Rejected By My Own Mate

Kaizen Hall

On the day of my engagement, Freya Wells, my childhood friend, offered to visit the pack’s sacred grounds to pray for our union. But fate was cruel—she was abducted by rogues and taken to their territory, where she was forced to endure unspeakable horrors. To protect her reputation, I made the reckless decision to spread the rumor that it was Eloise Montgomery who had been taken. I even drugged her and left her in the rogues’ den, allowing her to be humiliated in front of everyone.

Eloise was condemned, branded as promiscuous, and shamed by the pack. When she confronted me, I shielded Freya, my voice dripping with irritation. "If you hadn’t insisted on this engagement, Freya wouldn’t have been taken. This is your debt to her."

In that moment, I saw the truth in her eyes—disappointment, pain, and a resolve I hadn’t noticed before. She walked away, and I felt a pang of something I couldn’t name.

---

The Lycan King Maverick Graham sat in the dimly lit hall, his face half-shrouded in shadow. After a long silence, he spoke, his voice heavy with authority. "Not long ago, I granted you the privilege of using the royal token to secure your engagement to Kaizen Hall out of respect for your mother. But now, with your reputation tarnished, you wish to marry into another pack?"

I lifted my head, meeting his piercing gaze. My voice was steady despite the ache in my chest. "As a Lycan Princess, I have always been sustained by the pack’s resources. In these turbulent times, it is my duty to bear the responsibility that comes with my status. As for my reputation, I am willing to undergo a public examination to prove my honor."

The Lycan King’s eyes gleamed with rare approval. "The delegation from the Ryan Pack will arrive in a week. Before then, I grant you one wish."

I left the oppressive hall, finally able to breathe freely. But as I stepped outside, I was met by Kaizen’s car. He jumped out, his face dark with anger, and grabbed my arm. "Eloise, what were you doing in the royal hall?"

For a fleeting moment, I thought he might be concerned for me. But then Freya emerged from the car, slipping her arm through his with practiced ease. Kaizen glared at me, his expression softening only when he turned to Freya.

"Kaizen, what if the Lycan King punishes us? Eloise is a princess, after all," Freya said, her voice trembling with false worry.

Kaizen held her close, his voice gentle. "Don’t worry, I’ll handle it."

When he looked back at me, his eyes were cold. "Eloise, was it necessary to tattle to the Lycan King? You’re a princess, yet you act so petty."

I laughed bitterly. Of course. As long as Freya was by his side, he would never see me.

He pulled out a folder filled with records of his pack’s military achievements. "Don’t worry, Freya. These are the Hall Pack’s battle honors. I’ll use them to clear your name, no matter the cost."

I called out to him, my voice quiet but firm. "Don’t bother. I didn’t tell the Lycan King anything."

I wasn’t moved by his sacrifice; I just didn’t want him to know about the arranged marriage—not yet. He paused, scrutinizing me as if trying to gauge my honesty. Then Freya coughed softly, and Kaizen immediately turned his attention to her.

"Eloise, I’m sorry for misjudging you," Freya said, her tone insincere.

Kaizen shot me a disdainful look. "You don’t owe her an apology. She brought this on herself."

He helped Freya into the car, and as they drove past me, I caught the mocking glint in her eyes. I shook my head, my gaze lingering on Kaizen’s retreating figure. My mind drifted to the past.

Eloise had always been the least favored in the royal family, her mother a low-ranking pack member. I, on the other hand, was the son of Alpha True Hall. When we first met, she was being bullied by other Lycan Princes. I stepped in, my aura commanding as I stood between her and her tormentors. In that moment, she looked at me as if I were her savior.

But now, that light in her eyes was gone. And perhaps, it was time I accepted that she was no longer the girl I once knew.