Chapter 4. Rejection

A Few Hours Before...

Pearl put on her dress and sulked in front of her mirror. She sat on her chair, fixing her hair.

“Oh god. I don’t want to do this,” she grumbled, then covered her face. Pearl took a deep sigh, then watched her face again. She didn’t do much makeup, just put some blush on her cheeks. Pearl gave off the impression of a laid-back girl. Perhaps the man would feel hideous about her and cancel the plan.

Suddenly, the stepmom, Sandra, knocked on the door. She harshly called Pearl, who should have been ready minutes ago.

“Why are you not coming out yet? We are late!” she yelled behind the door. In annoyance, Pearl clicked her tongue, yet she stood up to get her purse. She walked to the door and then opened it. Her face was flat, with a sulk on her cute lips.

“Don’t sulk at me. It is your destiny that you must obtain.” Sandra glared at her, saying, "There's no point in putting the grunge on right now." Her mom wouldn’t let her go easily. Sandra didn’t care about Pearl’s appearance. She grabbed her arm and then dragged her to the living room.

Briana was sitting on the couch. When she saw her sister, she stood up and smiled at her.

“You look beautiful,” Briana praised Pearl to ease her feelings. Pearl also smiled and slightly murmured, “Thank you.”

John also smiled at Pearl, although he felt guilty about the dinner. Pearl must collect John's outstanding debt from the most powerful werewolf pack. The secret pack held sway over the human realm for centuries. They were billionaires who also trapped more humans like John. Now, John must pay for his sins.

“Let’s go now. We are late!” Sandra continued her sentence, giving John a slight glare. John only stayed muted and did not dispute his wife. Pearl walked to the door and slightly turned to see her sister. Briana smiled bitterly and followed her. She stopped before the door and watched her parents take Pearl to their car. Pearl sat in the backseat alone. She smiled through the opened car window as if showing her calmness. Briana then waved at her with a fading smile. She worried that something might happen.

During the trip, Pearl didn’t make any talk at all. She kept quiet and calmed herself inside. Her heartbeat thumped so hard. She must regain her conscience and keep reassuring herself that everything will be fine.

When they arrived, the car passed through an extremely high-security protocol. The guards checked the car a few times and also examined their IDs. Sandra looked scared, although she giggled oddly. The guard finally authorized the vehicle after learning about Pearl.

At the same time, Taggart tried to rediscuss the ball dinner with his father. Bruce was eager to find his son's mate as soon as possible. Taggart was the next in line for an Alpha, yet he remained single.

“Dad, I can find my mate. I don’t need this ball!” Taggart was getting irritated with his dad’s plan. Bruce was in the process of preparing his suit. A fashion designer adjusted Bruce's suit to match the ball's theme. Bruce has a higher fashion taste than his son, Taggart. Taggart was more fine and calmer than his late vampire’s mother. Meanwhile, Bruce was prominent.

“Would you be calm, son? It is just a dinner.” Bruce shrugged his shoulders slightly while calmingly responding to Taggart’s anxiousness. Taggart stood beside Bruce with his hand wrapped around his chest. He scowled at his father's attire.

“This ain’t just a dinner. You said you were going to match me with someone.” Taggart continues to criticize him.

“Yes, you can choose one of them.” Bruce pointed at Taggart through a shadow in the mirror.

“I don’t want to choose any more girls, Dad!” Taggart stated. Bruce turned to face him with a glare. He furrowed his brow and narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the boy.

“You’re not gay, aren’t you?” Bruce pointed his accusation straight at Taggart.

“No!!” Taggart yelled spontaneously.

“Good, then there should not be a problem.” Bruce returned to the mirror and ignored Taggart’s objection to the wedding. The fashion designer nodded after finishing fixing the former Alpha suit. However, Taggart still wanted to cancel the ball.

“I cannot send our guests home, Tagg. It’s going to embarrass us, especially our pack.” Bruce kept making his statement and didn’t want to renegotiate with Taggart. Taggart didn’t give up. He walked, following his father, while Bruce put his ring on his finger, a lavish watch, and more perfume.

“But I just can’t do it, Dad.”

“Why do you reject the girls?" Bruce turned to Taggart and glared at him.

“Please, Dad, it’s going to be the last time. I’ve found my mate.” Bruce has more frowns now. Taggart smiled as he confessed just now.

"Are you trying to deceive me?” Taggart instantly got a frown, accusing him of being a deceiver.

“What? No!”

Bruce didn’t believe Taggart anymore. Taggart had never lied to him about his mate. He persistently bought time to secure his mate. Taggart was unlike any billionaire’s son, who loved spending their father’s wealth and money on parties or playing with girls. He remained single for most of his life and had no girlfriend for decades. He spends all his time conducting business, studying, exercising, or socializing with his Delta troops in his pack.

"No, you still need to attend tonight's ball dinner. And I don’t want to hear any rejections from you anymore. Got it?” Bruce stated it with a tense expression. He does not intend to force Taggart, but he has no time. He should give his son his throne soon, or a relative could steal it.

“But, Dad?”

“Please, Taggart. I will initiate you for the throne soon, son. Someone would seize the throne from you if you did not act promptly." Taggart coldly stared at Bruce, who would not give him any chance.

“How about my mate then?”

“Maybe she’s not your mate. You only mistakenly sensed her.” Bruce replied effortlessly, then walked out of the room, leaving Taggart annoyed.