WCMBI - Chapter 235: Rejected (Patreon)

The raised area on the back of his hand turned white as he gripped it tightly, yet reassurance eluded him. Ian, with the fingers of one hand still touching the ground, desperately clutched at the edge of her cloak with his other hand.

"Mel, the pain you must have endured. I fully understand the suffering you endured because of my foolishness. So please, do me the favor of staying by my side to repay that debt. Otherwise, you will suffer too."

Indeed, she had also ingrained that upon herself. And if so, she must have endured the consequences of such an imprint to the same extent as the pain I had experienced.

"Why, why... I may not sense your pheromones, but I can fix everything. I will use all means at my disposal as a peacock to revert it."

As his voice grew increasingly impassioned, he felt a surge of emotion in response to the small touch upon his hand. What was her body temperature after such a long time?

Though he initially felt a satisfying sense of relief as her anger seemed to subside little by little, that emotion quickly tumbled to the ground.

With a slight snap, she swatted his hand away like shooing off a bug. Her strength wasn't overpowering, but it was sufficient to shake his hand away.

"Mel?"

"Revert it?"

A fleeting glimpse of anger passed through her otherwise indifferent violet eyes. Ian felt his heart twist, as if someone were gripping it, warning him not to upset his Omega.

But it was already too late. Her voice, which had been cool and composed until now, now sounded slightly agitated.

"How did I end up here? Who allowed this to be undone?"

Melissa's quiet anger was more menacing than any loud roar. The mixture of emotions in her words seemed to reveal all the hardships she had endured, making Ian even more uneasy.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Seeing her in that state, Ian felt a suffocating pain, yet he didn't utter a single whimper. He merely waited, showing the determination to endure all the pain.

"There is nothing more pathetic than forcibly trying to reconnect a broken bond."

"Mel..."

"As someone who once committed such despicable acts, let me give you a piece of advice."

"Do not attempt to dig up what's already finished. Especially if it's solely to fulfill your own desires."

Ian fell silent. Perhaps her words held some truth. Even if love came before the bonding, would he have pursued Melissa so fervently if it hadn't involved both emotional and physical agony?

No. No, it's not true. It's just an assumption. I love her. That is something that cannot be changed.

Melissa observed him shaking his head with trembling hands. Though she had never tried to recall him intentionally, she couldn't immediately discern the difference from the last time she saw him. Yet, now, he appeared much more gaunt. The sunken cheeks beneath his hollow eyes testified to it.

"I know that no words can console you. I will apologize a thousand times and demonstrate how much everything has changed. So please, come back to my side, to our home."

As Ian flatly laid himself down, he implored her, just as Melissa had done in the past.

"What gives you the right to call that place your home?"

Melissa couldn't understand why Ian persisted despite her continuous rejections. Thus, she had no choice but to bring forth memories long buried in the depths of her mind.

"Oh, do you need another Alpha child? Was I not worthy enough as long as I didn't bear an heir in the Peacock? Having fulfilled my purpose, should I now thank you for setting the carriage on fire and inadvertently granting me a new life?"

"Mel, please..."

"Don't casually address me with endearments. I don't want to hear them from the man who put me through death."

From one to ten, her words rang with utmost validity. Each truthful utterance metamorphosed into a keen blade that pierced his heart. Suppressed bloodshed, a result of the strong resistance from his Alpha nature, now surged forth. Yet, refusing to exhibit vulnerability, he clenched his jaw and swallowed the rush of emotions.

Meanwhile, Melissa was growing increasingly impatient with Ian's unrelenting presence. She forced her decision with an unmistakable air of authority.

"I am no longer associated with you in any way. Please, never come looking for me again."

Her composed words tore at Ian's heart, revealing subtle discord in their once harmonious relationship.

To his knowledge, Melissa had certainly marked him. Back in the aristocratic circle, she had been the lady who tried to garner his attention, even if only slightly.

But could it be true that she no longer needed him? Was her confession of marking him a lie?

No, Melissa was not one to deceive others with lies; rather, she had been the deceived one.

Amidst a whirlwind of thoughts, the stoic Ian was replaced by the emergence of Melissa, who gracefully opened the door. She repeated her earlier command.

"Please leave."

"Why on earth..."

How had things come to this point? Why did she adamantly reject him with such disdain? Why?

"Let's go back together."

"Did my previous words hold no value for you? I am getting annoyed."

"You are not meant to be here. It means you are not meant to live in such a shabby place."

"In your noble estate, you speak as if you were treated lavishly."

"I forgot everything."