Once Rejected, Thrice Accepted

“Happy Birthday, Gemma!” My best friend, Lindy, yelled as she tackled me into my locker. “I can’t believe you are finally eighteen. Took ya long enough.” I pushed her off me and fixed my, too big for me, shirt. “Yes, because I dictate how long a year is Lindy.” I smiled and reopened my locker to change out my books. “You ready for math class?” She asked already knowing what my answer was going to be. She hated math just as much as I did. “Listen who ever decided that we needed to add letters to our equations should be shot on sight.” I replied. “Plus, why should I have to have a class with the Alpha and Beta’s sons? We all know they would pass even if they didn’t show up.” “Shoot, I wish it worked for me as the one of the Gamma’s children.” She huffed. “But being the youngest also means I have no real value or use to my dad unless they trade me off to another pack to mate with another gamma which I would never let happen.” “I wouldn’t either. They would have to go through me.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward class. “And I won’t let this pack ruin you.” She smiled and did her best to keep up with me. ‘Too bad she can’t keep us safe from mom or Dennis. She might if you would just tell her.’ My wolf, Moonlight, snarked. She was still upset about our surprise birthday beat down this morning and from me not letting her heal me instantly. I didn’t want anyone to know how strong my wolf actually was or I would be married off to a power hungry Alpha that would treat me the same way I am here. They wouldn’t care who my mate was which didn’t matter if he was in this pack because he would reject me on the stop. They wouldn’t find someone who liked a 5’6 girl with short brown hair, plump hips, and big boobs. They would pick someone with enough power to help them out and not care if he raped me or anything else. I stopped in the bathroom before class. I had to make sure my bruises and cuts were covered. It wasn’t like anyone cared but I hated the pity filled looks from the few classmates who weren’t jerks. I looked in the mirror and saw how must of a husk of a person I had become. My short blonde hair was thin and greasy. My hazel eyes were dull with my freckles standing out strong on my nose against my pale skin. I can see my bones but thankfully none of my bruises are showing. One last look at my pathetic self and its time to had to class. I actually got to focus in class since stooge one and stooge two didn’t show up yet again. This was my only class I was barely passing and that was with me studying every chance I got. My other classes were either easy or they noticed the signs of abuse and took it easier on me. I wasn’t going to argue with that since it helped me. I was out of here as soon as I graduated, and I needed that diploma. Math was my last class which is another reason I hated it. Now I had to get my things and head home. Home where my Mother or brother could be waiting to pick up where they left off. They made sure not to leave too many bruises on any visible parts of my body but everything my secondhand clothing could hide was fair game. Today it was my ribs that took most of the hits. “Gemma, Happy Birthday.” An Omega who used to be my friend, Olivia, called out as she walked by with her mate, Shane. He was the head warrior’s son and so stuck up the other leaders sons asses he made his mate turn on me. It wasn’t hard when all your life you were a mistreated omega so I understood where she came from but I would never. Loyalty is a big deal to me. “Don’t talk to the Trash, Mate.” He growled at her yanking her arm as he walked faster. “I do feel sorry for whoever she is mated to. A weak and ugly b***h as your mate would be the worst.” The guys walking with them agreed. I just looked away and headed out toward the parking lot. I was so over the day and it was only half way done. I wished I could hop in a car and drive off the pack lands while renouncing the pack but I would need a car for that. I used to have a bike until someone took it a part and put the all the different pieces all of the school. I was still searching for the handlebars. ‘You smell that?’ Moonlight asked me. I stopped and sniffed around before finally noticing the sweet smell of caramel and brownies. ‘Could it be?’ “You have to be f*****g kidding me!” The beta’s son, Eric, yelled. He looked pissed off but I didn’t notice the glare. All I noticed was his smell and how mouthwatering it was. My survival instincts fled the moment I looked at him. “Mate.” “OH, MY GODDESS! Dude, your mated to the trash!” Alpha’s son, Kenny, snickered. “I can’t wait to see how much pain she is in after you reject her pathetic ass.” Reject me? He would do that? Go against the Goddess like she was wrong in her decision to make us fated mates? “No…” I whimpered, taking a step closer to Eric. “Yes, rejection is the only way.” Eric growled stepping closer to me. “Even my wolf agrees. We don’t need this weak b***h birthing our pups.” ‘Reject him. We don’t deserve this.’ Moonlight barked at me. ‘Will I lose you?’ I asked her as I watched the movements of Eric and Kenny. They were more for the violence than the others. ‘I will be fine. No pain no gain. Do it.’ I agreed with her. “Draw it out, Eric. Reject her but hold her mouth shut so she can’t reject you back.” Kenny ordered him with a smirk. Eric walked forward pushing me back until I ran into a car. Moonlight yelled do it now. I took a breath before standing straight getting ready for the pain. “I, Gemma Grimhide, reject you Eric Crimson, future beta of The bloodlust growlers, as my future mate.” I yelled as long as I could. The pain was instant sending painful cramps that felt like someone was stabbing me over and over all over my body. Moonlight felt distant and in just as much pain. I had my eyes closed but from the pain coming from Eric I knew he was feeling some of the pain, too. As soon as he accepted the rejection we would only have to deal with light cramps for a few days. “You b***h!” Kenny growled. He shoved me to the ground, putting his foot on my face and told me to stay like a good little doggy. He was a douchebag and was going to run this pack into the ground. It is time to get the hell out of here asap. Eric kneeled down and smiled at me. “I, Eric Crimson, future beta of Bloodlust growlers reject Gemma Grimhide as my future mate.” Another burst of pain ran through me but I knew if I stayed here they would make the pain physical. So when Eric fell from the pain I used the lack of eyes on me to shove Kenny’s foot off of me and run as fast as I could. Only a few followed but I was faster. With all my bullies everywhere in the pack including home I learned to be fast as everything I needed to do in order to survive. Now I just had to hope I was faster than the news of the rejection or my mother would be waiting to teach me another lesson.