The Reject [MXM]

Chapter 1: Rejection

The alarm blaring jolted young Elijah awake, making him groan a little as he sits upon his dingy little bed; hearing it creaking as he pushed himself off the bed.

"Time for work, Elijah" He mutters to himself

Elijah Wilson. 17, and turning 18 on the day when love is being celebrated. He sighs at himself as he rakes a hand through his messy dark locks, stormy grey eyes being hidden under thick lashes as he yawns and blearily blinks his eyes awake. His pale lithe body shivering from the cold enveloping his room as he throws aside his thin blanket; long elegant fingers reaching for his alarm as he stands up from the bed.

He gently hit the snooze button on his alarm, and softly padded towards the corner of his room, pulling open the curtain separating his bathroom to his bedroom.

He ignored the goosebumps all over his body as he lifts the pail full of cold water over his head and doses himself with it, reaching for whatever shampoo and soap he still has left.

He pats himself dry and threw on the nearest and cleanest clothes he had as he went out of his room, making sure to not create too much noise as he descended the attic with hurried footsteps.

Reaching the kitchen, he instantly went and did his duties, laying down several plates and glasses on the table in the dining hall, and carefully putting down the newly made breakfast in the middle of it all, making sure to not forget the pitchers of juices and water.

He looks at the clock and hums to himself. Just in time.

He instantly backs away from the table as he hears the footsteps descending the stairs, mixing himself with the shadows to not garner the attention of his fellow pack mates--if he was allowed to call them that.

Some of them were all showered and ready to go after breakfast, while some were looking like they dragged themselves off the bed to eat first before showering.

He makes sure to duck his head, knowing that it was one of the most crucial rules he can't disobey, second to the rule of not being allowed to call them by their names, as it would, as they call it, TAINT the names given to them by their precious parents.

It was a rule that sometimes has him scoffing. He doesn't even get that one.

He hears the clatter of chairs being scraped as several people sat down and begun digging in, not even bothering to acknowledge him; same as usual.

He breathed a sigh of relief when it seems like nothing bad would be happening to him this morning-

"ELIJAH!!"

His head snapped up, dread coiling inside him as he hears the pounding footsteps of his older sister, rushing down the stairs in fury.

He braced himself for the incoming pain when she stormed in the now silent hall, green eyes instantly zeroing on his cowering form from across the room.

"YOU SON OF b***h!!" She screeched, stomping towards him with a piece of broken jewelry in hand.

Elijah knows that his siblings loved their deceased parents, just as much as Elijah had loved them, so he took a few silent breaths, willing himself to not lunge at her for insulting their mother like that, but refrain himself as he knows that not everyone was born with enough brain cells to come up with an insult for someone they hate.

"HOW MANY TIMES WILL I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO NEVER TOUCH ANY OF MY THINGS?!" She grabbed a handful of his locks and tugged hard.

"I-I di-didn't t-t-touch a-anything—" He didn't get to finish his sentence when a blow to the side of his head stopped him.

He bit back a whimper when he felt blood slipping down the side of his face. He looks up from where he was and saw his older brother's balled-up fist, smeared with his blood.

No one stood up to stop them. Some just went back to eating, and some were just snickering at his predicament.

"Are you saying that my sister is a liar?" Aaron growled, eyes narrowing into slits

He hastily shook his head, making sure to not look at his face "N-No, S-Sir!! I-I w-would n-never!"

Aemie sneered and threw her necklace at him, the sharp end of the broken cord slicing his cheek "You better find a way to fix that before I lose my temper more than this"

He just nodded his head, not wanting to incur any more of her wrath, or worse, his brother's wrath.

"Good" She spat, letting loose one last kick on his stomach before going out of the dining hall.

He lets out a tiny whimper at that, refraining from balling into himself. He looks pathetic enough, no need to make himself look more miserable in front of his pack mates.

He stayed that way for as long as he can, waiting until every last bit of person was out the door.

He weakly pushed himself off the floor, cleaning the table and washing the dishes, before trudging to the backyard.

He sat down at the grass, looking at the forest that was connected to his pack house, questioning with every fiber of his being on when did everything went wrong.

He knows when, but up until now, he still cannot fathom why the people who cherished and loved him years ago, were now the very same people tormenting him for just existing.

Elijah's mind flashback to the encounter earlier, and he fought back a whimper as he recalls his siblings' expression as they look down at him.

