Rejected, Rebirth, and Second Chance

The Mind Of The Jealous

|DAMIEN’S POV|

Son of the head alpha, and right in line to rule, you would think my life would be honky dory. But it isn’t. That is all the fault of my father, these goddamn elders, and my best friend. Now I won’t lie, I have a really big heart. I was so young when I saw that demon half-breed being hunted by some adults. He looked frightened, he looked so small and in need of someone to be on his side.

But he was afraid because of his guardians, they killed for him that night and he didn’t seem proud of it. So I spoke to him and snuck out every day after my dad left to give him food. Only a year later father found out, and I convinced him to adopt the boy.

Rowan is my best friend. The person I can talk to about anything, I trust him. But he also does things effortlessly. The elders love him, father loves him, and everyone f*****g loves him. If I didn’t trust him as much as I do I would have thought he was trying to steal my rightful position, but he would never do that.

That’s why I always feel guilty whenever this jealousy rises because I know he only has my best interest in mind. They can never fully turn us against each other, and I just know this jealousy will fade away once my father passes the torch over to me.

But I’m twenty-five for f**k sake. This year is when he’s supposed to give me the mark of a leader, but the old bastard is taking his sweet time. Making me look like a fool.

I rubbed my forehead as the elders droned on about changes they wanted to make to the pack. The only change I think they should have is more strip clubs.

I sat at the back for a reason, and seeing as they would be talking for another few hours... about nonsense, I grabbed my cell from my pocket. Placed it between my legs and pulled up the screen. I unlocked it and went to my messages. My buddies were talking about throwing Rowan a birthday party.

He’s turning twenty-four in a month and a half. I love the guy, he’s a wonderful best friend and an incredible brother. I can’t fight the tightness in my gut. Today’s events filled my head.

My woman had run from me. She jumped right out of the bed, avoided me, and sunk into Rowan’s arms. He used that soothing voice to get her to fall asleep while I stood there like an i***t. I thought Adeline and I were past all that, but I guess the nightmares still haunt her.

It just offended me that she went to him.

They were always too close for my liking. But again, this is Rowan. The guy can do no wrong. So I know he wouldn’t pull anything with Adeline, and she loves me. She definitely does.

I exhaled slowly and saw that she had texted me.

My Love: Sorry about earlier, I’ve been a bit tense. The nightmares are returning. And I was wondering if it’d be okay for me to get my old room back. So I don’t freak you out.

My stomach gathered this sinking feeling. She hasn’t slept in that room since we crossed the line and had s*x. I tried not to let my thoughts win. She’ll be back in my bed soon enough. As soon as those nightmares leave.

Me: That’s okay, love. Take as much time as you need to feel safe.

She responded with three hearts, and I felt like I could breathe.

I texted my buddies that it was okay to plan the party for Rowan.

“Mr Slovak!” My eyes shot up to see the entire counsel of old fuckers staring at me. The regular people here for the community meeting also looked at me, they shook their heads.

“Yes?”

“Are you even listening to us?”

“Yes I am,” I said between clenched teeth. They shot me looks of disappointment and disbelief. I would flip them off but my father would scold me for it. Thankfully he’s not here today.

“You know, your brother is a member of the elite team. Why are you yet to join the team?” my alpha growled at the old woman before I could contain him. f**k them. They didn’t need to remind me.

“I’m guessing you either didn’t apply or you failed the test. If Rowan were here, he would be paying attention. How do you expect to rule when you can’t even focus on the important things your community needs.”

I rolled my eyes at the man, and he glared even harder.

“Control yourself. If you’re not going to listen then don’t bother coming here at all.”

I didn’t want to come, but Rowan thought it would be in poor taste if I didn’t show interest in what my people wanted. Everywhere I go, it’s rowan, rowan, rowan. I’m the one who brought him here. I didn’t think he’d outdo me in everything.

First to shift into his wolf, Rowan.

First on the elite team, Rowan.

First to do many things is always going to be Rowan. And he’s not even an ass. These people just need to stop d**k-riding his success. It’s not that cool.

“Why don’t you let me worry about myself? Huh? And just get back to the community you all believe I don’t care for.”

