REJECTED AND LOVED BY A RED WOLF

THE REJECTION

CHAPTER 2

Five years ago.

Brandon Nicholas, the young Alpha of the Waxing Crescent Moon pack from Yemen, sat on a couch opposite Ava, with an expectant look on his face. He had patiently waited for three years for this hour– the hour, he hoped, he could be allowed to finally claim his mate.

He considered himself lucky to be given by the moon goddess, Selene, a quintessential mate. Ava Stark was bestowed with a kind heart and a beauty likened to that of a goddess. He could not find a single flaw in her, both physically and emotionally.

Brandon observed the anxious Ava in front of him, although he was confused upon seeing her anxiety, he kept his mouth sealed shut. He assumed–anxiety was normal, he too was a bit anxious.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her, she was so mesmerizing–her slightly-curling reddish-brown hair resting neatly on her shoulders, her light brown eyebrows perfectly curved above her deep-set amber eyes, her perfectly tipped nose, face shape, small chin, and thin lips that looked so soft, completed the look of a perfect Luna for him. Ava looked so delicate that all he wished to do was to cuddle her in his arms and protect her with all his power and might for the rest of his life.

He had known that Ava was his mate, as soon as she shifted into a beautiful red wolf. He had felt the pull, the spark, smelled her alluring natural scent, and to claim her as his very own right there and there formed in his mind but–he did not. He waited for the proper time.

Unlike the past generations, their generation was more modern in more aspects than he could think of and enumerate. They evolved, and their ways and beliefs changed over time.

Like in the mate bonds–the males–Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Omega, Delta, and other male wolves no longer claimed dominance over their mates. She wolves have the right to choose who they wanted to give themselves to and spend the rest of their lives with. It was a right of shewolves that was influenced by interactions with humans for a very long time– a right that was supported by the last two generations of elders–a female right respected by male wolves of today.

Aside from that, Ava’s father expressed his wish for his daughter to be given the right to choose the right man for her. Anon added that Ava’s mind was not into mate bonds at the moment and it was also validated by Ava. She was still young according to Anon, Ada had just turned 18 and had yet to explore opportunities.

Brandon had respected the Alpha Anon for years. He admired the person since they were introduced, and he did not turn him down…he waited.

He wooed Ada, like the way humans courted the women dear to their hearts. He sent her flowers, and gifts and invited her to dinner each time he was in the country. He had been uncomplaining, not pressing, and understanding. He allowed Ava to explore the opportunities of life and allowed her more time before she commit herself to him.

Brandon was certain that the moon goddess would not give him a mate that wouldn’t return his fondness and affection. Ava was his mate, he could feel the mate pull, they were strongly attached to each other whenever they were in the same room. And when they were miles apart, his headspace was so full of her.

He was looking forward to a wonderful night which was why he couldn’t fathom, why the message of the words that came from a piece of music like a voice seemed like a sound of thunder. Ear piercing, and heart-rendering.

“I am so sorry Brandon! I cannot return your affection.”

Brandon didn’t know what hit him in between his ribs, the force was too strong that it shook his entire being. The voice was soft and gentle but the context… its impact- the meaning was gut-wrenching, it burned his entire being and shred his heart to pieces.

Brandon couldn’t utter a single word, instead, he closed his heated eyes, and for the first time in his adult life–pearly liquid cascaded down his face. Those were bitter tears, something he never expected he would shed for the day.

“I-i wish one day, you could find your real mate, someone who could love you as you deserved,” Ava added, which further increased the pain in his heart.

In his inner space, he could no longer hear anyone. He could no longer understand the reasons Ava was giving him.

Until he heard the words that made his world collapse and scattered to bits and pieces.

“I, Avalline Stark, declined the mate bond to Alpha, Brandon Nicholas of waxing crescent moon pack.”

Brandon looked down. He couldn’t look at her. He couldn't place the kind, gentle, and always pleasant-looking Ava to be the same person who had placed the dagger in his heart. He stood up, bowed his head, and walked towards the door without a word. Although it might be rude to walk out without saying a word, he was too broken to utter a sincere one, so he left quietly.

As he approached his waiting car, his vision caught another door where a young gentleman stood still. Without meaning to intervene, snoop and pry, he stayed and watched…he only wanted answers to the questions in his mind.

A moment later, he saw Ava join him. His heart broke when he saw the two people holding each other in their arms.

Why couldn’t Ava return his affection? Why did she disregard their mate bond?

His curiosity paved off and he got the answer that night.

He left with tears in his eyes and feeling like he was thrown in space, six feet under.

The kindhearted and decent newly proclaimed Alpha of a small pack in Yemen died that night.

*****

At the present time.

Ava was expecting to see a waxing gibbous moon in the sky. In a few days, the moon would be full. There were so many stars, but for some reason, there were big dark clouds covering the moon tonight.

Was the moon hiding from me? Ava asked, feeling so sad.

Was our goddess hiding from me?

