First Rejected, Second Stolen

"Hey Gigi! I know your still hurt, but it's time to start your life again. I get it, it's been 3 months since Clyde rejected you at his Alpha ceremony, but you can't keep us shut out! We love you and will always be there for you!- Dahlia", the text light up her phone like a single firefly in an empty box. I know I shouldn't be shutting my friends out like this, but it's not just me that's in this much agony, Clyde didn't just reject me, he rejected Celeste, our fated ties, any chance of ever getting to know me. Perhaps this was what the fates intended. Maybe I was SUPPOSED to be shattered for the rest of my life the MOMENT I turned 16 as some cruel, twisted test of my willpower. After years of seeing how much the mate bond actually led people to their most perfect lives, I now see love as the most catastrophic joke it truly is. But, unfortunately I still have to attend lessons and classes at least until I get my approval letter from the Lotus Claw pack where my aunt and uncle have offered to let me stay with them since Aunt Celina was also once rejected and knows how vulnerable I am after my parents have made it clear I have to suffer alone. After staying locked in my room since the beginning of summer to avoid having to see my now former mate prancing around pack land with as many girls as he pleases, I finally make due on my promise to my mom, Beta Pharaoh's wife, Zara Di'mingo, and leave my room to at least let Celeste go run by the Crystal Falls. Everything was going fine, I wore a slightly loose tank top with work out shorts and my regular Van's slip-ons, everyone passing me was staring with sorrow, relief and shock that not only was I even still alive after having that traumatic moment, but even some flashed me looks of pride that I am refusing to let myself stay broken. I kept my head high, my headphones blasting my favorite playlist, keeping me in somewhat good spirits for the walk through town. One of mine and Celeste's favorite songs kicked on as soon as I made it down the driveway and passed the pack house, giving us a little well needed spacing out. But of course, the good mood wouldn't last long. Sensing someone behind me, I kept my pace, my eyes forward, refusing to look back. I paused the song and took out one of my earbuds long enough to hear the voice calling me, "Gia! Gianova! Hey, please? Can we talk for a sec?", a desperate, pain-stricken Clyde begged, practically whimpering for me to stop and speak to him. I slowed my pace but still keeping my voice as cold and mild mannered, my eyes locked ahead of me. "What do you need Alpha Clyde? I'm on my way to the training fields, so excuse my steady walking, sir.", even just saying his name without looking at him was enough to make chest tighten as if I was placed in a vice grip being cranked tighter with each step. "Gia, STOP!", Clyde shouted as he ran to be in front of me this time. His ice blue-green eyes were surrounded with dark circles, he looked like a complete hollow version of the curly, long, black haired, 6'7, marvelous Adonis who grabbed me on the platform with him after Alpha Sage had announced Clyde as the new Alpha and publicly rejected me for the whole pack to see. "Alpha Clyde, you, most of all know how important it is to keep up on training regiment, now if there's anything you need that is crucial for the wellness of our members, I must remind you that until my 20th birthday, my mother and father are still the active Betas. Now if you'd excuse.", I coldly stated, finally looking him directly in the eyes, my gaze a very obvious mix of pain, anger, and annoyance. He shuttered painfully from my gaze, and I'm sure my tone also drove a knife through him with how me froze, his hand fell from my shoulder as if a string on a puppet snapped. "I...I can't do this. I haven't been able to eat or even sleep without Zane crying, begging I win you back, your scent is still haunting me! I need you to tell me what I have to do to fix this!", Clyde had sheepishly grabbed my hand between his, falling to his knees. I could feel Celeste getting angry and whimpering at the same time, his entire demeanor was that of an injured puppy, so fragile and lost. "Clyde, we have nothing to talk about. You hurt me to my core, but I won't let you have the satisfaction of seeing me broken. Pull yourself together and face the consequences of your actions, I am not a toy you can break and magically put back together. Goodbye Clyde!", pulling my hand from his weakened grip, I threw my earbuds back in and continued listening to music, fighting the urge to just take one last peak of Clyde's desperation. *Serves him right. 3 months of isolation and all of a sudden he NOW wants to fix it?! Screw that! We may be a she-wolf, but I'll be DAMNED if someone makes me to be a little b***h!*, I couldn't help but laugh at Celeste. I think we'll be alright! It didn't take long to reach the forest path where most of the warriors go for border patrol and free runs. I strolled into the old storage hut that's basically been reassigned as the shifting room, walk in human, come out wolf. As soon as Celeste felt the sun hitting her gorgeous coat of sandy-caramel brown hues and 3 white identifying spots on her brow line, chest and left hind leg, with a few much needed stretches, we ran through the trail as if it was the first time ever being able to shift. Bounding over massive downed trees and boulders, the force of the wind speed creating small whirling vectors around me, giving my jumps a bit of added boost. We were in complete unison and just enjoying our run when we eventually reached the falls. Not many members knew about this place. My parents brought me here when I was little after my Nana passed, they said the saddest memories shared at this spot give the person a special ability