Rejection

AMELIA 

My wolf was a whirlwind of confusion, shrieking inside my mind at Derek's cruel words, but I was far too aware of what was happening. 

Derek approached me, flanked by Lucas and Nick, wearing a devilish smirk that made my stomach churn. 

"Well, guess who just turned eighteen years old." he said, his tone ice-cold.

This bastard knew I was his mate.

He had turned eighteen earlier this year. 

"Finally, guys, I get to do this." Derek announced sharply, a self-satisfied glint in his eyes. 

Nick and Lucas erupted into laughter, treating the moment like some kind of sick comedy show, their cackles echoing around the hallway.

My wolf was frantically pacing within me, pleading and begging for me to run before he could seal our fate. 

"I, Derek Folder, future Alpha of the Claws Pack, do reject you, pathetic Amelia Earhart, as my mate and future Luna of my pack. Now get your ugly face out of sight before I vomit!" Derek declared coldly, shattering any remnants of my heart before a crowd of students and pack members.

Their laughter pierced through me like daggers as they reveled in the spectacle, and in that moment, my world crumbled. My mate had turned our bond into a brutal joke.

Numbly, I turned away.

I didn't bother attending my last three periods; the emotional pain felt as if a wolf's sharp claws had torn my heart out, leaving me hollow. My wolf lingered at the back of my mind, bewildered and searching for answers, not understanding why our mate would treat us this way.

I felt a pang of guilt for Nancy, my wolf, who was trapped within me, sharing in the anguish of rejection. As I trudged home, my feet dragging along the familiar path through the forest, I was grateful that my tears had finally run dry. The flood of emotions had left me feeling numb, and I welcomed the brief respite.

The fact that my parents were still at work provided me with a little solace. I needed time to process everything before they came home. I couldn't bear to let them know about the rejection, especially since I didn't want my father to confront a mate who clearly didn't see me as an ideal partner.

Once inside my room, I curled up in bed and eventually fell asleep. In my dreams, I was running with my parents in the forest, all of us in our wolf forms, surrounded by a haven of towering trees and fragrant flowers. For a brief moment, happiness swept over me.

My dream was abruptly interrupted by my mother's voice. 

"Amelia Earhart," she said as she entered my bedroom, hand on her hip, the sound of her heels clicking on the floor echoing through the room. "Care to tell me why the school principal called me about you not attending your last three periods?"

I woke up groggy, stifling a yawn as I replied, "I met my wolf at school today. I wasn't sure what to do, so I came home to rest a little."

It wasn’t a complete lie.I'd certainly met Nancy.

My mother's face brightened, her eyes sparkling like a child’s at the sight of a favorite toy. "Why didn't you tell me earlier, you silly girl? You could've called me! What's her name?" she asked, pouting playfully.

I almost rolled my eyes at her love for this kind of dramatics, but I was relieved she wasn’t angry anymore. Instead, I smiled and got out of bed to hug her, allowing a bit of warmth to fill the space left by the bitterness I felt. "She is Nancy."

"What a lovely name!" my mother exclaimed, her joy palpable. "My baby is growing up."

We hugged, and although my mother’s embrace was comforting, it didn’t quite erase the pain that pulsed within my heart. I felt as if my heart was bleeding out, and no amount of love could stitch up those wounds just yet.

"Your father will be home soon. After dinner, I guess it will be running time." she said, clapping her hands together, bringing a chuckle from me despite my inner turmoil.

She headed off to prepare dinner while I took a moment to collect myself. Thirty minutes later, I made my way down to the dining table, taking my seat beside Annabelle as my mother put the finishing touches on the meal.

My father walked in, looking drained and weary from the day’s labor. "How was work today, Father?" I asked, trying to brighten the moment.

He grunted as he settled into his chair, letting a weary sigh escape. "Well, it was tiring as always, but you know what they say.no work, no pay. At least David helped me a lot today while I was cutting trees." he responded, shaking his head as he spoke.

Hearing David’s name warmed my heart. He was my close friend, someone who never treated me as an Omega, but rather as an equal. At eighteen, he was two years older than me and always brought light to my otherwise shadowy world.

