REJECTION:MY ALPHA MATE WANTS ME BACK

CASEY'S POV

As I floated, wrapped in the comfortable embrace of the warm water, my thoughts wandered away from my problems and insecurities, and I silently prayed to the moon goddess.

"I need my wolf..."

The silence was broken by the approaching voices of young people. My pulse pounded when I realized I had wandered far away from the riverbed.

The owners of the voices were eventually revealed, and it came as no surprise that they were Abel, one of the elders' sons, and his cronies. Abel had made it his purpose to orchestrate my humiliation among his colleagues, taking pleasure in humiliating me at every chance.

"What is a forlorn person like you doing in this river? Have you come to bring bad luck and curses to this river?" Abel's voice echoed across the river, dripping with hatred.

I shot him a quick glare, "Abel, everyone bathes in this river, even desolate people," I retorted.

His friends snickered, supporting him as he resumed his rant. "Get out of the river this instant!" Abel commanded, his authority bolstered by the laughing audience surrounding him.

"I- I can't, Abel," I stammered, feeling a mix of frustration and embarrassment rising. "I don't mean to be crude, but I'm naked."

Abel's laughter resonated over the riverbed, accompanied by his friends' chuckles. "Who cares?" he jeered, his words piercing the air like a blade.

"I doubt anyone would be excited by your fragile, unappealing figure. Just swim, get your rag or towel, and leave."

While most individuals slept well, members of the Ironclaw pack remained awake, scheming new methods to degrade and humiliate me.

I clenched my fists, resisting the temptation to vent my frustrations. In the end, I realized I had little choice but to follow Abel's demands to avoid being reported to Alpha Bran.

With a gloomy sigh, I swam to the riverside, my movements being monitored by eager bystanders.

I grabbed my towel and wrapped it over myself, protecting my modesty as much as I could. I ignored the snide remarks and perverted glances and returned to the shack. I wasn't surprised, it was just the standard way to begin my day.

I examined my reflection in the broken mirror, the jagged edges casting a distorted image of myself.

My loose, tangled hair framed a face with tired grey eyes, thin skin that appeared almost translucent in the low light, and a weak physique that defined the features of my rib cage, chest bone, and pelvic bone. I couldn't help but laugh bitterly at the irony of the situation.

"Aah, Casey, you have the makings of a beautiful woman," I murmured to myself, "they just don't see it."

With a resigned sigh, I turned away from the mirror, unwilling to linger on others' superficial judgments. It was time to get ready for another day of toil and humiliation in the Ironclaw pack.

I headed out to the general store, my arms full of cleaning supplies.

The daily labor awaited me: sweeping the town square, washing laundry, and cleaning the chambers of all the high-ranking wolves in the pack, from the Lycan king to the clan's 24 elders.

These were the enjoyable responsibilities handed to me by none other than our illustrious Alpha Bran.

As I moved out of the store, a coworker approached me with a cold and unfriendly attitude. After all, why bother with pleasantries for an outcast like myself?

"Alpha Bran commands that you add the new Beta wolf's chamber to your duties beginning today," they said, unconcerned about my situation.

I couldn't help but let out a sardonic laugh. "Ah, just what I always dreamed of," I said to myself, the irony not lost on me.

"More cleaning duties, because clearly, that's the most damage I could do around here."

She offered a half-hearted shrug and walked away, leaving me to ponder the benefits of my increased cleaning chores.

I felt surprisingly not yet stripped of my strength as I went about my cleaning duties, a rare occurrence that left me slightly puzzled but grateful nonetheless.

The evening sun casts golden hues and elongated shadows, its reduced brightness making it more bearable to look at directly as I swept the town square, cleaned the elders' rooms, and did their laundry.

Without further ado, I went to work, armed with cleaning products and an optimistic mindset.

As I washed and tidied, my thoughts drifted to the absurdity of my circumstance.

Here I was, cleaning up after a Beta wolf whose entire aim seemed to be to cause chaos wherever he went.

Midway through my cleaning frenzy, I heard the door creak open behind me, followed by the distinct sound of it closing again.

I turned to see Thorne standing there, a sneer on his lips as he saw me surrounded by cleaning products and a room that desperately needed to be cleaned.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Thorne's voice was filled with amusement, his gaze lingering on me in a way that made my skin crawl.

"Just the pack's diligent maid doing her duty," I replied with a fake smile, my irritation concealed with practiced ease.

Thorne chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You know, Serena, you are too talented at what you do. "I almost feel bad for causing such a mess."

I arched an eyebrow, not buying into his fake sorrow for a moment. "Almost being the operative word, I assume." He grinned unabashedly. "You assume correctly."

As I worked diligently in Thorne's chamber, his presence loomed over me like a dark cloud. It was as if he had a magnetic pull, never leaving me a moment of peace.

