Rejected By My Mate novel Chapter 22

The look on Azrael's face made my heart sting. Am I too hard on him? I sighed as I helped Layla stand up and leave Azrael on the balcony feeling hurt.

Layla and I are just silent while walking towards her room.

'Alex, you should let him explain.'

I think I hurt him, Xandra…

'Yes! I told you to give him a chance to explain! You know damn well that Layla is acting up!' Val said clearly upset with me.

I'm sorry…

Now, I feel bad.

'Talk to him, Alex. Please don't push him away again… '

Okay, Willow. I'm really sorry… Can you forgive me, Val?

'I'll forgive you, Alex, if Azrael will stay by our side. '

I closed my eyes and sighed.

Okay…

When we reached Layla's room, she sat on her bed while I just stood up, staring at her. I can feel Layla's uneasiness. I don't know what happened to her these past few days. She feels off. There's something wrong with her.

"Alex…" she murmured.

I let out an exasperated sighed and said, "Layla, I know what really happened. What's wrong with you? You're acting weird since I brought Azrael with me!"

Layla bowed down her head and just played with her hands quivering. But, she looked up at me with a face stained with tears. I gasped in surprise. "Because I'm jealous, Alex! Since you met him, you've changed drastically! You are not the Alex I knew before! The Alex that I love!" she said through gritted teeth. Her chest was now heaving up and down. I saw her fist clenching tightly on the bed sheet. Her stare was so intense that it gave me goosebumps.

I feel like I was choked up by my words and all I could do was stare at her in shock. Did I hear it right?

'What the actual f*ck?!'

'S-she's jealous? '

'The eff?'

Automatically, my tears poured down on my face. How can I not notice?

Layla stood up from the bed and walked towards me but I stopped her. She frowned while tears were still streaming down her face.

"Layla, you love me as a sister and a best friend only, right?" I ask trying to convince her and myself. Maybe I was misinterpreting her words.

This time she burst out crying in front of me but I couldn't hug her. It's like my feet were glued to the floor.

"A-Alex, I love you more than just a best friend and a sister! I've been in love with you since we were kids!" she said while sobbing. A look of hurt crossed her eyes. I tore my gaze away from her and just looked at my feet. I closed my eyes. It still doesn't sink in my mind. Did Layla, my best friend, confess to me? Maybe, I just heard it wrong?

I shook my head at Layla. "Layla, maybe you misinterpreted your love for me. It's wrong, Layla…" I said, clenching my jaw while stopping my tears to pour down again.

"Bullsh*t, Alex! I know how I feel towards you! I tried ignoring it for years but I have failed miserably!" she said frustratedly and sobbed. I took a step backwards.

This is just a dream. Please wake me up!

I try pinching my arms but it hurts. So, this is the reality. Where my best friend slash sister falls in love with me.

I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn't look at her. It broke my heart.

She tried reaching for me but I stepped backwards until my back hit the wall.

"Alex…I'm sorry…just don't stay away from me," Layla cried and my heart ached for her.

"I'm sorry, Layla…" I said full of pain before teleporting myself out of her sight. I just couldn't accept the fact that she sees me more than her best friend.

I found myself in the middle of the woods. I growled in anger and frustration. I just couldn't understand why Layla loved me. I'm broken and I am a monster. I don't deserve her love and even the love of Azrael. I don't even know what love is!

I let my tears roll down my face while clenching my chest. It hurts. Why? All my life I've been protecting her, for her to not get hurt. But, I didn't know I was the one who caused her heartache. All these years I let her be clingy to me because I didn't give it any meaning.

I climbed onto the top of the trees then sat one of the branches. All I saw was trees and the faint lights came from the city. I was too far away. I was just staring into nothingness while crying. I was so upset with myself. I am hurting the two important people in my life.

'Alex, please stop crying…'

I can't help it, Xandra. It hurts so much.

'It's not your fault why she's in love with you, okay?'

How it isn't my fault, Val?

She didn't respond. I just closed my eyes.

'Just tell her that you can't see her more than just a best friend. She's your only family and you can't lose her too, right? '

I hummed.

I can't lose Layla. We've been through a lot together and I will not let love get in the way of our friendship. How will I approach her now without getting awkward? Should I forget that she confessed her feelings? Pretend that nothing happened?

Uggh! This is frustrating.

Layla is hurting because of me and I feel really bad.

I straightened my back when I heard a loud growl from a distance. I focused on the noise and I heard plenty of footsteps. Then my eyes glowed more brightly staring straight into the depths of the forest. My vision became as sharp as an owl. I saw werewolves fighting canines to canines. It's a fight between two rival packs. I don't know which pack they came from. I saw the thick snowy ground covered with red stains. Blood.

I could feel my eyes darkening when I saw the blood. It's not that far from where I am so I can smell the blood. But, I feel something strange towards my body, especially in my veins. Like there's a strong force flow in it. I grunted when I felt a sudden pain like there's a burning fire in my insides again. I hastily jumped towards the ground and groaned in pain.

What was happening again?

'S-She's waking up… '

Who?

Ugh. Xandra, who's waking up?

I groaned in pain again while trying to control it. I was breathing heavily now while clutching the ground. I can feel my claws growing long. Then my eyes were changing into different colors. The colors that I couldn't believe my eyes are capable of changing fast. It's so painful. I wanted to close my eyes but it won't. I didn't scream, I'm afraid werewolves will hear me. But, I know for sure they sense my strong aura.

I couldn't hear my three spirits anymore until I fell unconscious.

~~~~~

I heard a faint noise. I slowly flickered my eyes open. I gasped and got up abruptly. Where am I?