After Your Rejection

Chapter 20 The Whole Story

Sebastian

'Sebastian, it's time for you to tell me everything. And by everything I mean the whole story, so I can understand your behavior. And Alexis's too. I want to know what happened and why my daughter thinks you don't want to be with her. For f*ck's sake, you had to know for a long time that she was your fated mate. Why haven't you told me anything?' Kieran starts the sentence with a controlled voice, but at the end, it turns into a growl.

'Okay, let's start from the beginning. I knew for sure she was my mate from the age of 21. She was 16 back then. I was surprised she was my mate because she is your daughter, Kieran, your blood. The most powerful Alpha's blood. I thought she'd be paired with another Alpha, someone born to be the Alpha, not me. I was the second son. I wasn't supposed to be the Alpha. I didn't want to tell you because I was scared of your reaction. I was scared you wouldn't find me worthy of your precious princess. It's because of you I am where I am now and have all of this. I didn't want to mess up things with you. I'm so grateful to you for everything you did. I thought if you found out, you would be disappointed that your daughter was mated to me. That you would think I was not enough and that somebody else would be more deserving of her. But you should know that I always love her. And that was the other reason I was quiet, so I could see her from time to time and maybe become somebody deserving of your daughter. I worked hard to be a good Alpha and to be a good man. Better than my brother was, better than my father was. To be your friend so you could accept me as your son-in-law one day.' I start and see the anger in Kieran's eyes transform into another emotion, curiosity or maybe comprehension. 'That doesn't mean I wanted to be your friend, just you can accept me as Alexis's mate.' I add quickly. I don't need him to think our friendship means nothing to me, nothing more than a way to get his daughter. Because it's not like that at all.

'Sebastian, it doesn't matter if you were born as an Alpha or not, you've become worthy of being one through your effort and hard work. Through your belief that your pack deserves better than what your father and brother gave them. I've never seen you any different from other Alphas. I even respect you more than most of the Alphas, because their titles were given them by birthright. Yours is the result of who you are and what you are capable of when you make up your mind. It wasn't me who won the Alpha challenge, you did that. We just trained you and showed you a way, but it was all you. You should have known that. I've always treated you with respect. And I highly value our friendship. That's why it's so hard for me to understand this whole f*cked up situation and your behavior, because I would never think you unworthy of my daughter.' Kieran tells me with sincerity.

'Thank you, Kieran. I really appreciate it.' I tell him with gratitude. I really needed to hear that.

'Now tell me, why my daughter thinks you don't want her. Because that is still unclear to me.' Kieran says, trying to control his temper. His daughter is his sweet princess, so anybody who dares to cause her harm or just make her sad will pay for it. And that should be me now.

'Remember what we found out the day before Alexis's birthday?' When Kieran shakes his head, I continue.

'We found out Seth is behind the rogue attacks. I was scared Seth would use Alexis for his revenge and hurt her. I thought she was better without me, that she would be safe with you, in her home, in your pack. I haven't thought it through, obviously. I wasn't there for her during her first shift. I should have been there. I should have been the one to help her. When she shifted and finally could feel the mate bond, I acted like a total jerk. I was hiding in my room like a coward, hoping she wouldn't find out, and I would have time to get back to my pack. I turned my back on her and left without telling her anything. I regretted it instantly. I just wanted to clear my head, so I could make things right. Axel stopped me before I had a chance to drive away from her. Things escalated quickly, and before I knew it, she rejected me and walked away from me. I didn't stop her, because I was busy getting my ass kicked by your son.' I confess, not that I'm embarrassed Axel serves my ass to me. I deserved that.

'I'm not sorry about that, you totally deserved it. She is my only sister and I don't allow anybody to treat her less than she deserves.' Axel tells me without any remorse.

'I get that and I'm not angry. That was why I let you beat the hell out of me.' I shrug.

'What do you want to do now? The pain must be excruciating. I can't believe you didn't accept her rejection. Are you planning on rejecting her or accepting her rejection?' Kieran interrupts our short conversation.

'I don't know what I want to do, but I sure as hell am not rejecting her or accepting her rejection. I love her, Kieran. I love Alexis. I know I made a mistake, and she paid for it, but I'm determined to apologize to her and explain everything. I tried to do that after she left the table and went to her car, ready to leave my pack, but Axel stopped me and Alexis wasn't ready to talk to me. I don't want to pressure her, but I really need to talk to her. I heard she's seeing someone, but from how she spelt it, they aren't dating yet, which leaves me with hope. I want another chance to make things right between us. If she allows it, that is.' I make a face when I say the part about her and another man. It doesn't sit well with me.

'Sebastian, I'm sorry for not allowing you to talk to my sister. You know, she is better now, and I didn't want you to ruin things for her.' Axel apologizes to me.

'I understand.' I say. It pissed me that he didn't allow me to talk to her, but she didn't want to. I will wait however long it will take for her to be comfortable enough to talk with me.

'Alpha, there is a rogue attack not far away from our borders. Alpha, you should know that Alpha Kieran's daughter is the one they attacked.' A warrior mind-links me. My face pales. Kieran and Axel look at me worriedly.

'What's wrong?' Kieran asks.

'Alexis… the rogues are attacking her near our border.' I manage to say before I rush out of my office, giving orders to my warriors through mind-link. I shift midair the moment I barged through the front doors, not giving a damn about taking off my clothes. Alexis is in danger. If something happens to her… I can't even think about it. She's strong and trained, she can fight back till the reinforcements come to her rescue. Kieran and Axel are running in their wolf forms alongside me. I push myself harder, I want to be with her and make sure she's not wounded. Or worse…

'Donovan, what's happening?' I ask my Gamma, hoping he's already there protecting Alexis.

'She's safe now. She got injured, but nothing serious. Just a few bites and scratches.' He's got to be kidding me. How can he say 'nothing serious' in the same sentence with the words bites and scratches!

We arrive at the given location in no time. There's blood everywhere, but Kieran's and my warriors look unharmed. That means it's either blood from the rogues or Alexis's blood. The latter has my blood boiling. I see Alexis sitting on a fallen tree near her overturned car. That sh*tface Nathan, or what's his name, is tending to her injured arm. Tears are running down her cheeks. She hisses when Nathan sprays some disinfection on her wound and starts bandaging it. We shift back and put on some shorts one of my warriors gave us.

'Alexis, are you okay?' Kieran breaks the silence first. Axel runs to her and when he is nearby, Alexis throws herself into his arms and hides her face in his chest.

'Are you hurt, sis? What happened?' Axel asks her while stroking her hair. She just sobs and keeps hiding in his chest, not telling us anything.