After The Rejection Novels & Stories

(His POV) The rejection comes at 8:41 a.m. Not curt. Not cruel. Careful. After consideration, we’re unable to proceed under the conditions outlined. We value your perspective and hope to remain in dialogue. Dialogue. The word institutions use when they want access without obligation. I read it twice, then a third time, looking for subtext that isn’t there. They didn’t negotiate. They didn’t counter. They didn’t ask for clarification. They chose feasibility over friction.

It wasn't until I landed in a small town on the other side of the world that I turned it back on. The moment I turned it on, a cascade of alerts and messages came pouring in. After I blocked her number, Beverly used a new number to message me. Beverly: "Raymond, why did you do this? Even if you had to sell your shares, you could've sold them to me. Why Erika?" Beverly: "Could you just pick up the phone? Or at least text me back!" Beverly: "Just say something. I really can't lose you!"

I said gently, because arguing would only make my night longer. As I walked back toward the bar, my phone buzzed in the pocket of my apron. I wasn’t supposed to check it while working, but I was too curious. Maybe it was Sophia reminding me to eat, or Camila dropping one of her random voice notes full of unsolicited but loving advice. One thing I’m always grateful for was the sweet friends life has blessed me with. But Nope. It was another rejection email. My shoulders slumped and my steps slowed. “Dear Ms. Torres, thank you for your interest in joining our company. After careful review of your application, we have decided not to move forward at this time...”

Tomorrow marked the tenth day of the deadline I had given them to accept my rejection. I had to take action. Tomorrow, I couldn’t delay any longer.

"It's fine. You don't have to explain yourself. I won't be against it if you want to date John. He's a single guy, after all," Samuel pressed, clearly amused, but John was silent, observing Tasha's reaction. She had rejected him even before he had the gut to ask her out.

Mark's hands flew flew up and covered his mouth as he tried to suppress his sobs. "This is bullshit! I don't need another mate! Find someone else. I don't want you! I reject you! And Michael, go fuck yourself!" Anders said before he turned around and shifted before leaping through the window and taking off. Everyone stood there in complete shock. The only sound heard was the loud cries coming from my broken friend who began to scream and cry uncontrollably as he felt the horrible pain that comes with rejection. Anders said he rejected him, but it wasn't an official rejection. He didn't say the words correctly. You need to say your full name, title and pack name along with the name of your ma

I just could not take this rejection. “What are you saying, baby. Have I ever been a bad mother to you? I have always taken good care of you all this while. So how can you say I am bad to you, darling? All this hurts mummy so much.” I say to her. My eyes had already started to tear up. “Laura, for now, go home with mummy ok?, I have to go to work now. I will come for you in the morning.” Felix says to her. “Ok.” She says back.

I said, cleaning my tears. “Don’t worry Ari, this rejection isn’t the end of the world, bigger and better things await you after this,” Dad said. “Who knows? You might even be lucky enough to get a second chance mate after a few years.” Mom said and we all laughed because we knew how rare it was. I wasn’t even bothered about getting a second chance mate. I was okay with being alone for life with no mate, I only wanted to reclaim my life back and as my Dad said, a rejection isn’t the end of the world.

“…please do not reject me, Camilla. I plead with you.” “Accept it,” I gritted out, my hands curling even more by my side if possible. “I do not understand what in the sick fuck is going on, what sort of sick joke fate and the universe is playing on me to pair us up now of all time, but accept the rejection.” My heart was hammering behind my ribcage, a mixture of anger and confusion pairing to make up a raging storm inside. “I do not, and will never accept you as my mate. Certainly, no sick fate can make me be with you after everything.”

Almost two months had passed, and somehow it still felt like yesterday and a lifetime ago. And even though Aria’s name didn’t trend as much as before, the internet forgot. The media frenzy had only settled into a low, constant hum in the background of everything she did. She stared at the rejection email on her laptop screen. Hello, Ms. Jenkins. Thank you for your application. After careful consideration, we are unable to move forward at this time. She let out a groan, dropping her head back against the backrest of her chair.