Chapter 2: The Rejection

“I didn’t think you would actually do it.” He grunted.

“One of us had too and it wasn’t going to be you, so…”  I shrugged, “no point in dragging it out. You don’t want me, you have a little she-wolf to fulfill your needs, besides, you won’t be able to handle me.” I smirked. “I am not one to be submissive or do what is expected of me.”

He sat leaning up against a car still trying to catch his breath, “such a wimp.”  Sera giggled. “He definitely would never be able to keep us with us. He’s a pussy.” She snorted.

“Rylen!” We heard yelled out. Stephanie was wide eyed with worry. “Baby, are you okay?” She asked him as she knelt down next to him.

“I’m fine sweetheart.” He soothed her as he stood up.

“Riley!” I heard Raden call out to me.

“Hey, are ready to go?” I asked her. “If we don’t get going, dad is gonna have our asses.” I said looking around but didn’t see my car.

“Sorry Ms. RedFang but I have orders to take you and little RedFang to the pack house.” The guard stated.

“What about my car?”  I asked him.

“Your dad already made arrangements it’s on the way to the pack house. Rylen, you are to follow in your car. NO DETOURS!” The guard grumbled. “Mikey’s gonna go with you to make sure you get home safely and quickly.” Rylen rolled his eyes.

“Ladies, shall we,” the guard said opening the door for me, “little RedFang (Raden I assume) and Remi.”

“Thanks.” I mumbled.

“Riley, are you okay sis?” Raden asked climbing into the backseat.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I assured her still feeling a little bit of pain in my chest.

“So, what happened while we were gone?” Remi asked.

I looked at Raden, “I won’t tell, I promise.” She whispered. “I pinky promised.” She said holding up her pinky. I wrapped my pinky around hers, and we kissed each other’s thumbs to seal the promise.

“I met my mate, and I rejected him.” Raden frowned at me. “but he didn’t want me, he already has a girlfriend.” I explained to her.

“The guy with the Barbie doll floosy? Who is he?”  She asked, scrunching her cute little face.

Remi looked at Raden, “he’s my tool of a brother.” She sighed.

“Wait!” She looked over to the driver’s seat. “You better not tell anyone anything!” Raden warned, pointing to the guard driving.

“Not to worry, consider me one of the girls.” He chuckled. “I understand how your sister feels. My first mate rejected me because he didn’t want to be another male and swore up and down that he wasn’t gay.” He shook his head.

“Wow,” Raden said, “men are such butts!” She snorted, “well except you.” She smiled at the driver.

“But all is good, the Goddess gave me a second chance, and he loves me more than I could’ve ever imagined.” He smiled widely. “I know you will find the one who will love, adore and accept you for who are.” He assured me.

He’s right, you will find your perfect match.  Raden smiled at me, then she turned her attention back to our escort.  So, what’s your mates’ name?  Do you have any sisters my age?  She rattled on.

“Raden, let the man answer!”  I laughed.

“Ooopps…sorry, just got excited.” She blushed.

He was laughing. “My name is Connor, yes, my mate is very cute, at least I think he is. His name is Philip and yes, I have two sisters your age.” He told her.

“Yayaya!” She clapped her hands in excitement. “May I meet them, please?”

“I’ll see what I can arrange.” He laughed.

“Remi, do you have any other asshole brothers I should know about?” I asked with a scowl.

“I have…we have an older brother. He’s been training to take over as Alpha when he turns twenty-one in a year.” She scrunched her face.

“What about his mate?” Raden asked. “She is a nosy little shit.”

“He, well, she died before they met. He was seventeen when he had a complete breakdown, the elders said it was because his mate bond broke.” She said with a sad smile.

“That’s horrible.” Raden sadly sighed.

“He’s doing so much better. He’s thrown himself into his training and running the pack ever since. The females have tried to get his attention, but none have succeeded.” Remi chuckled. “They all want to be the next Luna, but my brother only has eyes for his true mate.”  She smiled.

“Is that possible? His mate died before he found her.” Raden asked.

“Sorry, she is full of questions today.” I said to them.

“Are wolves allowed to have a second mate?” She asked.

