Once Rejected, Twice Denied.

Chapter Twenty-Four

TESSA POV:

Just over two weeks. That is how long it has been since I saw or even heard from Brett. I know I said I just wanted us to be friends, but I am worried about him and cannot shake the feeling that something has been wrong. He hasn't even marked me and I can feel weirdness going on in the bond, as if he hasn't been ok. The only thing that tells me he might be fine is that I would know if he were dead. I would feel it. I look at Lili now. She has heard very little from Nick. All we know is that they DID defeat the rogues. Lili won't tell me anything else though and keeps saying that Brett is fine, but that recovering and everything after the battle has been taking some time. It's weird, right? Why would Nick not tell his own mate more information and, if he is, why is she keeping it from me? It's in moments like this when I feel my most sad about how things have worked out for me. In a perfect world, I would have had a mate that adored me and marked me on day one. I would have been able to communicate with him, even if I am just a lousy human. Or, if I were a normal wolf like everyone else, I would have been able to anyway. It frikkin sucks! Why couldn't Brett just love me, like Nick loves Lili? I feel myself sinking further into the couch as "Fifty Shades" plays on TV. Lili and Ray seem so invested and are giggling every two seconds. Taz is on her phone. Honestly, all I can think about is that Christian Grey is more into Anastasia then what my own mate in the real world is in me. I look at Lili now.

"Heard anything else from the guys?"

Her and Ray share a weird look and once again make me feel left out.

"Sorry, Tessa, I haven't heard much from them recently, but..."

Lili looks at Ray again now, who nudges her. They both smile awkwardly.

"I think they might be home soon. I don't know, though."

"I just want to know he is okay."

It's all I say. Ray nods in understanding. Just a few days ago, Alpha Henderson was rushed into the pack and he has been lying unconscious in the hospital with his Luna at his side. Nobody knows if he will make it, but we are all hoping for the best. Am I so wrong to be worried about my own mate? I remember seeing Alpha Henderson and it looked like the battle with the rogues was brutal. Ray puts her hand on my leg now as a lone tear rolls down my cheek.

"Oh sweetie, my brother is the best fighter in all of the lands and you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Before you know it, you will have him back here."

Another tear rolls down my cheek.

"What if he was hurt and I wasn't even there? I didn't even know? If him and I could just work out all of our s**t and be together, maybe he would mark me and I could frikkin communicate with him! I have felt him, Ray."

She looks at me shocked.

"Felt him? How?"

Lili has paused the movie now. Taz is also looking at me.

"Like, I could feel something was wrong. The feeling has gone away now, but I felt so empty and it only went away recently. I know he isn't dead, but I just want him to be back."

Ray smiles at this and Lili nods in understanding.

"So you're taking the big-guy back then? I thought you just wanted to be friends with him?"

Taz pipes up and moves closer. Another tear rolls down my cheek.

"That was before I felt the emptiness in my soul for the past week. It was like he was gone, like my soul had left my body, like I was drifting into this hollow and dark pit inside my own mind. Crazy?"

"Oh, sweetie, why didn't you tell us about this?"

I look sadly at Lili now.

"I was scared that Brett was dying and that you guys just weren't telling me."

They share another look. I decide to ignore it, knowing I won't get any answers from them. Clearly, they don't think I can handle the truth, but I am a big girl and I can sense the guilt on them. I know they are just trying to protect me, though. I can only hope that someday, one day they will see me for someone beyond the weak and fragile girl.

"Damn, Tess, that must have felt really rough."

I nod at Taz.

"It made me realize I don't want to lose him. I need to try and find a way for us to be together. Goddess, I just need him to see me for who I am and accept it. I just need him to see me as his."

I say to nobody but myself. There is a small moment of silence now and Christian Grey is a long gone thought in everyone's mind.

"I have an idea!"

Ray chimes in with a very bright smile. I know this look and so does Lili.

"Why do you have one of those looks on your face?"

She laughs now and swats Taz.

"How about we go clubbing?"

"Clubbing? Seriously?"

She rolls her eyes.

"Oh don't be drab. We have all been moping around since the boys left. I think it's about time we get out and have some fun. I know you don't feel like it, but maybe some drinks and music and dancing will be good for you?"

I just look at her.

"I am game. I could really use a drink and a little flirtation."

Taz jumps up and looks down. Lili looks a bit unsure, until her eyes glaze over and I see her mind linking. I look over at Ray and she is also in mind link.

"Seriosuly? Right in front of me again?"

I huff and they snap out of it. Both are smiling at me.

"You know what, I think the club would be a good idea."

I look at Lili now. Since when did she give into peer pressure? She shrugs and laughs.

"What? I also like a little party every now and then! It has been far too sad around here these past few days."

Her and Ray jump up and the three of them look so excited. I hold onto the fluffy blanket.

