Bygone Love For The Alpha

The Pain Of Rejection

A palpable, intangible barrier seemed to loom between Ezra and me. It was as if an unseen force, woven from the threads of past heartaches, rejections, and sorrows, held us at arm's length. Standing mere feet away, we gazed upon one another with a mix of awe and disbelief, as though uncertain if we'd ever meet again. Personally, I had tried to avoid this moment, to shield myself from facing Ezra, but fate had other plans. And so, there we stood, after eight long years, our eyes locked in a shared moment of recognition.

Theo, for some inexplicable reason, clung to my side, his small hand firmly grasping mine. His wide, innocent eyes darted back and forth between his father and me, brimming with curiosity and wonder. It was a sight that tugged at my heart, filling me with a mixture of emotions too complex to put into words.

"Ezra?" My gaze lingered on Ezra's shoulder as Caleb approached him, his brows furrowed in concern. Ezra tore his eyes from me and met Caleb's inquisitive gaze. "It's time. We have to start the prayer," the Beta informed Ezra.

Ezra let out a heavy, sorrow-laden sigh, nodding slowly. His eyes, once filled with astonishment, now held a profound sadness. My heart ached for him. Leading the prayers for his departed wife and mate must be an incredibly heavy burden. I stole a glance down at Theo.

Children weren't typically my forte, but for him, my heart swelled with empathy. He was so small. I couldn't fathom whether he knew or didn't know about his mother. I wondered if he missed her. I swallowed hard and returned my gaze to Ezra, finding his eyes once again fixed on me. He ran his lips together, then gradually closed the distance between us. My heart pounded in my chest, the sound echoing in my ears. It had been years since I'd been this close to Ezra. I vividly recall the last time—the day he rejected me.

The forest floor was a messy mixture of mud and wet leaves, still glistening from the recent rain. Even though the day was cold, it couldn't compare to the icy shivers coursing through my body. My limbs quivered beyond control. It was a different kind of pain, one I hadn't expected.

A choked sob escaped as I pressed my trembling hand against my chest as if trying to steady the frantic beat of my heart. Breathing became a struggle, each inhale feeling like a battle. This morning, a sense of foreboding had settled in my stomach, casting a shadow over the day. It was an eerie feeling, but one I'd come to trust. As a witch, my instincts were rarely wrong. Today, they have been proven right once again.

Ezra found his mate, and it wasn’t me.

The pain was almost too much to bear, especially knowing that my dear friend Daisy was now his destined mate. It was a bitter revelation. Deep down, I'd always known it could never be me. Love is stubborn, though, and I couldn't help but surrender to its fierce hold.

While the Red Moon Pack celebrated their future Alpha's union, I sought solace in the heart of the forest, tears mingling with the damp earth.

"Jade?" Ezra's voice cut through the stillness, surprising me. He approached, his figure stark against the wilderness, wearing only black sweatpants. Evidence of his recent run clung to his sturdy frame. His brows were knitted in concern, his face etched with worry at the sight of me, vulnerable and weeping. "Oh my God, what happened?" Panic tinged his voice as he closed the distance, kneeling in front of me and gently cradling my face in his hands.

His warm gaze scanned my form, searching for any physical wounds, unaware of the deeper pain hidden within. "Are you hurt? What happened? What are you doing here?" His voice resonated with genuine concern, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace.

I met his gaze, my own eyes brimming with tears mirroring the worry in his. At that vulnerable moment, a question escaped my lips, barely a whisper. "Why are you so kind to me?" The tears flowed freely down my cheeks, mingling with the warmth of his hands cradling my face.

His brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about? You're my best friend. Why wouldn't I be nice to you?" The sincerity in his words was palpable, but then something shifted in his gaze, hardening it. "Did someone do something to you, Jade? Did someone hurt you?" His tone turned resolute, the weight of it twisting my heart painfully.

I couldn't bear to look at him, so I closed my eyes, another sob escaping. His gentle hold on my face tightened a touch that held both concern and urgency. "Who did this to you?" he demanded, anger lacing his voice.

"You did," I whispered, summoning the strength to meet his gaze through tear-filled eyes.

Confusion flickered in his earthy gaze. He knit his brows together, a puzzled expression marring his features. "What?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Tears streamed down my face as I choked out the painful truth. "You broke my heart." My voice wavered, the ache in my chest threatening to suffocate me. He still didn't grasp the depth of my pain. I should have kept my feelings buried, but I was already in too deep. Desperation pushed the words past my lips. "Why am I not your mate?"

Ezra's eyes slowly widened as my words sank in. He swallowed hard, withdrawing his hand from my face. "Jade, what are you..." his voice trailed off in a soft whisper, but I couldn't let him finish. Throughout my life, I'd borne my burdens alone, accepting whatever cruelty came my way as if it were my destined path. But this I couldn't bear. The Goddess had erred. It should have been me deserving of his love, not Daisy.

