One

ORTEGA:

Jenna, my dear sister, stares at my mate in disbelief, her hand connecting with his cheek in a sharp slap. "You're her mate?" she demands, her voice tinged with shock and anger.

Internally, I scoff at her reaction, sensing her regret over her previous encounters with my mate. "Hmm… As if she’s so regretful about having slept with my mate," I think to myself.

"How long have you known, Killian?" Jenna hisses, her eyes narrowing in accusation. "How long have you known that you're her mate?"

Killian remains calm, his gaze unwavering as he responds, "I've known since my birthday five years ago."

His demeanor is cold and distant, a stark contrast to the sweet, caring boy I once knew. It's hard to reconcile this ruthless werewolf with the boy I grew up with, the one I secretly loved for years. I feel as though my years of affection have been betrayed.

“You’ve known since five years and you didn’t tell me?“ Jenna exclaimed in shock.

“I didn’t want to ruin our relationship, so I didn’t tell you,” Killian replied, and I scoffed with disgust as I remained on the bed.

So Killian has discovered that I am his mate since five years ago and yet he is still having an affair with my sister? For five years? Who the hell does that?

Jenna moves to strike him again, but Killian intercepts her wrist, pulling her into an embrace and capturing her lips with his own. "I don’t want her. I just want you to be my Luna," he murmurs, his words dripping with insincerity.

Disgust churns within me as I watch the scene unfold. They came to visit me in the hospital, only to betray me once again. It's a painful reminder of their betrayal, sending me spiraling into a mix of anger and hurt.

With a sneer, I interrupt their display of affection. "Excuse me. I can understand you can’t control yourself because you love each other very much. But before this, Killian, can you please reject me?"

Their expressions shift, embarrassment washing over them as they separate. Jenna hastily exits the ward, leaving Killian and me alone in the tense atmosphere.

Killian's gaze hardens with resentment as he steps closer to my hospital bed. "I will only reject you after you give birth to an heir for me. Before this, I’ll stop cheating," he declares, each word laced with arrogance.

I'm stunned by his audacity. How dare he demand such compliance from me? He doesn't want me, yet he expects me to fulfill his desires. It's a blatant display of entitlement, leaving me feeling enraged and betrayed once again.

****

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each step thunders with a resounding bang as I tumble down the 18 stairs. It feels like an eternity before I finally hit the bottom. I land hard on my back, my left leg twisted at an awkward angle, and I can sense my hip may have dislocated from the fall.

The fall? Why am I calling it that? It was more like being mercilessly thrown down the flight of stairs.

“You will be MY MATE, ORTEGA!!!” Killian roars in anger.

As if I would, I promise myself. No matter how much he yells, screams, demands, or even begs at this point, I refuse to demean myself for this worthless abuser. I don’t know why the moon goddess would pair me with this lunatic, but I refuse to accept it. I refuse to accept him. No way, no how.

I can’t believe there was ever a time when I looked at this man and believed he had any goodness in him. I want to stand and look him dead in the eyes when I tell him as much, but it’s a little more than I can manage right now, considering the dislocation and all.

I think I may have even broken a rib or two. I can barely draw in air, and I hope someone finds me soon to get me the help I need. As a wolf, I would heal fast, so I needed to have my hip set before that happens; otherwise, it could be really bad.

"I, Ortega Blackwood, huntress and daughter of beta Denzel Blackwood, reject you, Killian Fitzgerald, future Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my fated mate!" I grit out through clenched teeth, glaring daggers at him as he descends the stairs towards me.

Killian's expression contorts into a mask of fury, his eyes burning with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine. He reaches the bottom of the stairs, his imposing figure casting a shadow over me as I lie there, vulnerable yet defiant.

"You dare defy me, Ortega? You dare reject your fate?" His voice drips with venom, each word laced with a threat that hangs heavy in the air.

Struggling to maintain my composure through the pain, I meet his gaze with steely resolve. "I refuse to be shackled to a tyrant like you, Killian. I will never submit to your dominance, no matter what the moon goddess decrees."

As my words hang in the air, a dangerous glint flickers in Killian's eyes, his patience wearing thin. He moves closer, his presence overwhelming, suffocating.

"Stubborn little fool," he growls, his voice low and menacing. "You think you have a choice in this matter? You belong to me, Ortega. You always have and you always will."

I refuse to cower under his oppressive gaze. Ignoring the searing pain radiating from my injuries, I push myself up into a sitting position, defiance burning bright within me.

"I belong to no one but myself," I retort, my voice trembling with the effort to remain steadfast. "I will never be yours, Killian. No matter what you do to me."

The tension in the room reaches its peak, the air crackling with anticipation of what's to come. I brace myself for whatever punishment he may unleash, knowing that my defiance has sealed my fate. But even in the face of inevitable suffering, I refuse to relinquish my autonomy.

Killian's expression twists into a mask of fury, his fists clenched at his sides. With a primal roar, he lunges forward, his intentions clear. But I am ready, my spirit unbreakable, as I prepare to face whatever horrors lie ahead in my fight for freedom.

As Killian lunges forward, his movements swift and merciless, I brace myself for the onslaught. His hands grab hold of me, fingers digging into my flesh with bruising force as he pins me against the cold, unforgiving floor.

"You will learn to obey me, Ortega," he snarls, his breath hot against my face. "One way or another."

With a surge of adrenaline, I fight against his hold, desperation lending strength to my limbs. But Killian's grip is ironclad, his determination unyielding as he begins his brutal assault.

Pain explodes through my body with each blow, every strike calculated to break my will. I grit my teeth against the agony, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me falter.

But as the onslaught continues, my resolve begins to waver. The pain becomes overwhelming, a relentless onslaught that threatens to consume me whole. I can feel my defenses crumbling, my spirit bending under the weight of his relentless assault.

Through the haze of pain and fear, I cling desperately to the flicker of defiance burning within me. I refuse to surrender, to allow him to strip away my dignity and my autonomy.

"You can hurt me as much as you want, but I won't change my mind," I manage to speak as he tighten his grip around my neck. "I... reject y...you as my mate..."

I'm trying so hard to hide the pain from my voice, but it's futile. Still, I feel a rush of pride mixed with the excruciating pain from the rejection. I didn't cave into the mate bond, no matter how much I wanted to.

It’s unfair that it should hurt this much given all that I’ve already been through these past few days. I hope Killian is hurting just as much as I am right now. In that moment, my mind goes back to my birthday, which was three weeks ago. It was on my birthday that I found out about his secret affair with my sister.

Tears stream down my cheeks, not because of the pain I am feeling from Killian strangling my neck, but from the pain of remembering the day I found out about Killian’s secret affair. Killian keeps strangling my neck, and thankfully, it’s not long before I finally blackout.