Rejection and Second Chances

Escape?

“Help! I can’t find my family! Help me!”

“Adelina? Adelina are you okay?” I woke up on the ground to pain all over my body and winced as I touched my forehead.

“I’m sorry…who are you?” I asked, struggling to sit up. I couldn’t even make it onto my elbows, my head was spinning so bad.

“I’m Ashton Laramie, I’m from a more northern pack. Zackary’s dad and my dead have been friends and we’re trying to keep the peace between the two packs, but tensions are starting to rise again so I came down for a visit.” I looked at him, my head still spinning.

“Uh…what?” Real smooth on my end. I’d never really talked to anyone like this after…that night.

“Are you okay?” He asked, concern covering his face.

“My head is spinning.” I said, closing my eyes. I felt him pick me up and begin carrying me somewhere.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked quietly, holding my hands to my head. My body hurt too, the healing process had kicked in and the pain was lessening, but it was still sharp and hurt to breathe.

“I’m taking you back to your packhouse?” He said questioningly.

“Please don’t. I have nothing there but clothes waiting for me.”

“Well then we have to go get those clothes if you’re trying to leave.” He said, setting me in his passenger seat gently. I rolled my eyes but said nothing as he turned on the car and began driving.

The drive was short, way shorter than I wanted it to be. I looked up when we arrived, my vision slowly having returned back to normal for the most part. We got out and I took a deep breath before slipping inside.

“Adelina!” I heard William’s shout throughout the packhouse. I began to shake; when he yelled like that, I knew I was in trouble.

“Yes sir?” I appeared before him, looking down at the floorboards.

“Care telling me what happened at college today?” His voice was more than tinged with anger, it was full of it. I cowered beneath him.

Honey, you have an alphas blood in you. Stop cowering.

Astrias voice was quiet in the back of my mind as Williams gaze penetrated my shaking body.

“I turned 18 today, sir.” I squeaked. He slammed his hand down on his desk.

“Look at me right now!” He commanded. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment and then looked up at him. “And you rejected my son, your future alpha?!” He was absolutely enraged, his large hand coming towards me fast.

“William Heyes, I wouldn’t do that.” Ashton tsked behind me. Williams hand never met my face, and I looked over at him. He was looking at Ashton with surprise, his hand lowering.

“Ashton Laramie.” His voice was gruff, his posture tense. “Who are you to tell me what to do with my pack members?” Ashton chuckled, striding over to my side.

“I’m sure the King and Queen wouldn’t agree with your treatment, and I know my father wouldn’t want to keep the peace if he knew, either.” Williams jaw was tense. “I’ll throw it out there and say Blue River Pack, which you almost border against, wouldn’t like it, either. I hear Xavier and Lilith are quite a formidable and aggressive duo, adding in her other two mates and I don’t think your pack would make it.”

“Is that a challenge, boy?” Williams eyes glinted, the veins in his jaw throbbing. He was a handsome man, but that handsomeness was overshadowed by his anger and cruelness. His salt and pepper hair was growing more salt than pepper these days, too.

“Absolutely not, just…” Ashton searched for the right word. “Just letting you know Blue River isn’t the best pack to go to war with.” Williams jaw relaxed, the angry glint in his eyes lessening.

“Then what are you doing here, Laramie?” He said tersely.

“Well, I was saying hi to Zackary at the college for old times sake. And Adelina here rejected him, and was making her way back here when she was attacked by Megan’s friends. You know, she could have been seriously injured.” Ashton said casually, crossing his arms. The air was electric around us, and I waited for William’s reply. When none came, Ashton continued.

“So, I brought her back to grab her clothes because she’s coming back with me.” Williams eyes glinted again, his whole body turning towards Ashton.

“You can’t take her with you, she belongs to this pack.” He said, also crossing his arms.

“How so? Because you bought her?” Ashton countered. “From a human, nonetheless.” I turned to him, hurt splayed across my face.

“Which makes me her alpha.” William’s said gruffly.

“Ah, but you see, once she rejected Zackary, I became her mate.” Williams eyes opened in shock, my mouth dropping. Ashton turned towards me.

“You really couldn’t tell?” He said, a sly smile playing at his lips. “The electricity in the air isn’t caused by William and I. You don’t feel better being near me, like you’ve healed?”

I sniffed the room and his scent hit me, hard. Mahogany and teakwood. One of my favorite scents. My stomach fluttered, my nerves on fire. I did feel better, stronger actually.

Mate.

Astrias voice was a whisper, and it filled me with wonder. My mate? A second chance mate? It’s not rare but it’s not common either. I had been so wrapped up in everything happening today, I didn’t realize the electric feeling had been there since he woke me up.

I nodded at him.

“Mate. I do feel it now.” He smiled, a dazzling smile that made my knees weak, and turned back to Williams. “So, all in all, she actually is coming with me.” Williams said no words, but turned to his desk. I began walking towards the door to grab my stuff when I heard his voice.

“If I ever see you on my pack grounds again, I’ll make sure you never leave them, Adelina.” Ashton ushered me through the door and I opened my pantry room door. He looked surprised when he stepped in the room to see me gathering my clothes. I didn’t look at him when I had everything gathered under five minutes.

“Oh, you really weren’t lying.” He said, frowning.

“Yep. This is the last 10 years of my life.” I said softly. He nodded and left the room, coming back moments later with a suitcase.

“Zackary can just buy another one.” He said, shoving my clothes into it and zipping it. “We need to go.” He grabbed my hand and I swear I felt sparks shooting between our skin. We rushed out the door and into his car. I buckled my seatbelt as he pulled out of the driveway and saw Williams as he watched us pull away. The look on his face will be etched into my brain for the rest of my life.

Like he wanted to kill me.