.24. I guess this is it then.

"Camilla!" Zane screamed out her name. He didn't intend to get anywhere close to her- she distracted him way too much. The male fought his way through the crowd, ignoring Kaiden, who tried to stop him. Many people clung at him, noticing that their new Alpha was so close. But Zane had eyed only the woman, who was dancing in someone's other's arms. The way her hips moved from side to side nearly hypnotized him. When he was just a few feet apart from her- Camilla finally turned around, looking up. Their eyes met, and she gasped.

"Camilla," Zane called out her name again, this time his voice wasn't as frantic as before. Now, his voice was low and husky, a warning undertone making him sound dangerous.

Aiden stepped away from the woman, being the first one to understand what was happening there. He moved people away from those two, making sure that everyone would hold a safe distance. Standing between an Alpha and his prey was dangerous, especially if the prey turned out to be his mate. Aiden didn't want to leave her alone, but he knew that Zane couldn't hurt her. His wolf wouldn't allow him to do that.

"Everyone, leave!" Zane ordered, using his Alpha tone. He wanted alone time with her, without curious eyes around them.
It took a moment for Kaiden to recover from the state of shock. He urged people to leave the building while Aiden did the same. Both men made sure that pack members would get out safe. The possibility of Zane going on a blood rampage was still there. For as long as there was someone else besides him and Camilla in the building.

Camilla threw a glance at Aiden, begging him to turn back and get her out of there. Zane's eyes followed hers, a low growl formed in his chest.

"Keep giving him the fucking puppy dog eyes, and I will slit his throat in front of you. Watch it!" Camilla knew that Zane wasn't threatening her; it was just a warning for what is about to come. She averted her gaze and nodded at Aiden, letting him know that he should go. Maybe he was strong, but Camilla would never put him under such high risk- especially if it was a fight against Alpha.

Zane's intense gaze kept burning holes in her skin while she tried to understand what exactly had happened. He took a sharp breath, his tense body visibly relaxing. At that, exact, moment Camilla understood what was happening. As the realization hit Camilla, her eyes widened, instantly filling with tears. She had to watch how her worst nightmare had come to life. Despite the gaze under which Zane held her- she eyes all possible exits if needed. Barely getting over the car crash and her grandmother's death, Camilla finally wanted one evening for herself and Aiden. He had been there since the day they met- the male supported her and held her through nights of cries and screams. They wanted one night without drama, without anyone ruining it- just the two of them. Despite everything, she couldn't face rejection yet. Not now.

"Come," Zane spat through gritted teeth. His eyes kept changing colors, making Camilla search for the exit more intensely.
"Stop that! Don't you fucking think of running off with your damn boyfriend, Camilla; you are MINE!" Zane snarled, the power in his voice shook the windows.

"Do it!" Camilla gathered the courage to yell back at him. Her eyes finally met his, and for a moment, she lost herself. Never, in a million years, the young woman thought that something as magical could happen to her. She did dream of the day when her mate would find her, but not like this. Not from this pack or the fuckhead Zane himself. He wasn't the mate she wanted, nor was she the dream of his.

"Do what?" He raised an eyebrow, smirking like a madman. Zane toyed with Camilla, leaving her hanging without any answers. With each step he took towards her, Camilla took two back until her back collided with the wall. In a matter of seconds, she was trapped between the wall and Zane's massive frame. When he was this close, Camilla could finally notice how much the male changed during the time of her absence. He became the Alpha, gained more muscles, and his scent became addicting. She could lay next to him just for the scent alone. Camilla closed her eyes and took a deep breath, savoring each second of the bliss. Within minutes it'll be over.

"Reject me, Alpha. I know that's what you want to do. That's what you wanted to do nearly since the day we first met. Don't you remember? I'm weak, miserable, ugly, and all those other things. If I ended up being your mate, you would reject me on the spot. Well, jokes on you then. Just do it fast." Camilla closed her eyes shut and prepared herself for an intense amount of pain.
Whenever someone rejects a mate- as rare as it is, the rejected one is the one who has to go through pain. The person who decided to get rid of their soulmate doesn't endure even a half of it. The worst thing to happen is their wolf going silent for a couple of days- silently crying over the lost mate. It does seem like a bad thing for the wolf, but humans wouldn't feel much. The weaker one, on the other hand, would end up burning out for weeks or months. Camilla was ready for that, though. Aiden asked her to become his official girlfriend, so she silently got prepared for this day. She didn't know that the day would come, but as soon as Zane rejects her, she will agree to be Aiden's girlfriend. She planned to stay separate for a while until the pain fades and start a new life with the man who was worthy. Aiden was the one Camilla wanted to end up with.

