The rejection
1330 Words
He grabbed her by the throat, not squeezing, but holding her there. His face was inches from hers.
“You lie! Our baby is not dead.”
His voice was shaking with rage.
Sia’s eyes filled with tears instantly. She didn’t pull away. Her lips trembled.
“Tell me the truth.”
He demanded it, his thumb pressing against her jaw.
“I’m not lying.”
Her voice was barely a whisper. A tear slipped down her cheek.
He let go and stepped back, running a hand through his hair. His chest rose and fell.
“You wouldn’t love my baby anyway.”
Sia said it quietly, eyes down.
Reagon’s head snapped toward her. His eyes widened, then narrowed.
“How dare you! That is our baby!”
His voice cracked.
She closed her eyes for a second, a tear cutting through the makeup on her cheek.
“If you take one more step out of here,” Reagon said, stepping toward the door, “you can forget ever coming back here!”
His voice echoed in the room. He was breathing hard, hurt and furious.
Sia turned slowly. Her face was wet now. She lifted her chin. Her eyes, red and glassy, locked on him.
“I, Sia Emerson, reject you, Reagon Walter, as my alpha and my mate.”
Reagon froze. His mouth opened but nothing came out. He put a hand over his chest like he’d been struck. His eyes searched her face, disbelief written all over it.
“You.”
“You go this far...”
His voice broke. “You go this far to leave me.”
Sia placed a hand over her own heart. She looked at him, exhausted and empty.
“Isn’t this what you wanted?”
Reagon straightened. The pain in his eyes hardened into something cold.
“I, Reagon Walter, reject your rejection. And Sia, you will come back to me one day begging me in tears.”
She didn’t answer. She turned, grabbed a white suitcase with brown straps, and walked out.
Outside, the city was gray and cold. Sia walked down the sidewalk, pulling her suitcase. She was still in the white dress and black heels. Her hair fell in her face.
She stopped beside a closed metal shutter. Her breath hitched. She doubled over, clutching her stomach with both hands. Pain twisted her face.
“It’s all over, Reagon.”
She whispered it to no one. Tears fell freely now.
“I’ll never love you again.”
She slid down to sit on the ground next to her suitcase, arms wrapped around herself.
“Baby, I’m so sorry.”
She sat there, shaking, in the empty alley, while the city moved on around her.
FIVE YEARS LATER
In a park full of green trees and wooden benches, a woman walked along the path. Her long dark hair was in two braids. She wore a white ribbed sundress with thin straps, heart-shaped earrings, and a small gold pendant necklace. A black bag hung from her shoulder. She was smiling and holding a blue balloon.
A man stood by a red-and-white striped table with balloons. He gave her a blue balloon and a yellow one. She took them, still smiling.
Two other people were nearby. A little boy with light brown hair wearing a mint green shirt and green shorts. Beside him was a pregnant woman with long blonde hair in a red off-the-shoulder dress, carrying a brown bag. The boy ran ahead and called out, “Mommy!”
The pregnant woman, Lily, stopped. She turned and looked at the woman with the braids. Her eyes narrowed.
The woman’s smile faded the moment she saw Lily. That was Sia. Her eyes went wide.
The boy ran to Sia and took the blue balloon. He was Jason Emerson, Sia’s son.
Lily stepped forward and grabbed Jason’s arm.
“Hey, don’t you dare touch my kid!” she said sharply.
Sia immediately moved in front of Jason. She put her hand on his shoulder and checked him. Her brows pulled together with worry.
“You okay?”
Jason looked up at her.
“Yes.”
Lily folded her arms over her pregnant belly and gave a slow, mocking smile.
“Well, well, well. Who is it here? Is this your son?”
Sia pulled Jason closer to her side, arm around his back. Her face stayed calm but tight.
Lily’s smile turned cruel.
“No wonder he’s just as disgusting as you.”
Sia’s jaw tightened. She met Lily’s eyes.
“Look, I’m sorry if he offended you, but he is a child.”
Jason looked up at Sia, then at Lily. His voice was small but steady.
“Mom, it wasn’t me. She wasn’t looking and then bumped into me.”
Lily’s face twisted in anger.
“You’re a lying little scumbag.”
A man appeared behind Lily. Tall, dark hair, trimmed beard. He wore a black suit jacket over a gray vest and black shirt. His expression was confused, then concerned.
“Lily, what’s going on here?”
Lily turned to him right away and pointed at Jason.
“Her kid just hit me!”
Sia looked down. She looked tired. She didn’t argue.
The man looked between Lily and Sia. When his eyes landed on Sia, he stopped. Recognition flashed across his face. His mouth opened slightly.
Lily grabbed his arm and winced, holding her stomach.
“Our baby hurts. Okay, let me take you to the hospital.”
The man put a hand on her back, but his eyes stayed on Sia.
“It’s been a while.” His voice was quiet.
Sia didn’t answer. She stood there with Jason half behind her, her hand on his shoulder. Her expression gave nothing away.
The man took a step closer, still watching her.
“Is that your child?”
Sia stayed silent. Jason looked up at her, then at the man. Around them the park was noisy, but between them everything felt still.
Jason stepped forward first, his voice small but firm.
“Mister, she was the one who bumped into me first.”
He pointed toward the pregnant woman.
Sia put a protective hand on Jason’s shoulder. Her eyes were full of worry.
“Alpha Reagon, I’m so sorry if my child offended you and your wife.”
Reagon’s brows pulled together. He looked at Jason, then at Sia. His expression darkened.
“Her son?”
His voice went cold.
“She left me and had a bastard with another man!”
Sia flinched. Her eyes glistened with hurt, but she didn’t look away.
Reagon stepped closer, anger burning in his face.
“You almost hurt my baby. You think a simple apology will cut it?”
Lily smiled wider, crossing her arms over her belly.
Sia swallowed hard.
“What else do you want?”
Reagon’s mouth twisted.
“I want you to kneel down and beg.”
Sia stared at him, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
“Are you serious? Listen, I’ll pay the bill if she’s actually—”
“Kneel down and beg,” Reagon cut her off, his voice dropping to a threat, “or your son gets it.”
Sia’s face went pale. She looked down at Jason, then back at Reagon.
“Hey, no. No, not him. Not him.”
Her voice shook.
“Okay, fine. I’ll do it. I’ll do it.”
Just as she moved, Jason broke free and ran in front of her. He threw his arms out.
“Let my mommy alone!”
A sudden red glow flared around Jason’s small body. His eyes flashed red for a second. The air shifted.
Reagon froze. His hand flew to his chest. His eyes widened, shock replacing anger.
“Alpha power...”
He stared at the boy, then at Sia.
“He has alpha blood.”
His voice was low, almost a whisper.
“Who is his father?”
- Writer
