A Chosen Mate

Rejection

Alina didn't see or smell Brandon all through breakfast. She finished her morning work quickly and went on a hunt for him. As an Omega she was invisible to the higher members of the pack. She went through the whole packhouse before heading to the training center. Brandon spent a lot of time there, especially when he was upset. Few Omegas were allowed to train, this pack saw them as weak and worthless. Alina knew there were plenty of Omegas who could hold their own in a fight, but the Alpha thought differently. She was a little more conspicuous here in the training center, but she could play off that she was bringing someone something. She'd barely cleared the door when she caught his scent. She followed it, but stopped short when she heard Elsie's shrill giggling. Unsure if she should continue on she stood awkwardly near the door. Her wolf was kicking just below the surface urging Alina on, but her wolf wasn't the one who'd deal with humiliation if Brandon did something awful for Elsie's sake.

Alina had made the decision to leave and come back later when she felt Brandon approach. She turned, he was sweaty and shirtless. His chest heaving. Alina bit her lip and her cheeks flushed. As much of an asshole as this guy was, he was still a looker. She swallowed hard, "we need to talk." Her voice was quieter than she'd hoped.

"That we do, outside. Now," he said harshly.

Alina was shocked at the roughness in his voice. Was he angry with her? She followed him outside. He lead her far from any public areas. He wanted privacy. She was okay with that.

Brandon quickly looked around to make sure they were alone. He'd lead them to a stand of trees that blocked them from the view of most of the more common areas of the packhouse grounds. "Obviously you know you can't be my mate," he started to say. His eyes raked over her body and she felt the need to fold her arms over herself. "As hot as you are, I can't accept you. You're just a little Omega. You aren't fit to be my mate or a Luna."

"Is that so?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You know its true. You're fit for making my food, not my heirs," he rolled his eyes. "So, in that case, I Brandon Blackwe..."

Alina cleared her throat to stop him. "Excuse you," she said sharply.

Shocked, he just stared at her.

"You will not reject me," she said.

"Oh?" he answered.

"No, you won't because, I Alina Taylor of the Hunter's Moon Pack reject you, Brandon Blackwell as my mate." As she finished she felt the searing pain. Her heart felt like it was being ripped in two. The mate bond pulling and stretching at the very fiber of her being. She clenched her fists tightly, resolved to stay standing and not make a sound.

Brandon, on the other hand, fell to his knees and cried out in pain. Tears streamed down his face. He clutched his chest and rocked back and forth.

"Brandon," she said through clenched teeth.

He looked up at her, not saying anything.

"You need to accept my rejection," she ground out. Her ability to remain standing and conscious was quickly disappearing.

"Screw you!" he shouted. He slowly stood and with more strength than seemed possible he backhanded her across the face. "How dare you?"

"How dare I do what you were doing?" she snapped at him. Her hand came up to her chest and for a moment she held it there.

"I accept your rejection," he spat. He turned and limped away.

Alina sank to the ground and leaned against a tree. She focused on her breathing. She willed herself to stay conscious. She'd felt the bond finally snap, so the worst was over. The pain would subside sooner rather than later. It would've been much worse if they'd had s*x and finished the mating bond. So much worse.

After what felt like an eternity she stood and walked back to the packhouse. There was work to be done. Her family and friends gave her looks, but didn't ask. There would be time for that later, away from prying ears. Gossip was a huge deal for Omegas, rumors could ruin them. This pack wasn't afraid to demote them or even force them to go rogue. So they kept to themselves and didn't talk about their own matters where they could be heard. Alina worried a little that Brandon might do something... but then again, he wouldn't want anyone to know that he was mated to her in the first place. She felt a sense of security knowing that.

The rest of the day was difficult, with the broken bond pains coming and going. But she made it and now it was time to explain everything to those who loved her...