She Stole My Bloodline, My Alpha, And My Death Sentence Chapter 02

She Stole My Bloodline, My Alpha, And My Death Sentence Chapter 02

Right then, a tall figure walked in. The crowd parted for him. He had raven-black hair and forest-green eyes.

Corvin Blackthorn.

My childhood best friend. Alpha of the Graythorn Pack. The second living legend after me.

He was cold and distant to everyone else, but he always had a soft spot for me.

Every morning, he would frown and say, “Phoebe, don’t push yourself so hard. Take care of yourself.” Then he would run beside me during the pack run.

He knew about my Silver Moon Curse but never mentioned it in front of others. Whenever I showed signs of pain, he would cover for me so no rogue could ever learn my weakness.

Today, he carried a bouquet of white moonbloom.

The instant Elara saw Corvin, her spine went rigid. The possessiveness in her eyes blazed brighter than ever. I could practically hear her wolf screaming: Come to me, come to me, come to me!

Corvin walked up to where we stood. His gaze lingered on my pale face for less than half a second.

In that fraction of a moment, a flicker of confusion passed through his eyes. My wolf lifted her head inside me too. She ached to be near her fated mate.

But Corvin handed the bouquet of moonbloom, the traditional victor’s kiss, to Elara.

“Elara, congratulations on taking first place.”

His voice was still beautiful. It just was not directed at me anymore.

Everyone watching sucked in a sharp breath.

Elara gasped and covered her mouth. A blush crept up her cheeks, shy and almost theatrical. “Corvin, I was worried you’d be mad at me for beating Phoebe. I mean, you two used to be so close—”

Corvin frowned slightly, his tone a little stiff.

“Hunting is about results. You took first. That means you deserve the attention. These flowers are yours.”

He turned to me. His eyes were as cold as if he were looking at a total stranger.

“Phoebe, seeing you like this is honestly disappointing.”

Elara immediately tugged at his sleeve in playful reproach. “Corvin, don’t say that. Phoebe didn’t want to fall behind this much. Maybe the Moon Goddess just isn’t favoring her right now.”

“Then I guess we’re seeing who she really is.” Corvin tossed the words out without a second thought.

My wolf whimpered. I clenched my fists, enduring the agony of being rejected by my own mate. Elara had stolen my bloodline. Corvin’s wolf smelled the Moon Goddess’s blessing on Elara, and so he mistook her for his fated mate.

I knew this was the price I had to pay. But watching that bouquet of moonbloom, the one that had always been mine, cradled in Elara’s arms, my fingers trembled despite myself.

“Phoebe, don’t take it personally.” Elara turned to me, fidgeting as she held the moonbloom toward me. “Don’t blame Corvin. He probably just thinks I’ve been working really hard lately. Here, you can have these. We’re friends. I want to share this moment with you.”

Her smile was gentle, but every word was a needle in my chest.

I looked at Corvin. He had once been my only anchor.

On those nights when the pain kept me awake until dawn, he would shift into his wolf form and press his warmth against me, letting his pheromones soothe the agony. “Phoebe, hang in there. I wish I could take your pain. I’d give you half my lifespan if I could.”

Now he looked at me with nothing. No tenderness. Just the impatience of someone looking at a weakling he had no use for.

“Elara, that was my gift to you.” Corvin reached out, took the moonbloom back, and placed it firmly into Elara’s hands right in front of me. “Don’t give it to someone who doesn’t matter.”

Elara looked at me and smiled, wider and more recklessly than before.

And in the very next second, the stabbing pain that had lived in my wolf for years vanished completely.

My Moon Goddess blessing had been fully transferred to Elara. I now smelled like nothing more than an ordinary Omega. Nearby warriors could not help but stare at Elara. She blushed as if shy under their attention.

I was about to turn and leave, but Corvin suddenly blocked my path. “Phoebe, I want you to return every gift I’ve ever given you.”

Confusion flickered in his eyes for a moment, then was replaced by something more fervent. “I used to wonder why I cared about you so much. Now I realize you never deserved it. You’re just an Omega. You’re not my mate. I feel nothing when I look at you. The thought of my scent on gifts sitting in your house makes me sick. It’s time to end this.”

“Are you sure you want to end it?” My voice cracked.

“End it!” Corvin said, and Elara watched me with triumphant eyes.

“I don’t understand why the Moon Goddess would ever choose you as my mate.” Corvin raised his hand, and in front of the stunned crowd, his voice cut like steel. “I, Corvin Blackthorn, reject you, Phoebe Sterling, as my mate!”

Lightning tore through my soul. My wolf collapsed.

Blood surged up my throat. I swallowed it back in silence.

“Corvin, thank you for taking care of Phoebe during her weakest days.” I held myself upright through sheer will. “I, Phoebe Sterling, accept your rejection.”

The rejection took hold. Corvin’s eyes flew wide and his body shuddered.