Once Rejected, Thrice Accepted

Chapter Nine: Apologies don’t get you out of the dog house all the time.

I won the race but it wasn’t the happy winning circle I was ready for. Once I made it past the tree and had the lake in my sight, two matching wolves popped into view sitting by the edge of the water. Both were huge and reeked of power. Black in color except one had white dipped front paws and the other had white dipped back paws. I was barely able to stop when I saw them without my tail end going over my head. Moonlight was not pleased that they were here.

‘I bet Duncan told them where we were going. What an ass.’ Moonlight sat down and stared at them.

‘Sometimes I just wish life was easier, ya know. My mates would instantly want me, mark me, and link me to the pack. My parents would have had their asses kicked for this s**t and Dennis would have been a big nerd.’ We giggled when we thought of Dennis dressed like a nerd with big glasses, a pocket protector, and his pants pulled up high.

Blue ran up but stopped short of me and laid down my clothes I had forgot. Moonlight huffed at him and turned her head back toward the water ignoring all of them. Blue whined, the twins walked closer slowly, but we weren’t having it. Moonlight let out a growl in warning, making them all stop and stare.

I shifted back letting them take a good long look at my scared and bruised body before grabbing my clothes from the ground. I dressed in front of them with a blank expression on my face and sat down. If they planned this whole stupid scheme might as well hear them out before rejecting their apologies.

“Shift and speak. I want to get this over with.” I mumbled, keeping my eyes trained on the ground. I didn’t want to look like no pathetic hussy going crazy over my mates’ bodies and I didn’t need any distractions.

“I swear I didn’t plan this.” Duncan confessed plopping down beside me. “Lucas linked wondering what we were up to after they saw us walking around the property. I told him we were spending time with each other.”

“He is telling the truth. I started following you guys after the training situation.” Lucas admitted. “I really need to explain myself and do some groveling to hopefully make you like me again.”

I nodded and turned to face Leo. “Same for you or would you rather kill me since I am technically pack less making me a rogue.”

Leo sat down across from me and sighed. “I f****d up. I shouldn’t have trusted those girls especially after seeing how you acted around people. You are my…Our mate and you had no reason to fight with them.”

“We are so sorry. We never thought we would find our mate since our father told us he never found his.” Lucas explained. “Come to find out he did find his mate but she wasn’t strong enough for him nor submissive enough, so he rejected her and mated our mother.”

“Both are pathetic.” Duncan stated with his eyes burning in rage. “But you guys should have known better after everything they have lied about and did to us.”

That one sentence showed me why he would act so defensive over people in his pack and change was not his strong suit. It didn’t make up for his words or actions but I wasn’t as mad. I knew I was reacting to situations differently than most because of all my childhood experiences.

“I would love it if you would let us take you out for dinner tonight to start our groveling?” Leo asked looking a tad bit nervous.

“Where we can discuss you joining our pack and how we go about sharing a mate.” Lucas added.

I took a deep breath and released it, letting some of the tension in my body out. “I am glad you both have gotten your heads out of your asses but I am not ready to go on a date with you. I am having a blast with Duncan and I am hoping he is too.”

Duncan leaned in and kissed my cheek. “I am having the best time. I actually have a dinner thing planned at a cabin I picked out for us. I was hoping you could take a room and I would take the other.”

“Is this to get closer to me or just make sure you have a comfortable bed?” I teased him. “I would love to spend more time together. Plus, it gets me away from a horny pregnant lady and my brothers hairy ass. I have seen it more than I ever wish too.”

“Oh, Ok.” Lucas looked crushed.

“Answer me this honestly and maybe we could do lunch tomorrow.” They both nodded looking eager to get the question right. “Do you fully believe me now and see how truly shameful those girls are or is this just because you need your mate, and your wolf is pushing you to be here?”

“I believe you.” Lucas stated instantly. “I never dated any of them and I knew one or more of them were gunning for the Luna title however they could get it. I just thought they had more common sense and loyalty than that.”

“I believe you. I had a friend go down and speak with them while I listened in. They trusted her since they go to school together. They admitted it and they were pissed we saved you.” Leo looked sad. “Karen was a friend and her Dad has helped us with so much. I hate that we have to have a meeting with him about his daughter tomorrow.”

“Meeting?” I was intrigued.

“Yes. We are going to discuss what happened and what should be their punishment.” Leo answered. “I would like you to be there. I think it would be good to show that they didn’t scare you away and to learn more about what Luna does here.”

“Umm…” I looked at Duncan nervously.

“Duncan will be there too,” Lucas added. "It is something we need to do together.

I nodded and smiled. “OK, I'll be there. And thank you for believing me. Next time it better be instant or ill find you an actual doghouse to sleep in.”

“I like it when you’re feisty.” Duncan winked and stood up.

I stood up with them following. I was proud of myself for not staring at their bare chests or counting each ab with my mouth. I knew my restraint wasn’t going to stay strong so I needed to get out of there. Moonlight was all for some licking and biting. She sent an image for all of us together and I could feel myself getting wet again.

Duncan growled and pulled me against him. “What naughty things are you thinking about, mate? You smell delicious and I bet you taste the same.”

I let out a small moan. Leo and Lucas were getting closer. I heard how heavy their breathing had become and their scents had gotten stronger. Moonlight wanted them to come close enough to touch us. I wasn’t quite ready.

I pulled back and gave a small smile. “I don’t know much about any of this like I said but I am not ready for all of you. That is really scary.”

Duncan lifted my chin and smiled. “Using your words like a good girl. Such a good girl.”

“We can be patient.” Leo whispered from behind me.

“Your smell is almost as intoxicating as your beauty. I will be here when you are ready and we will go as slow as you like.” Lucas stated from beside me.

“But for now we are going to eat until we are so full we have to waddle to the bathroom. I will even let you pick out a movie.” Duncan smiled down at me.

“You will regret that. I haven’t seen a movie since I was four and I loved me some Barbie movies.” He gasped and shook his head no in panic. I just smiled, told the twins good bye, and ran off laughing like a maniac.

“I am so going to tickle your cute ass when I get you alone,” Duncan yelled. The twins were shifting to race along with me.

‘Will you be ready for more by the time we are to take our spot as Luna?’ Moonlight asked.

‘Id like to see how things go with Duncan tonight. Maybe you could give me a brief on s*x and stuff since I wasn’t told anything as you remember.’ She just shrugged and told me to ask Duncan for a hands on answer.