Try Again

BARON

A heavy pang was heavily felt within my chest as she uttered those words and fled. I watched her running away from me. My mate. Gasps of shock and surprise filled the air as college students who had witnessed the rejection watched on in disbelief, surprise and some even envy.

I wasn’t a student, I left a long time ago, dropping out of school. I wasn’t back at Stone Shadow academy to continue my education. I had come because Lucas had texted me of her presence in the school.

I had to drive like a maniac down here, hoping for a wonderful time with my mate and what I got was a rejection.

A rejection! Anger and pain mixed to cause a whirlpool around my chest.

My wolf was angry and pranced around my head in rage. She was an Omega, I knew that the moment my wolf sniffed her and tagged her our mate.

A weak one.

But I didn’t care about her wolf’s status or her status, I just wanted her.

I could not stop staring in the direction she had run off to, controlling the urge to pursue her and make her accept me. The school bell rang signalling the beginning of the day’s lectures. I didn’t move.

“Go to class, everyone. We need privacy.” Aaron ordered.

No one dared defy the words of the next in line Alpha. I only heard the scrambling of feet, I didn’t look.

“Come, Baron, let’s go to the cafeteria.” Katherina’s soft, sympathetic voice had me turning to meet her gaze. She took one look at me, her eyes watered. “Oh Baron, I’m so sorry.” She enveloped me in a warm, comforting hug.

“She rejected me.” I was yet to wrap my head around it.

“I’m so sorry. Let’s go to the cafeteria. We’ll talk better there.” She pulled back from the hug, stood on tiptoe to give me a kiss on my cheek and held my wrist, pulling me along.

I went with her, so did my brothers. We all went in the direction of the private, luxurious cafeteria meant strictly for the Salvatores with private chefs and menus.

Girls were dying to be in here. Boys wanted to be friends to hang out with us but we all had one thing in common — we didn’t like outsiders much.

Katherina was a step sibling who turned out to be my twin brother’s mate. I liked her a lot but I couldn’t fight against the will of the Moon Goddess and had just surrendered and hoped for my own.

Actually, she was my second chance mate. I had thought I might never find anyone to be mated with especially after Katelyn, Aaron’s long time friend, killed my first mate just to cause a rift between Aaron and me.

Her plan had worked actually and for a long time, Aaron and me were enemies until the truth was exposed. Katelyn had been banished from the pack after severe punishment and humiliation.

She would not be returning to Stone Shadow pack in forever.

“Sit.” Katherina had me occupying a space on one of the long sofas.

“But why would she reject the mate bond? Only yesterday, there was this acceptance and excitement on her face as soon as she figured out you are mates.” Zach wondered aloud.

One of the waitress saw us and made her way towards us.

It was only in this cafeteria that alcoholic drinks were allowed. The other four general cafeterias for every level had just soft drinks and yoghurts.

“Good day, Royal Highnesses.” She bowed, greeting us all. “What would you like?”

“A bottle of coffee-flavored rum.” Trenton ordered, he knew my favorite alcoholic drink.

Trenton wasn’t much of a talker and was a wall when it came to knowing him but we as family knew he was not a bad person.

He was adopted but very few knew. Many didn’t. To us, there was no difference. He was family.

Complicated, yes. Bad, absolutely not.

He was an immediate younger to me and Aaron.

“Get her fruity wine.” Aaron ordered for his pregnant mate, Katherina.

He was the serious one. He and I were the oldest of the Salvatore boys — though I was the oldest twin. I was considered the troublemaker and black sheep.

“I need food, give us the special for today.” Lucas, who was the foodie and jocular one amongst us put in. He was also the last child.

“Yes and make sure it’s delicious.” His second-in-command for food matters and the wild, crazy one, Zach, added.

Zach was an immediate older to Lucas.

The waitress nodded and left as quietly as she had come.

“Why do you think she had a change of mind?” Zach wanted to know.

“What if it had to do with that man she had come with yesterday?” Aaron opined.

We all looked at him. “Are you certain?” I was the one asking.

“I’m not certain of anything, Baron. I’m just guessing. I don’t know. He acted really crazy yesterday.” Aaron continued.

I noticed Katherina had gone quiet. Despite my own troubles, I nudged Aaron under the table. He met my gaze, I gestured for him to look at Katherina.

The boys understood and no one talked about the man anymore. Silence ensued.

“You guys didn’t have to stop the conversation simply because one mad man barged into our home, claiming to be my father.” She scoffed and eye rolled. “I don’t care who he is. The only father I have is David Salvatore, the Alpha of Stone Shadow pack.” Katherina spoke up.

She didn’t appear bothered by the mention of the man. Maybe she was good at hiding it because no one would hear such news and not think about it.

“But what if her decision was not influenced by this Ben guy?” Katherina contributed. “What if she has her own reasons for rejecting the bond?”

“What reasons?” I wanted to know.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. She was happy at first but today, it’s a different story. And the way she ran after declaring the rejection doesn’t even make me believe she wants to let you go.” Katherina wisely opined.

“So what are you saying?” I leaned forward to hear more. Both my interest and curiosity were piqued.

“Try again. Find her and talk to her.”