering why he'd attend an event he couldn't see. Still, I hoped his ears worked well enough to hear my name being echoed when I won the brawl. My thoughts which were trying to piece together what I would say to him when I finally got his attention scattered as the commentator went on to say, "Up next-representing the Moonveil pack...Luna Fiona!"

Cheers erupted around me as I made my way to the stage, my heart pounding louder than the drums.

As the commentator went ahead to announce my opponent, the crowd erupted once again with loud applause. But I froze with my breath hitched, and lips slightly parted. The noise faded into nothing as I stared, wide-eyed and numb.