“It’s rare but the Gods/Goddesses have been known to grant a second chance to those wolves who show themselves deserving.” Connor explained. “I believe Alpha will find his perfect mate when he least expects her.” He smiled.

“So, he’s gonna run your pack without a Luna?” Raden gasped. “I thought an Alpha couldn’t run his pack without a Luna.” She asked.

“Do you always ask this many questions?” Remi asked.

“Oh yes, she does.” I laughed. “She is curious about anything and everything.”

“Mom and I split the duties; he and dad split the Alpha and Beta duties. Rylen was supposed to be Beta but he’s lazy and doesn’t want the responsibility. Needless to say, dad’s pretty pissed at him and now with you, they both are going to lose their shit.” Remi said rubbing her face.

“Well, if you don’t mind, I don’t want anyone to know.” I asked her. “It’s not something that I want others to know that my mate didn’t acknowledge me and wanted a ‘taste’ of me before he decided if he wanted to claim me or not.” I lowly growled.

“He what?!” The three of them yelped out.

“I’m gonna kill him!” Raden growled.

“No, you’re not.” I told her. “Remember, he’s going to be trained by me.” I smirked.

“Aaahhhh…” They all sing songed evilly as the ride to the pack house lasted about twenty minutes. 

“WOW! This is awesome, look at all the trees, Riley.” Raden said in awe looking out the window.

“Didn’t you have any trees where you used to live?” Remi asked.

“Yeah, we had trees but nothing like these. We had to go way outta town to be able to shift and allow our wolf to run safely.” I told them.

“Well, you will have plenty of forest and security to run and shift in safety.” Remi assured them.

“That’s great, I still haven’t shifted yet. My birthday is in a few weeks.” Raden giggled.

“Looks like we need to plan a party.” Connor wiggled his brows as he stopped in front of the pack house. Our dad was waiting for us at the top of the stairs with my younger brother.

“Raden look.” I pointed, her eyes widened, and a huge smile crossed her face. As soon as Connor opened the door, she bolted out and threw herself in our brother’s open arms. We haven’t seen Ryker in about a year; dad sent him away for specializing training.

“Hey sis,” he said hugging me tight.

“Little brother, damn what the hell happened to you?” I snorted looking him up and down. “You’re supposed to be my LITTLE brother.” I laughed.

He chuckled. “You’ll always be my BIG sister.” He said kissing the top of my head.

“Riley.” Seraphina whispered. 

“What’s up?” I asked her, she was a little jittery.

“Do you smell that?”  She asked sounding confused.

I sniffed the air; I froze for a minute and looked around. “It’s cinnamon and honey.” 

“It’s our mate.”  She whispered with excitement. 

“What? No way! Rylen was our mate. He didn’t want us. Remember?” I grumbled at her. 

“NO, it’s NOT Rylen.”  She whispered-yelled. “He didn’t smell like this.”

Before either of us could say anything else, the most gorgeous Greek God emerged from the pack house. He had tan skin, grey eyes, hair down his back with braids scattered around and pulled back in a ponytail at the base of his neck. His muscles looked like they wanted to break free from his tight shirt. He stood at the top step, looking around, I watched him as he took a deep inhalation of air and his nostrils flared. His eyes darted around looking everyone in the eye. 

“He scented us.”  Seraphina cooed as she wagged her tail and smiled.

“How can this happen? We, I, just barely broke the bond about an hour ago. I said with frustration. All of a sudden, I felt sparks and a shiver shoot down my spine. 

“It’s him!” Seraphina preened

“MINE.”  I heard him whisper in my ear. He nuzzled his nose into my neck. Seraphina was preening with joy. 

“He wants us.”  She sighed with contentment.

We were both caught up in each other’s embrace when we heard coughs and throats clear. I realized that we were standing in front of the pack house with all eyes on us. I tried to pull myself away from him but his grip on me tightened around my waist.

“Excuse me, but could you please let my sister go, NOW.” Raden growled at the male with her hands on hips.

The male looked down at my little sister and narrowed his eyes at her. “She may be your sister but she’s my mate and this pack’s future Luna.” He told her with a grin and wink.

