Rejected By My Mate

Chapter 22

The look on Azrael's face made my heart sting. Am I too hard on him? I sighed as I helped Layla stand

up and leave Azrael on the balcony feeling hurt.

Layla and I are just silent while walking towards her room.

'Alex, you should let him explain.'

I think I hurt him, Xandra…

'Yes! I told you to give him a chance to explain! You know damn well that Layla is acting up!' Val said

clearly upset with me.

I'm sorry…

Now, I feel bad.

'Talk to him, Alex. Please don't push him away again… '

Okay, Willow. I'm really sorry… Can you forgive me, Val?

'I'll forgive you, Alex, if Azrael will stay by our side. '

I closed my eyes and sighed.

Okay…

When we reached Layla's room, she sat on her bed while I just stood up, staring at her. I can feel

Layla's uneasiness. I don't know what happened to her these past few days. She feels off. There's

something wrong with her.

"Alex…" she murmured.

I let out an exasperated sighed and said, "Layla, I know what really happened. What's wrong with you?

You're acting weird since I brought Azrael with me!"

Layla bowed down her head and just played with her hands quivering. But, she looked up at me with a

face stained with tears. I gasped in surprise. "Because I'm jealous, Alex! Since you met him, you've

changed drastically! You are not the Alex I knew before! The Alex that I love!" she said through gritted

teeth. Her chest was now heaving up and down. I saw her fist clenching tightly on the bed sheet. Her

stare was so intense that it gave me goosebumps.

I feel like I was choked up by my words and all I could do was stare at her in shock. Did I hear it right?

'What the actual f*ck?!'

'S-she's jealous? '

'The eff?'

Automatically, my tears poured down on my face. How can I not notice?

Layla stood up from the bed and walked towards me but I stopped her. She frowned while tears were

still streaming down her face.

"Layla, you love me as a sister and a best friend only, right?" I ask trying to convince her and myself.

Maybe I was misinterpreting her words.

This time she burst out crying in front of me but I couldn't hug her. It's like my feet were glued to the

floor.

"A-Alex, I love you more than just a best friend and a sister! I've been in love with you since we were

kids!" she said while sobbing. A look of hurt crossed her eyes. I tore my gaze away from her and just

looked at my feet. I closed my eyes. It still doesn't sink in my mind. Did Layla, my best friend, confess

to me? Maybe, I just heard it wrong?

I shook my head at Layla. "Layla, maybe you misinterpreted your love for me. It's wrong, Layla…" I

said, clenching my jaw while stopping my tears to pour down again.

"Bullsh*t, Alex! I know how I feel towards you! I tried ignoring it for years but I have failed miserably!"

she said frustratedly and sobbed. I took a step backwards.

This is just a dream. Please wake me up!

I try pinching my arms but it hurts. So, this is the reality. Where my best friend slash sister falls in love

with me.

I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn't look at her. It broke my heart.

She tried reaching for me but I stepped backwards until my back hit the wall.

"Alex…I'm sorry…just don't stay away from me," Layla cried and my heart ached for her.

"I'm sorry, Layla…" I said full of pain before teleporting myself out of her sight. I just couldn't accept the

fact that she sees me more than her best friend.

I found myself in the middle of the woods. I growled in anger and frustration. I just couldn't understand

why Layla loved me. I'm broken and I am a monster. I don't deserve her love and even the love of

Azrael. I don't even know what love is!

I let my tears roll down my face while clenching my chest. It hurts. Why? All my life I've been protecting

her, for her to not get hurt. But, I didn't know I was the one who caused her heartache. All these years I

let her be clingy to me because I didn't give it any meaning.

I climbed onto the top of the trees then sat one of the branches. All I saw was trees and the faint lights

came from the city. I was too far away. I was just staring into nothingness while crying. I was so upset

with myself. I am hurting the two important people in my life.

'Alex, please stop crying…'

I can't help it, Xandra. It hurts so much.

'It's not your fault why she's in love with you, okay?'

How it isn't my fault, Val?

She didn't respond. I just closed my eyes.

'Just tell her that you can't see her more than just a best friend. She's your only family and you can't

lose her too, right? '

I hummed.

