Beyond Rejection.

In Sync.

Levi.

I wake up frustrated every morning. Fate picked the worst person for me to have a child with.

I have been waiting for a chance to meet with her. She can't hide my child away from me forever. Normally, I would have marched to her pack house and demanded to talk to her, but that is not a wise thing to do after my encounter with her brother.

I don't want to drag our packs into a personal feud. With each passing day, I am losing the opportunity to bond with my child. My father told me that the bond is always strongest while the child is in the womb. It is important for the pup to get familiar with your scent and voice. If this does not happen, you would be a stranger to the pup once it is born. You could still create a bond with the child, but it would never be as strong.

I sigh and rub my eyes. I won't let her get away with what she's doing.

I leave my desk and head up to my room. I feel like going for a night swim. I grab a towel and a pair of clothes and head down to my car.

I drive down to the part of the forest that is closest to the lake and park my car. I begin hiking to my destination with my clothes and towels in my hand.

As I get nearer, I scent the presence of another wolf. I am not alone. Then the scent hit me. I knew exactly who it belonged to, even if it is now a bit different.

I walk closer. Fate has finally given me an opportunity to talk with her. How pleasant!

She growls when she sees me and warns me not to come any closer. I tread wearily. She is in her wolf form, she is dangerous.

"I want to talk. Put these on". I say as I toss her my clothes.

She retreats behind a large tree. I just f*****g gave her my clothes. I guess talking to her about my unborn child is way more important than my midnight swim.

She tries to run away. I move swiftly and block he way.

"Do you know how long I've been waiting to have this conversation with you and you just happen to turn up where I do my moonlit swims? There's no way you are going to escape this conversation. We are both adults here". I say to her, asserting myself over her.

She just growls at me. I back off so she can have privacy.

She gives up. I hear her shift back to her human form. I pick up the clothes on the floor and hand them to her. The knowledge that she is naked behind that tree makes my head want to spin. I hate the fact that I can't control my body's reaction to hers. If I could, we would not be here in the first place.

She comes out wearing my clothes. She looks cute in my big shirt and shorts. She smells like me. I almost cannot catch her scent underneath mine. That's one thing about being an Alpha, your scent is so strong that it overshadows all others.

"I take it that you do not plan on telling me that we have a child". I say.

I know what's coming. She is going to try and deny me the rights to my child. But unfortunately for her, I am prepared. If she does not agree to my terms, I will take the child away. She should not try to mess with me with that smart mouth of hers.

She scoffs. It takes all my will power to stop myself from reaching for her neck and strangling her. I hate it when people scoff at me, most especially women. She is lucky she is carrying my child, that's the only thing that is keeping her safe from my anger.

"We? There is no we. This child is not yours". She says.

Just as I expected, she denies it.

"It's too late to be lying, isn't it? Like I said before, we are both adults. Let's start acting like it." I say.

She just folds her arms across her chest. At least, she's listening.

"I want to take responsibility for the child". I say.

She laughs loudly. I wonder what is so funny about what I just said.

"We are doing just fine, thank you". She mutters.

Does she think I am asking for her permission? She may be the one carrying the child, but I don't need her permission to carry out my role.

"I was not asking for your permission. I am simply telling you". I state firmly.

"I am the only guardian this child has". She says with that pretty little mouth of hers.

This is the part I love the most. I finally have the chance to shut her up.

I smirk at her.

"We will see what my lawyers would think of that. Since you don't want to share, may the winner take all". I say, dragging out each word.

"You won't win, Crosswalk". She blurts out.

We'll see about that.

I narrow my eyes at her.

"I definitely will. You know that I am stronger than you in every way". I say.

I've used this phrase on her before and it works every time.

"Fine! We'll share him". She submits.

I hate the way we our talking about our child like he is some sort of price.

Wait, did she just say him?

"Him?" I repeat.

She looks away.

"I just feel it's a boy even if it's too early to tell". She says.

I believe her. The mothers always know these things.

"I'm glad you have come to your senses. Now, let's negotiate the time I get to spend with him".

"Isn't it too early for that? We can always talk about it later". She quickly says.

I can tell that she does not understand. She is a first time mother as well.

"I'm not talking about when he is born. I am talking about now that he's still in the womb. He has to get familiar with my scent and voice so that he would recognize me as his father once he is born". I explain.

"What do you suggest?" She asks like it is taking a lot from her to get the words out.

"That you come and spend a week with me every month at my private house until your delivery". I say.

I would have liked to say two weeks, but I don't want us to clash so much.

Her face twisted up in disgust.

"A whole week?" She asks.

There's no way I'd let her reduce it.

"A whole week". I repeat firmly.

"Deal". She says, much to my surprise.

I had expected her to put up a fight. She is smarter than I thought.

We shake hands.

She turns to leave.

"Don't hesitate to tell me if you need anything". I say.

I realize how stupid I sound the moment the words leave my mouth.

She just ignores it and leaves. I can hear her walking. She does not transform into her beautiful wolf. Her wolf is beautiful, just like she is.

But, I need her to know that I am at her beck and call as far as the baby is concerned.

I return to where I parked my car and drive home.

What was she even doing all by herself in the forest? The next time we meet, I would have to warn her about doing such a dangerous thing. She was putting both her life and the life of our unborn pup in danger. Where is her over-protective brother at times like these?

I reach my pack house and enter. I meet my father in the study. He mind-links me as soon as I enter.

"So she is the one you rejected?" He asks.

I just nod.

"Have you ever considered the possibility that your mate bond was never broken?"