My mother chuckled, and my father's gaze shifted back to me. I braced myself, both of us knowing exactly what question would follow.

“So, have you found your mate yet?” Dad asked, attempting to keep the tone light and joking.

I flinched, my heart twisting painfully at the mention. I knew he meant it playfully, but the sting was too real. Even Nancy winced at the back of my mind, empathizing with my hurt.

“No, not yet.” I replied quickly, feeling my father’s brow knit together in concern.

“It’s okay, my Amelia. You will find him soon.” he assured with a warm smile. I nodded, wishing I could believe those words as easily as he did.

My mother set four plates on the table, and we dug into dinner while she delighted us with stories of how she met my father, talking about the love they shared. She painted a picture of hope that one day, I would find someone just as wonderful.

While I smiled, I struggled to keep my threatening tears at bay.

After dinner, we headed outside, stepping into the comforting embrace of the forest. My parents wandered behind two trees to shift into their wolf forms, and I watched as my father's grey wolf emerged, majestic and larger than my mother's brown wolf.

Annabelle, having not yet shifted into her own wolf, clambered onto my father's back, giggling at the thrill of it.

My father's wolf was a majestic grey, while my mother's was a rich brown. His larger form stood protectively over her, a fitting pair in the wild. 

I stepped behind a tree to strip off my clothes, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. "Nancy, are you ready?" I asked, feeling the familiar pull of my wolf. She hummed happily, and the shifting process was swift and exhilarating, though I felt a twinge of pain that paled in comparison to the agony of the rejection I had suffered earlier.

As I emerged from behind the tree, my wolf trotted out, and my parents' eyes lit up with wonder at seeing my wolf form for the first time. They rushed toward me, taking in my scent, nudging me affectionately as I playfully purred in delight.

"Let's get going then," my father said through our mind link, and without hesitation, my mother and I took off after him. 

In that moment, Nancy forgot all about our rejection, relishing the freedom of running through the forest, with the cool air brushing against her fur. We ended up in a clearing surrounded by tall trees and floral scents that mirrored those in my dreams. It felt almost magical.

My parents and an Annabelle found a spot to lie down and watch as my wolf explored the terrain. 

"My Amelia, don't go too far; we're not allowed beyond this point," my father reminded me through the mind link, a hint of worry in his tone.

I rolled my eyes at him, though I could feel Nancy whining at the idea of being constrained. 

"Sorry, Nancy, but rules are rules," I replied, trying to keep a calm demeanor.

"Ugh, come on! What are the rules to a mate who rejected us?" she snapped back, frustration seeping into her voice.

Oh goddess, why was this happening?

"When it comes to the Alpha or future Alpha, there are none, unfortunately." I responded gently, hoping to soothe her.

She remained silent for a bit, and I sensed she was starting to understand.

After what felt like an eternity of running, my parents communicated that it was time to head back before dusk set in. Comprehending their concern, I returned to where my clothes were and shifted back to my human form. We made our way home, and after a long day, a shower worked wonders for my weary body. Once clean, I fell into a deep slumber.

The following day arrived too soon. I woke up at six, but something felt off, as if an ominous event was lurking just beneath the surface. Yet, as Omegas, we didn’t have the luxury to linger in bed while other higher-ranked wolves slept the morning away. 

I got dressed in my working jeans and a simple t-shirt, slipping on my sturdy boots. I tied my hair into a tight ponytail and threw on a cap to shield my face from the morning sun.

Once I was satisfied with my appearance, I took one last look in the mirror, offering myself a smile before heading to the kitchen. 

My dad, having risen early, was busy making breakfast. "Eat up, sweetheart. Today’s going to be a hectic day for us." he said with a comforting smile.

I nodded and dug into the food, the warmth of home enveloping me even amid uncertainty.

As we walked out the front door, I noticed a fellow Omega from the pack house approaching me. "Yes?" I asked, curious.

"Lucy had a baby yesterday, so we will need you to help us today." Vella said, taking a deep breath.

My eyes widened.