"I don't know, guys. Fifty Shades isn't even done yet."

"You weren't even properly watching!"

"Yeah, I saw you rolling your eyes every two seconds. Someone clearly hasn't had her cherry popped yet."

My cheeks flush and the three of them giggle at Ray's words.

"Don't worry, girl. When Brett finally accepts you, I have a feeling you will wish he was as gentle as Christian Grey! I heard Alpha's are..."

"EW, TAZ! I don't want these images running through my head about my brother."

We all laugh, but I am the one with the enormously red cheeks. I have also heard Alpha men are a little...dominant in bed. My skin prinks up at the thought of Brett's dark eyes and the way his chest fills his shirt. Goddess, I really am in trouble when these things transpire. I shake my head quickly to erase the dirty thoughts. Is it hot in here? Maybe I do need to get out the house and be somewhere other than in my own head.

"Fine!"

Everyone squeals now and I feel Taz helping me up.

"Yes!"

"Oh my word, we should all go shower and then meet in Ray's room to change and do makeup and hair. I book using your straightener first."

Lili looks excited and it's weird. She is beaming from ear to ear and has an extra bounce in her step. Odd, considering she has been as sluggish as me since Nick left.

"Someone is excited."

Ray laughs awkwardly and peeps at me before walking off. Also weird! I am left with Taz in the lounge.

"Well girl. See you soon! Remember to shave your armpits and legs. Maybe give your cookie a clean too!"

My eyes widen at her. What the hell! She is in hysterics as she walks away to her own house. I mean, sure, I need to shave because I haven't in forever, but to suggest such a thing. My cheeks flush again.

All I can do is shake my head and silently walk to my room. For some reason this plan feels orchestrated, but I shake the feeling and hop in the shower. Either way, I could use a fun night out. All this stress with Brett has been a lot to handle.

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BRETT POV:

I drive into Moon Shadow and, for the first time in hours, I feel safe again. It was a silent trip and nobody said a word. Not even Damon, who has had a very sleeping Aimee on his lap the whole way from picking her up. It all went surprisingly smoothly and we had no issues. Also odd, considering a wolf left the pack territory and denounced their pack. That s**t isn't taken lightly by Alpha's and we would, in most cases, hunt down the wolf and try to reason with them. Why did they let Aimee go? That pack is cooked in their heads. It's still an hour's drive from the pack boundary to the town and I can feel myself buzzing with energy to finally see her. My Tessa. I know she said just friends, but it's been two weeks of hell and I just need to see her, feel her, smell her...

"The girls are going out clubbing tonight."

Nick says nonchalantly. I raise an eyebrow at him now.

"Tessa too?"

He grunts. The idea of Tessa clubbing is weird for me. Has she ever been clubbing? The thought of other guys looking at her or taking advantage of her also pops into my mind, but I quickly discard that before I crash the car or shift. Why would Tessa go clubbing the day I return back?

"Tessa doesn't know you are returning tonight. Ray says she has been really down about not being kept in the loop."

My grip tightens a little. I know keeping Tessa out of the loop has been far less than ideal, but I needed to make her worry less. How exactly would she take me almost dying and then waking up in her old pack? I look through the rear view mirror at Damon smiling and stroking Aimee's hair. How do I explain Aimee to her? Aimee hurt Tessa substantially and she may or may not have played a role in my mate's rejection and banishment, but now she is mated to my brother. Things just got f*****g complicated.

"I know, I will sort it out with Tessa and I will have to explain it all."

Nick nods.

"Ray thought it would be fun for you to suprise Tessa at the club tonight. It's her first time and they are busy dolling her up."

"They?"

"Ray, Lili and Taz."

I nod. Those girls have become quite the little girl-gang. I smile. I am happy Tessa is making friends.

"Knowing my sister, she would make it impossible for any guy at the club to not look at Tessa, just to taunt me."

I laugh, but it's more of a worried huff of air. Nick chuckles quietly too and nods.

"Lili isn't into parties, but I think she has also been stressed. I told her I would be there too, so she agreed."

I nod and smile at Nick. We are both tired, but f**k, a drink and just forgetting about the last few days and weeks would be nice right now.

"What do you think?"

"I think getting s**t-faced for one night and just letting loose would be great, especially considering all these new developments at Full Moon."

I know what Nick means. Something with Full Moon is coming. Not today, or tomorrow, but soon and we can all feel it. Damon looks up now. Even he can.

"You going to join us, brother?"

I ask and he smiles.

"Would it be okay if I skipped this one out and get Aimee settled?"

I nod at him. It would make sense. I can see the adoration in his smile, but his eyes are still weary. He also heard the stories from Tessa. All of this is messy.

"f**k it. I am in."

I tell Nick. He smiles.

"Great. I will let Ray know."

One night to drink and just have fun. I turn the radio up a little. Time to get home and to finally face my little mate.