when the time is right. Making our way to edge of the water pool, Celeste and I make deal, that at this moment, we take this opportunity to cry, howl, scream, and let ourselves hurt, but once we leave the hill, we move on. Celeste was the first, letting out the more agonizingly painful and heartbroken howl she ever made. Feeling her sorrow, there was no holding back the floodgates as tears streamed down our face, she tried to curl in a ball and just snap her tail, removing a small batch of dyed fur she shared with her childhood best friend and now wants absolutely nothing to do with him. After a few more lonely cries, I shifted back and screamed so much, my voice was almost non existent from screaming in sadness, rage and just crying. I crashed to my knees, picking up a rock that ironically looked heart shaped, I threw it hard into the water, "If the Goddess really wanted me to be with my true fated love, than I'd rather be DEAD than let myself be with another wolf!!!", I screamed, meaning every word as the rock flew through the air, landing in the middle just as my voice gave. I sat panting, my chest feeling as if those 3 months never happened, my whole being suddenly feeling light, as if any and all invisible chains just broke and fell. We shifted back and ran, faster than we have ever gone before! The minutes it took to get to the falls, now only took seconds! *What the hell is going on?! We've never been THIS fast before! Not even during the Fullmoon Run!* "I have no idea! This is insane! I wonder if mom or dad might know.", I said responding with the same new found mysticism in our tone. As we got closer to the changing hut, a sense of being watched made us on high alert, slowly scanning the area, carefully listening for anything. The sudden tension causing a low deep growl to build. Having the hypersense of someone behind us, slowing getting into a low crouch as we moved. Second before we finally turned to lunge at who or whatever was behind us, a very stern, upset voice called out. "Young Lady! What did you do!?", Mom stood at the treeline, I could tell she was furious, but for what? I hadn't done anything to get in trouble, I made triple sure all doors and windows were locked and that the security system was set when I left this morning. Could she mean about what I did to Clyde? But she can't be upset about that when she saw for herself He rejected Me. We immediately kept our head down, whimpering as I mind linked her, -I'll go change and we can leave.- I looked up at her as she nodded, her arms crossed tight across her chest, her fingernail marks visible from gripping her arms so tight, a #1 give away that whatever happened was in fact, a HUGE problem. Sitting in the jeep, I can feel moms anger and confusion through the silence. She was never one to yell unless it was extremely serious. "So, how was your run?", she asked, her voice very stonewalling, her eyes locked in a hazy blend of anger, sadness, disappointment and pain. I kept my voice light and soft, not wanting to trigger her anymore that she already is, "It was good. Just went to the falls and let everything out, like you made me promise I would. But, when I left the house, he saw me and tried to talk to me.", despite the deal me and Celeste made, I couldn't help the slight pain in voice on the last part, keeping my eyes down in case that's what she was upset about. I was expecting her to pry further about what was said, but instead she let out a heavy sigh, her head fell slightly and her demeanor turned from rigid, upset to sadness and apathetic. "I figured that's what happened. Celeste howling sent a Shockwave through the entire pack. The warriors nearby thought someone was dead! Everyone has been trying to mind-link you all afternoon but no response! Your very lucky I knew where you were going or it could've turned into an entire investigation!", Mom fired back, a sense of relief washing over her as she looked at me. She grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight, I knew she was worried that I wouldn't be able to pull myself back together after the rejection. "I'm sorry mom. The falls is sacred grounds so mind-link outside of mates is impossible, you told me that when I was little." I responded lightly, my voice barely a whisper but I knew she heard. As we pulled onto out street, I could see Clyde sitting on our porch. I immediately tensed and felt pure anger, Celeste was snarling in disgust and annoyance. *Oh great! What now?! Did we unlock a hidden kink of treating him like nothing special outside of his title?! Jeez.*, Rolling my eyes I couldn't help but quietly chuckle at her words, the idea of Alpha Clyda on his hands and knees, forever following me around just for a micro taste of my affection. -Mom, I won't speak to him. I already told him this morning. I have nothing to say. He made the decision to reject me, I didn't even have a chance to tell him!-,I explained through mind-link, her sorrowful expression slightly flashed to bursts of anger. "Don't worry babygirl, I'll handle it. You go shower, we have Lottie's party to go to tonight.", she didn't even look at me, kept her gaze locked on the slumped, sickly-looking Clyde. I do as instructed, getting out of the car and keeping my eyes down. As soon as he sees me, he darts over, his eyes even puffier and sunken worse than this morning. "Gianova Melissa Di'mingo, please! I'm begging you, just sit and talk to me for 10 minutes! I know what I did was absolutely uncalled for and selfish, I didn't know what else to do! I panicked when I realized you were my mate, for f***s sake you've been my best friend since we were pups! I f****d up! Majorly I know! I don't care if we have an absolutely one sided relationship! You can hate me forever and I'll fully deserve it but please! I can't keep living like this! I