The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 46

Stacey

POV

I've been observing Rowan from a distance, careful not to step foot on his territory, at least for now. He didn't even sense I was there, but I suspected it was because he was busy with something else, or maybe I should say specifically someone else. I had heard the rumors but didn't want to believe them. I told myself it was impossible, that Rowan hadn't replaced me so quickly. But then, someone told me about her and all the pieces of the puzzle came together in my mind. I can't believe his audacity to replace me with

someone like her. Someone who is an undesirable, no less. How dare he!

Well he wasn't going to get away with forgetting about me so quickly, I thought to myself smugly, as I eyed myself in the mirror. My hair was now golden with waves cascading down my back and my eyes had changed to a clear, bright blue colour. My skin was a golden honeytone and my figure was much taller, or at least that's how it appeared. My roommate, Celia, appeared, eyeing me critically.

"The glamour is working nicely" she commented with a frown and a c**k of her head, "but I wish I'd had more time to perfect it."

I gave a short laugh. "It is perfect Celia. Geez, you spent how many hours on this?" I said, fidgeting with the necklace that held the spell. It was a simple necklace, consisting of a small golden locket in a heart shape. I wore it with my new dress, a beautiful pale blue dress that had spaghetti straps that tightened under my generous bosom and then flowed down to my ankles. My earrings were simple pale silver studs and I had a silver clutch bag to bring the whole look together. No one looking at me, would question whether I belonged there. Not when there were so many guests as it were.

"I spent a few hours" Celia said evasively, before switching the subject. For some reason, it was a sore point for her to have to take so long perfecting spells. As a half witch, half shifter, she felt they should come more easily to her. "What are you going to do when you see him?" she asked with curiosity as I picked up a small vial of perfume and sprayed myself with it. I placed it in the clutch bag, the vial of perfume still full.

"I don't know" I murmured, turning to her, her big green eyes full of concern and worry, "I just want to see him, Celia. Be near him and see what he's up to. I won't let slip that I'm her, or that I'm using glamour", I promised thickly.

She tossed her long brown hair over her shoulder, biting her lip "just remember that the spell runs out at midnight. Sort of like Cinderella" she told me firmly.

"I'll remember" I said. After all, Cinderella was my favorite fairy tail, so it was pretty difficult to forget the golden rule of changing back at midnight.

I picked up my clutch bag and gave her a peck on the cheek. Celia was such an awkward thing, no older than seventeen and in desperate need of a roommate when I met her. I suspected she had run away from home, but I didn't want to pry into her history or background. I was thankful she would even agree to perform spells for me. It hadn't been easy to convince her, but I'd managed to.

"Midnight" Celia repeated, watching me go.

"Midnight" I agreed, looking over my shoulder at her once more, before descending the stairs and going out to the car, a taxi specifically for shifters.

The driver eyed me appreciatively with a low whistle that I ignored. He wasn't bad looking, but he was nothing in comparison to him. To Rowan.

"Where to miss?" he asked cheerfully, as I slid into the passenger seat and buckled myself in.

"The Silver Wolves' Pack and if you could be quick about it," I said delicately.

He nodded, buckling himself in and starting the taxi, his eyes focussing on the road, thank goodness, although I caught him occasionally glancing at me and my long legs as well.

It was a bit of a long trip, but I didn't mind. It gave me time to think and to breathe. It had been so long since I had been near Rowan and I wondered if he smelt the same, if he had the same temperament as when I'd known him. I also wondered what she looked like, the rumors stating her hair was like fire, it was so bright and vivid.

I tap my fingers on the dashboard, as we pull into the pack territory, amongst a sea of cars. As I'd suspected, there was a sea of people milling around, making their way towards the ceremony and I blended in easily, sitting towards the back, my eyes scanning the place for a sign of him. I almost stopped breathing when he sat, almost right behind me, his scent drifting towards me. He smelt of apples and cinammon, something to do with the body spray he used. It was heavenly and made me reminisce about all the good times we had had. I wanted to turn around in my chair and say something, if only to hear his voice, but then the music started and all eyes were on the aisle, waiting for the bride and bridesmaids to make an appearance.

I was waiting to see the girl, the one that I had heard through the rumor mill, that Rowan was obsessed with. Not that the girl knew it, of course, he had kept himself out of sight, but I had heard how much he was falling for her and that it wouldn't be long until he claimed her. I couldn't have that. The girl, Amber, her name was, came out and I sucked in a breath. She was a lot lovelier than I had initially thought, her hair aflame in the sunlight, her green dress making her eyes pop out. She was stunning and I scowled angrily at her. Rowan, I noticed, miserably, couldn't keep his eyes off of her. In fact, even as the bride came down the aisle, his eyes stayed forward, gazing at Amber without noticing the bride at all.

