Rejection Trials

Tobias meet your mate

[Belvedere’s POV]

Watching Syrus turn into their wolf was a sight to behold. He had been blessed enough to see it only a few times in his life and he was amazed every time. Syrus looked far from any other wolf. Syrus was very thin and very small for a normal wolf. They were almost the size of a large fox. Their coat was an alluring black. Not like my dad’s coat or other black wolves I’ve seen. It pulls in all the surrounding light. Like a void. The large, rounded ears were my favorite part as they always stood straight up and alert. I wanted to feel the silkiness of their coat again as I’d done as a child. Once my hand touched the abyss of Sai’s coat, I felt a shock through me as they darted forward.

This wasn’t just the shock of our mate bond either. The most terrifying and honestly cool thing about Syrus’ wolf form is that lightning seems to surround them when they move. Like their movement is somehow conducting electricity. The ability to produce such a reaction has helped bolster claims that Syrus is some kind of cursed or hexed being. Syrus isn’t of a royal bloodline, so they shouldn’t be able to manipulate the surrounding energy like that. It isn’t the same as my smoke manipulation. It is something far more mysterious.

I smiled while watching Syrus run around. Then they stopped suddenly, frantically looking around and pawing at the ground. Maybe they found something.

I was at their side quickly, and I could tell something was wrong. Syrus wouldn’t stop looking around and whimpering. I got down and put my hands on their face. I looked into their eyes once more and realized they weren’t looking at me. Syrus was looking through me as if I wasn’t there. I could see their nose twitch frantically as they tried to smell everywhere. Again, they moved around me as if I wasn’t standing right there. I couldn’t get a grip on Sai’s fur because it was too slick. I wanted to just pick them up, so they’d stop frantically walking around.

Then I remembered Oliver saying this happened a lot when Sai first came to our pack as a child. Sai would frantically run around like they were searching for something or someone but didn’t seem to hear or see anything. I struggled to remember that conversation. He said he would put aromatic food out, which would not be possible in this situation. He said he would pat their head and sing to Sai. If I do this, Syrus will never let me live it down. Of course, I had to because seeing them whimpering like this was breaking me.

[Syrus POV]

My heart was beating so loudly, and my body and senses were starting to feel so heavy. This can’t be happening. I gave up finding a way out a while ago. The only thing I cared about was finding Belvedere. After all, I promised to return him to his pack. I felt my back legs collapse before my front legs made me thud to the ground. If ever there was a time to cry, now would be the time to do it.

Before pushing out a single tear, I could hear an eerie sound. It was rhythmic in nature and very daunting. It was an ominous melody of some sort, but it was something to hold onto. I tried to get up, but my legs weren’t cooperating.

It felt like it was getting louder and closer, but I couldn’t feel anyone, I couldn’t sense any other presence. This is some seriously messed-up dream I am having. I tried to convince myself, then I recognized the melody somehow. Someone was humming. Badly, but they were humming. It was an old werewolf lullaby about the moon goddess’ first pack. I knew something was escaping my lungs, but before I could cry out, I realized I was huffing, but it felt like laughter. I was finding the sound amusing now. It no longer felt like impending doom.

I could feel a sensation on my head. Like someone is petting me, which is a bit rude to pet a random werewolf on the head. That is a very intimate gesture. I still don’t see anyone either. This dream is messing with my mind more and more. Then I was overwhelmed by the smell of home. The smell of my home. Belvedere’s scent! I felt my tail perk up, but I still couldn’t stand up. I can’t afford to shift and be naked in all my glory lost for Bel to find.

But I wanted to call out to him. I needed to say his name. I only managed to get chirps out. Then the shadows rolled in and I saw his wolf! My wolf form is already small, so I am sure I look comical next to this large wolf. His massive head nuzzled into me. He then licked my face. I made a note to personally punch Belvedere later to allow that to happen. Then I heard him. I heard a voice lower than Belvedere’s.

What are you doing little mate? I heard the voice in my head.

Is this Belvedere’s wolf? I thought.

This is not how I wanted our first meeting to go. However, you are a very needy little pup. I grunted at his remark. My name is Tobias. I am called Tobi, but I am aware you are stubborn about names. He answered. And I thought Bel was full of it. No wonder Belvedere is so rude. Rude? You shouldn’t think so loudly in wolf form.

You can hear my thoughts like this? But we aren’t linked. I never joined your pack. You are not my alpha. I said, frantically trying to think of everything but mating Bel.

You are linked to me. You are mine. I am yours. That response made me shiver and I could no longer stop the flow of perverted thoughts. Are you not denying me now? He said with a literal wolfish grin. If I were to become his mate, I would have to deal with both all the time. And I can’t tell which one is more insufferable.

As much as I love the invasion of privacy we are having, I would like to get out of here. I focus on the thoughts as if they are a conversation. This felt nothing like the normal mind link between pack members. He was in my entire mind. Poking around like a parasite.

You will have to shift first. Before you complain, you can wear my shirt. I don’t want him to watch me shift. You could just ask me to avert my gaze. He chuckled and turned around sitting down.

I tried to let go of everything in my mind to shift, but that is easier said than done. Because I don’t have a wolf, shifting is a bit harder for me. I must will it almost and, with my overacting senses, it can be impossible at times. Luckily, I’m tired enough to just scoot my head over to Tobi’s back. I nuzzled my face into the cloud of fur and focused on his heartbeat. Then I felt the shift to human. I could see Bel’s shirt next to me. A bit dirty but it will do. I should’ve thought it through before just shifting. Would have saved my clothes at least.

“You’re beautiful, but I prefer your wolf form.” I heard Tobi’s voice coming from Belvedere’s naked body. I focused on his yellow eyes as he put his pants back on. It was a good distraction from the whole treat that was my mate’s body. Gosh, I need to stop thinking about Bel as my mate. Tobi isn’t talking in my mind or commenting on my thoughts anymore. Seems he can only read my thoughts in wolf form. I see why he prefers my wolf form.

“Please don’t call me beautiful, it gives me heartburn.” I said, looking around and seeing that we were close to a forest entrance.

“I think this is some sort of trial. That is the only possible reason we would end up here suddenly with nothing but our clothes. Not even the collars which if it were an enemy, they would want to keep us weakened.” As he spoke, it felt like he was just stating the obvious. I suddenly felt a little dumb for not taking a moment to think everything through. I just took a nap and ran amuck until I became useless. He then hoisted me off the ground, which made me feel so pitiful. “Since you have wasted all of your strength, I will carry you.” Tobi was sterner than Belvedere. Which is a good thing. Our pups will need someone levelheaded. STOP. I scream in my own head. There is no future with Belvedere. There will be no pups.

“You seem like the easily annoyed type, Tobi,” I said while being carried like a baby through the trees.

“My mate is going through great lengths to reject me. An impossible feat and offensive. It is a pure waste of time and energy.” He snapped.

“You sound just like Belvedere. Except your delivery is a little meaner,” I complained.

“I have no time for nicety with you. No one offends me more. There’s nothing I can do either, because I love you more than I resent you.” My eyes widened as I looked at his face. Tobi was in control, so he was the one who thinks he loved me. I really wish I had a wolf to explain to me what the deal is with Tobi being so possessive and loving me without knowing me.

“You should know I won't fall for your words.” I replied, wishing I could walk myself. Tobi dropped me onto the forest floor with a thump. OK rude.