The Rejection (NEW VERSION)

06 | Little Lies

Garden City Movement — Bitter Moon

six

Shivers ran down my spine. The butterflies wreaking havoc in my stomach were on steroids. My knees were trembling, but I tried my best to conceal it. Thalia said that we would catch up later and scurried away. I slowly turned around with my parents, locking my eyes on a specific blade of green grass and refusing to look away. I felt as if there was a rope tied around my heart and it was being pulled right into him. I tried hard to avoid a pair of blue eyes I could feel piercing into me.

               "Alpha Jason," Dad greeted. His voice was forced, an obvious sign of his feelings. "Sorry about that. Women always take forever getting ready, you know," he chuckled, attempting to make a joke that everyone except Jason and myself found slightly amusing. Dad cleared his throat. "Always a pleasure to see you as well, Courtney."

               At that moment, I couldn't stop myself from jerking my head up to see a stunning woman standing beside Jason, holding his hand. She was much taller than me, just an inch or two shorter than Jason, with long blonde hair and the lightest brown eyes I had ever seen. She was Vogue material, and I hated her. Courtney offered a large smile to the three of us. "It's great to see you guys too! And this must be the daughter I've heard so much about."

               "Yes, this is our Hope," Mom introduced, happiness laced in her tone. Her arm linked with mine. "Hope, this is Luna Courtney, Jason's mate."

               "Well," Courtney chuckled, slightly bitter-sounding, "not technically Luna yet, but will be very soon. We've actually just started planning the ceremony last week, but put it on hold for your daughter's induction."

               My lips barely twitched for a fake smile. I didn't care about anything that she said, but it didn't seem like anyone else did either when nobody made any comments. There was a wildfire of anger growing within my chest that made me want to punch someone in the face; preferably Courtney or Jason. Out of all the things he could have possibly done, claiming another woman to be his mate was the absolute worst. I couldn't even force myself to acknowledge the woman. My anger fueled my confidence and my eyes finally met Jason's.

               He was different, physically at least. His jet black hair was trimmed shorter on the sides and left a bit longer on the top of his head. His cheeks were thinner, making his sharp jawline more intimidating. His previously straight nose was ever so slightly crooked now, as if it had been broken a few times within the last couple of years. There was also the beginning of a new pink scar peeking from underneath his black shirt that started right below his collarbone. Back in high school, Jason had a natural aura of authority and dominance, and that seemed to have only grown more intense. I shivered under the stare of his electric blue eyes. For a split second, I wanted to rip Courtney's hand away from his and claim him as mine.

               "I don't want you."

               I immediately snapped out of my trance and gave the sweetest smile I could muster. "It's nice to see you again, Jason," I addressed with remarkable levelheadedness. My heart was pounding so hard against my ribcage that I was afraid it would crack the bones. My lips tingled as his name escaped my mouth, a bittersweet taste.

               Jason gulped, but it wasn't noticeable without intense scrutiny. "Welcome home . . . Hope," he nodded politely, adding on my name at the last second. I hoped that it was because he couldn't believe how much I had changed or that he couldn't believe I was actually back, but that was wishful thinking. I wasn't going to set myself up for heartbreak again.