“Wait! What are you talking about?” I asked pinching the bridge of my nose. “This can’t be happening.”

“Alpha Ryder,” My dad called out to him, he had a huge smile on his face. “This is my daughter, Riley and my youngest pup, Raden.”

“Alpha!”  Raden giggled.

“Oh, my Goddess, Ryder. You found your mate?” A female voice echoed. She rushed to us and engulfed us in a tight hug. When she finally released us, she took my hand in hers and twirled me around. “You are absolutely gorgeous.” She squealed.

“That she is.”  Ryder purred. I felt a rush of heat shoot to my cheeks. “So adorable.”

“I’m not adorable.” I frowned. He chuckled leaning down kissing my nose. I shooed him away by putting my hand on his face.

“Remi.” He said. “Meet my mate.” He was so happy. I could see it in his eyes.

“Your mate?” she questioned.

“Who’s mate?” Rylen asked walking to us.

Ryder looked at his siblings. “Remi, Ryden, this is my mate, Riley RedFang.” He said with pride as he puffed his chest out, such an Alpha.

“No!” Rylen roared. “SHE. IS. MINE!” He stalked towards me, but Ryder pushed me behind him, and my brother and dad stood next to Ryder.

“Rylen! Shut up!” Remi snarled. “You never wanted her. You and Steph told her that you each would reject your mates so you two could be together.” She reminded him.

“RYLEN!” His mom huffed.

“You also said you wouldn’t reject her until you had a ‘taste’ of her that you might change your mind.” Remi finished.

“Riley, is that true?” My dad asked.

I have never been able to lie to my dad. “Yes.” I whispered.

I heard his mom gasp and growls come from his dad and Ryder, my new mate. “Rylen!  How could you?” His mom shook her head.

I hung my head low. “This morning at school.” I whispered.

“My sun…” Ryder cupped my cheek. “I’m so sorry he did that to you.” He said hugging me tight to his chest.

“Get your hands off MY mate!” Rylen roared.

“Stand down!” Both Ryder and his dad ordered.

“Rylen, what’s going on? You…you found your mate?” It was Stephanie, she was lightly sobbing.

“Stephie…” He sighed blowing out a long hard breath.

“Drake, if I may suggest, maybe we should move this inside, away from all these eyes.” Dad suggested.

“Yes, of course.” He agreed. “C’mon, everyone inside. Stephanie, you too.” Drake told her.

Ryder took my hand and gently tugged me behind him. “Everyone back to your business.” He ordered.

“Riley, look at his ass.” Seraphina drooled.

“For goodness sake Seraphina! Behave!” I scolded. She stuck her tongue out and rolled around on her back, belly and paws in the air.  “You are so embarrassing.” I chuckled at my crazy ass wolf.

Ryder leaned down. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh, uh…Seraphina my wolf, she’s being such a girl instead of the Elite Warrior she is.” I shook my head.

He laughed so sincerely. “What’s so funny.” Rylen grumbled.

I glared at him, “none of your business.”

“Everything you do is my business. YOU. ARE. MY. BUSINESS.” Rylen said punctuating each word.

“Rylen, I thought you said I would be your mate. That we would reject our mate and be chosen mates.” Stephanie sobbed.

“Rylen, how could you do this?” Alpha Drake yelled.

“Dad, it’s nothing.” Rylen said.

“It’s not nothing! You rejected your fated mate!” His mom growled.

“His loss is my gain.” Ryder said with a smile.

“He still needs to accept my rejection.” I gritted out. I looked over at Stephanie, “he is your mate, and you are his. I rejected him, he has said that he doesn’t want me.” I tried to assure her.

Rylen growled. “Rylen stop!” his mom yelled. “This is why we tell you and all the other young ones not to get involved with anyone; it could cause problems like this when meeting your fated mate.” She scolded.

“Well, then you’re really going to love this.” Stephanie started to say and reached in her back pocket and handed his mom a box. “Go ahead, open it.” she demanded. Drake growled at Stephanie in warning of her attitude. Stephanie bowed her head in submission.