Rejected by the Alpha

Chapter 13 - The 'Lunas' birthday

As I ate breakfast in the morning of Natalias birthday, Rayn keenly asked me what I planned to wear to the party. When I explained that I didn't intend to go, she seemed almost offended. She was insistent that I should go and that I should borrow a dress from her wardrobe. In fact, she told me she had the perfect dress and she would sit it out on my bed for me later.

That was it. There was no further discussion. Still, I didn't intend to go.

After Rayn left for work I met with Sebastian in our usual spot. It would be good to speak with him without having to rush off.

I smiled as he told me about how Jessica had decided to try her hand at baking the night before and had spilled flour all over the kitchen.

"Enough about me and Jess though," he said suddenly, "How are you feeling about the end of your servitude? Will you be free for the party tonight?"

"I'm actually already free but I don't plan to go," I told him and I explained briefly what had happened.

His face darkened as I told him. "What the f**k did he think he was up to harassing you like that?" he said and I was surprised at the level of anger in his voice.

"Edward likes to humiliate me is all and this was just his new attempt. It's sorted now anyway and he was the one who was humiliated."

"He's a bully and always has been", Sebastian said in agreement.

"Why is he General?" I wondered aloud.

"Because his father was General before him, because he's good at what he does and because he's fiercely loyal to Archer," Sebastian replied and then he sighed. "But it's still infuriating that a prick like him gets a high position within the pack. You know, my wolf is pretty powerful, if it wasn't for Jessica I might have had a high position in the pack myself. I was considered for Beta before... Before Kate died."

"Im sorry if this is a tough question and you don't have to answer but... do you ever think about what might have happened if Kate hadn't got pregnant?"

"Of course I do," he replied. "And the idea of it makes me both happy and sad. I would have had Kate sure but a world without Jessica seems empty just the same. Besides, Kate wanted Jessica desperately. She loved her soo much. All through her pregnancy she would talk to her, sing to her... " His eyes looked glazed as he looked into the past."This is what Kate would have wanted if she had been made to choose. I just wish Kate had been able to meet her. She was already unconscious when..." His voice broke so he cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry," I said quickly, "I shouldn't have asked. I know it's a difficult subject."

"No it's okay," he replied. "It's good for me to talk about it." He looked at his watch and sighed. "For a change, it's me that will need to get going." He looked up at me. "About tonight though, please come"

I rolled my eyes, " I don't know."

"Please? For me?" he said with a sweet smile, "I'm being forced to go by my sister who is looking after Jessica and I could really use someone to talk to."

I frowned, "Is your sister really forcing you to go?"

"Yes! She says I don't get out enough."

I sighed, "Fine. I'll go."

He grinned like a Cheshire cat and pulled me into a hug with excitement, "Yes! Thank you Lena"

I felt my breath catch as he pulled me close. He smelled like cinnamon cookies. His hug felt warm and safe. I closed my eyes and revelled in the feeling before I realised the hug may be lasting too long. We pulled back slowly staring at each other. His blue eyes seemed darker than normal. His expression was serious. It seemed like he wanted to say something but at that moment the church bell sounded and the spell was broken. Sebastian jumped at the sound, "Ah shoot, I'm going to be late," he said as he shot off from the bench. He started to make his way back to the path but stopped to turn to me "Tonight then?" he said.

I gave an exaggerated roll of my eyes and replied "Yes, tonight."

And that was how I ended up standing in front of the mirror dressed in this ridiculous dress. The dress Rayn had chosen for me was long and backless with a thigh high slit. It was silver appearing like chain-link and it flowed over my body like water. I'd paired it with high heeled boots. The dress made my hair look almost silver.

I laughed at myself a little. I had been so insistent that I wasn't going and then Sebastian bats his baby blue eyes at me and here I am. I guess that young version of myself with a schoolgirl crush on him isn't completely gone.

Rayn rushed into the room a moment later. She was in a long silky green dress that made her eyes sparkle. She grinned telling me that I looked good but that we had to go soon as we were already running late.

The party was being held in the pack house ballroom. It was a large ornate room with tall glass windows with window seats, sparkling crystal chandeliers and marble flooring. The most stunning thing about it in my opinion though was the large skywindows which dotted across the ceiling in a checkboard pattern meaning at any moment you can look up and catch a glance of the stars. The lighting was muted, the chandeliers throwing the light around the room in a way that glittered. Everyone was dressed in their best formal outfits.