She needed guidance tonight more than any other night. She was about to meet the man she never thought she would meet again after a very long time.

Her real mate. The one she rejected.

She could still picture the deepest sadness she saw the last time they spoke to each other. Brandon’s eyes were darker than the murky water that flowed when the flood gate was opened. He looked defeated and demoralized, and it seemed happiness was snatched away from him so ruthlessly…sadly, she was the one who caused him that pain.

It took her years to forget that scene. It had haunted her for many nights…until she learned to forget or had been forced to forget, not by anyone but by herself…as she handled her own grief…and regrets.

The day after tomorrow, Ada had to see Brandon. She needed to save their business empire. She needed his agreement to supply the plant that CatStark needed to produce the PERFUME necessary for the wolves to conceal their scent.

She had to sacrifice her pride for the good of all the wolves, who depended on them to continue mingling with humans. She couldn’t let her brothers down, she couldn’t let the wolves down, and she couldn’t let the business that stayed mighty for years be ruined due to her self-regard.

She had to face Brandon…and his wrath.

*****

Two days later.

Ada sat in the reception area of Nickwell Unlimited. Despite a confirmed appointment with the President, she had been there for thirty minutes. Her stress level had reached epic proportions–she was trembling inside but tried to maintain her composure outside.

Her stress was due to a combination of having to see Brandon again and annoyance due to his unprofessional treatment. She was here on business, she came on time. Unfortunately, her effort and time were not respected.

Her long waiting was intentional, she figured. It was not hard to put two and two together, but despite that, Ava knew she couldn’t lose her head. She didn't mind even if she wasn’t invited to the President’s floor. She sat among other office visitors on the ground floor, but she ignored the rising level of annoyance urging her to walk out the entrance door and leave.

Ada took several shaky breaths to calm her mind and condition herself that she had gone this far. She was already at the reception area in the lobby. She loathed the idea of waiting longer than necessary and without due respect for her status. It was such an impudent reception to her visit, but she placed it all at the back of her head.

A few minutes later, a smiling lady with ash-brown long hair, dressed in the nines with her red sole shoes, approached her.

“Miss Ava Stark?” she asked politely.

“Yes–” Ava replied.

“I’m Mina, the President’s personal assistant.” She extended a hand.

Ava took it and shook her warm hand.

“The President will see you now. I will escort you to his office.”

“Thank you.”

“He was held up in his meeting earlier. The President sends his regrets for keeping you waiting,” Mina informed her as she walked her, towards the private lift.

Ava bobbed her head in the absence of what else to say. Brandon’s assistant was pleasant to talk with, but she didn’t have anything to say to her. Ava’s headspace was full of Brandon and his supposed reaction after no communication with her for years. And most of all, his decision regarding CatStark’s proposition.

“You’ve known him for years?” Mina asked while they were inside the private lift.

“Yes–” Ava replied timidly.

“I’m sure you know about the changes in him,” Mina remarked.

Ava honestly didn’t know what to tell her. While it was true that Brandon and herself had known each other for years, she heard nothing about him after the night they parted ways. Although admittedly, Ava was curious about the comment of his assistant.

What changed in Brandon? Was it physically or financially? His business seemed to grow exponentially over five years. Ada thought. Was his assistant referring to that change?

After a few more minutes, they reached the top floor, and like in CatStark, Nickwell’s business center was a showcase of power. The floor was screaming with luxury, a loud declaration of business success. It was impressive, Ava silently remarked.

She remained silent the whole time. She was escorted to the President’s room, as soon as they reached the top floor.

She saw Brandon standing in front of a huge window gazing at the view beyond the glass wall–his back facing them.

“Mr. Nicholas, Miss Ava Stark is here,” Mina curtly expressed.

“Leave us!” Brandon dismissed her rudely.

The charming assistant was not even surprised at his response. Mina gave Ava a gentle squeeze in her hand and made her way to the door.

Although a bit surprised at his rudeness, Ava let it pass and charged it to the pressure of the day. She was well aware of how things could heat and tense up at any minute in a challenging business environment. She saw it from her father before and now with her siblings.

Ava looked at Brandon’s back, meantime he ignored her presence and continued to look at the view beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass window.

Brandon was every bit of the man she remembered, same height, same bearing, and same formidable presence clothed in an expensive made-to-fit suit. But–like what his assistant said–he was different.

He turned slowly and his turquoise eyes betrayed nothing of his emotions, “Miss Stark?”

Ava was not able to respond to him outright. She was lost for words– she couldn’t understand the sudden urge to run to him and laced her hands around his neck and ran her palms on his hair while she kissed him passionately. Tearing off his clothes was not far from her mind either.

Ava was shocked to find out that the incredible magnet-like pull between them was still there...and her body was on fire.

But--

She had rejected him–

Why was there still an undeniable and powerful attraction between them? Or-- Was she the only one affected by the pull?

Could it be possible that the Moon Goddess had played an awful trick to punish her?