Chapter 2 Unwanted Bond

Ivy's Pov. I moved through my tasks like a ghost, ignoring the lingering stares and whispers. Everyone had seen what happened. Everyone had seen me humiliated. Again. But that was nothing new. I kept my head down, scrubbing dishes in the kitchen while the dining hall slowly emptied. The triplets and Selene had left first, laughing about something as they walked out. Probably me. By the time the dining hall was completely cleared, my hands were raw from scrubbing. My stomach growled, but I ignored it. Omegas weren't allowed to eat until the rest of the pack had finished, and even then, there was rarely anything left. I dried my hands and stepped outside for a breath of fresh air before heading back to my room. The cold morning air wrapped around me, and I inhaled deeply, trying to shake off the unease that had been clinging to me since I woke up. Today was my birthday. Today, I was supposed to sense my mate. But the only thing I had felt all day was exhaustion. Maybe I didn't have a mate. Maybe I was so useless, so unworthy, that the Moon Goddess hadn't bothered to give me one. I swallowed hard and started walking toward the omega quarters. The path was quiet, lined with trees that rustled gently in the wind. I was halfway to my room when it hit me. A scent. Warm spice. Crisp pine. Something dark and addictive. It wrapped around me, slipping into my skin, curled deep in my chest. My breath caught, my heart beating rapidly as something inside me responded. Mate. My stomach dropped. No. No, no, no. It couldn't be. I turned sharply, my heart pounding. The scent was stronger now, filling every inch of the air around me. I wasn't imagining it. I wasn't making this up. I took a step forward, my body moving on its own, my wolf clawing at me, desperate to get closer. And then I saw them. Three figures stood near the training grounds, their tall forms radiating power, command. Ronan. Kieran. Elias. The triplets. The scent was coming from them. My mouth went dry. No. This had to be a mistake. I took a step back, but the moment I did, all three of them froze. Their heads snapped toward me. Ronan's golden eyes darkened, his nostrils flaring slightly as he inhaled. Kieran's lips parted, confusion flickering across his face before it was replaced by something cold, unreadable. Elias didn't move, but his piercing blue gaze locked onto mine, sharp as a blade. The air between us changed. I felt it in my bones, in my soul. They knew. They had scented me too. For a long moment, none of us spoke. Leaving only this terrible silence. And then Kieran laughed. A low, disbelieving sound. "No way," he muttered, shaking his head. "You're kidding." My heart beated against my ribs. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Ronan took a slow step forward, his golden eyes narrowing. "Say it," he said, his voice low, dangerous. "Say what you just realized." I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. Elias was still staring at me, his expression unreadable, his body tense like he was holding something back. Kieran scoffed. "What's wrong, omega? You look pale." I clenched my fists, trying to keep my breathing steady. "It's... it's a mistake," I whispered. It had to be. Ronan let out a sharp breath, his eyes flashing with something I couldn't name. "A mistake?" His voice was calm, but there was something dangerous beneath it. "You think the Moon Goddess makes mistakes?" I flinched. Kieran snorted. "This has to be a joke." He stepped closer, tilting his head slightly. "An omega? Our mate?" His lips curled in disgust. "That's pathetic." A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. The mate bond was supposed to bring joy. Happiness. But all I felt was cold, rejection even though they haven't said it yet. Ronan exhaled slowly, his jaw tight. "You will reject us." It wasn't a request. It was an order. I stared at him, my heart racing. Reject them? Could I do that? I knew what happened when wolves rejected their fated mate. The pain was unbearable, the bond snapping like a broken limb, leaving scars that never truly healed. But what choice did I have? They didn't want me. They never had. I took a shaky breath, trying to find my voice. "I..." Before I could speak, Kieran smirked. "What's the matter? Not what you were expecting?" He let out a mock gasp. "Did you actually think we'd accept you?" I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. Ronan's expression darkened. "You are nothing, Ivy," he said coldly. "A weak, useless omega. You will never be our Luna." The words cut deep, sharper than any blade. Elias finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm. "You don't belong with us." The final blow. I had known this was coming, but hearing it still hurt. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stand tall. "Fine," I whispered. "I'll reject you." Kieran smirked. "Good girl." Ronan gave a sharp nod. "Do it now." I opened my mouth, ready to speak the words that would sever the bond forever. But before I could, a sharp pain shot through my chest. I gasped, stumbling back. The mate bond. Rejecting them would hurt, more than I could ever prepare for. My vision went dark for a second, my body screaming at me to stop. Ronan's expression remained cold, but I saw the way his hands clenched at his sides, the slight tick in his jaw. Kieran sighed. "Hurry up, omega. We don't have all day." Elias tilted his head slightly, watching me with those cold blue eyes. I took a deep, shaky breath. I could do this. I had to. But then, before I could force the words out, Ronan turned away. "Forget it," he muttered. Kieran raised an eyebrow. "What?" Ronan's shoulders were tense. "She's nothing to us. We don't need to waste our time with a formal rejection." Kieran smirked. "You're right. It doesn't matter." His gaze came back to me, something cruel shining in his eyes. "She'll always be beneath us, mate bond or not."