02. Rejection Over the Phone

“Redd Larson?” I managed to ask when I finally had the ability to speak. This man staring at me with his blue eyes was the alpha who wanted to take my hand. Why? What was his ulterior motive? "Future husband?" Why did it feel like someone was choking me when I said those last two words?

“Your future husband. Nothing else, Tasha. In flesh and blood. The one who liked you first and noticed your beauty despite the fact that you not looking in my direction. I assure you, Tasha. The moment I laid my eyes on you that fateful day, I heard ringing bells in my ears.”

Did he like me that much? Probably not because he liked me. It would probably be that he would sell me to another alpha for a large sum of money after he was done with me. That was a more plausible explanation than he liked me at first sight. 

I felt as if a bucket of cold water was suddenly thrown on my shoulder. 

"You are quite artistic with your words, Alpha Redd but it would never sway me. How could you ever feel that way against someone who isn't your mate?"

"Tasha. I don't believe that we should strictly love our mates."

That was why the rumors that he fathered a lot of children were possibly true. Because of his strange principles among the werewolves. 

I yanked my hands away from him, afraid that Ali might see us or he might get weird ideas. 

“Call me Natasha. And we have different opinions about mates.”

“I can call whatever I want. And I prefer the name, Tasha. It looked like a name for the submissive future luna. They are my type. Beautiful and submissive women. Mates or not.”

What an asshole, I spat in my mind  “You want a submissive luna? You marry a dog, instead,” I replied, not hiding my annoyance at him. If he liked me at first sight, well, I hated him at first sight. “Dogs are beautiful and submissive. You will have what you are looking for.

Alpha Redd cocked his eyebrows, not offended by what I did and said and if he did, it was no longer my problem. The more he would be offended, the more he would stop Daddy from asking for my hand. 

"What are you doing in our pack? If I may ask, Alpha Redd."

Putting both of my hands on my back, I secretly wiped away the hand that he just kissed. Eeww. What a womanizer. If we ever get married, the only thing that he would give me were disappointments for having a lot of women. 

"I was invited by the alpha, of course."

"Invited by who? At the last minute? I think you are mistaken. Tonight is also the night where Dad and Ali will—"

My words were cut off when someone said, "I did invite Alpha Redd, Natasha. Be hospital to our visitors. He traveled far to see you." It was Daddy, emerging out of our house. At his back was Beta Magnus, the beta of our pack, and some of the servants hot behind his heels.

Questioningly, I looked at Daddy but he wouldn't ever meet my gaze and went directly to Alpha Redd's side as if he was his son, not me. 

"It seemed like the two of you had already met. Natasha, this is Alpha Redd Larson, and yes. I did invite him to join us."

I stared at him in disbelief. Using our mind link, I said, 'Dad! Come on!  I told you Ali would be here and we will talk about our wedding.'

'He won't come,' Daddy answered casually.

'He would. He promised me.' Ali always honored his promises. 

He did not answer anymore. Instead, he turned his attention to Alpha Redd. 

Damn! This was unacceptable! Poor Ali! I did not want him to see Alpha Redd being favored by Daddy!

Fuming, I turned my back to them while Daddy was conversing with Alpha Red. 

I fished my phone out of my wallet and dialed Ali's phone. I remembered his phone number like the back of my hand. 

A couple of rings before Ali finally answered the phone. 

"Honey, where are you right now? You're late," I asked directly. “Daddy is waiting for you. I already told him about us. Are you nervous that’s why you are late? Don’t be, honey. I got your back so please come here?” And show Alpha Redd that he would never have me as his future wife. I want you as my mate. Not anyone else. Not even an asshole alpha. I wanted to add the last few sentences but Daddy and Alpha Redd will hear me.

A hear a sigh from the other line. "Natasha," he whispered as if he was tired. I understand since he was leading his pack. He had to have a lot of rest, but right now, he needed to come here. “Natasha,” he repeated again. 

And that was only the time everything had sunk in. His voice was no longer coated with sweetness in it. It was cold and unfeeling. 

I froze. He no longer uttered our endearment which he usually wanted me to say. 

"Only Natasha?"

"I'm not in the mood to talk to you, right now."

Which means he also had no plans of going here.

"Bullshit! I am asking where you are right now, Ali." Fine. If he did not call me honey, I can also call him using his first name. "I waited for you. Make myself beautiful for you. Only to find out you don't have any plans to come?"

"I...I can't come because... No. I will no longer go there. I am sorry. I thought about this a million times, Natasha. But we are—"

"What did you think about huh?" I asked. Daddy and Alpha Redd glanced in that direction and the stupid alpha suddenly smirked at me as if he knew what was happening. A shiver ran down my spine and turned sideways. "Tell me what you mean by that, Ali. Because I am trying to understand you, for fuck's sake!"

"Natasha! Language!" Daddy chastised me, which I did not mind at all. 

For now. 

At the back, Daddy was telling Alpha Redd that I did not usually curse and that I was raised in a good manner and environment by my parents. 

I stepped back away from Daddy and Alpha Redd. 

“Make me understand what you are trying to say, Ali or gawd. I will go there and make you tell me what is wrong. We were okay the last time we met, right? And it was only yesterday. We were happy. Super duper happy. And now, you’re not coming here? Tell me. Did I do something wrong? Did I anger you?”

The tears were starting to come out of my eyes and it was annoying. I hastily wiped them away, not wanting and allowing Alpha Redd to have the satisfaction of seeing me hurt. It was all his fault! When he barged into my life, everything was a mess!

"I heard your businesses are already on the verge of going bankrupt."

Calm down, Natasha.

"And? Daddy and I are doing everything we have to save it. Don’t think about it anymore."

As if he wasn’t listening, he continued. "It will become a matter of time before your pack will also lose its power. I don't want to involve myself in your problems right now. I'm also dealing with my own fare share. I don’t want to do some charity work."

Charity works? Was he talking about helping us?

I touched my forehead and slightly massaged it. I wanted to scream so bad! Threw curses at Ali for being so unfair! But stopping me from doing it! 

I drew a couple of breaths, fighting the urge to throw my phone at the ground.

“So…what is your plan now?”

“I’m…breaking up with you.”

My eyes widened. “You cannot do that! At least not on the phone!”

“I can… I am sorry. I don’t want to see you anymore, Natasha. I, Ali Stevens, reject Natasha Harkins as my mate.”

And the line went dead.