Rejected by the Alpha

Chapter 4 - Pack Gathering

Archer stood behind a desk, his hands resting on the desk chair. I was frustrated to discover that he had grown more attractive since I'd last seen him. My memories of him had been of an attractive but young teenager. Not anymore. He had grown into a tall man with a broad chest and muscular arms. He had a small amount of brown stubble on his strong jaw. His green eyes showed history and maturity... and they were focused on me, looking down the length of me and back to meet my eyes.

Both myself and Moonlight were uncomfortable with the wave of lust that hit us.

The two men who had escorted me into the room bowed their heads at Archer. 'Alpha Archer, this is Lena Furrows who was residing with the crescent moon pack"

"I know who she is," Archer replied as I was struck by what they had called him.

"Since when are you Alpha?" I asked him.

He raised an eyebrow, "Since three years ago when my father died"

"Sh*t. I'm so sorry,' I replied, cursing myself for not thinking before I spoke. All I could think to say was, "I heard he was a good man"

Archers face appeared very shuttered as he replied, "That is the legacy that he leaves behind." He shook his head as though to clear it. "In any case, as I am your Alpha you should afford me some more respect."

"You're not my Alpha. I have been serving Alpha Kyro for the past 7 years and. It's not like I was invited to your ceremony or swore you an allegiance."

"Careful Lena. It's as though you want to be charged as a deserter" He looked towards the men who had escorted me. "Thanks," he said, "you can leave now."

The men turned to leave and suddenly I was in a room alone with Archer. His intoxicating scent seemed to increase in potency. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palm as a distraction. Remember he's an asshole, I told myself and Moonlight. She was restless in my mind feeling the same pull towards the wolf as I did to the man.

Archer rolled his shoulders and walked further away from me to look out the window. I was grateful for the extra space but frustrated at the way the conversation had gone so far. I wanted to get to the point so I could leave.

"why did you call me here? Do you need me to accept your rejection? because I am more than happy to," I said

Archer chuckled, "Once again Lena, the only girl who wouldn't want to be my destined mate and yet is." He turned around to face me, "That's not why I called you here Lena."

I liked it when he said my name. His voice was like velvet. How irritating.

"Then why did you?" I asked.

"I was recalling all pack members and you were just one of them. We're at war. All members healthy and of age must be prepared to fight. That includes all females without young cubs," he replied with a pointed look.

Firstly, I felt oddly disappointed that I hadn't been specially called for but secondly I was affronted by his suggestion that I would be resistant to fighting.

"I'm not the same girl I was before," I told him.

I stood stiff and firm as he took a few steps towards me, his eyes roaming across my body. He wet his lips as he said, "I can see that." I shivered in response, my breath leaving me. I shook my head, "Regardless, I don't want to fight your war. I want a formal dismissal and to accept your rejection and then I'll be out of your hair for good".

He was quiet as he thought for a moment. Then he said "No. if you want that, you'll have to earn it"

"It would benefit you as well!" I told him.

"I decide what benefits me," he said. "If it helps, the war is with the Rogues. The same ones that killed your father."

I stilled as I was hit with the memory of my father dying in front of me. For a moment, I lost my breath. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Archer had crossed the remaining distance between us and it was his hand on my shoulder. His touch was so comforting. It felt familiar even though I had rarely felt it.

"After the war, if you still want dismissal and my rejection, I will give it to you," he said softly.

"Why not reject me now? It wouldn't stop me from fighting in your war if that's what you want," I asked.

He raised his eyebrow, "I have made my terms clear. Now go join your pack."

He turned and walked away from me again. As I turned to leave, he said, "Oh and Lena, in public please afford your Alpha more respect or I'll be forced to punish you."

I rolled my eyes and I walked out the door, letting it slam behind me. Stupid, frustrating man.

There was only one person who I really regretted leaving and that was Rayn. I had often wondered about how her life had been and if she had met her mate.

That's why she was the first person I wanted to visit.

I knocked on the door of the house I had been told she now stayed at. A beautiful smiling face framed with gorgeous Auburn curls was revealed as the door opened. When she saw me the smile dropped and she froze. Then she screamed in excitement.

"Oh my God! Lena! I can't believe it's you. I didn't think I'd ever see you again!" She pulled me into the biggest bear hug as I laughed. "Yeah we have a lot to catch up on," I told her.

Soon I was sitting at her breakfast table as she asked me to share almost everything about what had happened at my mother's pack. I found I didn't have a lot to share as training had been my main focus but I told her about the kind people there and how welcoming they had been.

"Your turn," I told her. "What's happened since I left."

