Rejected by my Given Alpha

Chapter Three: Party

I sat down at my vanity and studied my makeup collection. Thankfully, I knew the basics of foundation and concealer, but contouring and highlighting was a different thing. Thanks to Y*****e videos, I was able to get my makeup to look decent. At least, it didn't look like a toddler got ahold of makeup. I considered that a win.

I rifled through the shopping bags and pulled out my dress. I was able to get the sandals on, but the dress zipper decided to be stubborn and be out of arms reach.

I heard a knock on the door and answered it with a scowl. Liam was standing there dressed in dress pants and a white button-up shirt. It surprisingly complimented his blue eyes, mesmerizing me for half a second.

Liam raised an eyebrow as he took in my struggling figure, trying to zip up my dress. "Need some help?"

I sighed in defeat. "Yeah, do you mind?"

Liam laughed. "Turn around."

I did so and felt him zip up my dress with ease. His hands lingered against my back, causing goosebumps to rise. My heartbeat sped up, which has actually been common around Liam ever since this morning. Any touch we had sent my heartbeat skyrocketing. I was blaming it on the nerves of tonight.

"You okay?" Liam asked, hearing my heartbeat rise.

"Yeah, just nerves," I said, letting my hair back down. "I really don't want to go to this party tonight."

Liam smiled. "Would a birthday present help cheer you up?"

I raised an eyebrow. "I thought we agreed to no birthday presents?"

"It's your eighteenth birthday-I'm gonna get you something." He pulled out a box from his pocket. I momentarily thought it was a ring, then realized it was too big to be a ring box. That was a relief.

He opened it and revealed a small necklace with a diamond in the shape of a crescent moon. It was small and simple, which suited my style. Even though I hated the alpha of the pack, it was my mother's pack first. Tristan had mated into the pack and became Alpha, as my mother was next in line, being Alpha's daughter. So, like it or not, this pack was my pack.

"Thank you," I said, smiling. "I love it."

Liam's smile grew. "I'm glad. Turn around; I'll help you put it on."

I turned around and lifted up my hair. I felt the dainty pendant rest below my collar bone and felt Liam's breath against my neck. I turned around to face him and threw my arms around his neck, giving him a hug. I really did love the necklace.

"This is a surprise," Liam chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist, hugging me back. "You usually aren't this affectionate."

"Call it gratuity," I said, pulling away. I stared at his lips for a second too long and felt my face heat up. I was starting to blame finding my mate for my reactions to Liam. I had simply found a mate, so now I was reacting to the male presence. It wouldn't be the first time it has happened to someone who was rejected.

"You guys ready to head over?" Brooke asked, coming into my room as well.

I cleared my throat and nodded, looking away from Liam. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Brooke rolled her eyes. "It won't be that bad, Hales. It's free food and some dancing. You'll have fun."

"You say that now, but you're not the one who gets your feet stepped on when you dance with her," Liam grumbled.

I flipped him off. I wasn't the best dancer, I'll admit, but I hardly injure people when I dance with them. It's more of a stumble than full blown stepping on them.

"You're just as clumsy," Brooke said. "Let's get going!"

Liam and I exchanged looks, both of us frowning slightly. Brooke usually wasn't this excited about parties involving the pack. Something was up with her, but I decided not to ask. I've learned it's better for someone to tell you something when they want to instead of trying to force it out of them. Makes for a better friendship.

"Alright, we're ready," I said, gesturing for her to move.

We piled into Brooke's car and drove towards the packhouse. It was a short drive to the packhouse - only about five minutes - but it felt like it needed to be longer. Granted, that was just me not wanting to do this thing. I found it stupid that this party was still needed even though I had already found my mate, but it was the tradition. Nothing I could do about it.

We pulled into the packhouse parking lot, and I reluctantly got out of the car. I half debated sliding into the driver's seat and driving off, but decided I couldn't abandon Brooke and Liam to deal with Tristan's wrath if I did that. I'm used to his wrath, as his daughter. They would experience his wrath as their Alpha's wrath. They'd have no choice but to submit to him. I, however, don't have to submit, having Alpha blood myself.

"You know, it's not too late to ditch the party and go for some cheeseburgers," I suggested.

Liam chuckled, putting his arm around my shoulders. "And give up the chance of free food? No way."

I groaned. "You suck. Why is it so easy to bribe you with food?"

"Because he's a penny pincher," Brooke said.

Liam put his hand over his heart in mock pain. "I'm wounded that you would say that about me."

"Technically, it's a credit card," I said. "None of us have jobs, so we don't have our own source of income. Our parents just give us allowances."

Brooke rolled her eyes. "Whatever, he still barely spends any of it."

"Maybe I'm saving it," Liam retorted.

Brooke laughed. "For what? More hair gel?"

I chucked too and put my arm around Brooke. "Let's let Li have his secrets, Brookie."

Liam flashed me a grateful smile, but I was curious as to what he was saving up for. Granted, the only things we really buy are clothes when we need them and groceries, so it's not that much of a surprise that we have a lot in our accounts saved up. It just made me wonder what he had in mind that he was saving up for.

We walked in, and it was almost hard to hear anything else but music. People were talking, laughing, or dancing. The packhouse was filled to the brim with people, and my antisocialness flared to the max.

I weaved my way through the crowd, doing my best not to stumble into anyone, and finally got to a relatively secluded area with Brooke and Liam in tow. "We are never going to a party again."

"Oh, you know you secretly love it," Brooke teased. "You just gotta learn to embrace it. Now, let's go dance!"

She grabbed my arm and pulled me onto the dance floor, where she instructed me to dance. I felt myself starting to enjoy the party, not even minding talking to some of the pack members. The food was good too, although nowhere near as good as Liam's cooking.

