Chapter 1

Sam’s POV

            “I accept your rejection,” I say to Josie before I walk away from her.  I walk past Alpha Adam, Luna Jenna, and Gamma Jack.  I want to get as far away from everyone as possible.  I leave the dungeons and walk towards my bike in front of the Pack house.  I wipe my eyes before I put my helmet on, throw my leg over the bike seat, and squeal out of the parking lot.

            The pain I felt at the rejection was destroying me inside.  I had no idea where I was going, but I was heading toward the coast.  I wanted to experience the sun on my skin, sitting at a beach and forgetting my troubles.  Maybe I would get lucky and pick up a couple women to provide a distraction for me. 

            I rode for hours before stopping for the night.  I grabbed a burger and fries from a fast-food place and went to my hotel room to eat it.  I was not in the mood for socializing tonight.  How had the Moon Goddess connected me with a rogue?  A rogue whose brother happened to be the Rogue King.  He was dead now, but Josie, his sister, was adamant she did not want a mate.  At one point she felt she should become the Rogue Queen.  However, that was never going to happen.

            Her life was planned out for her now.  She would remain in the dungeons of our Pack – the Red Pine Pack.  How would I be able to return knowing she was still there?  Would this pain go away, or would it always be present?  I could not bear to know she was within feet of me, and I could not go to her.  I would never be able to go to the dungeons again.  Knowing she was there and that she would tantalize my senses with her scent.

            My Luna was planning on hosting a Mating Gala in a month.  Perhaps then I would be able to find a second chance mate who could help me move on.  Was it fair to want a second chance mate when Josie was still there?  Potentially to cause issues for my second chance mate and myself?  Would she be awarded a second chance mate? I guess it would be impossible for him to find her.  She would never be let out of our dungeons.  Adam had promised too many Alphas that he would guarantee their safety by keeping her locked up.

            Scowling at myself, I removed my clothes and jumped in the shower.  My muscles were aching from the long ride and tomorrow would be just as gruelling.  With no place to go and nobody to stop and see, I would push myself to simply ride until I was exhausted and needed to stop.  When I was too tired to continue. 

            I wash my hair and then simply stood in the shower letting the hot water run over my body.  I felt tears well up in my eyes and turned my face to the hot shower to wash them away.  I was tired of this feeling.  Hopelessness.  I knew it would have been hard to make a go of things with Josie.  I simply had not believed her when she had said she rejected me.  I thought it was a quick reaction to the anger of losing her brother. 

            I had been wrong.  She was adamant and every exchange between us had been full of anger and disgust.  On both our parts.  It had gotten to a point where my Alpha had banned me from visiting her.  She eventually quieted down.  But it still was not enough.  I had finally made the decision to accept her rejection and leave for a break away from her and everyone else.  I did not want the pity looks I knew would come. 

            I could have drowned my sorrows in the women in my Pack, but even that did not appeal to me.  The thoughts of word getting back to Josie bothered me for some reason.  Enough that I did not want to bring that on her.  Regardless of how I was feeling, I still had some compassion for her.

            I stepped out of the shower and dried off my warm body.  I walked naked to the bed climbing in under the blankets.  After a restless sleep I got back up frustrated that I could not sleep through the night.  I continued to have visions of Josie and the look on her face when I had accepted her rejection.  Had she changed her mind?  Should I return to the Pack to give he another chance? 

            No.  I had to accept that she wanted me to let her go.  It was her choice.  I would have tried to make it work.  I was already half in love with her.  She was beautiful – everything I loved in a woman.  Shorter, brunette, with green sparkling eyes.  A curvy body with a few extra pounds in all the right places.  I could imagine being inside of her moving as her body moved beneath mine. 

            Taking a breath, I stopped my thoughts right there.  The last thing I needed was a hard on that would not be satisfied.  I jumped out of bed, brushed my teeth, used the washroom, and moved back into the room to get dressed.  I threw on a white t-shirt, fitted blue jeans, and my leather jacket along with my riding boots. 

            Repacking my duffle bag, I sling it over my shoulder, leave a generous tip for the cleaner, and walk out of the room.  Today I needed to focus on anything but Josie.  I would not get past her if I continued to focus on her.  Yesterday was my day of feeling sorry for myself.  Today was my day of new beginnings. 

            I stow my duffle bag on my bike, then back out of the parking spot and take off.  I stop for a coffee and a breakfast sandwich before I jump back on my bike to continue my journey.  I move toward the main highway; checking for traffic as I merge quickly and enjoy the feel of the cool air wrap around my body as I make my way down the quiet highway.

