Once Rejected, Now Desired by Three Alpha’s

Chapter 3

Peach’s pov

Confusion enveloped me, the soft touch lingering on my lips left me disoriented. Was I really kissing a stranger? Panic surged through me, and I forcefully pushed away, a startled gasp escaping my lips. As realisation hit, I covered my mouth in shock, questioning the inexplicable act. "Let go of me!" I yelled, my voice cutting through the bewildering moment.

A chill laced my words as I distanced myself, crossing through the bustling crowd in haste. Determined to evade him, I glimpsed over my shoulder and saw him pursuing me relentlessly. My legs carried me out of the pub at breakneck speed, and fortune favored me as a cab pulled up just as I needed a swift escape.

Inside the cab, my nerves betrayed me as I answered the driver's inquiry with a shaky voice. "I'm going home, please take me home," I pleaded, the encounter replaying in my mind.

The cab ride felt eternal, my thoughts a chaotic whirlwind. Upon arriving at my destination, the weight of my choices bore down on me. Heart pounding, I entered my house cautiously, finding solace in the darkness, signaling that my family had retired for the night.

An accusatory voice shattered the silence, freezing me in my tracks. "Where are you coming from?" My mother's anger pierced the air, and my heart skipped a beat. Stammering in fear, I managed to utter, "Mom... you... are... awake..."

Her gaze bore into me, demanding an explanation. Before I could respond, my father's embrace enveloped me, a mixture of relief and concern evident in his tight hug. "Thank goodness you're okay," he exclaimed, shielding me momentarily from my mother's ire.

But her impatience surfaced again. "Where have you been?" she demanded, annoyance tainting her tone. The tension escalated as my dad intervened, attempting to diffuse the situation. "Give it a rest. Let's be thankful our daughter is back safely," he asserted, sparing me from my mother's scrutiny.

Yet, her frustration persisted. "You're the reason she acts this way, pampering and spoiling her. She's reaching an age where family status matters," she scolded my father. "No girl from a good family comes home this late."

"That's enough; you can go to sleep. I will deal with it myself," my dad asserted, putting an end to my mom's angry tirade as she stormed out of the room.

"Let me take you to your room," my dad offered with a reassuring smile. I followed him, a heavy silence hanging between us as we entered my room.

Behind closed doors, my dad's concern was palpable. I couldn't bear to see him worried, and the weight of my actions pressed on me.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I know you're disappointed in me," tears streamed down my cheeks. "I feel like a bad daughter, unworthy of being your child."

"No, Peach, you're the best daughter a man could ever ask for. You don't need to apologize; it's not your fault, and you haven't done anything wrong," he reassured me, attempting to soothe my distress.

"Wouldn't you like to know where I've been?" I asked, my tone laced with confusion.

"Of course, I want to know, and I expect you to tell me when you're ready," he replied with a warm smile.

"I feel like a failure, Dad. I can't seem to do anything right, and everyone always rejects me," I confessed, my cries echoing my pain. "You know it's my dream to become a world-famous fashion designer," I added, tears staining my cheeks.

"Please don't cry, my love. I know about your dream. What happened?" His concern deepened.

"I applied to the school, got accepted, but when I arrived, I was rejected on the spot just because of my weight," I revealed, tears flowing freely.

"No, Peach," he exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. As I wept on his shoulder, he promised, "I will make sure you get into that school, no matter what."

"Don't worry, Dad. I won't be accepted, and I've learned to accept my fate," I responded with a somber tone.

"I'm your father, and I won't let you cry anymore. I'll make sure you get what you want," he assured me with a genuine smile. Despite his efforts, my heart weighed heavy, and I realized I had to share the truth about the pub with him.

"I went to a pub," I blurted out, my confession hanging in the air. Instantly, I covered my mouth, anxiety gripping me.

"You what!" My dad's voice carried a hint of anger and disappointment. "Why would you do that, Peach? You're still very young to be in places like that," he scolded, concern lacing his tone.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I just wanted to forget the pain," I admitted, avoiding his gaze.

"It won't ever solve anything, my love. Please don't go to places like that anymore," he pleaded, his warmth contrasting the weight of the situation.

"I promise I won't do that ever again," I assured him with a hopeful smile, withholding the truth about the unexpected kiss.

"You're a good daughter, and I love you. Now, go to sleep. We're visiting your future in-laws tomorrow," he announced with a smile. "Goodnight, my love," he added, leaving the room.

