After Your Rejection

Chapter 17 Who Was He?

Alexis

'Sorry, but I can't stay any longer. It was a mistake to come here.' I stand up and exit the winter garden, hoping the fresh winter air will help me clear my mind. My bag is in the apartment, but I'm not stepping a foot back into the pack house. I walk fast back to where my car is parked. With the back of my hand, I wipe the tears streaming down my face. I will have to text Axel and ask him to pack my things and send them to my dormitory.

I'm in the front of the pack house when suddenly somebody grabs my hand and spins me around. I'm met with the eyes I know so well. They are the same as mine. They belong to my Dad. But they aren't smiling at me, nor providing me with comfort.

'Who was he?' Asks Dad with a murderous expression.

'Dad, please, let me go. I don't want to talk about it anymore.' I try to free my hand from his grip, but he doesn't let go.

'I'm asking you for the last time, Alexis, who was he?' Dad repeats the question, his grip tightening even more. I'm going to be so bruised tomorrow. First Damian, now Dad.

'Dad, you are hurting me.' I tell him when his grip becomes unbearable. He releases my hand but is still looking at me expectantly and furiously at the same time. I know he's not angry with me, but with the one I rejected. I can't tell him his name. This will change for a bloodbath. Axel will finish what he started. I know he's waiting for an opportunity. He said it numerous times. The only one stopping him is Dad. And me, when I try to reason with him to let it be.

'I'm sorry, but I'm not telling you. It's not my place. Maybe one day he will tell you.' I tell him sternly. If Sebastian wants to tell him, he can do so. But I don't want to.

'And what about the guy you are with?' Dad asks after a while.

'We aren't technically together, because I'm not ready for commitment. But he doesn't mind as soon as we are exclusive.' I explain my situation. Or just the basic stuff.

'Does he treat you well?' Dad looks at me intently, waiting for my answer.

'Yes, Dad. If he doesn't, I won't be with him. Look, Dad. He came into my life when I was at my lowest. He didn't judge me, never once did he criticize me or tell me I should have done things differently. He's there for me whenever I need him. He collected the broken pieces of me and put them back. I'm not healed completely, but I'm better than I was six months ago. Trust me when I tell you he's doing everything and beyond to ensure my comfort and my happiness. The only thing holding me back from dating him officially or bringing him home with me is my belief that he deserves me at my best, not some broken version of me. And I'm trying hard to be me again. The strong, independent, and confident me. Please, let me do this by myself. Give me a chance to make my own decisions. And give him a chance, even if you don't know him yet.' I beg Dad, hoping he will think about what I've just told him.

'Okay.' Dad answers with one word. I'm not totally convinced he means it.

'Okay what? Will you give him a chance?' I ask to clarify. Dad looks in the distance, contemplating my words, thinking about what to tell me. He runs his hand down his face before he's ready to answer me.

'Okay, I will think about it.' He says in the end. Yeah, that's the best I can get, I guess.

'Thanks, Dad. I love you.' I hug him, and he hugs me back, bringing comfort, love, and protection with it. That's how his hugs make me feel.

'Are you disappointed in me?' I ask him before pulling away from him. I need to feel his embrace when he tells me how I let him down. Mum and Dad always told us to wait for our mates, not to make choices that we would regret one day. Not that I didn't wait. I made bad choices after I found out who my mate was. Technically, I never disobeyed them. Technically.

'No. I need to think about everything you told us today. And maybe hear more later, when you are ready. But I'm not disappointed, and neither is your mother. You need to make your choices and live with them, whether they are good or bad. Only time will tell us which were the good ones and which were not... Drive safe, princess. Let us know that you arrive safely. And get in touch with us more.' He kisses my temple and I smile at him. I like this sweet gesture of his.

'Okay, I will. Bye, Dad.'

He gives me one last kiss on my temple and leaves. I go to my car and stop dead in my tracks. Alpha Sebastian is waiting by my car, pacing, and nervously running his hand through his hair. He looks like a mess. Not that I care.

'I'm sorry for everything. I didn't mean any of this to happen, I swear.' When I come closer, Alpha Sebastian says with remorse in his eyes. He's looking at me with an expression I can't fully comprehend. I'm looking into his caramel-brown eyes which are trying to communicate with me. His wolf comes closer to the surface, his eyes flickering between his brown and his wolf's black. Suddenly, he's thrown away from me.

'Stay away from her, Sebastian, before I finish what I started six months ago.' Axel tells him with a dangerous edge to his voice. It's not a warning, it's a threat.

'I need to talk to her. It's important.' Alpha Sebastian tries to persuade him and also me.

'Not a chance. You've done enough. Or better say, you've done nothing. Don't ever talk to her. She's not yours anymore.' Axel is not one to back down. He's standing in front of me protectively. Our eye contact was broken, enabling me to think clearly. Or at least I hope so. But I can't shake the feeling he is closer to knowing the truth that I'm desperately trying to hide.

'I don't want to cause a scene, I just want to talk to her.' Alpha Sebastian pleads with Axel, trying to look past him to me.

'Do you want to talk to him, sis?' Axel exhales loudly and turns his attention to me. I'm not sure what I want. I need to distance myself from this situation.

'No.' I say quietly while looking into Alpha Sebastian's caramel-brown eyes. He stares at me for a while and then nods his head. He turns on his heels and walks away. Axel is following his every step.

'Please, don't run away again.’ Axel turns all his attention back to me.

‘Ax, I can't stay. Please, let me leave, I'll come home when I'm ready.' I plead.

'Okay, but please, come soon. It sucks without you.' He says while looking into my eyes, so I can see he meant every word.

'Hey, you have a mate now, I think you'll be just fine.' I punch him playfully.

'Yes, I finally have her, but that doesn't mean I have forgotten about you. I still love you, sis.'

'I love you too, Ax.' I hug him and kiss him on his cheek. He kisses my forehead and opens the car door for me.

'Drive safe.'

'Always.' I smile at him and start my car.