I can't lose Layla. We've been through a lot together and I will not let love get in the way of our

friendship. How will I approach her now without getting awkward? Should I forget that she confessed

her feelings? Pretend that nothing happened?

Uggh! This is frustrating.

Layla is hurting because of me and I feel really bad.

I straightened my back when I heard a loud growl from a distance. I focused on the noise and I heard

plenty of footsteps. Then my eyes glowed more brightly staring straight into the depths of the forest. My

vision became as sharp as an owl. I saw werewolves fighting canines to canines. It's a fight between

two rival packs. I don't know which pack they came from. I saw the thick snowy ground covered with

red stains. Blood.

I could feel my eyes darkening when I saw the blood. It's not that far from where I am so I can smell the

blood. But, I feel something strange towards my body, especially in my veins. Like there's a strong

force flow in it. I grunted when I felt a sudden pain like there's a burning fire in my insides again. I

hastily jumped towards the ground and groaned in pain.

What was happening again?

'S-She's waking up… '

Who?

Ugh. Xandra, who's waking up?

I groaned in pain again while trying to control it. I was breathing heavily now while clutching the ground.

I can feel my claws growing long. Then my eyes were changing into different colors. The colors that I

couldn't believe my eyes are capable of changing fast. It's so painful. I wanted to close my eyes but it

won't. I didn't scream, I'm afraid werewolves will hear me. But, I know for sure they sense my strong

aura.