Out of the four siblings, Elijah was the youngest and frailest. He never liked getting into fights, much less be in an argument. He was always known as the peacemaker between his brothers and sister.

Though, all of that changed 9 years ago. The death of his parents took a toll on him and his siblings, and instead of caring for him like they promised their parents, they turned their backs on him and treated him as nothing but dirt who deserves nothing less.

"I wish Alpha and Luna were here" Elijah mutters as he looks out into the forest blankly "They'll make everything a tad bit better..."

The Alpha and Luna were away for a while because of the planning of allying with the Dark Moon pack on the south, leaving the care of the pack to their only son, Hunter James Evans.

He wistfully sighed at the thought of the Alpha's son. Hunter was one of his closest friends back then, always making sure that Elijah was always in on the fun, and letting him tag along with his 'adventures' under the bed.

Elijah pushed himself off the ground with a sigh and waved the sad thoughts away. Reminiscing wouldn't do him any good.

Things won't get better even if he wishes it to.

The only thing that was keeping him afloat was the thought of finally meeting his mate. He's been putting off the idea of running away for years, just because of the slight chance that his mate may be one of his pack mates.

No one can fault Elijah on the thought that maybe—just maybe, his mate will be someone from his pack, and he will finally be accepted again when his mate (if he was even in this pack) protects and fight for his right to be a proper member of the pack once more.

He jogged inside the house, instantly checking the clock to see how many more hours he got without any of his pack mates demanding his services.

Deeming that he was safe once again, he jogged up the attic and pulled out a beaten old laptop he found in the junkyard a few years ago, clicking it open and logging in on his online class for the day.

No one knows he does this, not even the Alpha and the Luna. He stopped going to school when he was about to enter Highschool. His siblings deeming that he was not worth the expenses.

It took all of his saved up allowance and determination to learn and get his certificate, just to continue learning. He had to sell countless of his precious treasures to various people just to get the money he needed to pay for his tuition.

At the early age of 12, Elijah already knows how to bargain and handle money like an adult. He learned at that age that he needed to find a way for him to continue his classes without getting busted by any of his siblings or pack mates. He learned firsthand how difficult it was to earn money, having been only 12 at the time, but he managed...if only barely.

The Alpha and Luna were concerned with his sudden decision to back out of school. They had asked his siblings, but the only explanation they had for them was that it was 'Elijah's' decision, and no matter what they do and say, he doesn't listen.

Elijah remembers almost scoffing in front of their faces at that.

He had to find the cheapest online school that would accept him. He even had to forged his guardian's signature to get in, and up until to this day, he still feels guilty about it.

Don't get Elijah wrong. He has money; lots of it, but he doesn't have any access to it as of the moment. His parents clearly stated in the will that Elijah will be able to access his share of the will once he turns 18, much like his other siblings.

He has to wait for another day before he can even touch a fraction of his share. Yes, Elijah will be turning 18 tomorrow, and he doesn't know what to feel about it. On one hand; he's excited. On the other... not so much.

Elijah has the fear that once he gets the ability to do what he pleases with his share of the will, his siblings will threaten him to give it to them.

That's right. The only consolation that Elijah had for the past nine years, is that none of his siblings can touch or access any of their siblings' share of will without that person's official approval (mind you, a lawyer has to be present if one of them wishes it).

His class was just finishing when his alarm sounded, jerking him from his stupor and making him look at the tiny clock he had in his room.

1 hour before everyone gets back from school. He smiled and waved goodbye at his teacher, and quickly shut the laptop off, rushing down the stairs and throwing open the fridge to dig out several ingredients that he will be needing.

"Please don't let them come home early" Elijah prayed silently as he moves around the kitchen with a speed that would put a racing car to shame.

                                                                                        BREAK

He breathed a sigh of relief when he places the last plate on the table, almost sagging down when the adrenaline slowly went out of his system.

He heard the sound of several cars parking in the garage, and he checks if there was anything amiss before dashing for the kitchen, wishing with all his might that none of them were in a bad mood.

Oh, who was he kidding?

Its school. It's always stressful.

He silently prayed to the Moon Goddess to be kind to him for once, and let him finish the day without any additional bruises.

Thankfully, none seems to be in the mood to torment him, too tired to even bother.

He sagged with relief when his pack mates left the dining hall a short while after eating, chattering away about how their day had gone to one another.

