REJECTED MATE; FIGHT FOR THE LITTLE TRIPLETS

JANE "Are you going to follow my instructions, or would you rather have me spank your ass?!" My employer yelled, clasping her hands together. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm trying to finish this up!" I muttered, cowering under the sound of her voice. I kept my gaze lowered the entire time she spoke. Staring her in the eyes was something I couldn't summon the courage to do. My hands shook with fear as I remained still. "Get the hell out of my presence and make sure it's done at once!" She snapped. Immediately, I scurried off, not caring if I fell or not. Once I was out of her presence, I gasped for breath, relieved that she didn't whip me as she usually did. I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than a good rest, but that was impossible. Rest was the last thing I could think of, especially when I had a huge debt to pay off. My parents passed away about two months ago while trying to save a stranger, leaving behind a massive debt of over a thousand. The creditors came almost immediately to claim the house. I was desolate and overwhelmed with sorrow. On one hand, I was mourning the death of my parents, and on the other hand, I was on the verge of homelessness. I was about to lose everything, and I couldn't allow that to happen. "Please, have mercy. I promise to pay you soon," I pleaded, tears trickling down my cheeks. They glared at me without mercy or pity. It seemed like they had already made up their minds, and nothing was going to change it. My entire life felt like it was crumbling, and I began to prepare myself mentally for life on the streets. That was the only place that could accommodate me if they eventually took the house from me. No friends or family were willing to take me in for a crime that was not my fault, but that's a story for another day. My lips pursed together as I continued to plead with them, hoping my words would somehow touch the recesses of their souls, but I was wrong. They didn't flinch even a bit. "Three months! That's all I ask of you." "Huh! What do you mean?" One of them queried, raising his brows slightly. His gaze was fixed on me as well. "Three months, and I'll make sure you have your money. I'm not asking for more than three months." Desperation filled my voice as I spoke, hoping they would listen to me. There was a moment of silence between us, and within that minute, I felt darkness and sorrow overwhelm me. They conversed amongst themselves for a few seconds and then turned towards me. "All right. Three months is all we're giving you. If you don't pay up, then we'll have no choice but to take your precious house from you." His voice was stern and made my heart skip a beat. They left without sparing a glance in my direction. I heaved a sigh of relief, panting with bated breath. It had been two months since then, and all I had managed to pay them was half of the money owed. My heart was filled with trouble and unrest as there were only a few days left to pay them back. Everything in the house had been sold off, but it still wasn't enough. I had only one choice—to increase my work hours. A hand abruptly tapped me on the shoulder, startling me. I turned my head around, and there stood one of my colleagues. "Why are you sitting here all alone?" She asked, her voice gentle and soothing. "Hey! You startled me. I wasn't expecting you." "Yeah, I'm sorry. I noticed you here, and you don't look so good, so I decided to check up on you. Are you fine?" "Yes, I'm fine. It's nothing to worry about," I assured her, even though I wanted nothing more than to pour out my heart to her. I wanted a listening ear, but I knew my boss, and the last thing I wanted was to anger her again within an hour. "Have you heard?" "Heard what?" I raised my brows, confused and at the same time anxious to hear what she wanted to talk about. "The ball at the palace. The Alpha king is inviting every maiden for a dance at the pack house on the night of the full moon." My face brightened up with excitement after hearing her out. "That's nice. I should be there, perhaps I can find my mate after all. He should be able to help me get my wolf right?" "Yes, you are right. I've heard stories of people getting their wolf the moment they get connected with their mates." "Good, but I have a little problem." "Problem? What would that be? I'm all ears!" She was Rachel, the only friend I had in the whole moon pack. She would listen to me and even help me out when everyone began to avoid me after finding out I was without a wolf. "An occasion like the dance would require me to dress up, but I don't have anything suitable. I think I should just stay back." "Why do you think that's a problem? You've got nothing to worry about." "How? Do you expect me to wear rags on such an occasion?" I was starting to get agitated, and that was the last thing I wanted. A sigh of frustration escaped my lips as I ran my hands through my hair. "Of course not. You shouldn't worry about what to wear. I've got some nice clothes. I'll lend you one of them." "Wow! That would be nice. Thanks so much," I responded with great excitement, locking her in a tight embrace. We heard our boss's voice at that moment, and before we could blink twice, we were out of there, finding our way to our duty post. Evening approached faster than anyone would have wanted, except for me. I had looked forward to the end of the day with so much excitement that the moment it struck six on the clock, I didn't hesitate to pull off my apron. "I'm done for today, ma'am," I said to my employer, who had her table a few inches away from the door. She raised her head to me in disdain, but I cared less. "Who's on the night shift?" "Helen and Matty," I responded. I was quite uneasy and wanted to leave her presence immediately, but something told me she was up to something. "Are they here already?" "Only Helen is here. Matty should be here anytime now, ma'am," I replied. Immediately, she glared at me. Hell