Rejection Trials

Reunited and it feels so conflicting

BACK TO PRESENT (POV SYRUS)

I waited for Steve to return to me. As a raven he is helpful at scoping areas out for me. It helps me find prey which keeps us both fed. I also have a terrible sense of direction, so Steve keeps me literally on track. Steve lands on my shoulder demanding his snack. After his treat is rewarded, he nods at me letting me know it is a good time to enter the pack line. Unfortunately, I emit a lot more of an aura now in my old age which has in the past alerted an alpha that “sensed an anomaly of power enter”. His words not mine. My smell is not an issue, but I haven’t mastered reigning the aura in. I am not sure how to try to mask it. Focusing on ‘hide the power within’ thoughts does nothing but make me feel silly. Very strong alpha wolves can sense an immense level of power as it could pose a challenge to them. My wolf has never spoken to me so I can’t rely on their help. It is a wonder I have learned to shift at my own will. I just focus on the path and hope that my aura magically shrinks.

Sure enough, I did not make it far in the border before I am face to face with the alpha. I was hoping Alpha Felix wouldn’t be able to sense power levels. However, this is the new alpha. I smelled him shortly before I saw him, which means he must be insanely fast considering how far my sense of smell goes. As I am pondering whether he sensed me by scent or aura I realize I am looking dumbly into his stupid soft eyes. I probably look awestruck and in love.

“Syrus” he growls my name. This should make me angry that my mate is greeting me with a growl, but it does the opposite. My whole lower body ignites like an inferno. Between my legs is becoming tingly with impatience. WHAT. IS. THE. DEAL.

“Belvedere” I manage to croak out. Damn I wanted to sound angry and tough too, but my insides are shook. At least I insulted him by using his full name. “Hold on I got to adjust my shoe” I say to give me an excuse to double over. Steve squawks off my shoulder in what I swear was a laugh. I look up and realize I am staring up at him from his waist. When did he get close? I see his hand slightly reach out. Is he about to touch my hair? Maybe tug it a little? Then he squats down where we are face to face.

“Welcome back.” He grins while poking my forehead. The sudden contact surprised me, and I fell back. When his finger made contact it was like an orgasm I swear. I probably moaned. I wish I was dead. I think looking at the stars. I hear him chuckle and pull me up before I can protest, knowing when he touches me again, I will be soaring high again.

I pull my hand away once I get back up. So much for coming back as a smooth badass. I brush my hand on my shirt trying to metaphorically remove his touch that is still lingering.

“Aren’t you going to ask me why I am here?” I say as he is walking in front of me. “Where are the patrol men?” I continue. “Why are you out here alone? Are you alpha now? You feel like an alpha not that I feel anything from you” I ramble on then run into him slightly when he stops and faces me.

“Yes, I am the alpha now. I didn’t alert the patrol men when I sensed you I came to greet you myself. And I don’t need to ask why you are back.” He gently removed a leaf from my hair causing my breath to cease. “I can feel your needs.” He grumbled lowly directly into my ear. At least he is courteous to my hearing sensitivity. Though I am stunned and battling between punching him and… no NO. That is exactly the opposite of what we are doing Sai. I reassure myself and try to reign in my nerves which are all lit up throughout my body lingering wherever he just touched.

“You don’t feel anything.” I lied. “We are rejected ex mates.” I remind myself and Bel.

“I don’t remember rejecting you.” He laughs while continuing his trek in front of me.

“How rude. I am talking to you Alpha Belvedere Canisson of the Death Falls pack.” I am cut off by more of his way to sexy sounding laughter.

“Please call me Bel, that name seems obnoxiously long to say, and you’ll be saying it a lot.” He quirked keeping his steady pace forward.

“I will never call you that. You’d like it too much. You will always be BELL VAH DEER.” I say annunciating every syllable. However, much to my dismay he seems to like me saying his full name too. I cannot win. The hormones of horny young men know no bounds.

“I am not here to have s*x with you” I break the silence suddenly making Bel turn around and stop. His face seemed unreadable then he raised one eyebrow. Maybe my timing is a bit awkward. Not sure how to ease into this conversation. “I assume you want me to continue. Whatever, fine. I am continuing because I want to…not because you are demanding it.”

“I have said nothing.” He interjects maintaining that grotesquely alluring gaze.