His gaze, once playful, now turned predatory, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Do you know how beautiful you are, Casey?" Thorne's voice cut through the silence of the room, his tone laced with an unsettling mix of desire and arrogance.

I chose not to respond, focusing on finishing my tasks as quickly as possible to escape his unsettling presence.

However, Thorne had other plans, his massive frame blocking my path as I tried to move toward the bathroom.

"Do you try to ignore me, Serena?" His voice held a hint of annoyance, his grip on my arm tightening slightly.

"I just came here to work, Thorne, nothing more," I replied curtly, attempting to sidestep his imposing figure.

"But where's the fun in that? Don't you want a pleasurable break from all this mundane work?" His words dripped with suggestive undertones, his gaze lingering on me in a way that made my skin crawl.

"That question would be best answered by Alpha Bran," I retorted, trying to maintain my composure despite the rising unease within me.

Before I could protest further, Thorne's actions turned aggressive. He hurled me onto the bed I had just finished arranging, his overpowering strength making any resistance futile.

Panic and rage surged through me as he pinned me down, his intentions clear despite my protests.

"No one is coming to help you, Serena," Thorne's voice was low, his face contorted into a wicked grin. "You're alone, desolate, and weak."

I screamed in terror and frustration, feeling my bones ache under the pressure of his hold. The sense of helplessness fueled a surge of something primal within me, a force I couldn't comprehend.

In a moment of sheer desperation, my screams morphed into a powerful growl, resonating through the room with a ferocity that shocked us both.

In the blink of an eye, Thorne was thrown across the chamber with such force that the walls shook.

I lay there, bewildered by what had just transpired. That growl, that strength-it wasn't me. Or was it?

As I looked at my hands, I noticed a transformation taking place. My skin seemed to ripple, muscles bulging, and claws extending from my fingertips.

Fear mingled with awe as I realized what was happening-I was turning into a wolf.

I stumbled toward the shattered mirror, my heart racing with a mix of dread and curiosity. What would I see? What had I become?

The reflection that greeted me was both terrifying and breathtaking. A she-werewolf stood before me, her fur a majestic blend of grey and white, with blazing amber eyes that held a wild intensity.

Her legs were strong and agile, her tail swishing with controlled power, and a thick mane of fur framed her neck like royalty.

I couldn't help but be in awe of her majesty, even as my mind struggled to process the reality of what I was seeing. This was me, or rather, a part of me I had never known existed.

The she-wolf's attention turned to the shattered door where Thorne lay, still recovering from the unexpected force that had sent him flying.

Without hesitation, she bounded past him, a silent yet commanding presence that left no room for argument.

As we ran with exhilarating speed, I felt a rush of excitement and freedom, unlike anything I had ever experienced.

The world blurred around us, the wind whipping through our fur as we navigated the wilderness with effortless grace.

Suddenly, a sweet scent filled my nostrils, triggering a surge of hunger and anticipation.

The she-wolf sensed it too, her movements becoming more focused as we zeroed in on the source of the tantalizing aroma.

We came to a halt abruptly, as if in unison, our senses heightened and attuned to the surroundings. The tingling in my belly grew stronger, a primal instinct urging me forward with renewed purpose.

What lay ahead was unknown, but one thing was certain-this newfound transformation had unlocked a part of me I never knew existed, and I was eager to embrace the wild, untamed freedom it offered.

My wolf and I bounded through the wilderness, following the intoxicating scent that led us closer to our destination. Each step was filled with anticipation, the tingling in my belly growing stronger as we neared the source of the irresistible aroma.

Heartbeats echoed in my ears, a telltale sign that we were approaching living beings. The smell intensified, teasing our senses with its sweetness.

Abruptly, we came to a halt, our sharp gazes fixed on a group of wolves led by none other than Alpha Bran himself. They were on their way for a hunt, unaware of our presence until we stood before them, our forms shifting from the shadows.

My eyes locked with Alpha Bran's, and at that moment, I felt a connection, unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was as if he could feel what I felt, a primal understanding that transcended words.

"Shift!" Alpha Bran's command cut through the air, and I felt the familiar bone-deep ache as I morphed back into my human form.

The rush of transformation was accompanied by a mix of excitement and apprehension, knowing that this encounter could change everything.

As my human form materialized before Alpha Bran and his men, what I saw shattered any hope of a warm reception.

His excitement and anticipation were replaced with shock, rage, and hate as they twisted his features.

His eyes narrowed with a venomous intensity. The air around us grew tense, the silence heavy with unspoken words and volatile emotions.

CASEY'S POV

His eyes narrowed into a ferocious look that could penetrate steel.

"What is this?" His voice thundered, reflecting the rage that emanated from him.

"Have the moon goddess chosen to ruin me finally?"

My tattered garments hung loosely over my torso, trepidation and panic filled me as I faced Alpha Bran's angry gaze, wondering whether this night would be the end of my existence.

"I can't have an outcast, and weak wolf like you as my mate," he spoke stepping closer to me, as I moved backward slowly.

