Rejected by the Alpha

Chapter 14 - Pulled in two directions

Sebastians kiss was soft and gentle. He had his hand wrapped around my waist and I felt a slow heat build from my core. 'He is so lovely' was my only thought as I moved my hand to hold the back of his neck feeling the closely shaved hair there. But then there was a strange beeping noise.

"Oh s**t," Sebastian said and pulled away from me to bring his phone out from his pocket. "Sorry Lena but this is my sister who is looking after Jessica."

I waited patiently as he spoke to his sister. His side of the conversation was mainly verbal nods to ensure that he understood. Then he said "Okay. I'll be home soon"

He turned back to me, "I'm sorry Lena but I have to get back to Jessica. Apparently she woke up with a nightmare and is now refusing to go back to sleep until I come home."

"It's okay. I understand. She's your little girl. I should get back to Rayn anyway. We can speak again another time. "

He took both of my hands in his and said "Thank you Lena." Then he kissed my cheek. "Until next time." he added with a wink as he pulled away from me.

I found a smile tugging at my lips as I watched him walk away from me. I stayed for a moment looking at the view and breathing in the cool air. I could hear that the music had become more lively and I didn't know if I had the energy for any more socialising. Being around Sebastian was effortless. It was the same with Rayn... And in some ways, regretfully, Archer. But most other people, as lovely as they might be, seemed to drain my energy. I suppose I had spent a lot more time over the years honing my fighting skills instead of my social ones.

I walked back into the room trying not to wince at the dramatic change in noise level. As I was edging along the side of the room trying to find Rayn amongst the crowd, I heard a gruff voice behind me. "Lena, I need to talk to you." I paused. It was Archer. I knew it was him without having to look. I sighed and without another word walked towards the nearest door knowing Archer was following me. When I opened it I discovered that we were in a library room with books lining the walls and a number of lamps and armchairs. I turned to face him. "What is it that I can help you with Alpha Archer?" I asked.

"Are you trying to torment me?" He asked. His words were slurred a little. He was drunk.

"What?" I asked.

"with Sebastian. I had to struggle to hold my wolf at bay"

"Well I'm glad that you did," I replied. "Because you would have no right to react to it. At the time when I would have accepted you, you rejected me. That was your choice so don't you dare try to tell me who I can spend my time with. You're f*****g married for goodness sake. "

I might have been imagining it or it might have been the effects of the liquor but I thought it looked like my words had stung him. It looked like he winced.

"I know," he replied. "You're right and I won't stop you if that's what you want."

"Right, fine. I'm glad we're on the same page."

"But it's driving me mad that I can smell him on you." He slowly walked towards me and I felt my heartbeat quicken in anticipation. "My wolf wants to replace it with my smell," he continued and as much as I hated the sense of men marking their territory I had to admit that there was a part of me enjoying his jealousy. I stepped backwards until my back hit against the bookshelf. He was so close I could feel his breath as he said lowly, "And ever since I heard you moan in the training centre, I've been wanting to hear it again." And with that, he kissed me.

Where Sebastians kiss had started a small burn with within me, Archers kiss immediately set me on fire. He lips were soft and firm. Although if asked, I would have denied wanting to kiss him, I did not hesitate to accept it. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he gripped my waist and I melted against him like it was the most natural thing in the world. Very quickly, I felt breathless and he moved to nibble and nip at my neck. I tried to trap it behind my lips but a soft moan escaped me. I felt Archers cheeks lift into a smile against mine. "Good girl," he told me and I felt a rush of heat at the praise though I would never admit it. He promptly returned to kissing my lips and as a way of regaining dominance I bit his lip slightly. This caused him to sound a satisfying groan.

I heard the door open and then shut with a bang. I jumped away from Archer feeling a red hot blush on my cheeks. But when I looked at who had interrupted us I realised that things were worse than a little embarrassment.

Natalia stood in her gold sequin dress looking furious. "What the f**k? I knew it!"

Suddenly she flew towards me and I prepared myself to fight. Even though it was ridiculous to fight for a man I was determined not to want. Even if I could feel myself wavering in that a little.

But the fight didn't happen. Because Archer had caught her and had her locked in his arms. She was screaming and yelling bloody murder. The only thing I could make out what "on my f*****g birthday"... Which was fair to be honest. She was even more furious to be stopped by him. "Listen to me Natalia. Listen." Archer was saying but when she didn't, he used his Alpha tone. "Natalia stop," he said and she fell quiet and still. Her eyes still stared in fury. Archer sighed, "Natalia we will talk about this I promise but this isn't Lena's fault. This is all on me. I'm to blame for this."

Natalia appeared to realise that she didn't have many moves left at this point. Archer was not going to allow her to attack me and I knew that she wouldn't break up with Archer because that would mean losing her position within the pack. So she took a deep breath and tried to appear concerned as she looked back at him.

"Im worried the mate bond makes you blind to her actions Archer. You may think it was you to blame but I imagine she orchestrated the situation. I wish you would reject her and send her back to her pack." Natalia didn't wait for a response and pushed out of Archers arms to leave." I'll see you in our bedroom where we can talk, " she said to him as she left. I thought it was interesting that the main thing she appeared was angry. There was no hurt, no sadness.

Once she left, Archer turned to look back at me. "I might not agree with her on most things," I told him, "but she's right that you should reject me. I mean look at tonight. Look at how much trouble this mate bond has caused."

"I'm usually better able to control myself. I shouldn't drink around you," Archer muttered.

"Archer, for goodness sake why won't you reject me?!" I exclaimed.

I thought I was about to be told off for forgetting to use his alpha title but to my surprise, he didn't even react. I was more surprised however by what he did say. "Because I don't want to, alright?!" was his response.

"What?"

Archer sighed and rubbed his face. Something I've noticed he does when he's stressed and trying to think.

"I was an i***t when I was 18. I mean to reject my mate before she was even fully grown it's... It's ridiculous." He threw out his hands in emphasis but then stared at the ground, his voice becoming quiet. "But my father... Ever since I was young he instilled in me that the worst thing you could be is weak. That the most awful thing you could do is hide away from a fight. He started my training when I was 3 years old. I would break bones trying to fight him. And any show of weakness, any at all, was beaten out of me. Though sometimes he didn't need a reason..... He certainly didn't need one to use my mum as a punching bag... Sometimes I'd get into fights with him just so he would stop hitting her.... " Archers voiced drifted off. He returned his gaze to me and in that moment he seemed to return to the present, to realise the seriousness of what he had just shared and how much he had just shared." f**k I've never told anyone that before, " he said. As I fought to think of what to respond to his confession, he quickly hurried onwards to insist that he had to leave and find Natalia. He almost ran out of the door before I could say anything else. Exhausted by the events of the evening I walked over to one of the armchairs and let myself drop onto it like a dead weight.