"Hayley!" I heard my name called, and I broke out in a grin when I saw my mom.

Her brown hair fell down straight to her collar bone, and her eyes were a pretty blue color. She was in a dark green jumpsuit, which looked surprisingly great on her. She could pull anything off, but that's partly because she is one of the most renowned Lunas. In case you can't tell, I adore my mother.

"Mom!" I rushed over and gave her a hug. "I'm so glad to see you!"

She hugged me back tightly. "I'm happy you decided to come! I know this isn't really your thing."

I laughed. "Brooke forced me into it."

"Of course she is. She's just like Christine--always making sure you have fun."

Brooke was a lot like her mother. Both were very cheerful people and got along well with people. It was no surprise that Brooke's dad completely adored his family-just being around one of them caused everyone around to smile.

I noticed Tristan looking around, guessing he was after my mother. "Looks like Dad is looking for you."

She groaned. "We have to entertain three packs, all that keep poking fun at Tristan for not being born an Alpha. So, you know, I gotta do damage control." She dug in her purse and took out a small box. "This is for you."

"Mom, you didn't have to get me anything."

She smiled. "Take it; I got it made especially for you. And I'm sorry to hear about your mate."

I frowned. "How'd you find out?"

"Brooke gave me a heads up. Just so you know, some mates aren't worth the trouble." She was gone before I could ask her what she meant.

I shrugged and kept dancing and having fun, up until a slow song came on. Brooke was dancing with a blonde-haired werewolf from Tyler's pack, and I saw Kelly was dancing with Tyler, although her 'dancing' was just her rubbing up against him. It was fine by me, as that kept him away from interacting with me. I was curious as to who Brooke was dancing with, as she usually doesn't slow dance. I'd have to ask her about it later.

I started to go towards the kitchen to grab some leftover snacks when I felt someone tap my shoulder. I looked over and saw Liam holding out his hand to me. "Care to dance?"

I smiled. "Well, I wouldn't want to insult your honor by declining."

"That's the spirit!" Liam grabbed my hand.

He twirled me around in a circle and pulled me closer to him as we started dancing. I laughed as we started dancing to the song. Liam decided to show off his dancing skills by twirling and dipping me, although I didn't mind. I was too busy having fun to care about being embarrassed.

About halfway through the next slow song, Tyler came up to us as we were in the middle of a spin.

"May I steal the birthday girl for a dance?" he asked, smiling brightly at me.

I stiffened and subconsciously stepped closer to Liam, who held me tighter.

"Yes, I do mind," Liam half growled.

Tyler scowled at him. "Careful how you talk to an Alpha. Besides, I wasn't asking for your permission. I was asking her."

"Well, she doesn't want to dance with you," Liam snapped, holding me even tighter.

"I'd like to hear that from her," Tyler growled, stepping closer to us.

"I don't want to dance with you," I said, enhancing the fact Liam was right, albeit his hold was getting a little too tight.

Tyler gave me a wounded look. "Why not? I'm your mate; you should dance with me."

"EX-mate," I corrected, emphasizing the 'ex'. "You rejected me, remember? Not that I mind, I really couldn't care less about the whole thing."

Tyler's eyes flashed gold as his wolf counterpart rose to the surface, and he grabbed my arm tightly, leaving a bruise. "You're mine!"

"Let her go before I make you," Liam growled, his eyes glowing gold as well.

Tyler and Liam glared at each other, both of them close to shifting. And I was pressed between them, the only thing preventing them from touching.

"Both of you, knock it off," I ordered. "We are in a house. Tyler, I think it's time for you and your pack to leave. Actually, better yet, I think it's time Liam and I took our leave."

I wasn't going to make Brooke leave if she didn't want to. She seemed to be entranced by the guy she was with, and I didn't want to ruin it for her. She'd come home when she was ready, whenever that would be. I knew she was safe here, so I didn't have to worry about that. Everyone knew better than to harm a Beta's daughter. They were almost more protective over their children than Alphas. Almost.

"You're not leaving!" Tyler growled, tightening his hold on my arm. His claws started to come out, tearing into my skin, drawing blood.

"Let go of my arm before I break your wrist," I growled, my voice full of warning.

When he didn't and instead continued glaring at Liam, I lashed out. I grabbed his wrist with my free hand and twisted it harshly, snapping it. It would heal in minutes, thanks to the werewolf healing, but it would hurt like a b***h until then.

"Let go!" I ordered, my Alpha aura radiating and forcing him to listen to my command.

Both Tyler and Liam let go of me at the command. Everyone stared at us, but quickly looked away once Liam glared at them. We walked out of the packhouse and drove back in silence. We sat on the couch, and I let out a heavy sigh and leaned against him. "Worst party ever."

"You're telling me," Liam agreed, leaning his head against mine. "Time for bed; it's been a long night."

I nodded and frowned, realizing I didn't sense Brooke here. "Where's Brooke? I thought she'd be home by now."

"I'm guessing she's still with that guy," Liam said. "They seemed to be hitting it off."

I nodded. "Ah, I see. I'm gonna go wash off all this makeup and testosterone from you and Tyler."

I walked upstairs and quickly showered. I enjoyed the feeling of being makeup free again, and I slipped into a pair of shorts and a tank top. I walked downstairs and sat cross-legged on the couch, turning on the TV.

"Can't sleep?" Liam asked, sitting next to me.

"Nah, not tired. Thought I was, but guess not."

"I know the feeling. What do you say to some movies?" Liam suggested.

I nodded. "Sure, I'm down."

Liam put in a random movie, and we began watching it. About halfway through, we fell asleep. I was starting to forget what sleeping in my bed felt like, as it was now the third time I had fallen asleep on the couch with Liam.