Rayn pulled me through the crowd like a woman on a mission until she found Hope and Raven. When we found them they were dancing with their arms around each other's necks and close enough together that they were almost nose to nose. A smile danced on their lips as they gazed at one another. Personally, I wouldn't have interrupted them but Rayn can't help herself.

"Oh my God guys!" she exclaimed when she saw them, "how beautiful is this? it's been forever since we've had a party in here," she beamed and they broke apart to face her, the smile not leaving their faces. "Hi Rayn," Hope greeted her.

"Ah and Lena!" Raven exclaimed, "You've decided to slum it with us again. Brilliant!"

Rayn leaned in like she was sharing a big secret with them, "Well actually, she wasn't going to come until Sebastian asked her to be his date."

"I don't know if I'm his date," I replied but I could feel the blush creep up my face from my neck.

The couple grinned at me in response. "I don't know Lena," Hope said, "Your face sure is turning red."

Raven seemed to look over my shoulder for a moment before she said, "Ah speak of the devil." she looked bemused.

At that moment I felt a hand touch my shoulder. "Lena?" a voice said. I turned to see Sebastian. He was dressed in a beautiful tailored dark blue suit that made his eyes and hair gleam.

"Hi," I replied and the warmth in my cheeks returned.

Sebastian turned back to the group, "Can I steal her for a bit?" he asked.

"Sure," Rayn told him.

As he guided me away, I looked back at Rayn and she winked at me.

"I wondered if you would like to dance," Sebastian asked.

I smiled, "Only if it's with you," I replied sincerely.

He raised his brows as he pulled me into his arms. "Oh really?" he replied. "I must be pretty special to have exclusive dancing rights"

We began swaying to the music. His hand was warm against my bare back. I knew he was joking but I also wondered if he knew the truth. "You are special Sebastian. Not just in general but.. You're special to me. You've been such a good friend to me. I...."

"Just a friend?" He asked as he began stroking my lower back, holding me close enough that I could smell his cinnamon and sugar smell. I felt tingles spreading up my spine from where he touched. I felt my breathing quicken a little.

"I... I don't know," I answered. "Maybe not?" I could feel Moonlight frown in my head. Smooth lena, she taunted.

Sebastian just chuckled, "At least I'm not friendzoned yet".

"There's... There's been a lot going on," I told him.

"Hey, Lena it's fine. You don't need to explain. We don't have to label anything just yet. Just let me dance with you."

I relaxed against him feeling the tension melt away from me. It was nice to just be held and to sway to the music. I could feel the brush of his jaw against my cheek. We stayed like that for several songs just enjoying holding one another.....

And then Natalia rudely interrupted it with an announcement.

"Thank you everyone for coming to my birthday bash," she said and I cringed at the word bash. She stood at the front of the room on a raised platform with a champagne flute in her hand. Her dress was gold and sequined all over. To her right was a large tiered cake in the colour pink. She is so basic Moonlight commented in my mind and I couldn't have agreed more. That was when I noticed Archer staring at me from behind her. Natalia was gesturing at him and thanking him for allowing her to organise the event but he wasn't really acknowledging her. His eyes gleamed gold; even from this distance I could see them. Natalia walked over to him and draped herself across him in a way that was possessive. I was sure the show was for me and I tried to ignore the nausea that rose from watching someone else with my destined mate. Archer for his part looked.... Odd. Tense. I couldn't really tell and I decided that I didn't care. I tore my eyes away from them to look back at Sebastian. "Maybe we should get out of here," I said to him "I think I need some air."

He nodded and starting leading me towards the balcony.

Once outside and away from those piercing gold eyes, I felt like I could breath again. I leaned against the railings and sighed as I looked over the sleeping pack village. This was my home and yet it wasn't at the same time..

Sebastian came to stand beside me. "What are you thinking?" he asked.

"I keep telling Archer that I want to go home... Back to my mother's pack. And he tells me that this is my home... I don't know. I guess I'm realising that this place does still have meaning to me. I think I just pretended that it didn't for such a long time. I kept thinking of it as the place my parents died but... This is also where they raised me."

" Do you think you could ever call this home again? " he asked.

" I think... Maybe. Yes. " I answered but then frowned. " Actually with Natalia as Luna probably not. "

" I understand that. She's eh... Difficult."

I nodded and we sat in companiable silence for a moment or two. Then Sebastian said, " can I do something Lena without it needing to mean anything? It's just... You're too beautiful tonight not to."

I turned to him with a slight frown from confusion." What do you mean?" I tried to ask but I didn't finish because he leaned in and kissed me.