ACCEPT REJECT

CHAPTER THREE

¿ACCEPT? ¿REJECT?

CHAPTER THREE

WILLOW POV

Gasping to catch my breath, now slumped on the ground, shattered feeling like my heart was breaking.

“Willow! Where are you?” I was bought back to reality when I heard Ally calling me, before I knew it she was next to me questioning me about what happened.

Hazily, I opened my eyes, looking at Ally sadly. “I met my mate, I really did.” Tear filled sobs came as I managed a small smile. Ally certainly didn’t seem to believe me, “So where is he, and why are you upset? Did he reject you?” Ally's concern was evident in her voice.

Shaking my head I managed to tell her “No, no he didn't reject me, his Beta arrived and after a quick discussion he had to leave, I was just so overwhelmed at finding him that I must have tripped and then I just ‘let it go'," I said to her.

Her face still questioned me even though she wrapped her arm around me giving me enough of a squeeze to let me know ‘we will talk later'.

Chad then spoke up, looking me over intently. “I think it's time that I escort you two beautiful she-wolves back now.” His smile a mix of happiness and also disappointment, making me feel bad for intruding on their time together.

Ally kept reassuring me as we made our way back to find our clothes and then it will be the inquisition about my mate, the usual questions, who, where, when, what's happening and I guess the final questions of acceptance and marking and I know the question that will top it off, why he isn’t here meeting my family, which I am told in usual practice.

The next couple weeks at school came and went easily until we had some new students start. I don’t have a huge social circle it pretty much only exists of Ally, her mate Chad, his Beta Ben and his mate Daniella. We are all at the school until graduation, so I am content for now.

After graduation Ally will head to Chad's pack for a while, before her return home to have her belongings forwarded then settling into Chads pack permanently.

I'm so happy for her and Chad, Ally will make a most wonderful Luna and it's been her dream for years, ever since she was a little ‘Princess Luna' when we played games as children.

I had resigned myself to not seeing my mate, since our first run, when we met he hasn't been back, Ally thinks I should contact his Alpha of his Pack and speak to him, but honestly I don't really know if I want him around. She doesn’t know what he said to me that night.

I manage how I felt when we were introduced to the new students at morning round up and right in front of the entire group was none other than LANCE! My mate. I recognised the two girls and the other boy all from that night.

My breath caught, I had thought about when I saw him again what I would do. His eyes narrowing on me and the smirk he gave to me made my insides ripple, this time it was not at all enjoyable.

Seeing him still with the girl from that night, I made my decision, I am going to reject him and hope I get a second chance mate or someone will choose me at least. I was first in my history class and found a seat off to the side near the teachers bench, but also out of the obvious line of sight.

I should have known better, his eyes found me instantly as he walked through the door. He is handsome on the surface but I have to say he definitely has a darkness there too, but just beneath the surface, easily accessible for him. I see it.

My wolf whimpered for the loss of what she also didn’t want. We know its the mate bond, and we know it will be painful to reject him, now I am thankful that he didn’t accept me at least it will be a little less painful, I guess, at least we will be able to move on, look for companionship and maybe mateship down the track a little.

Hoping to leave class before I had to cross paths with him but nope, I would have been the third one out the door if his hand didn’t come down on my shoulder, “No, you stay!" his voice close behind me, his words more of a demand than a request.

The teacher gave me an oblivious smile as the last person to walk out she closed the door behind her.

Tsk’ing at me, as he slowly circled the desk I was now back sitting as he began, “Willow, Willow, Willow, are you avoiding me my little mate?.” Lance's words hanging in the air as he moved down to the seat beside me, sitting on the desk with his foot on the chair, he reached out and lifted me to make me look at him, “N..... N..... No?” stuttering out my response, sounding more questioning than replying.

“Oh? I thought you would have wanted to show me around being my mate and all.” His arrogance clearly coming through in his voice, also laced with sarcasm.

A shiver passing over me as his words resonated, then with all the resolve I could find I took a deep breath and quickly said what I had to say, hoping desperately he would agree.

“I, WILLOW ANGELA BARNES REJECT, LANCE BENJAMIN CRANE ALPHA to be of DARK MOON PACK as my MATE and ALPHA!” I rushed out to ensure I got to finish before he could say anything.

With the words out, my wolf howled, the pain was instant and fierce, closely followed by tears, holding myself tall waiting for him to accept my rejection.

Knowing our bond was not quite broken, the last strings of it feeling the strain, it needs one more thing for it to snap and release completely allowing us to both move on, his acceptance.

Braving the situation I raised my eyes now to look into his, he had let my chin go as soon as I began talking. His eyes that a couple of weeks ago I had thought would be my all, were swirling like an angry storm. I could feel his anger, his aura wrapping itself around me like a cloak.

“You think you can reject me?” he barked before his hand was around my throat with enough force I am sure he will leave a mark. Attempting to answer his question I gasped, “You don’t want me, so why not accept my rejection and we can both move on.” My eye sight was darkening, I refused to fight back or show weakness.

My answer gave him a renewed look of fury. “I don’t accept your rejection!” was his blunt response, before he released my throat and walked toward the door, that’s when I saw his posse filing out behind him.

I slumped back into my char, catching myself before hitting the floor by grabbing the table. My bond twisting and writhing with the outcome of this interaction.

Hearing as he walked out speaking with his Beta to be, his words loud enough to hear,

"If I can't have her, no one will," his laughter filled the empty space as he walked away.