“As I was saying. As you may know I have turned 22. This means that this entire year is mating season for me. It also means my body will only react to you during this time. On top of everything, being a few feet away from you makes me physically ill. Which sucks and I should see the doctor because the last few days have been hell.” I searched his eyes for any response and found nothing but a sea of warmth and comfort.

“Again Sai, I told you I know. This is common knowledge I have been working from my office and bed the last few days because existing hurts. I think I only mustered the strength to greet you because my wolf knew it was you, I was coming to get” He finally said something.

“You didn’t get me. You stop that. I’m here because I must be, or I will become ill. I have spent these past years searching for alternatives. I haven’t found anything about what happens if you don’t mate your mate during the year. If you haven’t found your mate, you’re safe but I know my mate. He’s an ass hole who has bullied me my entire life. I am scared maybe I will die if I don’t mate with you. All of this to say I have a lead on how to sever our mate bond. So, we must do that now so I cannot die or suffer.” I throw everything at him.

“You have a lead? Is this what you have been doing the past six years?” he asked. The snarky tone of his voice made me want to throw him into the wall and…uh punch him or something.

“Among other things. I have other thoughts but you.” I reply which is kind of true. Just most of my thoughts.

“First, we eat dinner. I need food and a drink before I can handle anymore of this conversation.” He demanded. As much as I wanted to sass him right now my hormones were too busy betraying me. His being demanding was kind of, very much so, fanning the flames that are currently burning down my self-control.

Entering the pack house was so strange. Hell, walking up to the pack house was strange. I expected it to be the same, like frozen in time. The yards leading to the surrounding forest were no longer yards of grass but wildflowers and all kinds of other native plants. There seemed to also be vegetables and fruits growing. There were kids running through the flowers practicing their pouncing and stalking. I don’t remember all this laughter.

“My little sister, Ava’s school project was to grow one vegetable plant. Of course, she put it out front and it grew so big. Then all the kids wanted to do it. Now it’s a pack tradition for new kindergarten classes. It is a big deal to them to water them and pick them.” Bel interrupted my thoughts. He must’ve seen me looking at all of them.

“And the grass is gone too? Did the kindergarteners do that too?” I asked.

“No, the plants there now are better for the bees. And I think they look better.” He stated.

What is with this man? He used to push me and hit me as a kid. He was the ringleader of the name calling brigade. Now he’s acting like Mother Theresa. He also hasn’t acted like I wasn’t his mate. He seemed ok with the idea. It’s the hormones. It must be the mating season. He is going to tell me we can’t tell anyone or something. Asshole.

The inside of the packhouse didn’t look like a museum anymore. It almost looked like a grandma’s house. There were pictures of different pack families and different people all over the walls. I even saw people who were just common wolves. There was even artwork and school projects displayed in the main room. Every room seemed cozier. All the fancy portraits and expensive vases and such were gone. Which was a ridiculous thing to own in a house of rowdy wolves. The furniture looked comfortable and like you could sit on it. This must be a dream. There is no way those old tool bags allowed this. I looked up at Belvedere who was already looking at me with a gentle smile that made me completely angry. No one should be that hot and cute. Why does this grown man have permanent puppy eyes?

“Was the new interior design your sister’s idea too? Maybe she should be alpha.” I say forcing myself to break eye contact. I heard him grunt.

“No, I thought it was ugly. No one wanted to hang out or even sit on the furniture. And she is only 5” he said nonchalantly.

“Ok what is with the saint act Belvedere?” I finally snapped on him. Of course, he only responded with an eyebrow. Always waiting for me to continue the conversation it seems. “You don’t go from biggest scum bag of the school yard to saintly alpha who’s playing up this charitable persona.” I stopped begging him to continue the conversation himself.

“Saintly?” is all he said. I threw up my arms I am so over this. I try to head to the dining area knowing food always helps. Unfortunately, no matter how fast I tried to walk he kept up easily.

Luckily it seems no one has recognized me which would cause nothing but annoyance. ‘I should be fine as long as I keep my glasses on’ I try to convince myself. ‘Wearing dark shades at night and indoors is all the rage these days’ I sarcastically remark to my own inner musings. ‘Just blend in’ I repeat to myself like a mantra. I would’ve gotten away with it too if it wasn’t for my intense love of pastries.