Asena pov.
"I reject you, Ray, as my mate," I declared, my voice firm and resolute. "I won't marry you. You're not worth it. I don't want you, and I don't need you around me." I spoke into the small mic on my shirt, my words intended to humiliate and embarrass him.
I had anticipated his proposal and planned my response to maximize his discomfort. Standing up, I crossed my arms and glared at him, my stance unwavering.
"Pamela, please don't do this," Ray begged, his voice laced with desperation. "I love you."
But his words only fueled my anger. I took a step closer to him, my voice low and menacing. "Don't you ever talk to me about love, Ray? You deserve torture." My face reddened with fury, and my breath was hot against his face.
"What do you mean, Pamela? I've never hurt you before, so why the hatred?" Ray asked, his voice laced with confusion and concern. He reached out to hold my hands softly, but I darkened my eyes and glared at him, appalled by his display of ignorance in front of everyone.
"I don't want you near me, Ray. I'd prefer it if you just left," I spat, my voice venomous. I stared at him for a moment, my eyes flashing with anger, before he pulled me close. His face reddened, and his breath was hot against my skin.
"Pamela, don't do this to me. I love you; please don't," he pleaded, his lips crashing onto mine without hesitation. But I pushed him away with fierce strength, and he stumbled backward, losing his balance and falling to the ground with a thud.
The room was filled with gasps of shock, and someone exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, this isn't happening!" Fear gripped me cold, and I trembled as Ray's fist clenched and punched the ground hard, cracking the floor with a loud thud.
As Ray's fist cracked the floor, the room fell silent. The pack members were shocked and frightened by the display of anger and power. I stood tall, my heart racing, as Ray slowly got up from the ground. His eyes were blazing with fury, and his face was red with rage.
"Pamela," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You will pay for this. You will regret ever rejecting me."
I sneered at him, my eyes flashing with defiance. "I'm not afraid of you, Ray. You're just a coward who can't take no for an answer."
Ray's face twisted in anger, and he took a step closer to me. But before he could say or do anything else, a loud voice boomed from the back of the room.
"Enough!"
The pack members turned to see who had spoken, and I followed their gaze. An averagely heightened figure stood at the entrance of the room, his eyes fixed on Ray.
"Is he the reason why you dumped me?" He asked, frustration etched on his face. He continued, Common Pamela, you're way more than such a disregarding person.
"I am not; he doesn't belong to me; maybe he's just some trouble in the in the tunnel." Check that out yourself. I turned, waking to my seat. My cat walks were deliberate; many people's eyes couldn't leave mine. The murmurs were understanding, but when it escalated to laughter, I felt hopeless and sorry for what happened. He caused my death, and I promised to take revenge to save my people and family.
"Pamela," he called out softly, his voice barely above a whisper. I ignored him, gesturing for myself to take a seat, savoring the satisfaction of making him suffer for all he had done. "What's Ray? Attend to the guy who needs your attention," I said with a dismissive wave of my hand.
"Are you sending me away after disgracing me?" Ray asked, his sweaty palm grasping my arm to prevent me from leaving. Just then, my brother, who had been standing at the door, walked in, his presence commanding attention. I tried to ignore him, but he seemed to sense the tension and smiled knowingly, making my heart race.
Had he discovered my secret—that I was reincarnated? I wondered, my mind racing with anxiety.
As I slid into my seat, crossing my legs and attempting to appear nonchalant, I couldn't help but notice the exchange between my brother and Ray. But then, a skeptical voice caught my attention: "She's behaving strangely. I think she's not Pamela. Pamela can't be this brave," a dim male voice said, his words dripping with doubt.
My eyes flared, and I felt a surge of defensiveness at the negative observation about me. It seemed that my pretense wasn't fooling everyone, and I wondered who else might be into my secret.
My heightened senses allowed me to remain calm and attentive, tuning in to the conversation about my behavior. Perhaps I was overreacting, or maybe the others perceived Pamela as a calm and naive girl who had foolishly fallen in love.
"Pamela, are you even listening to me?" Ray asked, his questions crawling under my skin and making me feel like a beast on the brink of unleashing my anger.
Just then, I felt a warm touch on my shoulders, and my mom's gentle voice soothed my frazzled nerves. "Pamela, dear, I know you're still recovering from the traumatic experience in the woods with the rogues. But don't worry, you'll be fine," she said, caressing my hair and peeking at my forehead with concern.
"It's fine, Mom. I can handle it," I said, my voice firm but polite. "I need some time alone in my room. My head is already aching, and I might need to rest later." My mom nodded understandingly, her expression soft with concern.
"Okay, princess. Go relax, take a shower, and then take a nap. That sounds like a good idea," she suggested, and I nodded in agreement, picking up my purse to leave.
As I turned to exit, my gaze locked onto Ray, who stood frozen in frustration. My lips curled up slightly, and my eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. I was determined to make him beg for my mercy, no matter how long it took or what it required