Hated By The Alpha-Chapter 206: Rejected?

Audrey walked into the hall, everyone staring at her as she made her way to the stage.

She had wanted to dress up nicely, to show Lake that she was unbotheted by his crazy decision, but her emotions directed her to dress according to her mode.

Her long, black skirt swayed around her ankles as she moved, her boack T-shirt snuggly shaped her upper body. Her red hair was let down free, bouncing softly as she walked, and her black slippers noiseless graced the floor.

Her mood was dark, and she hoped her dressing told her silent story of depression and hopelessness.

She never dreamed this day would come, after all she had been through with Lake, it was just going to end up as some unexplained rejection.

Life was really not fair.

She reached the stage and slowly climbed the stairs to get to the top, clenching her jaws to keep her tears from falling. She didn’t want to cry any more, not in front of people.

She didn’t want to see Lake again, to look into those gray eyes that had once stared at her with affection; she wanted to run away before he arrived, but she knew she couldn’t. She would still be bound to him if she ran away without accepting his rejection, his mark will forever be on her.

She would stay, and wait for him to publicly reject her, and the moment she accepts it; she would feel a burning pain as her flesh forcefully sealed his mark on her neck, severing the connection of their souls.

She had tried reaching out to Lake through their mate bond, but it seemed like Lake had found a way to block her out, all she could feel was a cold, silent void.

"Audrey," She heard someone call her from beneath the stage.

She blinked back to reality and looked down; she saw Maria and the others staring up at her with worried eyes.

She forced a smile at them and raised her head to face the curious crowd.

"Good evening, everyone," Audrey greeted, her voice surprisingly loud and calm.

Everyone went quiet, attentive; there was something about her voice that commanded their attention even without her having to say it.

"I’m sure everyone knows who I am... except children who were born after I left, of course," She chuckled, staring around the crowd and seeing some familiar faces.

"Everyone knows my story. From a little girl who lost her parents to a girl adopted by Alpha Aloha and his beautiful mate, Auroa. Unfortunately, tragedy happened and I became a slave to your great Alpha. I thrived, survived, but as fate may have it, I turned out to be his mate... I fell in love with him just as he did with me," She paused as she saw Lake slowly walking in from the entrance, his eyes pinned on her with something akin to worry?

She looked away from him and continued, her heart feeling heavier as he kept approaching the stage.

"We faced obstacles, just like any other couple would do, but I know ours were quite challenging, life-threatening..." She chuckled, shaking her head.

She saw Lake climb the stage and slowly walked away from where she stood, keeping her distance; she was hanging on a very thin line of emotional support, if she looked at his face again, she would fall over that line.

"Love comes with sacrifices; even if that sacrifice requires you to stay away, you would it, as long as staying away kept your loved one alive," She glanced at Lake and quickly removed her eyes as her throat suddenly felt tight and painful as she fought her tears.

He looked so handsome in that forest-green shirt, like the colour of her eyes. Was he trying to mock her?

She cleared her throat and faced the crowd, her face full of determination. She needed to hurry and get this over with, she was dying on the inside.

"I left, to save your Alpha, my mate. After years of staying away, I guess fate wanted to mess with us again because..." She pointed her hand between her and Lake, "We found ourselves again, and we ended up marking ourselves, sealing that bond -"

The crowd suddenly errupt in an applaud, cheering for their union.

Audrey shook her head, raising her hands to stop them from cheering, "You all got it wrong... it shouldn’t have happened, because, right now, he’s about to -"

"Enough!" Lake growled, grabbing her hand and gently dragging her in front of him.

"Enough," his voice was gentler this time.

One look into his eyes made Audrey burst into tears, she lowered her face and took her hands away from him; he was tormenting she and her wolf.

"I was just helping you hasten your decision," She sniffed and looked up at him again.

Lake gritted his teeth and stepped back, "I didn’t ask you to." He said with a frown.

Audrey balled her fists, "Hurry then, I’ve got an early flight to catch." She whispered.

Lake heard her and faced the crowd, clenching his hands inside his pockets, "She already said everything I wanted to say." Lake started.

"But she failed to mention how inconvenient it was to be together, trouble after trouble, it was hectic," His face was stone-cold as he spoke.

Everywhere went deadly quiet, as if they could feel what was coming.

Audrey could see her friends sending her an apologetic look, her mother, Miranda, and Ms. Bridget were equally standing by the corner, looking at her with worried eyes.

Lake walked over to Audrey and stood behind her, not touching her.

"An Alpha wants peace, love, care, respect... he needs a Luna. Not someone superficial, unintelligent, careless, disrespectful, unloving," he paused.

Audrey drew in a shaky breath as she felt his hand on her shoulder, his fingers ghosting over his mark.

She wanted to close her eyes and lean against him but she didn’t, she could no longer do that. And, in just a few minutes, she would no longer feel anything when he touched her, their bond would be severed, dead.