hath no fury like her at that moment. I was flabbergasted and couldn't understand what had suddenly come over her. "How dare you even think of leaving when your replacement isn't here yet? You must be nuts!" "But ma'am," I tried to protest, but she wouldn't hear a thing. I was pissed off and had tears in my eyes, but I wasn't going to let her see my tears ever again. "Get the hell out of my presence!" She yelled. Immediately, I walked off, my hands clenched into fists. Rachel, my friend, walked up to me, looking rather excited. "Can we go now? We still need to prepare for the dance tonight!" She muttered, giggling. I raised my head to her, and somehow, she managed to see the tears welling up in my eyes. "What's going on? Why do you look sad?" "She wouldn't let me go until Matty gets here." "Damn it. How could she do that? That's unfair." Silence filled the air for a few seconds before she spoke again. "And where the hell is Matty? It's been over half an hour, and she isn't here yet. That's so unfair." Just at that moment, Matty strolled in, dragging her feet against the floor. I was disgusted at the sight of her, but I couldn't be more glad that she didn't stay later than that. The moment Rachel laid her eyes on her, she walked up to her with her hands on her hips. "Why are you just resuming? You should have been here thirty minutes ago. You're late, and you should apologize to Jane, who had to wait for your presence." I was stunned but not shocked. I was quite aware that Rachel was always prepared to pick a fight, and only those who didn't value themselves would engage with her. Matty fixed her eyes on me, staring from my head to toe with a smirk of disdain on her face. "Why should I apologize to her?" She snapped. It was obvious she was ready to pick a fight as well, but I didn't want that to happen. Our boss would be furious and might decide to cut our pay as punishment. I walked over to where they were and quickly pulled Rachel with me. "Let me be, Jane. I need to show her what I'm made of." "No, you don't need to do that. Let's go." I managed to drag her away with me until we were out. It was the night of the full moon, and everywhere was well-illuminated. People thronged, howling in excitement. My friend accompanied me, her face filled with excitement as well. Sadness enveloped me, and I felt the world crumble before me. If only I had a wolf, I could join in the excitement, but I didn't. I trudged along the road with my friend's arm around me. Though she uttered no words, she had a way of comforting me more than I could have imagined. We reached the pack house and were surprised by the number of people there. Fear gripped me, making me feel nervous. I wanted to head back home, but she wouldn't let me. She held my hand and pulled me in. My heart raced against my chest as I didn't know what I was going to face. Upon entering, I noticed some ladies whispering to themselves. We didn't need anyone to tell us what they were talking about, but one glance in Rachael's direction, and they scurried off quickly. "Are you sure we aren't making a mistake by coming here?" I asked, shivering uncontrollably. "No, we aren't. You have as much right as everyone else to be here, and you have nothing to worry about. I'll be by your side!" "Thank you, Rachel. I don't know what I would have done without you," I confessed, locking my hands in hers. My eyes darted around the place. The beauty of the pack house left me speechless, and if I were to be honest, it was every woman's dream to be here. "I'll be right back. I need to greet a few people," Rachel suddenly said to me and left, leaving me all alone. As I stood still, I noticed the Alpha and some of his friends a few paces away from me. He kept his eyes on me, winking seductively. I managed to avoid gazing at him, but our eyes met a few times. I didn't need anyone to tell me that he had his eyes on me, but I was shy and unsure of what to do. I stood still, blushing as if I were a new bride, until he eventually moved away. Soon, impatience grew within me, and I gritted my teeth as I stood there. I continued to search around as if looking for something. I had never seen such vain girls surrounding me. I couldn't stand listening to them for even a second. I tiptoed towards the back and entered stealthily. I just needed peace. I needed to let out my emotions. But as I stepped into the house, a force propelled me down the corridor. I started getting excited because I had heard people narrate how they met their wolves, and it was in similar ways. My feet moved without coordination as if I were lifeless. At first, I worried that I might shift here. That would be something, but then I realized it wouldn't be the case. My nostrils flared up, and I walked faster, sweat beading on my body. My heart raced with multiple desires flowing through me, but I didn't faint. I rounded the corner and was immediately greeted by the scent of coffee and pines. My lips moved before my brain registered what was happening. "Mate!" I exclaimed with my eyes almost popping out of their sockets. I also heard someone say that, or so I thought. I raised my head, and there stood the Alpha of the Pack. An unending joy filled me, and I couldn't hide it. I stood still, waiting for him to approach me, but he didn't. I was confused as hell. "Shouldn't he come to pick me as his mate?" I wondered, playing with my hands in distress. "No! You cannot possibly be my mate!" He snapped loudly, his hands clenched into fists. My heart broke into a thousand pieces, and my knees went numb. What was he saying? What did he mean? Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. "But I am your mate. Hasn't the moon goddess brought us together?" I whispered, glancing around with confusion. The people around burst into laughter, and I couldn't understand why they were laughing. It irritated me. "The last time I checked, I have every right to reject a mate. Therefore, I, Evans, the Alpha of this pack, hereby reject you as my mate."