"Well I've got to say Lena, the night you left was a bit crazy. The Alpha wanted to hunt you down and drag you back but Archer told him to let you go. It was a bit intense. I think the Alpha was mad that Archer had disagreed with him in public but he allowed it. We... we buried you Dad. I'll show you where if you'd like to visit the grave. It was a lovely ceremony."

I felt a stab of guilt that I hadn't been there. Though I do still feel leaving was the right choice. "I'd like that," I told her. I thought about Archer telling his Dad to let me go. It must have been convenient for him that I'd run off. And yet now he refuses to give me a formal dismissal.

Before I could become mad all over again, Rayn distracted me by continuing her account of things, "Things after that we're okay. I mean I missed you but things carried on."

"Did you find your mate?" I asked her.

She sighed, "No not yet. I'm trying to maintain hope."

"I'm sorry. It could be worse though. You could be me with a mate you hate."

She frowned, "Do you really hate Archer? He's been a decent leader you know. A bit distant maybe but he seems to really care about the pack."

"And yet he takes them to war," I countered.

"War was brought to us," Rayn countered. "The Rogues have been sneaking past our patrols and killing pack members. Archer had to double the patrol wolves which thankfully settled things. But I think they might have sent some other threat recently. I don't know, he doesn't tell us everything. They killed his parents you know"

"What?" I asked

"The Rogues. They killed the last Alpha and Luna, Archers Mum and Dad."

"Oh that's awful," I said and I meant it. I thought about Archer's Mum and Dad. I struggled to recall his Mum. I had heard that she was very beautiful and kind but over the years, she became more and more reclusive until she was never seen in public. There were rumours that she was unwell and the Alpha didn't want to worry the pack. Archer's Dad well.... I had heard he was a good man and a strong Alpha. My memories of his was of a booming voice with a commanding tone. I think he looked similar to Archer but without those beautiful green eyes which I had heard he got from his Mum. If I recall, he was also clean shaven where Archer seems to prefer to have some stubble on his chin.

Rayn sighed taking me out of my reverie. "It was a beautiful joint ceremony. Archer had to organise it on his own. He automatically became interim Alpha until his ceremony shortly afterwards." I felt a stab in my heart thinking about what Archer had gone through. I might dislike the man but no one deserves to lose both parents like that. We're both orphans, I realised.

"That sounds like that must've been really hard for him," I said.

"Oh yeah," Rayn agreed, "And what makes it worse is that he was the one that found them."

I frowned. That did make it worse. "Hey it'll make it harder for me to hate him if I feel sorry for him," I complained to her.

She smirked, "And what are you worried will happen if you're not able to hate him?"

"I know what you're trying to suggest Rayn but he rejected me already and I'm no longer interested. Besides, I assume he and Natalia are still together."

Rayns face darkened, "Yeah.. yeah they are. It technically makes her Luna but she's awful Lena. she's just such a horrible person and the power has made her worse."

"So there you have it. Honestly Rayn I came back because I want a formal dismissal."

Her eyebrows drew together and her lips pouted when I said this, "You're not going to stay?"

"No," I replied and I told her about the conversation I'd had with Archer.

"So he refused to reject you?" She said eventually.

"Is that all you took from everything I just told you?"

"If he's refusing to reject you there's still a chance."

"It's just another way for him to control me," I countered. "I'm sick of it. I'm going to be as useless and problematic as possible to him so he can't wait to be rid of me." Rayn rolled her eyes in response. I sighed, "Look, I know you don't understand it Rayn and I know that rejecting my mate when you're still searching for yours must feel like I'm being ungrateful. But I just.... The way I felt when he rejected me Rayn... and then with my father.... I just... I've focused so much on training and protecting my mother's pack and it's been good for me. I just want to keep doing that."

"I see," She said softly, her face serious for a moment, "So you've never stopped running away and you're still not stopping."

She was right. She knew me too well even after all this time.

"Yeah," I admitted, "But I'm okay with that. In fact... speaking of running away I was hoping I could stay with you for a bit. I.. . I don't feel ready to go back to the house and I'm not even sure what condition it will be in."

"Of course you can," she said. "Now though we need to eat something before going to the pack meeting."

"There's a pack meeting?"

"Yeah! You were within the last group of packmembers to return. Archer is going to address the pack."

I sighed, "Great."

Later, I walked beside Rayn as we met with the pack in a square in the centre of the pack village. I looked around finding that little had changed in this area. A number of lamps lined the area, their soft warm glow mixing with the silver white light of the moon.

I remembered Archers father holding meetings here, and more significant events too such as weddings, memorials... including my mother's. I pulled my leather jacket tighter around my shoulders suddenly feeling chilled despite the warm night.

