Mia
“Mia… you’re my mate,” Damon says, looking at me like I just sprouted a second head. His expression is this weird mix of confusion and desperation, but honestly? I couldn’t care less.
I glance around the empty game room, relieved we’re alone. “Alright,” I say with a sigh. “Let’s just get this over with.” I square my shoulders and stare him dead in the eyes. “I, Mia Jackson of the Full Moon Pack, reject you, Damon of the Shadow Pang Pack.”
For a second, he just stands there, blinking at me like I slapped him. Then his face twists, like my words physically hurt him. “Aren’t you going to say something?” I snap, crossing my arms.
“Why… why are you rejecting me?”
“Because I’m not interested in having a mate,” I shoot back. “It’s useless. And, honestly? It’s just fucking crappy.”
“Mia… don’t say that,” he says, stepping closer like that’s supposed to change my mind.
“Why not?” I scoff, throwing my arms up. “I mean, have you seen my best friend Aria? Two mates, Damon. Two. And what did it get her? Betrayal, heartbreak, and a front-row seat to bullshit. You really think I wanna sign up for that? Especially if you’re my mate?”
His jaw tightens. “I already apologized for my actions.”
“Oh, is that so?” I laugh, but it’s bitter, sharp. “Damon, I heard you in that conversation. Theo was the only one who even gave a damn about her. You? You were glad Alpha Lucas was going to break her heart. And now you want me to just… accept you?” I let out another laugh, shaking my head.
“Mia, please,” he says, “it wasn’t like that. I just thought… I thought it was for the best. For both of them.”
“Well, this is what’s best for both of us,” I snap, stepping back. “Accept the rejection.”
“No.” He shakes his head and steps closer, his dark eyes locking onto mine. “I won’t.” His voice drops, soft but intense. “Why… why do you hate the idea of a mate so much?”
His question makes my chest tighten, my pulse quicken. Memories I’ve buried come rushing back, and I look away, unable to meet his gaze.
“Mia… are you okay? Your eyes…” He reaches out, but I jerk back like his touch might burn me.
“I’m fine,” I say, my voice colder than I intended. Without another word, I turn and walk away, my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. I need to get far, far away from him before I completely unravel.
—
The next day, I don’t even bother getting out of bed. Noon rolls around, and I’m still lying there, staring at the ceiling like it owes me answers. Surprisingly, Lily hasn’t budged either, and Aria hasn’t called or reached out through the mind-link. Weird.
Finally after an hour, I drag myself up, but when I glance beside me, the bed is empty. The bathroom’s empty too. What the hell? When did she even leave? Last night, I barely noticed her coming to bed. Is she avoiding me?
After washing up and throwing on some clothes, I decide to check on Aria. Luckily, I don’t have to go far-I spot her shuffling down the hallway.
“Aria!” I call, jogging up to her. I pull her into a hug before stepping back to study her. “Are you okay?”
She nods sluggishly. “Just a bit down. Didn’t get much sleep.”
“Same here,” I admit. “Kept dreaming about…” I trail off, biting my lip.
“About what?” she asks, her brows furrowing.
“Nothing. Don’t mind me,” I say quickly. “Come on, I haven’t eaten yet.”
“Wait, you slept in too? Man, Lily’s probably sick of our lazy asses.”
I chuckle. “I haven’t even seen her. She’s been MIA all day.”
We head to the cafeteria, but Lily’s not there either. The waitress tells us she was here earlier but left a while ago. So, we eat in silence…Aria lost in her thoughts, and me trying not to think about Damon.
After we finish eating, Aria and I decide to search for Lily. It’s hard not to worry when she’s been avoiding us all damn day.
“So you haven’t spoken to her since last night?” Aria asks, her brow furrowed as we head down the hall.
“Nope. And I feel like something’s off,” I admit, shrugging, though my stomach churns with unease. “This isn’t like her.”
We ask around, stopping people here and there. Finally, one of our academy members points us below deck. When we get there, we find Lily huddled in a corner, knees tucked to her chest. Her face is buried in her hands, her shoulders trembling like she’s been crying.
“Lily,” I call softly, crouching beside her. My heart clenches seeing her like this. “What’s wrong? Why are you here?”
Slowly, she raises her head. Her eyes are red and puffy, tears still streaking her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, guys,” she chokes out, her voice cracking. “I’m so fucking stupid. I just… I’m ashamed.”
“Lily, calm down,” I say, placing a hand on her arm. “Just tell us what happened.”
Her lip quivers as she takes a shaky breath. “You were right, Mia. I’m so fucking dumb. It’s Theo. He found his mate last night… and it wasn’t me.” Her voice breaks, and her head drops back into her hands. “I’m so fucking stupid for feeling this way.”
Before she can spiral further, Aria and I wrap our arms around her.
“Lily, stop it,” Aria says firmly, resting her chin on Lily’s shoulder. “There’s nothing wrong with liking a guy. It doesn’t make you stupid.”
“Exactly,” I add, squeezing her tighter. “You’re human, Lily. So stop beating yourself up.”
She sniffles, nodding slightly. “Thanks, guys. I’ll be okay. I just need… some time.”
We sit with her for a while, the three of us slumped on the floor, leaning against the wall like it’s been the longest day of our lives.
“Last night,” Aria starts, her voice low, “after seeing Lucas… it fucking hurts. All I could think about…dream about…was him.” Her eyes are distant, glassy, like she’s somewhere else entirely. “I thought I was finally getting over him, but it’s all a goddamn lie. When he held me last night, I wanted to stay there forever… in his arms. But then he left. With Serena.”
“What a shitty night for both of us,” Lily mutters. “Mia, I’m so fucking jealous of you. No boy trouble.”
I let out a dry chuckle, but it doesn’t stop there. Before I know it, the laughter turns bitter, tears burning my eyes.
“Mia, what’s wrong?” Aria asks, straightening up. “You’re crying.”
I shake my head, wiping at my face angrily. “I… I met my mate yesterday.”
“What?” Both of them gasp, their eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.
“It’s fucking Damon,” I whisper. “And I rejected him. But he didn’t want to accept it.”
“Mia, why?” Lily blurts out, sitting upright. “You could’ve at least thought about it.”
“No,” I say firmly, shaking my head. “There’s no need. This isn’t the first time.”
“What are you talking about?” Aria’s eyes narrow in confusion.
I look away slowly. “Damon… he’s actually my second-chance mate.”
Their jaws drop, and their eyes are so wide I half-expect them to fall out.