Rejection, Refuge, Revere

Chapter 18

*1 month later*

“Why are you embarrassed? Plenty of men like the unicorn late with extra sprinkles.” I say loudly.

Carson elbows me and shakes his head.

“Brat.”

“Hey! That is rude. No need to name call mister macho.” He snorts and continues down to the flower shop.

We just dropped Everett off at daycare and got coffee. This past month has zoomed by. Everett has made friends and so have I. Gamma Carson wormed his way under my skin until I couldn’t get rid of him. He is now like a brother to me, which is a far way from when I was terrified of him. Lou has begun to speak a little more than before, but she is not the same since the rejection. She likes Carson and Cameron, is okay with Adria, but tolerates Ella. The peppy is not the way to win my wolf’s favor, but it isn’t like she says much anyway. I only feel hints of her emotion as well. It almost feels like I lost her completely, but I know she is still there, which keeps me from falling into the pit of hopelessness.

As we pass baker Jermey he smile and waves.

“Hi Amona. How are you doing today?”

“Good Jermey. How are you?”

“Oh I’m great! I made too many scones and set some aside for you later, if you want to stop by.”

“YUM! I’ll defanitly see you later Jeremy.”

“See you!” He says with a hint of relief on his face. Carson chuckles from beside me. I look over to see him eyeing me with knowing eyes.

“What?” I ask and he shakes his head.

“Jeremy has a thing for you, Amo.” He says, startling me.

“Nope. No way.” I argue, making him laugh.

“There is no way for a baker who sells sweet goods to know that he made too many scones until the end of the day. He specifically sets these things to the side for you. How do you not see that?”

After thinking about it. I groan. He is right. Jermy can’t know he has too many until the end of the day when they didn’t sell.

“What do I do?”

“Do you not want to get to know him?” Carson asks.

“I don’t want a relationship. Especially now. I’m not even a part of the pack yet.”

“That doesn’t matter. You’ll be fine. What is it about him that you don’t like? He’s a good man and he enjoys Everett.” Carson says, knowing that Everett would be one of my excuses. Goddess damn, he knows me too well already.

“Why don’t you want to let Ella know how you feel?” I asks and he stops, staring at me with wide eyes. Yup, buddy I know you too.

“You. I.” He clear his throat. “What are you talking about?” I smirk.

“You are in love with Ella. Why don’t you tell her how you feel?” His face grows red and he looks around to see if anybody it listening, then sighs.

“It’s not that easy. She has her past, and I don’t want to ruin our friendship. I also know that whoever I am mated with will also be mated with my cousin. I don’t know if Ella swings that way.” I look at him curiously.

“Mira?” I ask and he nods. “How do you know you two will share a mate?”

“It’s hard to explain. But we are connected in a way that I am to nobody else. Almost like we already share a bond. It’s more like a sibling bond, but stronger.” He tries to explain.

“Oookay. Well I can tell you that Ella does swing both ways so that is not an issue.” He looks at me in surprise and his eyes hold a little bit of hope.

“Mira and I have been praying that we are gifted Ella as a mate, but it hasn’t happened. I think we just lost hope. I don’t want to admit my feelings, then have her mate show up while we are courting her.” I bark a laugh.

“Courting? Who the hell says that anymore?” I ask and he scrunches his nose at me.

“You know what I mean.”

“Hah I know. I tell you what. I’ll talk to Ella and set the feelers out. Maybe she feels the same as you.” I say and he smiles.

“Awe. You would do that for little ole me?” He asks, placing a hand to his heart.

“More like big ole you, you giant.” I say soldering him as he barks out a laugh.

“Sooo. Jeremy?” He asks causing me to huff. I thought I successfully avoided that.

“Look. My wolf barley tolerates people. She may be distant right now, but I’m not going to try to force her to like anybody.”

“Got the reason for your wolf, but what is YOUR reason, Amona?”

“I just don’t want anybody right now. Is that so hard Carson? I’m still healing and need more time.” I try to explain and he grows sad.

“I understand. I’m sorry for pushing. I just want you to be happy. You deserve it.”

“Thank you. And right now, I am as happy as I can be.” I smile and he smiles sadly.

“I know.” He says, opening the door to the flower shop.

I mean what I said to Carson. I am happy here. I’ll be even happier once Everet and I join the pack and he is officially mine, but I am still healing from the rejection. He follows me inside and gives the coffee to Ella, who greeted him with her signature smile.

They chat as I go to set up the workstation. I have 5 bouquets and a center piece to get done today.

“See ya tomorrow Amo!” Carson calls, waving as he leaves. Ella walks up with a strained smile.

“So uh. You and Carson, huh?” She says bumping my shoulder.

Well this should make my snooping easier.

“Ohhhh no. Carson is like another annoying brother.” I say and the relief I see makes me narrow my eyes playfully.

“What is that? Why are you relieved?” I ask and she looks at me with innocent eyes.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Yes you do. Do you have a thing for Carson, Ella?” I ask and and smiles shakily. Hell yea!

“Well. I. I.” She stutters, making me shake my head.

“No. No don’t BS me. I know that look. What about Mira. You know they are a package deal, right?” I ask and he eyes widen.

“How do you know that!?” She shreiks.

“He told me. SO?” I ask and she blushes.

“I uh. I’ve thought about the both of them, yes.”

“Then why don’t you talk to them about it?”

“What if it messes stuff up. What if they reject me?” She sakes her hed. “No. I won’t go through that again. Not with people so close to me this time.” That makes me reel back, studying the pain to plain on her face.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“I was rejected before. He was visiting from a neighboring pack. He made me think that he wanted me, took me on dates and would tell me that we would mate soon. A month of us seeing each other, he rejected me. Told me that he didn’t think we meshed, three months later I found out that he mated to another woman shortly after he called it off with me.”

“When did this happen?” I aks, my heart is hurting for her and not knowing that she went through this immense pain.

“Three years ago. It took me at least a year to get over it. It still hurts me.”

“I’m sorry, Ella. Rejection hurts so bad. I can’t imagine how it was for you, but I’m here if you ever want to talk about it. I would like to say, that moving on is scary, but necessary to be happy. And I do think you’d be happy with Carson and Mira. Just say the word and I’ll start praying for you and them. You know it works.”

“Girl hush, you’re in no boat to give me advise.” I chuckle.

“I know, but it’s only be a little over a month for me.”

“I know. I know. But hey! I’m here for you too.” She says then smacks me on the shoulder.

“Are we still good for us taking Everette tonight?” She asks and I smile.

“Yes. He is so excited to go to the movies and have a sleepover with Antie Ella, gram, and pa.” She smies.

“I’m excited to pump him full of sugar and leave him with mom and dad.” She laughs evily.

“You sure you don’t want to come?” She asks and I shake my head.

“No. Thank you. I’m so excited to work out. Finally being cleared to do more than lift 10 pounds has me antsy.”

“Well it wouldn’t have taken this long if you would have stopped picking heavy things up.” She scolds, while I roll my eyes.