Nervousness fluttered within me at the thought of meeting my potential in-laws. I hoped for rejection, a way out from the impending marriage. As I settled into bed, I touched my lips, still in disbelief over my first kiss. His image lingered in my mind, a bittersweet memory as sleep claimed me.

I woke with a slight headache, the remnants of a restless night lingering in my mind. Rubbing my temples, I stumbled out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. The warm water cascading down from the shower helped to ease the tension in my muscles as I went through my morning routine.

After toweling off and getting dressed in clothes pulled from my cupboard, I took a deep breath and headed downstairs to join my family in the living room.

Immediately my mother set her eyes on me she complained “You can't wear that; you look awful," my mom criticized my outfit. "What do you want your future husband to say when he sees you this way?" she added, annoyance lacing her tone. I glanced over at my plain T-shirt, jeans, and Converse, failing to see any issue.

"Mom is right, Peach. You don't look good in what you're wearing," Anna chimed in.

"You both should stop. It's better for her to be herself, and as long as she's comfortable, that's what matters," my dad intervened, earning a grateful smile from me.

"I like what I'm wearing, Mom," I asserted with a low tone.

"There's nothing more to say. Let's go," my mom declared, her annoyance palpable.

Arriving at our destination, my eyes widened in shock. The Lycan king's wealth surpassed my expectations, making me feel like I was stepping into a heavenly abode.

"Wow! This house is amazing!" Anna exclaimed in disbelief. "You've really hit the jackpot with this, Peach," she added, excitement evident in her tone.

"Let's go this way," my dad guided us, leading the way. The grandeur unfolded before us — a massive fountain, a swarm of workers, and an atmosphere charged with excitement.

"Welcome; Sir is waiting for you," a man, presumably the butler, announced. We followed him inside, and the interior surpassed the exterior in opulence.

"O'Reily!" the Lycan king greeted my dad, and they exchanged a warm hug. I was taken aback by the revelation of their close relationship. "You must be Peach. The last time I saw you, you were so little," he remarked upon seeing me. An awkward smile was all I could muster.

"She's all grown up now," my mom added with a forced laugh, holding my hand.

"Dad, you called for me," a man appeared, capturing my attention. His big blue eyes, captivating smile, stylish glasses, chiseled chest, and broad shoulders — Amon, my soon-to-be husband, stood before me with a striking presence.

"This is my son, Amon," the Lycan king introduced, and I marveled at the surreal moment. "This is Peach, the one you will get married to," he added with a smile. Amon approached me, extending his hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Peach," he greeted, and I nervously shook his hand, the gravity of the situation settling in.

"I think it would be good if our children get to know each other in private," the Lycan king suggested, and suddenly, I felt small and nervous.

"I have no problem with it," my mom eagerly agreed, and my dad supported her. We headed to a secluded spot that turned out to be a garden.

Entering the garden, an awkward silence settled between us. A sudden remark shattered it, leaving me bewildered. "My dad would have at least done better," he stated with annoyance, revealing his discontent. "My ex would mock the hell out of me when she finds out about this. I left her to be with this," he continued, his frustration palpable.

Confused, I spoke up with a low tone, "I don't understand what you're talking about."

"You aren't my type, and you are very ugly and fat," he declared, each word breaking my heart into a thousand pieces. The reality hit me – what had I expected? "I'm sorry that you were betrothed to a person like me," I said, my tone filled with sadness. "You can reject me, and we don't have to proceed with this," I added calmly.

"My dad will kill me if I do that, so I have no choice but to accept. But I want you to know that we can't work out, and you will remain a side piece for me," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. Disgust and hurt mingled within me, realizing my misjudgment of his character.

"Can we go back inside now?" I requested, fighting back tears.

"You better not tell anyone what I said to you, or I will make our marriage a living hell for you," he threatened, his words hanging heavy in the air.

Back inside, I forced a smile to conceal the turmoil within. My life seemed bleak if I were to be tied to this family, yet with no other suitors, I reluctantly embraced this alliance.

"Where is your other son?" my dad inquired, catching me off guard. I had no idea there was another son.

"There he is," the Lycan replied, and everyone turned towards the young man behind us. My eyes widened in shock – he was the same man from the pub.

"Oh no," I muttered to myself, a sinking feeling enveloping me.