The Alpha's Embrace

Reasons (unedited)

When Thomas left Mary's office, he felt as if his head was about to explode. It's not that he couldn't understand where Mary was coming from, its just that for six years he felt as if everything was okay with Serenity. That even though she didn't want a mate, things were good.

But that was just him looking at the glass half full instead of empty. Thomas wasn't in the mood to go back to the house. Instead, he wanted to go home, to see his mate and two children. It's what he desperately needed right now.

'I'm heading home. You can deal with Serena and Jorah.' he mind linked Serenity as he walked home.

'I have things handled, say hello to the kids for me.' Serenity replied a few seconds after. Thomas cut off the link after hearing her reply. Taking his time, he arrived home in under ten minutes. Everest his mate was out on the lawn with their two sons playing.

The little guys discovered him first and forgot all about the game they were playing and dashed towards Thomas. A smile spread across his face as he knelt down to catch his sons who were barreling towards him.

"Ahhhh, daddy missed you boys." Thomas feathered the boys with kisses as Everest walked up to them. "Hi Honey."

"Alright boys, let daddy come inside the house to change." Everest smiled and greeted him back. "Welcome back Tommy."

When Jared arrived at the house, Serena, Jorah and Serenity were all on the porch. Quickening his steps, he climbed the steps and was greeted by everyone.

"Did you get everything settled?" Jorah asked his brother, who in turn nodded to confirm he did. "Ah that's good. Serena and I decided to take things slow and settle ourselves before we first the mating ritual."

"Slow is good. But not too slow, I want to hold my nephew or niece soon." Jared joked. Making his brother let out a nervous laugh as he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

The four sat on the porch and talked, mainly Jorah, Serena talked. Serenity was eerily quiet throughout the conversation. Only speaking when spoken to and never saying more.

"Well, it's getting late. We still have some work to do." Jorah leaned and gave Serena a peck on her forehead. Causing her to blush. "I'll come see you in the morning, okay?"

Serena covered the spot he kissed with and nodded shyly. The progress was fast. Well, to Jared, who couldn't get his mate to look at him for more than five seconds. The brothers made silent eye contact. Jorah could see Jared's meaning without an exchange of words.

"Walk me down? "Jorah grabbed Serena's hand in a silent plea. She glanced at her quiet sister and nodded. The couple walked hand in hand off the porch and walked down the driveway. Jared and Serenity were left alone in an awkward silence.

Jared bit his bottom lip, slightly chewing it. "I think we need to talk," he began.

"If you want to talk, then talk. I'm listening. " Serenity turned her head and stared at him. Her attitude was clear. She was going to listen to what he had to say.

"So, um rejection," Jared rubbed the back of his neck, showing his discomfort with this conversation. "I don't know why you want to reject me, but if it's because you think I want control or power over you. I don't want that. If I wanted power, if I still want power, it's as simple as opening my mouth."

Serenity silently stared at him. Her heartache at his nervous and unease expressions. But she knew it wasn't because she liked him or anything. It was simply the mate bond trying to force her to give in to him.

Something she never wanted to do. She saw first hand what lengths a person would go for their mates. Her parents taught her that harsh lesson many years ago. It's one she'll never forget.

Giving in to the mate bond, giving up her free will, and staying bonded to one man forever was something Serenity doesn't want. The only thing that reassures her is the power she has grasped firmly in her hands.

Those unsightly people had already begun to make moves when they found out Jared was her mate. Her eyes and ears were everywhere in this pack. After all, spending eleven years as alpha wasn't a child game.

"So you want to become my Luna?" Serenity laughed humorlessly. "A man as a Luna. Those old fuckers would certainly kill me this time."

"Serenity....." Jared frowned, he was at a loss for words. What exactly could he say here without sounding idiotic. He just could quite understand this mate of his.

"Well you did tell them to call you Luna. Haaa, what I would give to see the expression on their face." Serenity sighed and leaned back in her chair. "The rejection thing is non-negotiable. I'm going to reject you."

"Why? I just told you I don't want power or anything like that. So why must we make things harder on ourselves? I'm the direct descendant of a long line of alpha kings. My blood is pure, and I am a full blooded alpha male. And you are a strong dominant alpha female. This rejection thing is not going to work out well for either of us. Not to mention the weakening, but our heat and rut will drive us to an animalistic state!" Jared argued while Serenity had a serene expression on her face

"My reason for rejection are mine alone." Serenity explained. "I overcame the odds and became pack alpha. I'll overcome the odds again and become mate free."

"That isn't possible, not even in death can you escape your mate's hold." Jared shook his head in disagreement.

"Want to die and check if that's true?" Serenity laughed cruelly. "I'll be happy to kill you for the experiment."

"You're doing this on purpose. You are trying to rile me up! I'm not going to play this game with you. Fine, you want to reject me. Go ahead. But if you think I'll roll over and let you walk away. You're wrong. You'll get to know just how stubborn I am." Jared stood up and used his index finger to point at Serenity.

"Fine." She stood up and walked towards him. " I, alpha Serenity Walker reject you Jared Lupe."

Jared curled his lips into a sneer, "You said your reasons was yours alone? Then let me prove to you how wrong you are."

He then turned on his heel and walked down the stairs. Without a single glance backwards he shifted into a large light grey wolf and dashed down the driveway. Passing Serena and Jorah who stood at the end of the driveway.

"I should go check on him." Jorah gave Serena an apologetic smile as he shifted into a dark grey wolf and rushed off in the direction Jared went. Pursing her lips she walked back up to the house to find her sister comfortably sitting on the porch.

"Did you reject him?" Serena asked as she climbed the steps.

"Obviously," Serenity answered indifferently. This made Serena face twist.

"You know, I truly think you're the biggest hypocrite there ever was."Serena shook her head at her sister. "You flipped out when I refused to get a mate and when I rejected mine, you couldn't wait to convince me otherwise."

"Yes, yes. Your sister's a hypocrite. I'll admit to that." Serenity gave her sister the side eye. "Just because you can't understand my reasons doesn't mean I don't have them."

"Okay so if you have reasons, why not shared them with me?" Serena frowned. she moved to sit beside Serenity. "Help me understand your reasons for such a decision."

"My reasons can't be shared with you. You won't handle it well. And maybe you'll go rejecting your mate again if I told you." Serena gave Serenity a hard glare when she heard that. "Stop worrying about me Kiddo and worry about how much of a good queen you'll be. "

"You're changing the subject," Serena sighed but allowed it to be. She knew better than anyone of Serenity didn't want to say something then she'll never say it.