REJECTION AND BETRAYAL

The grand hall was alive with chatter and laughter, the sound of glasses clinking as pack members celebrated another successful moon festival. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a golden glow over the polished floors and ornate decorations. The night was joyous for most, but for Isolde, it was anything but joyful.

She stood near the edge of the room, her hands folded tightly in front of her, waiting for Kaelen's next command. As the Alpha, he was the centre of attention, seated at the head of the long table, his dark eyes sharp and calculating. His presence commanded the room effortlessly, and everyone hung onto his every word.

Everyone except Isolde, her gaze lingered on him; it was hard to look away from his broad shoulders and the confident tilt of his head. But her chest tightened painfully as she remembered the coldness in his eyes whenever they landed on her. She had hoped that tonight would be different, that maybe he would soften and acknowledge her as something more than just a maid. But the moment his sharp voice cut through the air, her hopes shattered. "Isolde," he barked with an impatient tone. "Stop standing there like a statue. The goblet isn't going to refill itself."

Heads turned toward her, and she felt the weight of their stares. A wave of embarrassment crept up her neck, but she quickly lowered her head, moving toward the table to obey. "Yes, Alpha," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

As she reached his side, her hands trembling slightly, she poured the wine into his goblet. The rich red liquid swirled, and she could feel his gaze on her, heavy and unyielding. "You could at least do that with some grace," Kaelen said coolly, loud enough for those nearby to hear. A few chuckles ran through the room, and Isolde's heart sank. "I'm sorry," she whispered, trying to steady her hands.

Kaelen leaned back in his chair, his smirk was cruel. "Sorry doesn't fix clumsiness, does it?" The sting of his words cut deep, but she kept her expression neutral, refusing to let her emotions show. This wasn't the first time he'd spoken to her like this, and she doubted it would be the last. Still, she felt humiliated, especially with so many eyes watching.

The night went on, and Kaelen continued to find ways to remind her of her place. Each task he gave her seemed more degrading than the last, fetching his cloak, wiping a spill he had deliberately caused, even picking up a silver fork he'd dropped just to see if she would bend to his will. "Isolde, you're supposed to be my mate, aren't you?" he said at one point, his voice dripping with mockery. "One would think you'd be more capable."

The words struck her like a blow, but she only nodded, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from crying. Her bond with him was supposed to mean something sacred, a connection of souls, a partnership destined by forces greater than them. But to him, it seemed to mean nothing.

As the evening wore on, Isolde found a quiet corner to catch her breath. She pressed a hand to her chest, willing herself to calm down, but her emotions were a tangled mess.

Why does he hate me so much? she wondered. She didn't understand it. The bond was there, she felt it every time she looked at him, every time she was near him. It was an undeniable pull, a connection so deep it felt like a part of her soul was tied to his.

But Kaelen didn't feel it. Or if he did, he refused to acknowledge it.

Her mind raced with questions. Was it because she was just a maid? Was her status so low in his eyes that he couldn't bear the idea of being bonded to her? Or was there something else, something she couldn't see?

Part of her wanted to confront him, to demand answers. But the other part that had grown used to his cruelty was too afraid.

The final blow came when Kaelen decided to make a spectacle of her in front of the entire pack. The hall had quieted as Kaelen stood to make a toast, his voice commanding everyone's attention. "To the strength of our pack," he said, raising his goblet.

The room erupted in cheers, and he smiled, a picture of confidence. But then his gaze shifted to Isolde, and that smile turned into something darker. "And to those who serve us," he added, his tone pointed "Even those who stumble along the way."

Laughter erupted, and Isolde felt her face burn. She wanted to disappear, to sink into the floor and never be seen again. Kaelen's eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, she thought she saw something like regret, but it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual indifference.

As the laughter died down, Isolde forced herself to stand tall. She wouldn't let them see how much their mockery hurt her. She wouldn't give Kaelen the satisfaction of breaking her completely. She straightened her spine, her chin lifting slightly. 

Her heart ached, but deep down, a feeling of determination began to grow. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew one thing: she wouldn't let Kaelen's cruelty define her.

As the night came to an end, Isolde slipped away from the hall, her mind was racing. The bond was still there, still pulling her toward Kaelen despite everything. But for the first time, she allowed herself to wonder if it was really worth it.

As she lay on her bed that night, exhausted from the many errands and the day's activities, her mind replayed the day's event, the rejection and public humiliation caused her heart to ache and for a moment, she wished she had never been mated to Kaelen, she wished that she could experience a different life, one where she would not be treated with such hatred and disdain, a life free of all the mockery and humiliation she had experienced.

She thought about her little brother, who was living in a nearby pack; she wondered what his life was like; was he also suffering so much difficulty? She imagined a life where she is treated with respect, no longer a slave and she has the means to care for her little brother. All of these seemed to her like a wild dream, she missed her brother so much. She cried until she fell asleep.