Quickly stepping out of the kitchen, Elijah began piling up the used plates and cleaning up the table.

His nose twitched when it caught a familiar scent. Elijah froze from picking up another plate, trepidation slowly working itself inside him.

He straightened up, gently placing the pile of plates down and shuffling to turn around to face the other person in the room.

"Sir" Elijah bowed "How may I be of service?"

The other person didn't anything, and Elijah resisted the urge to gulp out loud, sweat trickling down his bruised cheek.

"You're birthday's tomorrow" He spoke up.

Elijah startled, and nearly snap his head to look up at him, but quickly remembered the rule "Yes, sir"

He hummed.

Elijah gulped this time, building up the courage to try and ask again "May I know what is it you would be needing from me, sir?"

"Look at me" He ordered.

Elijah refrains himself from shaking as he slowly raises his head, his grey irises clashing with electric blue.

Standing before Elijah was his number one tormentor, Hunter Evans. It still surprises Elijah to feel his chest throbbing painfully at the thought of his once trusted best friend, now being his number one tormentor.

Hunter just stared at him with some incomprehensible emotion.

"...Sir?"

"Quiet" Hunter barked, eyes narrowing in warning "You would have thought that you would know by now not to speak your turn without permission, mutt"

Elijah jerked back, head snapping down instantly "My apologies, sir. It won't happen again"

Hunter just growled "Whatever. I just wanted to tell you that you are not allowed to be in the same room as I am starting tomorrow. I want you to either be in the attic when you finish your duties or outside where I won't see or hear your sorry excuse of an existence, understand?"

Elijah furrowed his brows at that.

Hunter grabbed a handful of locks into his hands and tugged, causing Elijah to cry out at the sudden pain erupting from his scalp "I said, do you understand?"

"Y-Yes, sir" Elijah quickly nodded his head, suppressing tears of pain when Hunter roughly shove him to the ground, hearing an audible snap on his left wrist when he extended his hand to stop his fall

Hunter pulled back his leg and kicked him on the stomach, making him gasp out when the breath was kicked out of him.

"Useless" Hunter left with one final grind to his hand, making sure to use the heel of his shoe while he was at it.

Elijah was left curled up in beside the dining table, cradling his hand close to his heart, wondering once why everything went wrong.

BREAK

FEBRUARY 13

11:58 p.m.

Elijah stared at the clock, hands grasping the cupcake he has in his hands, ready for the time to blow the little candle stuck at the top.

12:00 a.m.

"Happy Birthday to me" He murmurs to himself, wiping a few stray tears that managed to escape his eyes

He quickly ate the cupcake, and stared out at the moon from his tiny window, eyes holding immense sadness; and heart-thumping with painfulness as he celebrated his adulthood all alone, much like how he had celebrated countless of his past birthdays.

He pulled out a frame from under his pillow and softly laid a kiss on it, closing his eyes and trying to remember the embrace he hasn't felt in 9 years "I miss you guys so much."

Elijah laid the frame on his pillow and laid down beside it, whispering his feelings and wishing that they were here to make things better.

Elijah fell asleep clutching the picture frame of his parents tightly; a few dried tears laying on his cheek.

BREAK

Elijah did his usual the moment his alarm rings, making sure to put the frame back to its place.

He took off down the kitchen and do his usual, going to stand to the far side of the room when he remembers Hunter's instructions (threat) about his locations when he was about to enter any room.

He hesitated for a minute, not wanting to be too far from the dining hall in case someone calls for him-wouldn't want to be beaten on his special day.

Elijah was just about to turn around and head for the kitchens when this wonderful scent assaulted his senses out of nowhere. He froze at where he was, heart rate spiking up as he tilted his head towards the direction of the smell, feet slowly walking towards it.

Hunter entered the room, followed by Elijah's eldest brother, Michael.

Hunter froze from where he was, his voice cutting off in the middle of what he was saying as he rigidly stood in front of the entrance of the hall, back turned to Elijah.

Elijah didn't know why he was suddenly feeling the need to be close to the Alpha Heir, an excited thrum beating against his veins as he breathed the scent that could only be described as euphoric.

He could feel his wolf beginning to stir as it catches the scent of its beloved.

"Mate"

He even didn't register the word that slipped past his lips, as he was too busy drowning in the scent that was emitting out of Hunter.

Elijah was snapped out of his dazed state by a blow to the stomach, causing him to gasp at the sudden onslaught of pain.