“Maybe if you showed it, we would believe you.” the elder bit back. I really wanted to ring the last breath out of his neck, but I contained myself.

Two hours later, and this f*****g meeting was over. Everyone was giving me sour looks when I got up to leave. What do they want me to do? Stay to be insulted? f**k no.

I get it, everyone Slovak who has ruled was a part of the elite team. I applied before Rowan did. And I failed the tests. They didn’t even bother sending me an apology letter. But boy, Rowan got in.

I am so shocked. So f*****g shocked. Like you wouldn’t even believe.

I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans and marched my way back home. I should have taken my car, would have been better. My chest was burning with rage. I can’t let Adeline see me like this. It’ll freak her out. She’ll think I want to hurt her.

On some level, I think she should get over herself. So werewolves killed her family, so what? I devoted years to getting close to her. She should be old enough to let that control her life anymore. Rowan hasn’t let his parent's death keep him from stealing everything I ever wanted. So why is she still hung up on that single night?

Strolling down the busy streets, I found my eyes gravitating towards the omega females that reside in this pack. Humans lack that scent that makes a wolf wild. While Adeline is great, I love her so much.... she’s still lacking in some ways.

She can’t shift and go running with me. She’ll never get the need to mate under the full moon. She won't be able to do most of the pack traditions.

I heard laughter, and it stirred me away from a girl I was staring at. Her black hair was full and moving with the small breeze. She was having a conversation with a man, a baby in her hands. I’d like to have children. Little cubs. Pure blood wolves.

I’d settle for halflings too, you know. The day Adeline is ready, which could be in the next seventy years.

I don’t resent her. I’m just in a bad mood, and thinking about her isn’t making me feel any better.

I followed the sound of the laughter and saw the elite team. The toughest group of wolves in our pack, dressed in a gray t-shirt with their logo on the front. And navy blue sweatpants. They were jogging and telling jokes.

The tall guy with long black hair, mixed eyes, and a toothy grin is my brother. Something about his eyes and the contrast of his dark skin made him look like he was one of a kind. The team jogged past me, still talking and laughing. But Rowan stopped.

I smiled, lifting my hand to high-five him.

He gave me a smile back and ran to catch up to the team. He was faster than most of us, stronger, and taller, he was everything my father probably wanted in a son. But he was my best friend. The dude who cheered me up when I was feeling down. He was too good to have my insecurities thrown at him.

I returned my eyes to the woman and found her watching Rowan’s retreating figure. Even the person she had been talking to was giving their attention to him.

I just continued walking. Passing billboards that announced the newest member of the elite team. And the people stopping by to take pictures. If I’d gotten in, I’d be on there too. But I hadn’t really tried, because why should I?

I’m the head alpha’s son. They shouldn’t have failed me at all.

Yet they did, a voice whispers to me.

They f*****g suck. I finally made it home after walking endlessly.

Entering the house felt off like I was about to be annoyed some more. And when I saw my father in the living room, I knew there was trouble.

“Damien.”

“Don’t even... old man. I don’t want to hear it.”

“You will hear it, goddamn it. You argued with elders today, again?? What is wrong with you? You should be using this year to train with the elite team. What happened to that? Did you not get in?” he looked at me with those judgmental eyes.

I snorted and just went up the stairs. I went into my bedroom, noticing some things were missing. Adeline moved to her room, right.

Ugh, none of them get me.

I stayed in my room until Rowan returned home, I knew he was talking to Dad. My father was probably reporting me, then congratulating Rowan on not being me. I didn’t come out until I knew he’d be coming up the stairs.

When he saw me, he lifted a bottle of scotch and I was so relieved. Still my best friend.

I threw an arm over his shoulder and asked him about his day as he walked to his room. We spent the night watching the original Baywatch and making small talk about anything that came to mind.

It’s my problem, this jealousy I mean. Rowan has done nothing wrong. He’s the only person who hasn’t given up on me. My father has long tossed the towel, and Adeline.... some days she’s my girl, who gets me. And other days... she’s this hollow shell of a girl.

She lets fear consume her. I don’t want to be like that.

I have to get myself in check. Maybe ask Rowan to teach me some things so I can reapply to be an elite. If only my pride would let me.

Everyone needs a best friend like him, he’s too patient.