Rejected by the Alpha

Chapter 5 - An Alpha disrespected

I was taken to where Archer sat in a sort of 'VIP area'. Natalia was by his side, her hand on his thigh. I stood straight and clenched my jaw shut as I waited to hear why I had been forced into Archers presence for the second time today.

Archer stood as I arrived, Natalia's hand falling from his leg. She too got onto her feet, following his movements.

'Lena,' Archer said and once again I hated the shiver that went down my spine whenever he said my name.

'Alpha Archer' I replied which caused Natalia to raise her eyebrow.

'That's just Alpha to you,' she said, 'How dare you disrespect him in that way'

'I was not intending to be disrespectful,' I replied honestly.

She looked at Archer, 'You should punish her'

'I am making allowances for Lena' Archer replied surprising both me and Natalia. 'She has lived with another pack for some time now and I can understand that there may be some teething issues as she reintegrates into this pack. She respected me by using my title which is sufficient for me at this time. There is something else which I take issue with however.'

'Just one thing?' I asked sarcastically which earned me another scowl from Natalia.

'For now, yes,' Archer replied. He looked towards Natalia, 'could you leave us for a minute?' he asked her. Her lips parted and her eyes went so wide that for a moment I thought they might pop out of her head. I stood feeling awkward as Natalia eventually collected herself and calmly dipped her head to Archer. 'Alpha,' she stated as she left, leaving us alone.

Archer moved closer to me and I was hit once again by his intoxicating scent. I stood stiff as a board as he grew closer. His voice was low and angry as he asked me, 'Why and how did you refuse my entry to your mind?'

'That's what this is about?'

'Yes Lena, that's what this is about.'

'I don't want to be part of this pack so why would I want to strengthen my connection to it'

'It's essential that I'm able to communicate with you and you me should there be a raid or an attack. I remind you we are at war. I do not have time for childish games'

'I was not playing a game' I protested.

'And that's putting aside the fact Lena that the action of refusing me entry into your mind is entirely disrespectful and you know it. It also places suspicion on you. After all how can I know for sure that you're not a spy for the Rogues?'

'I've told you, I will happily leave here and return to my pack and you won't need to worry about any of that'

Archer slammed his fist on the table next to us making me jump with the noise of it. The table's wood splintered under the force of it. 'This is your pack!' He told me. He sighed and stepped away from me. 'There is a limit to my patience Lena and I hope you don't push me to it'.

Oh but something in me wanted to push him to it. Part of me was thrilled to affect him as much as I was, to see a little bit of what was under that stony exterior. The rest of me was more sensible than that.

'Understood Alpha Archer' I said. 'I didn't mean to disrespect you but I had no warning that you would try to do that. And... If I strengthen the connection with this pack, I will weaken the ties with my mother's pack. I'm.... I'm not ready to do that yet. I... I ask you to understand that and to give me more time.'

Archer sighed. ' Very well,' he said, ' You can have more time but know that it's dangerous. If you're in trouble, your mother's pack is too far to be of help but we're here. I'm here and as your Alpha, I will protect you even if you refuse to accept the fact that I am your Alpha.'

'Thank you for understanding' I said. 'May I leave?'

'You may'

I dipped my head in respect and scurried away from him as fast I could, my heart pounding but I didn't know if it was from fear or something else.

I returned to Rayn and her friends and for the rest of the night I tried to soak up the atmosphere but I found myself feeling distracted. I had a strong feeling of not belonging. Stronger than I've ever felt it before and I wanted to leave, to return to my mother's pack. Archer took to the stage one more time to announce that we had reached curfew and it was time to return to our homes. He offered a final reminder of the rules regarding curfew and remaining within pack boundaries including staying a distance from the boundary lines in the woods. He suggested that no one go into the woods alone. With a final comment about training tomorrow, he was gone.

I said bye to Hope and Raven who had been fun company throughout the night even if I hadn't spoke to them much. It had been pleasant listening to their conversation with Rayn and being around their interesting contrasting energy. It must be true that opposites attract, Moonlight mused in my mind in reference to them. When I was back at Rayns home and was settled within her spare room, I asked Moonlight what her opinion had been regarding our conversation with Archer and everything that had happened today.

I won't lie, she said, I hate seeing her stand where we should be, wearing the title of Luna where it should be ours. With Archer, we need to be careful. I'm not sure how much disrespect he will accept off of us.

I frowned and replied, I didn't know that he would be so offended by us refusing him entry into our mind.

I felt her huff in my mind, It was more upsetting to him I think the fact that we could refuse him entry. As his true mate, it's a power that we alone within the pack have. It's a sign of our strength, the strength that is instilled in us as an intended Luna. It will not be as easy for him to control us as he does others including Natalia.

What about Sebastian? I asked her wondering how she felt about him.

He is a kind wolf, she replied, I know you wanted him to be our mate at one point.

I gave a slight nod but didn't reply. I stared at the walls and wondered what my old home looked like on the inside. It was only a short walk from here. I felt a weight press down on my chest as I thought about how my dad wouldn't be there waiting for me. Coming back here had been just as overwhelming as I'd imagined it would be. I struggled to sleep, worrying about what tomorrow would bring.