Chapter 4 Rejection Pain

I ignored the rejection pain I was still experiencing as I made my way to the Alpha's office. I had begun to become accustomed to the grumbling, unpleasant sensation, and it was now barely perceptible but still present-a small reminder of my misstep.

As expected, the pack house was empty. While the parents were working either inside or outside the pack, the majority of the kids were at school or in daycare. If you were employed by the pack, you were given a room in the pack house by default; but, if you weren't, you were required to pay for your own housing and could only stay there in an emergency.

Living in the pack house was exceedingly exclusive, and the majority of residents began on the first story before moving up to the third, each floor being nicer than the one before. A pack nanny also resided on the fourth level, which was designated for orphans. Last but not least, the third-in-command occupied the fifth level, followed by the Beta on the sixth, and the Alpha on the seventh, which connected to the loft conversion. The house has few open space in total.

I moved cautiously up the stairs and down the corridor. I would have to take the elevator to the fifth floor, which housed the third-in-command's apartment in addition to the offices. As soon as I reached the top of the stairs, I lurched toward his office door.

I listened a little to make sure he wasn't in a meeting before raising my fist to the door. Soon, an answer of "come in" was followed by the sound of lights. I arrived quietly and stood there while I waited for approval to sit down.

I'll let you sit. He spoke without slouching. I followed their instructions and put my trembling hands together in an effort to relax. "I recently attempted to locate you. Recently, I haven't seen you around. He narrows his eyes, and I unconsciously gulp.

"I apologize, Alpha. All I have done is been inside my house. I politely retorted.

"Yes, I figured that." He spoke with a slight lisp. Is this the same request as your brothers, then? He questioned with an arched brow.

"N-no! Absolutely not, Alpha. My head was bowed. If it's okay, my brother has asked me to join him for a family weekend at the Golden Moon pack. Uncertain of the outcome, I spoke.

"Ah!" The Alpha said out of the blue. "Family week, yes. Ours will follow shortly. He chatted to himself more often than to me. Well, who am I to interfere with family, anyway?

"Alpha, thank you very much! I'll return Sunday evening. I gave a surprised and happy response. Since I hadn't seen my brother in three months, I was actually rather eager to meet him. The Alpha's hand stopped me just as I was about to stand up.

"Wait." He spoke loudly and authoritatively. "I do need to talk to you about something important." I took a long seat.

A "Yes, Alpha?" He gently smiled when I asked.

As you may be aware, a new family from the Blue Sky pack is joining our pack. I gave my head a few head nods. "And you have stayed in your house for more than a month without a source of income." My mouth widened a little. Was he sincere?

My house was one of many others in the group. We had gotten by in it for free over the years as a result of our parents' deaths. It was likely brought on by the fact that I had to grow up and stop acting like a child. I had simply been rejected so severely that I had lost all motivation. Even worse, I had no idea what I wanted to do.

"With all due respect, Alpha, that's my house. I'm sure I can make up for it. I pleaded. He shook his head.

"The deal has been done. The Stu family will be moving into that house at the end of the month, understand?" His voice made me feel as if it was an order even though I knew better. It was a really strong request.

"Yes Alpha." I let my head sink in understanding and despair.

"I'll be seeing you soon Ashina." He instructed me and I nodded lifting myself up and distancing myself from the room.

When the door banged close, I let a sob emerge from my throat until tears were pouring down my face at a quick rate. It seemed that luck was not on my favor at all. All I felt was despair but I needed hope more than ever. Maybe this weekend would be excellent for me.

As I continued to cry, I made my way to Daciana's room. We had primarily written rather than spoken, and then I felt myself pounding against her door. She opened the door with hasty steps, saw how I was feeling, and hugged me tightly. Her partner hesitated as he stepped behind her. He complied when Daciana asked him to leave.

"They're forcing me to move," I said. I declared. I was being comforted by Daciana. I-I-I "just can't believe it," you understand. I cried.

'I know, it's alright. Daciana tried to reassure me with her words, and to some extent it was successful. Although the tears were slowly drying up, the misery I was experiencing persisted.

"I - I - can't do this." I declared. "Where will I be residing?" I exhaled.

There is always space here for you. With a little smile, Daciana said. Her straight pale blonde hair.

"Thanks, Dac." I informed her politely yet clearly.

She kept reassuring me till I felt better. I didn't tell her when I first was rejected since she had just found her partner and I didn't want to be a burden, but after a month I did. She was incredibly sympathetic and got me through the majority of it. I was content to call her a friend. Despite the excruciating agony and the fact that I barely saw her, her brief messages of encouragement occasionally made my day.

When I ran into Dolph, I was heading back. His attire was out of place, and his hair was rough. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, my eyes squinted slightly, and my heart beat rapidly. The relationship was still there, and I could see it in his eyes, which seemed to be pleading with me to accept it and move on.

I'm not sure why, but a part of me just wanted to cling to our connection. I wouldn't be able to experience something similar again if I gave in. Just to experience this link made the suffering worthwhile.

"Hi." He said. He had a cobblestone-like voice. The question "How are you doing?" He questioned me while feigning a tight smile.

I'm dreadful. I've been cooped up in my house for the majority of the time without realizing that I would be evicted in the coming months. Oh, and did you know that every time I see you with Rieka, it feels like a million knives are being plunged into my back? Also, did you know that every time I think about you for even a second, it feels like someone is ripping my internal organs out? Did you know how badly it hurt when my wolf initially refused to speak to me and told me not to accept your rejection?

I'm fine, I see Rieka's expecting.

pregnant with your child, who ought to be my child. She is content and joyful. He is content and proud. The ideal family is theirs. Dolph from the family of the Alpha and Rieka for the third-in-command. They are flawless.

"Yeah." He spoke clumsily. "Really, three months." I twitched an ear.

"Two months?" must be excellent. My teeth were clenched.

It must be wonderful that nobody is aware that I am your partner because you won't be criticized for rejecting me.

"Look Ashina, you have to accept it; at this point, I'm pleading with you." His eyes begged. "Until this is gone, I can't be happy."

You can't smile till our tie is severed, can you? He has no interest in me at all. Really, he never did. It's always about him and Rieka in situations like these.

I-I simply cannot, Dolph. His name burned my throat like acid.

"Like I did, I know you can go on. Ashina, you are a wonderful young lady.

You're a wonderful girl.

You'll find a better candidate.

I apologize for disappointing you.

You are a stunning young lady with a lot of potential.

"I-I can't handle this," you say. His expression was sad. Saying "I'm sorry." I then walked away to the last location where I felt safe. Home!