Beyond Rejection

I glare up at Levi Crosswalk, hatred tightening every muscle in my face.

"I reject you, Levi Crosswalk, and I will never be your mate-in this life or the next!" I spit, venom dripping from every word.

His jaw clenches. His hands curl into fists.

"And I reject you, Anastasia Purrey. I hereby break the mate bond between us. You're free to prostitute yourself wherever you choose." His words are cold, cruel, deliberate.

The insult lands like a slap. I raise my hand-rage burning in my veins-but he catches it midair and yanks me close. Too close. I can feel his breath against my cheek.

His eyes, usually unreadable, burn with something dangerous. Hatred. Good. Because it's mutual.

"Be careful what you decide to do, Anastasia. I'm far more powerful than you." His voice is a low, threatening growl before he pushes me back with finality.

I turn sharply and stalk away, my heels echoing with every bitter step.

---

Seven Years Later

Levi

I adjust my tie with mechanical precision. Another damn party. Another political obligation. Since I took over as Alpha, my life has become a carousel of appearances, negotiations, and fake smiles.

The car waits outside. I slide in silently, ignoring the driver's polite nod. My head throbs, but I can't skip this event. Not when it's hosted by the Cross Moon Pack. Not when Arkin, their Alpha, made a personal invitation.

When we arrive, the mansion is ablaze with light and chatter. I step inside and the room quiets, eyes swiveling toward me.

It's my first public appearance since my mother's death. The whispers are expected.

I make my way to the bar, my steps smooth and calculated. "Martini. Olives," I tell the bartender.

As the cool burn of alcohol touches my lips, a scent hits me.

Thick. Familiar. Intoxicating.

No. It can't be.

I freeze, the glass hovering at my lips. I've waited seven years for a second-chance mate. Seven years of praying, of hoping. And now?

No way in hell.

I scoff quietly. Of course it's her.

"Levi! So glad to see you," a voice says, followed by a firm slap on my back.

I turn. Arkin.

We shake hands, his grip nearly as strong as mine.

"Everyone's talking about you," he says with a grin.

"That's unfair to you," I reply, sipping my drink.

The scent grows stronger. She's close. Too close. I can't stop myself-I turn.

And there she is.

Anastasia Purrey.

Seven years have changed her, but not dulled her. Her eyes lock with mine, fiery and defiant. My breath catches in my throat.

The world tilts. The air crackles.

She rushes out of the room.

"Oh, I forgot to mention the Purreys are here," Arkin says, eyes shifting away awkwardly.

"It's too late for that warning," I mutter and down the rest of my drink.

I step outside to breathe. The cold night air hits my face, soothing the heat rising under my collar.

Then I hear it-cursing.

Curious, I follow the voice around the corner.

Anastasia is standing there, dousing herself in perfume, her expression furious.

"...get rid of this stupid scent!"

"You know," I say lazily, "there's a cliff not far from here. Might do the trick faster."

She whirls, already knowing it's me. Our scents have long since betrayed us.

"Get lost," she snaps through gritted teeth.

"Found your second-chance mate yet?" I ask, smirking.

"I would, if your dog-smell wasn't so pungent."

I grin. "You know I don't smell like a dog."

"Too bad you can't tell an insult from a compliment."

Her mouth is still a weapon, sharp as ever.

I'm about to retort when her face contorts in pain. A fresh wave of scent slams into me-hot, thick, primal.

She's going into heat.

Oh, perfect timing.

I turn, trying to walk away, but I freeze.

Other males have stepped outside. Eyes locked on her. Hungry. Predatory.

She's huddled on the ground, gritting her teeth, groaning.

Her age must make it worse. The pain. The pull. Does this mean she's still untouched?

No. No way. Right?

But I know I can't leave her like this.

"Let me take you home," I say, trying not to sound too involved.

"I'm not... going anywhere with you," she grunts.

Her stubbornness might be cute if it weren't going to get her devoured.

I don't wait for another refusal. I crouch down and scoop her into my arms. She doesn't fight.

The other males back off the second they see me holding her.

I carry her to my car, slide her gently into the back seat, and climb in beside her.

The moment the doors shut, her scent engulfs me.

I can barely breathe.

She shifts, groaning, her knees pressed tightly together. She's trying to suppress it-to fight nature.

It's not working.

My own body betrays me. I feel myself harden. The air is thick with pheromones, heat, and history.