Archer stepped forward on a stand towards the front of the stage. Beside him, Natalia stood dressed in the finest of clothes, sparkling jewels on hands, wrists and neck. She was in stark contrast to Archer who wore Jeans and a simple green polo shirt.

"My pack," he said, his voice firm and clear. A wave of silence fell over the crowd as everyone focused on him. Then he continued, "Thank you to all who answered the call to return. The Rogues have been invading our territory, killing our members and... are threatening our very livelihood. I suppose I should be more specific and state that it is a very particular group of Rogues that reside near us and who have decided to unite and attack other packs. We need all hands on deck so to speak. I have doubled the patrols which have helped but I will be looking to triple them. I want everyone in training tomorrow. The only exceptions are those who are pregnant, those who are too frail to fight whether that be by illness or age, those who are under 18. In addition, one parent for each child under 18 can avoid having to participate. These will be the same expectations should a fight occur. You will receive a notice through your door with details regarding what would be expected of you in a number of scenarios. Please familiarise yourself with this. I would also like to take this opportunity to reignite the telepathic pack connection. For many of you, this may not have been used for some time and I think it's important that we strengthen it." He stopped to clasp his hands together and bowed his head. I felt his consciousness push up against my mind and I knew that he was doing this with all of us. I didn't feel ready for this. I didn't want to return to the pack. I wanted to leave, I wanted the connection to stay weakened. So I refused him entry into my mind. I could feel his frustration as his consciousness retreated. His jaw was clenched when he raised his head but when he next spoke, his voice was calm. "Thank you. I will see you all tomorrow at the training grounds. For now, feel free to reconnect with one another. We don't know how many quiet nights like this we'll get." He walked off the platform, disappearing from sight.

As he left, the crowd immediately fell into chatter. Two girls ran over to Rayn, "Hey girl, how are you?" One of them said. She had honey blonde hair styled in a bob and wore a light blue dress with white ribbon bow tied around her neck. The other girl looked like her opposite with black hair and painted red nails that looked like talons. Her strapless dress matched the black of her hair. She was the first of the two to notice me, "Who's this sweet young thing?" she asked.

Before Rayn could answer, I said, "I'm Lena"

The black haired girls eyes went wide as the blonde said "Girl are you the one that ran away on your birthday when your mate rejected you? Sorry but I have to ask who was your mate?"

The black haired girl rolled her eyes, "Excuse my mate, she's too nosy for her own good."

Rayn sighed, "I'm sorry for these two," She said to me, "Lena, let me introduce you to Hope and Raven. Hope is the nosy blonde and Raven is one that avoids any colour but red."

"That's not true," Raven replied, "I also like purple"

"It's nice to meet you," I told them honestly. Although Hope's questions had been intrusive, I was glad to learn that no one knows who my destined mate is. "

"Totally understand," Hope said, "No offense meant." As they began to talk about how strange it was to be going to war, I caught eyes with a blue eyed, blonde haired young man. It was Sebastian. He grinned when he saw me and made his way through the crowd towards me.

"Hey Lena! Long time no see," Sebastian said. He still had that sparkle in his eyes and a bright energy but there was something sad about him now too.

"Hi Sebastian," I couldn't help the blush that creeped up my cheeks. My childhood crush. Still gorgeous as ever.

"I feel like I have too many questions," he laughed, "How have you been?"

"I've been good," I replied, "Right up until I was called back here." I rolled my eyes.

He gave me a sad smile, "yeah sad memories here for you."

"Yeah," I replied, chewing on my lip.

" Good ones too though," he said as his smile brightened, "You met me here after all."

I felt my blush grow even brighter as I laughed, "Yeah true. How have you been?"

His smile dropped suddenly. "I been okay," he said with a shrug.

I wanted to ask him more but at that time I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see a boy I only vaguely remembered from school, a friend of Archers I think. One of the ones who had loved to tease me for being untrained.

"Alpha Archer has demanded your presence," he said.

Both myself and Moonlight balked at hearing the word demanded. We wanted to refuse purely on that basis but we knew that doing so in these circumstances would likely lead to more trouble than it was worth. Particularly with so many witnesses. I could also see the loyalty to Archer in the man's eyes. He was ready to drag me if I refused and as much as I might have won that fight, I would be revealing that I'm now strong enough to be an asset which was the opposite of what I wanted to show them.

I turned back to Sebastian and rolled my eyes. "I guess I've got to go," I told him.

"We'll catch up sometime," he replied.

"Come," Archer's man said as he turned to walk away.

"Alright, alright," I replied and I began following him through the crowd.