I snuck glances at Rowan whenever I could, taking in his chiseled jaw, his heavily muscled body even underneath the tuxedo. God, he was gorgeous. It was like time had stood still for him. I was more than glad when the ceremony was finished and everyone started making their way towards the large marquee set up on the grounds. I joined in, at the back of the crowd, watching Rowan like a hawk, watching enviously as he sat down at a table and I was forced to sit at another one. Amber sat with what seemed to be her parents, at another table and Rowan watched, his eyes narrowed, his expression brooding as he stared at the girl. I can tell he wants her, his expression is easy to read. Bastard.

Then he danced with her! My heart was thudding painfully in my chest as I watched him touch her. Anyone could tell they had chemistry just by looking at them. I wanted so badly to go over there and rip her hair out of her head, drag her away kicking and screaming and instead, I was forced to sit at my table, smiling along with everyone else. I saw my chance when the parents approached him and followed, standing well behind, eavesdropping unashamedly as they shut the door in the study.

I missed the first bit, but then I began to hear some of the conversation and it stopped me, cold, in my tracks.

"Shouldn't it be up to your daughter who she marries?" Rowan's voice.

"No. It's either she marries or ends up on the streets", The Beta's voice presumably."I don't want an undesirable in my house any longer than I have to." Well, isn't he just a darling father?

"What is it you want then? What do you want from me, in order for her hand in marriage?" Rowan's voice was asking in an angry tone of voice.

"I told you he wanted her", The Beta's voice. "didn't I, Clarissa?"

Then even my mouth dropped when I heard what it was the beta wanted in exchange for his daughter's hand in marriage. A billion dollars! Jesus Christ that was a s**t ton of money. I willed Rowan to tell the man to go to hell, that there was no way he would pay that, but he agreed! He actually agreed to pay the money for this b***h Amber's hand in marriage. I felt so incredibly hurt as I slunk away, quietly leaving and heading upstairs where I could replace the girls room. According to the gossip mill, Amber's room was upstairs to the right. I thought I might have trouble replaceing it, but then I saw the lock on the door and the slit and knew it had to be hers. I knew she was now under guard until she got married and I grabbed hold of the lock, muttering the words that Celia had taught me. "Ventilorl, ahandsha, metriel."

The lock glowed a bright yellow color and I glanced over my shoulder nervously but saw no one. I heaved a big sigh of relief as the lock unlocked itself and I pushed the door to the room open. I wished I could have taken the time to view it properly, heck maybe even replace her journal or something, but I didn't have time. Instead, I made myself walk over to the desk, grabbing a piece of paper and scribbling away on it. I knew Amber would be suspicious of a random gift, so I ensured that it was signed by a name that would make her more willing to accept it.

A present to make you feel better about your own upcoming nuptials. I wish I could be there for you.

Spray whenever you feel down for a pick me up! I hope you love it.

Lots of love

From your sister Sophie.

I dug around in my clutch bag and grabbed the vial of perfume, placing it on top of the note. Now all Amber had to do was look at it and use it. It had been spelled to remind Rowan of himself whenever he smelt it and, with luck, he would remember all the love he had for me and put off this ridiculous wedding. I hummed lightly under my breath as I calmly, quietly, left the room, remembering to relock the padlock, before heading downstairs. I arrived just in time to see Rowan storming off out of the beta's house, looking pissed off and more than a little angry. Had something gone sour? I should have kept eavesdropping, I thought to myself cursing, but then shrugged. It was no biggie. I managed to avoid bumping into anyone as I made my way back outside to the grounds. I had completed my small mission. While I could have revealed myself to Rowan, it was highly likely that he would have made me leave the wedding ceremony. He wasn't quite ready to have me back yet, but I could be patient for a little longer. The perfume would work its magic, it just needed time. If this didn't call the wedding off, then I would have to start planning something far more sinister for the young girl. Something that would tear the two of them apart. I just needed to think of what it was. I grab my cellphone from my bag and call Celia.

"It's done" I say evenly when she answers "the perfume is in her room."

"All it takes is one spray and it will evoke a memory of you". she assures me "now what are you doing?"

"I'm coming back, there's nothing left for me to do. But what if this doesn't work? Then what should I do?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it" Celia said drily.

"Okay. See you soon."

I hung up and then called for a taxi, more than ready to go home. Part of me is full of glee. I wonder what memory the perfume will evoke in Rowan and just how strongly it will affect him.