need you! More than I ever realized I could need another person!", he cried, his entire body shaking, I can tell he's struggling just to stay standing, his eyes pleading with each every word. Celeste could feel Zane's pain still, she scoffed and went silent. And as if something finally clicked, I hug his tight and rest my head lightly against his chest. I give him a soft smile, reaching my hand up to run my thumb across his cheek. His head slightly falls against my palm, he wraps his arms around me, I can feel him shaking nervously. As he leans down to place his forehead against mine, i can't help but laugh, at first it was just a chuckle, than a few more moments and I was hysterical! "Are you f*****g kidding me Clyde?! You completely destory me the DAY I find out your my mate, reject me in front of EVERYONE, proceeded to ignore and block me from everything when I tried to get just a simple explanation for 3 entire months, and NOW your begging and crying for me to just forgive you because YOU'RE destroyed?!? Get over yourself! I'm glad I'll be leaving soon. Your a heartless monster, I wish you luck on finding yourself again the same way We had to.", I lock eyes with him as I pull away from his hold. As he stands there absolutely frozen, he notices my small dagger and his eyes widen, his body tenses up and the realization of whats about to be done crashing into him like the house of Wizard of Oz landing on the wicked witch. "No....no please! Gia I swear I'll leave you alone if that's what you wants! But please! Don't do this!", he reaches his hands out to try and plea, but his words fall on deaf ears. There was no stopping it now. I s***h my palm, still holding eye contact, "Clyde Parker, Alpha of Scarlett Fang, I, Gianova Di'mingo, future Beta of Scarlett Fang, release you of our bond." As soon I ended my decree, it was as if he was hit was a sonic blast. His legs buckled and he was left gasping to breath, clenching his shirt, his wailing brought the attention of his parents, Alpha and Luna Sage and Lilly Parker. It took Alpha Sage a minute to notice the blade, he let out an understanding sigh, Luna Lilly immediately ran to her son, trying to sooth his pains, while her eyes locked me on switch between her golden honey brown and black, she was fighting her wolf, Juniper, on whether or not to kill me for hurting her baby. Luckily my mom was still there, standing in front of me with a low warning growl. Although our families have always been close, due to us being their Betas, my mom and Luna Lilly have always been at odds. Alpha Sage's voice boomed, "That's enough! It's clear what happened, and unfortunately, what Clyde had started was clearly reciprocated. Zara, Gia, we are truly sorry for the trouble on Clyde's behalf. We will take it from here. Lilly, it couldn't be helped, let it go.", he spoke with genuine and certainty. His eyes verified his sympathy. As Luna Lilly held an absolutely shattered Clyde on her arms, She still glared daggers at me. Mom giving Sage an respectful nod, her hands carefully on my shoulders, holding me close as we walked passed them to our front steps. And just than, I stopped in the doorway, turning around to face them. "Alphas, Luna, just a reminder. I will be leaving soon to live with my Aunt and Uncle in Lotus Claw. My Aunt had called me that the request was approved. After recent events, I thought it best for both Alpha Clyde and myself to not be cursed with eachothers presence when dealing with pack duties.", I stated as factually as possible with my tone very straightforward and almost monotonous. "Very well. You have always been one to avoid prolonged conflicts. We wish you the best.", replied Luna Lilly after coming to her senses. I can see she is still feeling Clyde's suffering, but just as Sage had said, what's done is done. There is no turning back. After some time, it was clear mom was proud I stood my ground and refused to let myself stay hurt, we had both showed and gotten ready. My sister Lottie was getting Accepted as the Luna of the Rose Moon pack tomorrow, but I will be on a flight early tomorrow morning to start my life with Aunt Celia and Uncle Shaun, The Alpha and Luna. I finally finished my make-up and scan myself in my 6' wall mirror, my hips, chest and shoulders being the widest areas of my 5'6 frame, my pale skin free of most scars, except for the long gash line on my right leg from an accident from my childhood, I couldn't help but hiss, "damn him" at the memory. My eyes a beautiful blend of deep green and light-brown hazel being perfectly complimented by my thick, wavy-curls, long brunette hair with random faded bleached areas of experimenting different styles. I look at my hand that I only just cut less than an hour ago, only to see a small remnant of the s***h mark. A wave of relief overtaking me as I flip through the few dresses left in my closet. *The black Fiona cut, black spiked ankle boots with the black rose print stocking, it's supposed to be a full moon so you will definitely be glowing but not taking Lottie's spotlight!!* Haha, can't argue when she's right. I throw on the outfit, pull my hair in a loosely styled in a quarter pony, leaving my under sections down. Since dad left to help get things in order, I grab my pet fox/wolf hybrid, Zipper, and throw on his tuxedo harness as requested by Lottie herself. "Awww my little baby looking like a handsome devil!", cooing to him as he nuzzles against my neck and arm, his squeaky barks always making me laugh. "Gia! Leaving in 20 minutes! Make sure you have everything your taking packed in the car!", yelled mom from her room across the hall, I was already throwing in my favorite books in the last box I had for packing as she called. "Already on it mom!", I responded, a huge grin spreading across my face as this day was chaoticily perfect!