She clutches her stomach, teeth clenched, riding another wave of pain. Even my driver glances at her through the mirror, drawn by instinct.

I look away, jaw clenched, trying to think of anything else-anything but her.

But her groans.

Her scent.

Her body twisting beside me.

It's driving me insane.

Then she looks up at me. Her eyes are glassy, desperate.

"Help me," she whispers... and parts her legs.

Anastasia.

The pain is too much to bear. I close my eyes as my womb contracts. Searing heat courses through my body. My underwear is soaking wet.

I need an escape to all the pain I'm feeling. I turn to Levi. He's doing his best to not be bothered by the scent of my heat.

I lock my knees even tighter. I know doing that does not make any much difference, but it sends a message across. I am off limits.

The pain crashes through me and I start to wonder if I am really off limits. It hits home one more time and I give up my defence.

"Help me". I hear myself murmur as I part my legs.

He looks at me with dark eyes. He wants me but he is fighting it. I know we hate each other, but I can't think of any other way to relieve myself.

I can sense his wolf. I should not be able to, but I can. It makes me wonder if our mate bond is actually broken.

His wolf wants me. My wolf wants his wolf as well. But, we don't want each other.

He reaches out and touches my knee. His touch feels so good that I start feeling like a slut.

He runs his hands up and down my thighs and I go crazy. Is he really going to put me out of my misery? He should know that there are no strings attached. No one can know about it.

My thoughts are too mushed up to get any words out.

"Please. Don't stop". I hear myself begging.

We are in a car for crying out loud! How is he supposed to fuck away my heat in such a limited space? If this is fate trying to bring us together, fuck fate. I will never be with Levi, even after this.

His eyes go even darker. I want to know what he is thinking.

He slips a hand between my thighs and I gasp at the warm feel of his hands. I part my legs even wider. His long fingers slip even farther until they encounter my wet underwear. He slips his hand past my underwear and touches me there.

I jerk at his foreign yet wonderful touch. I lean my head back and look into his eyes. His eyes are full of lust.

He slips a finger into me and I moan in pure delight. It feels so heavenly. But, I need the real deal to get myself off. I don't want the act to drag on longer than it should. I pull on his belt. He grabs my hand and pins it against the chair.

He knocks on the driver's screen.

"Take the lady and I to my house instead. There has been a change of plans". He says.

I know I should protest, but my needs cloud my better judgement. As he keeps stroking me, I can not even think clearly.

He adds another finger and I hold his hand.

He looks up at me and tries to pull back his hand. My grip on his hand tightens. I hold his hand in place. I am still trying to get used to his invasive touch. I know that when I am out of my heat, I will hate myself. The person I hate the most in the world is touching me so sensitively. How would I live with myself after this.

He says nothing, he just watches me. I slowly inch his hand back inside and release it.

A smug smile tugs the corner of his lips. I can't help feeling like a slut. He probably thinks I am one.

He uses his thumb to rub my sensitive nub and I moan again. He covers my mouth with his free hand so that his driver would not hear. He is even trying to protect my dignity.

The car pulls up in front of his house and I suddenly become nervous. There is no turning back now.

He withdraws his hand and covers my dress. I moan at the loss of his hands.

The driver opens the door. I accept his hand and come out of the car. As the cold air rushes over me, I realize that I've been sweating.

Levi offers me his hand. I initially don't want to take it, but the pain comes again and my knees feel like they will buckle beneath me.

I take his arm to steady myself. He bends and picks me up in his arms.

"I hope your driver would not talk". I struggle to say.

"Don't worry about him". Is all he says.

He takes me his bedroom downstairs and kicks the door closed.

He tosses me on the bed and I prop myself on my elbows.

He removes his tie and tosses it away. His eyes never leave mine. He comes forward and grabs my ankle. He slides my heels off and drops them on the floor. He then yanks my legs apart. He pushes my dress down to my waist. I get up so he can pull the dress over my head. I feel so heated up.

I am left in my matching lace bra and panties. His eyes roam over me hungrily.

Those arrogant eyes of his.

He leans forward and presses me down. He slips his hand underneath me and removes my bra. Cold air makes goosebumps rise on my breasts. He takes in a breath as he takes one in his mouth. I grasp his shoulders as pleasure shoots through me.

He grabs my two wrists and pins them above my head.

He is not even trying to be tender, not like I expected him to be, though.

