Rejected and Sold

Akela’s POV “Hi Mom, I’m heading out,” I said, coming down the stairs while my eyes were glued to my phone. “Heading out to where?” my mom asked as she caressed my little brother's soft hair. “I’m heading out to the coffee shop down the street, Mom. My mate won’t find me if I keep staying indoor and it’s been a while since I walked around,” I said, smiling. “Alright, just be careful. Make sure you are back before nightfall and remember all my teachings,” my mom said. “Alright,” I said, shutting the door behind me and heaved out a heavy sigh of relief. My mom had spent several nights telling me everything I needed to know about the werewolf world and my personal wolf. She also taught me how to know my mate the instant I saw him. Though most of her teachings are always boring, but who am I to argue with her? Most times, I practically have to force myself to stay awake so she won’t report me to my father for being disobedient. I stared around the streets, and everything seemed unusual, like something was set to happen. I stared high above the sky as I shrugged off the thought of meeting my mate today, knowing I had just clocked twenty-one the previous day. Though I believe in prophecies, but I don’t believe I will ever meet my mate today. “Good morning, ma,” I greeted, bowing my head. As the Alpha’s daughter, I only have one task to do while walking down the street, and that’s making sure I greet everyone I come across, whether big or small, and that has become a part of me, and in return, I was well respected. Finally, I got to the coffee shop and saw a few people still having their morning coffee. I greeted everyone as I walked straight to my favorite spot. “Hi, Akela. So good to see you again,” Anna, the daughter of the coffee shop owner, said the instant I took my seat. Anna is my age mate, but I was born a few months before her, and she took all the height, so people often assume she’s older than me. “Hi, Anna. I’ve missed your coffee. Please serve me my usual,” I said with a bright smile. “Oh sure, I will be back,” Anna said and turned to walk away, but she suddenly stopped like she had forgotten something. “Akela, did you notice anything strange about today’s weather?” Anna asked. “Yeah, I did. Maybe we are about to enter another season, and who knows, maybe the moon goddess is up to something good,” I replied with a smile. “I hope so too. Can I ask you some personal questions if you don’t mind?” Anna asked. “Sure, you can,” I said, nodding my head. Anna hurriedly dropped what she was holding as she walked closer to my ear. “Have you been marked by your mate yet?” Anna asked, whispering in a low tone. I was shocked at first because this is the first time someone would ask me such a question, and it’s not just anyone but someone I share the same birth year with. “No, I haven’t. Why do you ask?” I asked, shaking my head. Anna was about to respond to my question when I heard someone scream out her name. She quickly rushed over, hoping to come back and give me my own reply, but I never saw her again till one of their employed waiter walked over with my coffee. “Where is Anna?” I quickly asked. “She stepped out to get a few things from the big market, and I don’t think she will be back today,” the waiter replied. “Alright, thank you.” I nodded my head. I will be here tomorrow to get an answer to my own question… I sat quietly as I used my eyes to search the surroundings when I suddenly caught a car driving towards the parking lot of the coffee shop. I was about to shift my gaze away since it’s an ordinary car when my eyes unexpectedly caught a handsome freak coming out of the car. He walked into the coffee shop with his hands inside his pockets while maintaining his composure. Immediately, he walked over to the counter to place his order, our eyes met, and I prayed fervently that we stay like that forever. That moment felt like what everyone had told me about meeting the one your heart yearns for. My breath seized for a while, and after a few minutes, my heart began beating fast like it was going to fall out of my chest. I quickly held onto it tightly while his breath aligned with mine. Jeez!!! My fated mate is here. The instant the realization hit me, everything became blurry. It felt like I was in heaven as goose bumps spread all over my skin. I stared at him with keen interest as he walked to my table with his cup of coffee, and I immediately jerked up the moment his hands touched mine. “You are my mate!!!” he finally said with a sweet voice. “Yes, we are mates,” I said, almost screaming at the top of my voice, but I quickly held myself back as I looked around and realized that everyone’s eyes were already on me. Everything seemed perfect and great, even my wolf was happy within, but then…….. This ought to be a joke, right? Because damn it! If I am not mistaken, these are the best moments of my life. Looking back at everything that had just happened, I kind of hated myself for reacting too early instead of playing hard to get, but then I couldn’t seem to hold back my smile. Happiness filled my whole body that I smile at him every second and every time I stare at him. Just looking at him, all cute and handsome, made me more satisfied than taking coffee every morning. His smile alone captivated my heart, making it look like he was the most handsome guy I’ve ever met in twenty years of my life and the best thing I’ve encountered today. “Can I call my parents and siblings to share the good news with them about meeting my mate today?” I asked, finally breaking the dead silence between us. “Sure, you can,” he replied, taking a sip out of his cup and smiling. I hurriedly took out my phone, called my mom and siblings all in one video call. They were all happy for me, but seeing how handsome he looked, they all screamed at the top of their voices. My dad promised we would celebrate this when I get back home. My brothers weren’t left out of the happiness as I called them too. Everyone being happy for me made everything insanely perfect, like the moon goddess had promised to make today a perfect day for me. For a whole thirty minutes, I didn’t see any bad or unpleasant attitude in him that would make me hate him. Due to how excited I was to meet my mate, I failed to realize that his handsome smile was just a mere smirk. Even when Anna came back and walked up to me to ask about his identity, he quickly sweet-talked her that I was safe and everyone was standing around. It felt as if the man of my dreams had finally come into reality. With the way everyone smiled at me, it seemed I made the feelings too obvious. I didn’t even ask for his name or exchange contacts with him. “I have a surprise for you in my car,” he said. “Really, but we just met?” I asked. “Yeah, I understand that we just met. The moon goddess led me here, and I got everything prepared just in case I meet you today,” he said. I shrugged my shoulders and picked up my phone to follow him, but he convinced me to drop it so we could still reserve our seats. I dropped my phone as he gently held out my hand to where he had parked his car, when he suddenly pressed his lips against mine. I was shocked at first, but who am I to turn my mate down? A few seconds later, he turned his lips towards my neck and whispered, “I REJECT YOU AS MY MATE.”