She took a deep breath and stood still, her face expressionless and cold.

Lake stepped closer behind her, his chest almost pressing against her back. His hand didn’t leave her neck. Rather, he used his other hand to move her hair out of the way so everyone could see his mark, it was starting to fade but he was sure they could all still see it.

"She bears my mark now, and something has to be done about that. Don’t we all agree?" He asked, smirking behind her.

"I don’t agree!" Alex shouted from the crowd.

"Apologies, Alpha, my mate is just being emotional," Andrew stepped forward and bowed his head.

Alex stood there, looking unapologetic as fuck.

Lake nodded, "I understand." He said to Andrew.

Audrey sighed and turned to face Lake, "You’re wasting time, Mr. Lake. Can you hurry up? I need to leave tonight, my hotel is already booked and waiting, please, get this over with," She said, frowning.

Lake stared into her eyes, searching her eyes as if he wanted to see her soul through them.

"As you wish," his voice was cold as he turned her again to face the crowd.

"After everything that had happened between us, and, of course, after a deep and thougful consideration, I made a decision. A decision any sane Alpha would make. It would liberate us both, and the pack members alike. There will no longer be need for doubt, fear of the unknown, or... deaths," he explained behind Audrey.

Audrey’s heart was beating so loudly, her palms were sweating and her limbs were going weak as if she was about to pass out.

’This was really happening,’ She thought to herself as she bit her lips anxiously.

’Kneel, beg him! Tell him how much we love him, Audrey, please, I’m begging you, for me... this is going to kill me, please...’ Avery cried inside Audrey’s head, causing her to shut her eyes from the headache it caused her.

"We will be fine, Avery. I promise you," Audrey whispered.

The crowd was quiet, too quiet. Everyone felt a certain kind if tension fill the atmosphere, they didn’t know what to expect, but they could sense that whatever was about to happen would either make or break the two people standing on top of that stage tonight.

"Have you thought carefully about your decision, Alpha?" Isabella stepped forward and questioned boldly, her eyes looking fierce.

Lake chuckled softly. "I have, Isabella. And after everything I’ve been through with your daughter... I wouldn’t have it any other way." His arm slipped around Audrey’s waist, pulling her close with a quiet confidence.

Audrey’s heart fluttered wildly—for so many reasons. She had braced herself for rejection, convinced that was what was coming. But instead, he’d said that. And now... he was holding her.

Her breath hitched, coming quicker than usual, as she tried to steady herself. She needed to understand what was happening—but all she could focus on was the feel of his arm around her and the sudden, dizzying rush in her chest.

Audrey looked around the crowd, everyone was smiling from ear to ear, her friends however looked just as shocked as she was, but her mother was smiling!

What was this? A prank?

She slowly removed herself from Lake’s arm and turned to him. Those familiar eyes were back, he was staring at her like she was the source of his life, she could feel his unspoken apologies.

"What’s going on?" Audrey asked in a shaky voice.

Lake looked anxious now, he tried to hold her but she stepped back, shaking her head, "Stop messing with me." She said, frowning.

"I’m not messing with you, Moma. I can never mess with you... I-I..." he stammered and suddenly went down on one knee.

The crowds gasped before Audrey even did, her nerves turned jittery as she watched Lake fumbling to take something out of his pocket.

"Oh my God..." Audrey covered her mouth with her hands as she saw Lake pull out a diamond ring from his pocket, his hands shaking as he held it out to her.

His eyes found hers, his heart pounding like a drum as he cleared his throat, "I would go through everything a thousand times over, Moma, as long as it’s you. I’m not the best at surprises and I can tell that this was a very lame one, I know you want to smack my face to the floor right now, I don’t mind... but, before you do that..." he moved with one knee toward her and gently held her hand.

"Please, Audrey, marry me. Stay with me forever, let’s create and solve chaos together; we belong together, Audrey, separation is never an option... Marry me, baby. Be my Luna," He spoke so tenderly, even though his voice shook slightly, his eyes conveyed his seriousness, his love, his determination.

"Say yes, Moma!" Mikhail’s voice rang out from the crowd, causing everyone to smile and chuckle.

Audrey glanced at her son and smiled, a teary smile; she looked down at Lake and slowly nodded, "I’ll marry you," She sobbed quietly.

Lake broke out in a wide grin and quickly slid the ring in Audrey’s finger. He stood up and pulled her in for a tight, warm hug.

"I love you, Moma. Please don’t be mad for my stupid approach," he whispered and placed a soft kiss on his mark.

The crowd went crazy, everyone was cheering them in happiness, glad that everything turned out as it should.

"You’re in a very big trouble," Audrey whispered, smiling through her tears.

Lale smiled at her, "I know. But, for now, let’s do this." He whispered and gently pressed his lips against hers, kissing her passionately like he’d been dying to do since the moment he opened his eyes at the garden.