Page 60 of Rejected By the Alpha

“Good. David told me you are on bed rest, so take as long as you need to heal. Your beta position will still be there when you are ready to return to it.” I thank her, happy to know that she and David didn’t decide to replace me and take my hand from hers so that I can eat. I ask how helping Titus take over the pack went. She explains that everything went well, but they found some information that concerns me and that when I feel up to it, we need to have a small meeting with Lucas and Kurt. Concerned, I ask if we should do it now, but she just tells me to enjoy the bonfire with the pack, and that we will talk either later tonight or tomorrow.

“That was unsettling,” Royce states after a moment of silent passes.

“What do you think she wants to talk about?” Marco asks and I shrug, not sure what to say. It is clear whatever was found is related to my kidnapping.

“Well, it’s clear we aren’t invited to the meeting, so why don’t we get Kaylee drunk enough off of moonshine to get her out of it as well?” Royce voices with a smirk, making me roll my eyes.

“No, thank you. Besides, I am underage still, and won’t be able to drink till I am nineteen,” I decline the suggestion, Royce pouting and looking like a dejected puppy while Marco lets out a chuckle. We decide to take Amelia’s advice and enjoy the bonfire, talking to our packmates, answering questions from the Oak Fur wolves that will be initiated soon and even have Simon join our trio and make it into a group of four.

It turns out that while I was being held captive, Simon met his mate and it was Evette, the omega in charge of the kitchen. I knew she had some hidden power inside her, and seeing Simon’s mark on her neck confirms that she is meant for more than just being an omega. The now five of us find a spot near the closest bonfire, roasting marshmallows while I tell Evette stories about Simon as a pup.

Evette seems to pop out of her shell the more we talk, from the shy omega I met my first day in the pack when it was Silver Paw, to a bold she-wolf teasing Simon with the rest of us, and making me laugh harder than I have in my life. The exhaustion from the last week seems to fade, and I find myself relaxing, surrounded by friends and family. For once, I am grateful that I was rejected. If I hadn’t been, I would have never grown stronger, never found myself to be happier.

My eyes once again meet Lucas’ and without thinking, I give him a smile, watching his eyes widen before he turns away with a blush. I may not be able to be his mate after the pain he put me through, but maybe we can be friends again.

65

Lucas

She smiled at me. Like really smiled at me. It is the same one she would give me before we found out we were mates. Before I rejected and hurt her. It’s the one smile that always drew me in mysteriously when we were growing up, and now I know why.

I can’t help but look away, feeling my face heat up as I try not to think of how that smile causes me to feel some lust towards my mate. The bond hums from that smile. As if she was accepting something, and I can feel it. It did not heal the bond further, but it did bring me a lot of hope.

The bonfire has been fun, something I thought I forgot about, as I was introduced to many warriors and hunters of the pack. I had decided to keep my distance from Kaylee, to let her have some space from me like Kurt told me to, and instead focused on getting to know the wolves under her command. It seems this was the right idea, as I still can’t get her smile out of my mind.

“So, what do you think of Ivory Fangs?” Ricky asks, bumping his shoulder into mine. I want to push the man away, my blood feeling like I am being disrespected, but I remind myself that I am no longer an alpha. I am just a regular wolf now.

“It’s calming. I can grow to like living here,” I answer, sipping on a cold soda. Ricky lets out a scoff, watching me with amusement while his friends go on to talk about how they feel safer with Kaylee and Amelia back. Jealousy rips through me, and a small growl escapes my lips before I can stop it. They freeze, their eyes narrowing as they look at me with worry. Ricky has to explain to them that I am Kaylee’s mate, and they immediately apologize for their words. I nod, not trusting myself to not snap at them if I speak.

“Lucas.” Hearing my name, I turn to see Kurt looking at me, motioning for me to join him. I excuse myself from the small group, seeing relief on some of the wolves’ faces as I walk away and follow Kurt. He leads me towards Kaylee’s table and for a moment I panic, until I see my aunt and uncle reaching there first. My uncle whispers something into Kaylee’s ear. She nods, getting to her feet and following them, while Kurt changes course and we meet the three at the entrance to the pack house.

“Where is the best place to talk, Amelia?” Kurt asks as we walk inside, Kaylee eyeing me suspiciously. I smile at her, having a feeling what this might be about as my aunt leads us upstairs, and I realize she is leading us to her office. Kaylee quickly takes a seat in an armchair, curling up with her legs under her. Kurt and I decide to take the sofa, while my aunt and uncle sit on the loveseat.

“So, what is this conversation about, Kurt?” my uncle asks as we settle in.

“It’s about a lot of things, but namely why Kaylee’s parents and Lucas’ mother were murdered,” Kurt answers, a shocked gasp sounding from Kaylee.

“What do you mean, my parents were murdered?” she demands, standing from her chair. My aunt is by her side, holding onto her as Kaylee shakes with anger and sadness.

“They died protecting Ramos and Lucas,” she continues, her voice filled with conviction.

“It was a setup by Marilyn and Ramos,” Kurt states, causing the room to go deathly quiet.

“Just like Lidia’s death was orchestrated by Ramos, because he wanted more power,” his voice cracks, and I feel the pain that Kurt has held back for years come through.

“Lidia died from a heart attack,” my aunt chimes in, and for once I question if this was the true death of my mother.

“It wasn’t a heart attack,” Kurt sighs, tears in his eyes.

“Even though we were forced to reject each other, I would have felt it if Lidia had died from a heart attack.” My aunt, uncle, and Kaylee look on in shock, and I gently place a hand on Kurt’s shoulder. He sends me a small smile, the tears finally falling before he turns to address the others.

“Lidia was in an arranged marriage with Ramos as a pup, because Oak Fur did what Blood Oath did, threatened our pack, Harvest Willow,” he continues, Kaylee and my aunt returning to their respective seats.

“We grew up together, Lidia being the only child to the alpha and Luna, while I was to be her beta. No one knew she was arranged to be married, until she turned eighteen and we found out we were mates. We were ecstatic, telling our parents of the news, when Ramos and his parents came, ready to collect Lidia.” My eyes meet Kaylee’s, and I can see the pain in her eyes. I know she is thinking about how I rejected her. How I hurt her because I thought I was doing what was right for Oak Fur at the time.

“Back then, Oak Fur was stronger than it is now. They had the power to destroy a small pack like Harvest Willow. Lidia fought the arrangement, but Ramos threatened to kill me if she didn’t come with him. In the end, we both went to Oak Fur so that Ramos could keep his eyes on us.” He takes a deep breath as his voice cracks, a sadness seeping from him that I have never felt from anyone before.

“Lidia met your mother, Kaylee. They became good friends, and she let your mother know of a secret that only a few knew. Lidia could see people’s fates and futures. It’s why Ramos wanted her.”

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