"And what if I don't want to anymore? What then?" Zane leaned to her neck, tracing his lips along her skin. His main intention was to tease her, to get any kind of reaction out of Camilla. Alpha wouldn't allow someone weak and easily manipulated to become his Luna.
"What if I want to keep you all for myself? What if I want to take you away from here and lock you into my bedroom, watching how you carry my pups? I am an Alpha; I'll wish to have kids sooner than you think- as much as possible. I want to see at least a dozen tiny paws running around my home. Our home, since I've finally found you. Not that I had to go too far or look for you for too long. A pretty lucky coincidence, if you ask me." He kept teasing her, unaware of how truthful his words actually were. Zane didn't intend to find his mate so fast, especially seeing that the woman he avoided was the one. But all things do happen for a reason- for better or worse.

"And what if I don't want it all? I won't feel the mate bond as much as you do since I'm not eighteen yet. But I do remember every single word you have said so far. I remember the bullying; I remember how you made me quit the only thing I got income from because I wouldn't sleep with you. I remember how you took from me everything that used to matter. I remember the slap and hurtful words. I remember it all, don't think that I will forget everything just because the Moon Goddess hates me. If there were any mercy upon bleeding souls, she would pair me with Aiden. He deserves me, everything about me. And you don't. I don't want to be your mate. I am Camilla, the miserable pack Omega, which will leave this Hell hole soon enough. And I will leave with my head held high because I'm better than this. Better than you and your pack of assholes." Camilla spat back. Zane's disrespectful attitude threw her over the edge. Everyone knew that he was an asshole, but this was another level of him being a pig. He actually thought that he had the right to talk to anyone, including his mate; however, he wanted. The man believed that Camilla would run into his arms and beg to be accepted. She would rather live heartbroken, doing her best to mend it together piece by piece and get it broken again. And she would go through it for millions of times if she would need to. As long as it kept her away from Alpha for the rest of her days.

"I don't remember telling you anything about having a choice, sweetheart. If I let go of you- you'll run back to your lover boy and fuck around like a whore you are. You might just be the whore in my bed. I am your mate, and you belong to me, like it or not." Zane didn't mean a word which he said; it was his jealousy speaking up. The young male didn't want to feel jealous, especially towards an Omega, but things turned out to be the way they are. No one ever had a chance to rule over their fates, especially with mates.

When Zane understood that Camilla was his mate, he couldn't understand how to feel. He did feel relieved, knowing that she was a simple and caring person. She was stronger than anyone thinks, but he would be the last person to admit such a thing. On the other side, he couldn't stop thinking about rejecting her. She stood trapped in front of him, looking like the most beautiful woman out there, reminding a Goddess. But could he really accept her and try to make things work between them? Or would he keep toying with her, forgetting that less than a year from now- she would become dependent on the mate bond? After that, the rejection might kill her. Was Zane ready to take the blame for his mate's death? Maybe he wasn't, perhaps he really wanted her, but the pride cried a different song. His wolf was silent, desperately trying to connect with Camilla's wolf. Both of those women were stubborn, still remembering the day when Zane slapped Camilla. The reason why her wolf kept defying the Alpha wolf was that he was responsible for the slap- he hurt her human. She wouldn't forgive his doings, no matter how much he begged.

"I don't remember any rules of the mate having rights to order others around. I'm not willing to become your Luna, mate, or fuck toy. I won't suffer the rest of my life because of your abusive nature. You might be my Alpha for a little while, but you will never be my mate. I will never accept someone like you. Keep calling all women whores, because that's what we are, right? For your information- I was waiting for my mate, I held onto my virginity stronger than any girl you fucked. You have the audacity to accuse me while you were the one who slept with every other woman jumping into your lap. Now, after I found out that I was waiting for you- I feel disappointed. All those years down the drain to come eye to eye with the person I hate most. Hate is a strong word; my mother used to tell me that I shouldn't hate anyone. But you, Alpha Zane Snow, I do hate you. At some point, you're right- I will sleep with someone who deserves to be my first. And that's not you." Camilla's eyes filled with tears. She tried her best to avoid founding her mate but standing in front of him- seeing how he hasn't changed hurt her. Maybe a part of her hoped that her mate would accept her without a doubt. At one point, she watched Aiden fall asleep next to her and begged the Goddess to pair them up. Things just don't get easier for her.

Zane looked like he could explode, but he didn't speak or keep insulting Camilla. Instead, he sighed and closed his eyes before getting incredibly close to her face. The next second he pressed his lips against hers, slowly moving them. Camilla expected his kiss to be rough, demanding, and dominant. Or at least passionate. But instead, it was gentle and slow, giving her time to react. Camilla didn't move; she felt like frozen on the spot. When Zane understood that there wouldn't be any answer from her, he broke the kiss and sighed again. He shook his head in disappointment, looking down at the floor.

"I guess this is it then. I, Alpha Zane Snow, reject you, Camilla, as my mate and my Luna." His voice was cold, yet their eyes didn't meet.

"Okay," Camilla shrugged her shoulders and ran out of the club. There wasn't a single soul outside- of course, they listened to their Alpha like a bunch of loyal dogs. Camilla walked home; thinking if she made the right choice. After all those hurtful words, he still kissed her as if he meant it. Perhaps she won't find that out.