I couldn't hear my three spirits anymore until I fell unconscious.

~~~~~

I heard a faint noise. I slowly flickered my eyes open. I gasped and got up abruptly. Where am I?

I scan the white room and I can smell that someone was in here a while ago. But, the scent was

unfamiliar to me. I got out from the bed and slowly opened the door. A quiet hallway greeted me.

Where am I? All I remember was when I am in the middle of the woods and black out in the ground. My

forehead creased when I heard noises again. I followed where the noise came from. I just slowly

walked carefully not to bump into someone.

I walked down the stairs and noticed that the noise was coming from one of the rooms downstairs.

Looks like they were arguing something. The door suddenly opened and a handsome man wearing a

crown got out the room with a dark aura. My eyes widened. A King?

He's the King of the Werewolves! Woah, so it's true that he's still young.

What am I doing here?

His gaze met mine and he stopped walking. He has dark blue eyes and it was cold. But, I saw how it

softened when meeting mine. We just stood there staring at each other. I saw people on his back and

was also staring at me in awe.

I cleared my throat and spoke, "Who are you?"

The King startled a bit and cleared the lump on his throat. "I'm Stephen Vermount, King of the

werewolves." he said while kept staring at me. "What is your name? You're found lying unconscious in

the middle of the forest with my mens."

Oh, that's why I am here. "I'm Andrea." I said shortly. "Thank you for looking out to me while I'm

unconscious. But, I have to go."

"No. You can't leave until you will explain why you are in my territory. And that's an order."

What?

I stared at everyone and they are waiting for my answer. Why would I have to explain?

"With all due respect, I didn't know I was in your territory. But I am not taking an order from anyone, not

even to a King." I said sternly. I saw his eyes darkening and growled. His people were clearly afraid of

him because he is the Alpha of the Alphas, meaning a King. But, I am not afraid of him. I just look at

him coldly.

"How dare you talk to the King like that!?" said a man with a beard on his chin. His eyes turned to

yellow while looking at me. I just remain the stoic expression on my face.

"Because he's not my King. He's your King." they all growled angrily at me for disobeying their King. I

smirked. While King Stephen was staring at me with amusement on his face.

"Look, I need to go home. Thank you for taking care of me while I was unconscious." I said directly to

the King. He kept staring at my eyes though.

"Before you will leave, please join me for lunch." the King uttered. Lunch? What the h*ll? It's lunch time

already? How long did I pass out?

I cleared my throat and asked, "How many hours did I sleep?"

"It's not hours, it's days." my eyes widened.

"What?! H-How many days??" I asked dumbfounded.

"3 days."

No way!

'No sh*t Sherlock!'

'H*ck!'

'How is that even possible?'

You didn't remember too?

'Yeah, Alex. Remember we are one? When you're asleep, we're asleep too.'

Okay, what was happening to us again??

"Come with us to the dining." the King said and I just nodded hastily.

And after sleeping for 3 days, I should be thirsty for blood. But, instead, I am so hungry. I want food. A

lot of food. Ugh, this is really confusing. Last time, I was thirsty for blood and now I am freaking

starving!

I groaned silently while following King Stephen walking to the other direction of his castle and the

others were talking behind me. Not much later, we arrived to the dining area where I saw a few chefs

who were so busy cooking some dishes. The long wooden dining table was already full of food served

on a platter. My eyes sparkling in joy. I licked my lips and hurriedly sat at one of the wooden chairs that

was perfectly carved and neatly furnished in dark walnut color. The sight of food made my stomach

grumble loudly.

King Stephen and the others were now looking at me amused and then bursted out laughing. I felt my

cheeks redden in embarrassment and I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Wow, this is a lot of food!" I uttered in awe and they all smiled at me. I was about to grab the whole

chicken when I saw they were looking at me. I eyed all the food on the table. "You won't mind if I will

eat it all, would you?" I said pointing at the chicken while grinning.

"No, not at all. You can have it." King Stephen said and smiled at me. While the others were

suppressing their giggles.

I grinned widely and grabbed the whole roasted chicken and took a big bite. I moaned in delight. In just

a matter of seconds, it's all gone. I took another dish, my mouth watered while looking at the fried pork.

It didn't take but a few seconds until it vanished in my hands. Every food I saw, I didn't give it any

justice, it all went into my mouth. I burped so loud when I was done eating. I wonder why it's so quiet.

I looked at everyone who had eyes widened in shock and their jaw dropped in awe. I met all their gaze

and I creased my forehead. What happened to them? Did I have something on my face? They don't

even eat. Are they just watching me eating? King Stephen was also staring at me with jaws dropped.

"Hey, staring is rude." I mumbled and let out a loud burped. "Excuse me." I can't help it. I'm so full. All

the food was delicious.

I pouted when there's nothing left on the table. "There's nothing left?" I murmured. Even though I am

already full. I still can eat a lot. It also happened at Sabrina's mansion when I slept for 3 days straight.

I frowned. Except this time, I didn't crave for blood. It's like I want something I couldn't name. It's so

weird.

"Ahm, y-you ate it all…" a guy on my left spoke. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"What?" I laughed. He's kidding me, right? How can I eat all the food in the long table? "Are you kidding

me?"

The guy scratched his head and a wide smile crossed his lips until he bursted out laughing. All the

others joined the laughter and they won't just stop. I also heard King Stephen laugh loudly.

I frowned when I noticed their clean plates. Ehh? When my gaze landed on the platters on the center.

It's all empty.

I heard laughter in my head until Xandra spoke.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

'You're really a big eater, Alex!'

Are they telling the truth?

'Yes, Alex! Don't you think it's a good thing you didn't thirst for blood anymore?'

You're right, Val. So, you aren't thirsty too?

'Nope, Alex.'

And why is that?

'I don't know.'

I smile at King Stephen when he's done laughing. He cleared his throat and spoke, "Where did you put

all the food?" he said suppressing a laugh to erupt in his mouth.

I laughed then shrugged my shoulders. In the end, the servers put more food out on the table for them.

I was apologizing to everyone and I'm glad they were understanding. I excuse myself and they let me. I

strutted out of the dining area and a quiet hallway greeted me.

I just walked and walked until I bumped into something, no---someone. A tiny voice shriek. I looked at

the floor and I saw a cute little boy around 2 years old. He was staring at me in awe then smiled widely.

He put his arms up. What is he doing?

"Up! Up!" the little boy mumbled. I just stood there not knowing what to do. He wanted me to carry him?

I smiled at the little boy and decided to carry him. He was staring at my eyes again. Maybe wondering

why it has two different colors.

"Pretty!" he mumbled and I giggled then pinched his chubby cheeks. He just laughed and held my face

with his tiny hands.

Suddenly, my insides were burning again. I feel my eyes changing color. What's happening again? I

stare at the little boy and I realize he's a hybrid. I can smell his blood, a half werewolf-half demon. A

demon? Is that why my body reacted? Oh no! Not again!