Stone Cold Rejections

Draven’s POV

“…I’m sorry, what the fuck did you just say?”

I know I heard her wrong.

I know I did.

But there’s no way in hell she actually just said that shit.

Raven smirks.

Not nervous and there was no hesitation at all.

A whole damn smug ass smirk.

“You heard me,” she says smoothly. “I’m rejecting both of you.”

My jaw tightens instantly.

Both of us.

Just like that.

No fucking hesitation.

No second thoughts.

“I’m an Alpha’s daughter,” she continues, folding her arms slightly. “I’m not about to be looked at like some slut fucking two men. No thank you.”

That word hits wrong and hard.

She tilts her head, eyes dragging over both of us.

“I mean… don’t get me wrong,” she adds with a small shrug. “You two are handsome as hell. I’d definitely take a ride on both of your cocks, as I felt them when you were pressed against me...”

My fists clench.

“... but to be mated to both of you? Yeah… no. I can’t.”

For a split second, I don’t even process it, but Elias?

Yeah.

He does.

And he fucking snaps.

“Raven,” he growls, stepping forward, his control completely gone, “we are fated mates. Chosen by the Moon Goddess herself, and you’re just throwing that away?”

His eyes burn as he stares her down.

“You were made for us.”

Raven laughs.

Actually laughs.

Like this is a joke. Well it is, just a bad joke.

“Do you really think I could, or would take two men at the same time?” she shoots back. “No, thank you. Accept the rejection and let’s move on.”

That’s when it shifts.

Elias’s breathing turns heavy.

Unsteady.

Dangerous.

Apollo pushes forward, his presence slamming into the surface as Elias’s eyes flash.

“Does your wolf want this?” he growls.

Raven stills, "Frankie, yes she does. Here ask her yourself."

And then her wolf surfaces.

I feel it.

Strong power but shes conflicted.

“…no,” her wolf admits lowly. “But my human does. And I trust her.”

And just like that we had our answer.

She pulls back and was now gone.

Elias freezes for half a second.

Then something in him just… breaks.

“Fuck it,” he snaps coldly. “I accept your rejection.”

The words hit like a punch to the chest.

He doesn’t even look at me at first.

“Brother,” he says, voice hard as steel, “accept this shit so we can move on from this mundane wolf. She’s not worthy of us.”

Raven’s expression shifts to shock.

Yeah.

She didn’t expect that.

Hell... neither did I, because my brother would never speak like that especially to a woman.

I’m still standing here trying to process how the hell my entire world just got ripped out from under me in less than five minutes, but I still feel it.

That pull.

That bond.

Waiting for me to accept it.

And I know what happens if I don’t accept.

I exhale slowly, my chest tight as hell.

“I, Draven Blackwood…” my voice comes out rough and strained, “accept your rejection, Raven Draegon.”

And there it is.

The break.

Sharp and violent.

Like something inside my chest just got torn in half.

I don’t even react.

I can’t.

Because my mind is gone. My heart is empty and numb.

Elias turns and walks off without another word.

Raven heads back toward the ballroom.

Like nothing just happened.

And I just stand there frozen, hurt, confused, and pissed the fuck off.

Who the hell does she think she is?

I spent my whole damn life preparing for my mate.

Staying disciplined and remaining focused on my Alpha title.

Hell I stayed pure, for her.

Same as Elias.

And this is what we get?

I let out a bitter laugh under my breath.

“Fuck it… Moon Goddess, I’m done.”

No more waiting.

No more holding back.

I’m a wolf.

And right now?

I don’t give a damn about anything else.

I walk back into the ballroom, my eyes immediately landing on her.. that bitter bitch.

Raven.

Talking to some older Alpha like nothing happened.

Like she didn’t just shatter something sacred.

Fake as a three dollar bill.

“Yeah… fuck her.”

I turn away, spotting Caden across the room, already surrounded by three she-wolves, all over him like he’s the main attraction.

Typical.

I walk over, and one of them locks eyes with me instantly.

And damn…

She’s fine.

Curves in all the right places, eyes dragging over me like she already knows exactly what she wants.

Good.

Because right now?

I don’t care.

I slide right into the group, and Caden damn near chokes when he sees me.

“Draven? The hell happ...?”

I ignore him, eyes on her.

“Hey,” I say low. “What’s your name?”

She smiles slowly. “Brooklyn… Alpha.”

I smirk.

“Let’s dance, sexy.”

And I make sure, absolutely sure, that Raven sees me.

I catch it out the corner of my eye.

That scowl.

Yeah.

Good.

Let her watch.

Let her see exactly what she threw away.

Brooklyn presses against me as we move to the music, her body warm, soft, easy, and simple.

No complications attached and no rejections to worry about.

Just want.

Our lips meet after a while, the kiss was heated, and distracting.

And for a second?

It almost works.

Almost.

Until a growl cuts through the air.

Sharp and possessive in a feral way

My head snaps up instantly.

Raven.

No, it was her wolf, Frankie.

“Get the fuck away from my mate.”

I go still for half a second.

Then my expression hardens.

I pull Brooklyn closer against me, not breaking eye contact.

“You rejected us,” I say coldly. “Remember?”

Her jaw tightens.

Her eyes burn.

“Then act like it,” I add, voice low and final. “Fuck off, Raven.”

And just like that... I’m done.

I grab Brooklyn’s hand and walk her out without a second glance back.

Straight to the car.

Straight into something reckless.

Something easy.

Something that doesn’t hurt.

And yeah…

That night?

That was the beginning.

The beginning of me not giving a damn.

The beginning of losing control.

The beginning of a whole different side of me. One that didn’t wait.

Didn’t hold back.

Didn’t care.

And once that door opened?

Yeah…

There was no closing it.