Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 9

I have to push Axe back quickly and keep him behind my body as I continue trying to

talk to my friend. My mate is furious.

"You don't get to say these things," I tell Leeland.

His eyes drift behind me to the beast of a man I'm trying to keep away from him.

"If I didn't find my mate, you know I would've wanted to mate with you too."

Axe growls and grabs my waist possessively whilst I continue.

"That's not how it turned out though. I have my mate and I want to be with him more than

anything. When you find your mate, you'll feel the same way and... And everything will be right.

Okay?"

Leeland is silent and his eyes are downcast as I've rejected him. I know how it feels, but this isn't

as big a deal as an actual mate rejection.

"I will visit all the time Lee, and we'll hang out like old times. I have to be with my mate

though."

After a minute Leeland looks up at me with tears in his eyes and he nods once before walking

over an embracing me in a hug.

Luckily, Axe lets me go for this small action and I give my friend his goodbye.

"Until I see you again, okay?"

Leeland sniffs harshly and nods before pulling back. His hand brushes my cheek before he steps

away and my heart clenches.

"I love you."

I nod in agreement. My voice cracks as I return it. "I love you too, Lee."

When he leaves, I let my tears fall as Axe's hesitant arms hold me again.

He waits until my tears dry before looking at me with hurt.

"You love him?"

I nod and lay my head on his chest. "Of course. He's been my friend forever."

Axe seems relieved that I added the friend part and lets me relax against him while he plays with

my curls.

•••

Packing is fun, don't get me wrong. It's just sad too. Usually my dad helps me, but he hasn't

come up to see me yet. Axe stands in his place, taping the boxes after I've filled them and asking

questions here and there.

Packing only takes an hour because I filled fifteen medium boxes. More than half are clothes, so

it's not crazy to me.

"My beta Mason will be here with my gamma Ian to get the boxes tomorrow morning."

I nod and push him back on the bed before making a nest in his side where infinite warmth and

comfort will engulf me.

"We're leaving tomorrow?"

He nods and rubs my arm soothingly. "We're going home. You'll be my Luna... we'll mate...

Make Love... You'll bear my pups..."

He whispers the last part, rubbing his large hand on my tummy.

The giant thing takes up all the space and covers the whole surface area ribcage to ribcage.

"I'll watch you swell with my seed... Right after I make love to you all night and all day until the

only thing you know how to say is, 'Yes! Yes alpha!'"

My heart rate quickens with his words and my breathing starts to labor. How can he do this with

only his words?

Unable to restrain myself, I shift upwards and connect my lips with his. He instantly shifts to

accommodate my mouth, his warm mouth devouring mine sweetly. His kiss is soft and

slow. Loving…until the door opens.

I scramble up quickly and look to the door like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Dad," I greet.

He glares at Axe, but drifts his eyes back to mine and softens them ever so slightly.

“Dinner is ready.”

*****

Dinner was completely silent, which is better than arguing, I suppose. It was a quick affair and

right after, I sent Axe upstairs so that I could talk to my dad.

Taking the last of the plates to the kitchen and dropping them in the sink, I watch my father

scrubbing at the plates furiously.

"Are you okay?"

My dad pauses for a moment before finishing the plate he was working on and looking at me

with conviction.

"Babydoll... I don't want you to go with him. You don't have to and I promise we could work

things out in the pack to make you happier here-"

I shut my eyes tightly and interrupt what I can only identify as a desperate plead. "Would you

have rejected mom? Would you have wanted her to reject you?"

My dad looks stunned. "No, but that's different. I'm not a known serial murder with a temper."

"But you have killed and you do have a temper. It's not legendary of course, but it's there. Mom

had to leave her pack behind. If her family asked her not to go, would you have respected that

and lived on without her?"

"If I hadn't met your mother, I wouldn't have you."

I tilt my head inquiringly. "Exactly. Did it ever occur to you that I might want pups? Don't you

want grandkids?"

My dad's face turns downcast. "Of course, but not at this expense. He's dangerous Lilac. Don't

you see that?"

I nod a bit, remembering how vicious he was when people threatened to take me away from

him.

"I do, but I don't care. He won't hurt me and that's what matters right? That's what you were

worried about. Well, you don't need to worry anymore because he's already agreed to make

regular visits here for us to see you. He's really trying, but you need to meet him halfway."

My dad sighs heavily and holds his arms out, to which I bury myself into. This man has been my

rock for as long as I can remember, especially after the Jackson incident. I think time apart will

be good, though. No everyday training for me. If I'm gone we can't argue and the time we do see

each other will only be good. Probably.

"I'll miss you Little Wolf," my dad says in a shaky voice.

"Don't cry! I'm not going until tomorrow afternoon."

My dad nods and says he has some business to take care of and heads off, but I'm sixty percent

sure he's going to cry in private. He hates when I see him cry, so I leave him be and head upstairs

to get a good night's rest before I have to leave tomorrow.