Rejected by My Alpha's Lies

The night before the audition for the pack’s theater company, everything went wrong.

Someone threw acid on me, leaving my face scarred and my eyesight lost. Jason Russell, my childhood friend and the Gamma of our pack, was outraged, vowing to uncover the truth. Despite my appearance, he marked me as his mate in an elaborate ceremony, solidifying our bond in front of the entire pack. I was overcome with gratitude, believing the Moon Goddess had blessed me with a mate who stood by me in my darkest hour.

But then I heard him say, “I was the one who bought the acid. I arranged for it to be thrown on her.”

“Only then could I ensure she wouldn’t compete with Sage Olson for the spot in the theater company.”

---

“Amber used to be the beauty of our pack. If it hadn’t happened, the role would definitely be hers,” Santana Gilbert, one of Jason’s closest allies, chuckled, scratching his chin. “But Gamma, don’t you feel any remorse?”

Jason, lounging in his chair, shrugged dismissively. “What’s there to regret?”

“You regret marking her, right? Doesn’t looking at that ruined face and blind eyes every day make you feel sick?”

Jason remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Santana’s eyes widened. “No way, have you two never fulfilled the mate bond?”

Jason smirked slyly, a glint of dark amusement in his eyes. “Her face might be ruined, but you wouldn’t believe her figure. Turn off the lights, and you’d never guess how incredible her body is.”

Santana slapped his knee, laughing hard, and gave Jason a thumbs up. “I knew you wouldn’t end up losing out. Amber’s still got the best body in the entire pack. Smart choice!”

Jason’s expression softened with unsettling tenderness. “Plus, being mated to someone less attractive ensures Sage won’t get jealous. You know how possessive she can be.”

Standing outside the hospital room, I felt frozen to the core, my heart aching with betrayal. I quickly set down the mixing bowl I held, pressing my chest fiercely to keep from collapsing. My wolf whimpered faintly in the back of my mind, a sound of shared pain.

No wonder ever since the pack’s theater company announced their auditions, I’d been met with endless obstacles. With quick thinking and caution, I’d sidestepped one problem after another and finally got called in for an audition.

I was so thrilled when I heard the news, eager to share it with Jason. Little did I know, despite all my precautions, I’d walked into the biggest trap of all.

Leaning against the wall, I felt my strength leave me as I slowly slid down, tears rolling down my cheeks, sharp and stinging. The mate bond, once a source of comfort, now burned like a brand, a cruel reminder of the man who had betrayed me so deeply.