"Shit…" Kian hissed as he pulled out of me, and I flinched at the sudden emptiness.
My body ached, not from pain, but from the sharp crash of reality. My chest rose and fell quickly as I watched him move. His back faced me, too long, too silent. He didn't look back. Not even once.
The man who held me minutes ago kissing me like I was the only woman in the world was gone. Replaced by someone cold, distant, and disturbingly indifferent. I watched as he dressed, his movements mechanical. He didn't say a word. Didn't offer a smile. Not even a glance. Just like that, he was shutting me out, as if I didn't exist. As if what we shared… meant absolutely nothing. He was my mate.
Wasn't he supposed to stay with me, even just for a moment? Wasn't there supposed to be… something more? The memory of him touching me, whispering my name against my neck, replayed in my mind like a cruel joke. Even though I didn't expect him to mark me tonight, I never thought he would treat me like this afterward.
"You never did tell me," I said quietly, trying to break the silence that was choking me, "what happens now… between us. And with Lysandra. Everyone's going to know we're mates soon, and she's not going to take it well. I still don't even know if you two broke up."
He stopped mid-buttoning his shirt. "I never planned to," he said coldly, and I swear my heart cracked. "You really think I'd choose you over Lysandra?"
His voice… it wasn't just distant. It was cruel.
My mouth opened, but no words came out. I forced myself to sit up despite the soreness in my body.
"Kian… this isn't funny."
"I'm not joking, Aria," he snapped, his voice sharp, clipped, unforgiving. "You really think I was ever going to mark you? An Omega? You must be more naive than I thought. We're not equals. We never were."
I stared at him, completely frozen. The softness from earlier the warmth in his eyes, the way he held me it was all fake?
He looked me in the eye, those cold, piercing blue eyes, and I felt my wolf whimper inside me. Not from fear… but from betrayal. My anger flared.
"Then why did you call me here?" I demanded. "Why invite me over at all if this meant nothing to you?"
He smirked, and the malice in it made my stomach turn. "I was curious. Wanted to know what it would feel like to sleep with my mate. Every Alpha wonders. Now I know."
He took a step closer, his voice dripping with venom. "I'll admit, you're the best I've had in a while. But I don't want Lysandra to find out. So if you care about your life, or what's left of your dignity, you will keep your mouth shut."
My jaw clenched as those words hit me like a slap. I wasn't a virgin. I wasn't naive. But this? He used me like I was nothing.
"You are disgusting," I spat, teeth gritted. "We were friends, Kian. I thought I knew you."
"Don't get smart with me, Aria," he growled, low and dangerous. My wolf flinched under his Alpha aura, but I didn't back down.
"You should be ashamed," I hissed. "You pretend to be this perfect Alpha, but you're just a coward hiding behind power."
He raised a brow at me, clearly amused by my fury. "I'll let that attitude slide, just this once," he said with a mocking smile. "You're angry, and I'm feeling generous."
I grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around myself, standing on shaky legs. "Do you really think Lysandra won't find out?"
"As long as you stay quiet, there's no issue," he said coldly. "But if you speak… I'll ruin you."
"Get the hell out of my house," I snapped, snatching my clothes from the floor and tossing them into the laundry basket. "You know the way. After all, wouldn't want anyone to see the mighty Alpha sneaking around an Omega's house." He stopped at the door. And smiled. That cold, empty smile.
"I believe we forgot one thing," he said, voice disturbingly calm. I blinked, confused. "And what's that, Alpha Kian?"
"I, Alpha Kian Blackthorn, reject you, Aria Vale, as my mate and Luna."
The words hit me harder than anything else that night.He didn't even hesitate. It was as if… it meant nothing to him. I stared at him. My lips parted, but no sound came out at first. My wolf whimpered, a sound of pure agony in the back of my mind. But I wouldn't let him see me break.
"I, Aria Vale, accept your rejection, Alpha Kian," I said, my voice steady, even if my soul was breaking. I gestured to the door. "You may leave."
He stared at me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. Maybe he expected me to cry. To beg. To fall apart. I didn't. I stood tall. I opened the door. He left without another word. The moment he shut the door behind him, I fell. I collapsed onto the bed, curling into myself as silent tears rolled down my cheeks. My wolf howled inside me heartbroken, humiliated, shattered. But I made her a promise. Kian Blackthorn would never get the chance to break us again.
I gave him everything once. Never again.