He does not want me to touch him. I can live with that.

He slides my panties down. There is no turning back now.

I watch him toss it on the floor.

He dips one finger into me and stops to look into my eyes.

"Are you sure you want to do this with me?" He asks.

Levi.

We have already come this far. I can't stop now even if I want to. I don't know why the need to fill her up is so strong. I really do hate her. Am I helping her or is it revenge?

She is breathing so fast. There is still the small possibility that she might come to her senses and say no.

I wait patiently for her answer.

She sucks on her lower lip as she thinks. I look away from her lips. No kissing those lips. Our exchange is merely give and take, no strings attached. Kissing her would add another dimension to it.

She folds over as another wave of pain goes through her. When she finally meets my gaze, I already know her answer before she says it.

She is the type to regret it after it is already done. I know she is going to hate herself.

I will probably hate myself too.

"I am sure". She whispers.

That is the go ahead I need. No more dragging out. I unbuckle my belt and pull down my pants.

Her eyes follow my movements impatiently. Her eyes look so hungry.

I slide my briefs down and hear the sharp intake of breath as she sees my arousal.

She keeps fidgeting restlessly beneath me. I am rock hard and ready. I hope she is too.

Would she think of this anytime we run into each other after now?

Without wasting any more time, I nudge at her entrance. It is very tight. It just confirms my suspicions. She is a virgin. I am her first. I feel a swell of pride at the accomplishment. I had always thought she was a whore. Yet, she chooses me to be her first.

I brace myself and drive into her. I go slow in order to reduce the pain, but I make sure I destroy all her barriers. Her eyes go blank for a few seconds as the shock of being invaded registers.

I withdraw fully and go in again. I enter even deeper than before. She is so tight. She clenches around me and I almost lose it. I pick up the pace of my thrusts until she starts rocking with me.

She is the first woman I am having sex with in my bed. She also has an achievement to her name.

I shudder as I come inside her. Just then, I realize that I did not use protection.

What the fuck!

I pull out of her gently. Her mouth is open and her eyes are closed.

What is she thinking? A tear slips out of the corner of her left eye.

"Do you still feel pain?" I ask.

Her eyes open at my question.

"Don't you dare start acting like you care about me!" She said through clenched teeth.

"You're welcome". I say and pull up my briefs.

She does not even try to cover herself.

"I'll..." I start saying.

"Get out!" She yells at me.

I restrain myself from reminding her that she is in my house.

I quietly leave the room. As soon as I close the door behind me, she starts to sob.

Part of me wants to ask if I've hurt her. Has she not realized that I did not use protection yet?

I walk upstairs to grab a drink.

Anastasia.

Once he closes the door, I break down completely. I have just lost my dignity. I hate myself. The pain of the heat is gone, but I am still in pain. My entrance hurts and my heart hurts to.

I crawl out of the bed to have a shower. All I see in the bathroom are his things. His shaving kit is still lieing in the sink after he had probably used it.

I turn on the hot water in the tub and leave it to fill up. I walk to the cabinet and search for a good bubble bath. I need to wash his scent off my body. I don't want anyone to know what happened between us.

I see a fragrant bubble bath and take it.

I empty it's entire content into the tub. The suds start flowing out of the tub. I had put way to much.

I step into the water and gasp as it soaks me up. In between my legs still stings. I let the water do its magic. When I'm done, I'll pick up my things and leave.

A lot of males at the party saw when I went into heat. They know I left with Levi. If they know that Levi took me to his place, they'll put two and two together and know exactly what went on. No time to worry about that now.

If it wasn't him, it might have been someone else.

I really do need to get married for the sake of my pack. My older brother is the Alpha now. He had taken over from my father. My brother is unmarried as well. Like me, he rejected his two fated mates. He was lucky enough to be granted a second chance mate. I have not. He does not want to be married at all.

I, on the other hand can just choose a mate and get on with my life, but Levi's scent is the only one I am attracted to. Every other scent fades into his.

My pack needs alliances with other packs. My marriage to the Alpha of another pack would guarantee that.

I sink below the surface of the water for a couple of minutes. My life would never be the same again.

After my bath, I put on my dress and shoes and call my driver.

I sit down and wait for my driver. As soon as I hear the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway, I rush out of the room.

I walk into the living room and run into something hard. It only takes a second before I realize that it is Levi.

"Going somewhere?"