"What did you just say?" Hunter gritted out, eyes aflame with fury, and something Elijah doesn't know how to explain.

"Mate, sir" Elijah choked out.

"You dare try and utter such a sacred word in front of me, filth?" Hunter growled "You dare try and say that I am your mate?"

Elijah didn't know what was happening. Hunter is his mate, why is he hurting him when he's supposed to be doing the complete opposite?

"I-I'm sorry, sir!!" Elijah sobbed out "It just came out..."

"You think you have the right to call anyone here your mate?" Hunter growled "You think you have the right to call me your mate?!"

Elijah shook his head as best as he can without hurting himself too much "N-No, sir."

Hunter grabbed a fistful of his hair and smashed his head to the ground. Elijah bit his tongue to keep from crying out at the onslaught of pain it brought him.

Hunter leaned down "Why would I even want a piece of s**t like you? You deserve nothing but the worse!"

Elijah's wolf was whimpering inside him, crying out in confusion as to why their mate was hurting them.

Elijah couldn't respond, too busy to try and shake the black dots appearing behind his eyelids.

Hunter scoffed at his silence and just let his body thump to the floor as he lets go. The hall was filled with silence, no one even having the courage to break it.

"Who would even want you?" Hunter looks down at Elijah's pitiful form "You don't deserve me, and I sure as hell don't want to be stuck with someone as disgusting as you."

His wolf whimpered inside him. They both know that their mate was rejecting them unofficially, no one would have the guts to reject a mate officially (no one would even dare reject one!) because if they do, the wolves that reside within them will go insane, looking for the other half of themselves that was cut off from them.

Rejecting a mate means living a life of agony and hell for both sides. The Moon Goddess made sure that both parties will suffer the pain of the rejection (the one who rejects will feel twice the pain of the rejected) when one even thought of turning their backs to their chosen.

In any case, rejecting a mate is like holding a double-edged sword. One has to be very careful when treading between the fine line of rejecting a fated one.

There hasn't been a case of rejection in over a millennium. (Who would even want to turn their fated partners away? NO ONE!)

Both parties will still be able to live their lives and find other partners to be with, but they will have to always ignore the feeling of emptiness and loneliness of being without their mate for the rest of their lives.

It's both a blessing and a curse, really—a blessing because it could lead you to something that will make you the happiest person on the planet. A curse, because it's very frustrating to have your future partner picked for you before you were even born.

Hunter turned back and left the room, followed by most of the occupants until all that was left was Elijah's crumpled form and his older brother.

Michael was staring down at Elijah silently. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again, not knowing what to say.

Michael's wolf was urging him to comfort their kin, urging him to protect their youngest and frailest, but he just stood still, until he too, turned his back to leave the room.

Elijah's heart broke even more (he didn't even know that it can break even more than this). No one truly wanted him. He was a disgusting piece of s**t that should just die to make up for his existence.

"I'm sorry" Elijah muttered, squeezing his eyes shut as he feels the tears fall.

His wolf was crying and it was all his fault.

His wolf was in pain and it was all his fault.

'Hurts...' His wolf whimpered 'Mate...leave...'

Elijah pushed himself up, his wounds slowly healing as he trudged up the stairs to the attic.

He has nothing that is tying him here. Staying would mean double the pain for him from today onwards, getting to see his mate and knowing he can't have that happiness... going rouge would be better than staying in this abusive pack.

He packs everything he can, leaving the letter he wrote a long time ago sitting at his small bed. He looks at the picture he's been keeping for almost like an eternity. The picture that he held onto in the hopes that everything will get better. He placed it down beside the letters, looking around one more time before nodding to himself.

His wolf was still whimpering, and he couldn't help but grimace. It was his fault that his wolf couldn't be with his other half. Everything was his fault.

BREAK

This was it.

If he steps over the non-existent line, he will begin his life as a rogue.

He looks at the line of trees behind him, and closed his eyes, urging himself to cross the border. He doesn't have anything here anymore.

It felt like hours passed by, but in reality, it was only minutes, as he convinces himself that this was for the best.

Elijah opened his eyes and nodded to himself. Yes, he thought sadly, this is for the best.

His mind made up, he took a deep breath, look behind him once more, and lets a single tear fall as he steps over the border, leaving the place he has so many memories with his deceased parents, and so many more.

"Goodbye..."