            I pass many small towns along the way, deciding to finally turn off the highway and take the scenic route for a few hours.  Going through small towns had always been a favourite of mine.  Seeing the quaint rural towns, their flags displaying their pride in their country.  Small vendors on the side of the road selling vegetables, or Knick knacks that tourists love to stop and search to find their special treasures along the way.

            After a few more hours of riding, I stop to fill up my tank.  I plan to grab a coffee and sit for a minute to drink that when I hear loud music up the street.  Realizing there is a bar up ahead, I decide to take a longer break and grab a bite to eat.  Finding a spot to park, I set my helmet on my bike seat. 

            Standing by my bike I stretch my arms up over my head leaning back to work the kinks out of my spine.  As I do so I notice a couple hot women walking into the bar after checking me out.  I smirk, not certain I am ready to consider any distractions, but willing to keep an open I mind, I think with a chuckle.

            Moving inside the bar, I shake off my jacket and take a seat at an empty booth.  Not looking to make small talk with others at the bar, I wait as the older waitress makes her way over to me.  “Hey darlin’,” I say to her.  She looks me up and down with a smirk, “The ladies are going to love you precious; good think you aren’t too innocent,” she says as she waits for my order.

            I burst out laughing at her outrageousness before ordering a cold beer.  She walks away with a smile heading up to the bar to place my order.  As I sit there, I look around taking in my surroundings.  I realize quickly this is a human bar.  I do not sense any wolves in the bar, which helps me relax a little so I can enjoy the early evening.  I still need to find someplace to sleep for the night.

            When the older waitress returns, who I quickly learn is called Doris, I ask her about any spots to stay in the local area.  She chuckles, “Trust me, you do not need to rent a place tonight.  Any one of these ladies would gladly take you home for a night,” she teases me.  “Just in case I strike out?” I ask chuckling at her.

            “There is a room upstairs you can rent for the night.  The bar closes at eleven on weeknights, so you should be able to get some sleep … if that is what you are after,” she says teasing me again.  “Doris, the only woman I would want is you and I suspect you are already taken,” I tease her as I notice a wedding ring on her hand.  “Oh, don’t be so sure young man, I could be tempted,” she teases me back and I burst out with another bubble of laughter.

            Doris leaves me on my own to enjoy my beer as she works the room taking orders.  Before long the two women who were checking me up come up to my table.  “Mind if we join you?” they say in unison.  I have visions of a three-some cross my mind until they continue talking.  “Like, how long are you in town for?” one asks.  “Just for tonight,” I reply.  They both pout as I look at them feeling an overwhelming sense of boredom roll over me.

            “Do you want to, like, hang out after the bar closes?” the other asks.   Contemplating my options, I decide to go to my room alone tonight.  As tempting as it is to enjoy a quick release, these two are the types who would not shut up.   I would be forced to hear a lot of “likes”, and nothing annoys me more than someone who has a limited vocabulary.  I could not accuse Josie of having a limited vocabulary.  She told me in a variety of ways how to fuck off and leave her alone.

             Nodding to Doris for another beer she smiles and heads off toward the bar again.  As the two women chatter, I half listen as I look around the bar.  I notice a few gentlemen giving me the stink eye as they believe I am heading home with these two.  They must be hot tickets in the community if the looks I am getting are anything to go by.  Perhaps I should reconsider and take them up on their offer.

            Just as I am about to make them an offer they would not refuse, I could sense someone standing behind me.  “What the hell are you two up to?” the loud voice says over my shoulder.  Glancing nonchalantly up at the intruder, I see a much older, huge man the size of a hundred-year-old tree trunk standing next to me.

            “Oh daddy, we are just looking to have a bit of fun,” they say again in unison.  I cringe at their voices and wonder what daddy is about to do.  He shakes his head at them, and they both scoot out of the booth and wave goodbye to me leaving me with a disgruntled daddy.  “Stay away from my daughters,” he says gruffly before walking away.  “No problem,” I mutter to his departing back.

            Doris comes back chuckling, “Dodged a bullet there,” she says under her breath.  I smile loving Doris’s attitude.  “What do you recommend eating here Doris?” I ask her.  She suggests a meal of ribs and wings.  Nodding my head, she takes my order and brings it back within ten minutes.  The food is delicious, and I am quickly feeling like I need to put my head down for a few hours. 

            As Doris shows me to my room, I crash as soon as my head hits the pillow.  The faint noise from downstairs does not distract me from sleep as I slip into visions of my perfect mate.