"I love you," I confessed, watching his eyes widen with a mixture of surprise and discomfort. It was as if my admission struck him like a physical blow. He hissed and recoiled, putting distance between us. His loyalty to his newfound mate felt like a dagger plunged straight into my heart.

"I understand you didn't want to hear this, Ezra, but it's the truth," I implored, my voice trembling with raw emotion. "I love you. I always have. Please, don't do this to me. Please, be mine! Please, Ezra!" I pleaded, trying to inch closer, but he retreated, rising to his feet and gazing down at me with an expression of profound disappointment that stole the very breath from my lungs. I couldn't hold back the sobs that wracked my body, my head hanging low in heartbreak.

"Jade, what on earth are you saying? This... this has to be some sort of twisted joke! You can't possibly mean it. Not after everything, not when you know I've found my mate. Please, Jade, don't put me through this," his voice held an unwavering, resolute tone, firm like unyielding stone.

The sting of rejection clung to my chest like a bitter winter chill, settling in and refusing to let go. Each breath felt heavy, laden with the weight of unspoken words and shattered hopes. The luscious forest seemed to close in around me, my mind echoing with the echoes of his gentle yet definitive refusal.

I looked up at the sudden crunching of leaves and twigs beneath approaching footsteps. My eyes widened as I beheld a group of men following Ezra, clearly out for a run together. The shock, disdain, and fury etched across their faces betrayed that they had overheard my painful admission to their Alpha. As I remained on the ground, trembling from the weight of rejection, heartbreak, and pain, my gaze locked with Caleb's. He observed me, his brows knitted in a blend of frustration and disillusionment.

At that moment, I wished I could vanish, and disappear into the very air around me. I longed for the ground to swallow me whole, sparing me from this raw, exposed vulnerability. My heart throbbed with a dull ache, reminding me of the love that had been mine to hope for, but not to keep.

The news of my ill-fated confession and the Alpha's rejection spread like wildfire through the Pack that night. The anguish that followed only solidified my resolve to leave for good.

The memory of that painful moment from eight years ago still sears my chest. It's more than heartbreak—it's an overwhelming sense of shame. This is one of the main reasons why I never wanted to cross paths with Ezra again, yet fate seems determined to challenge that.

Ezra's gaze flickers at me before he looks down at his son, who's still holding onto me, now beaming up at his father with a wide, toothy grin. "Come on, Theo, we're running late," he gently tells his son.

Theo nods eagerly, his innocent eyes turning to me. "Can she come with us?" he asks with a childlike curiosity.

"No," Ezra and I replied in unison, our eyes meeting. I refuse because I can't bear the thought of being around him after dredging up our unresolved past. His rejection, though, hits me with a force I didn't anticipate. It's a clear, unwavering no that makes me feel even more distant and unwanted in his presence, a stark contrast to the connection we once shared. The status barrier that Ezra once insisted could never divide us suddenly feels insurmountable.

I swallowed hard, stealing a glance at the child standing beside me. His eyes held a glint of disappointment. With a heavy sigh, I gently released my hand from Theo's grip. It pained me to see the disappointment in his eyes, but I knew I couldn't stay.

Aware that Ezra was now an Alpha, commanding respect from every Pack member, I didn't want to risk causing any trouble. Nor did I want to spark conflict with the other omegas by my actions. Without meeting his gaze, I bowed my head before him. "My deepest condolences," I murmured, then turned and walked away, the weight of my decision heavy on my heart.

Theo made a feeble attempt to catch up with me, but I could sense Ezra putting a halt to his steps. He let me go, keeping Theo close to him. The echoes of Theo's plaintive whine reverberated in my head as I set my sights on the forest.

As I glanced around, I could feel the weight of disgusted stares from those who witnessed our encounter. I couldn't bear to meet anyone's eyes. They likely believed I had returned with some audacious hope of winning over their Alpha, but they couldn't have been more mistaken. I handed the candle to my mother, sensing she was about to speak, but I didn't linger to hear. Surrounded by judgmental gazes, I made my way back home. I couldn't bear to stay for the ceremony.

In the midst of the damp forest, my eyes welled up with unshed tears. My heart felt burdened by the icy exchange with a man I had once called my closest friend. I sniffled, squeezing my eyes shut. I refused to shed any more tears for him. It was settled—I would leave for the city right after Momo's funeral tomorrow.

My despondent thoughts were shattered when, out of nowhere, I felt a strong grip on my arm, yanking me back and pressing me against a damp, musty tree, the assailant's large, solid frame pinning me in place.