"I Alpha Bran Sterling rejects you as my mate," he said, while I shook my head negatively, as hot tears clouded my eyes.

"What are you waiting for, accept my rejection, and break this mate bond," he commanded with his voice sounding like thunder.

"No, I can't," I managed to say, while shaking my head negatively.

His command cut through the tense air like a razor.

"Take her away, and lock her up until I she is ready to accept my rejection and break this mate bond.."

The words hung thick in the air, confirming my fate as I was dragged away by Alpha Bran's men, their emotions a mix of disgust and submission.

The confinement chamber was cold, damp walls encircling the space, and the scent of stale air mingled with faint traces of past inmates.

I was placed in a small cell, with iron bars separating me from the outside world. I sat on the cold stone floor, leaned against the wall, and let out a deep sigh.

I knew I was on the verge of death. Rather than accept me as his mate, Alpha Bran would prefer to kill me.

Hours passed in the stillness of my imprisonment, interrupted only by the infrequent walking of guards patrolling the area. Still thinking about the ridiculousness of my predicament, my eyes quickly became heavy with sleep.

Alpha Bran's POV

As I slept in the cold embrace of dawn, memories of Olga surged through my mind like a relentless tsunami. The wind's melancholy scream outside seemed to reflect the grief in my heart, rousing me from the depths of slumber but not quite bringing me to full awake. I found myself caught in that bittersweet state between dreams and reality, where the past and present merge in a disturbing dance.

Olga, my beloved mate, died a decade ago, yet her absence is still evident in my soul. She was the embodiment of beauty, with gushing black hair that equaled the darkest night, soul piercing eyes that carried ages' worth of wisdom, lips that shouted words of love and laughter, hands that eased my fears, and a smile that could brighten even the darkest days.

I remember her lighthearted banter and visions of a future full of puppies and happiness. "Twenty pups, each with eyes like mine and strength like yours," she'd add, her eyes sparkling like the stars. She was my everything, the brightness that shone through the gloom of my existence.

But fate, harsh and heartless, took her from me too soon. The night she died left a permanent mark on my memories. The pain of that loss is a constant companion, a burden I carry even as time passes. No she-wolf could ever replace Olga; she was unique, a rare treasure in a world full of passing moments.

As a result, I am locked in a cycle of wanting and regret, unable to move forward yet also unable to turn back time. The isolation of my chamber, once a shelter for us, now echoes with haunting whispers of memories long forgotten.

After all, what is life if not ironic? The strong Alpha, once feared and revered, is reduced to a solitary figure haunted by memories and unfulfilled desires.

As I finally wake up from the grip of half-sleep, I prepare for the day ahead. The responsibilities of leadership call, and I must put on the mask of power once more. However, beneath that mask is a heart that is still in sorrow, a heart that longs for a second shot at love but is afraid of experiencing the anguish of loss again.

With a heavy sigh, I dismiss the memories and concentrate on the present. The Alpha must be strong and unyielding, even in the face of personal grief. So I brace myself for whatever hardships the day may bring, while holding Olga's memory like a treasured pearl deep within my spirit.

The cold morning air wrapped around me like a shroud as I stepped out bare-chested and barefooted, a conscious decision to remind myself of my weakness.

Something about the bite of cold on naked skin sharpens the intellect, a type of self-imposed discipline that I find weirdly pleasurable.

My gaze moved across the familiar scene, taking in the towering trees, serpentine roads, and distant howls of pack members starting the day. I made my way to a large rock near my chamber, which I've learned to enjoy over the years.

Perched atop the rock, I closed my eyes and allowed the cold to penetrate into my bones, grounding me in the present now.

My daily routine began with deep, meditative breathing, a technique that helps me clear my head and focus my thoughts. The chill in the air provided another degree of discipline.

As I sank into my meditation, a notion remained at the edge of my awareness.

"If the moon goddess pleases, I ask for a second chance mate who isn't curses," I said softly, the words laden with longing and sorrow.

It's a whispered appeal, a murmur to the heavens that perhaps, just maybe, there could be another shot at love despite the scars of the past.

With that unspoken request lingering in the air, I turned my attention to the physical aspects of my regimen. I reached for the nearby logs, lifting them several times, and pushing myself to the limit, savoring the burn in my muscles.

The session left me breathless but energized, with a solid, satisfying pump coursing through my veins. A cold bath in the river would be the ideal way to finish my morning routine.

Just as I was about to leave for the river, a tremendous noise broke through the peaceful morning, disrupting the peacefulness of the woods.

My senses intensified, and every instinct was on high alert as I searched my surroundings. The pack was generally a symphony of organized pandemonium in the mornings, but this noise was discordant.

With cautious steps, I followed the source of the disturbance, curiosity mingling with caution.

I arrived at the source of the noise, surveying the area with measured and methodical steps.

Two massive Doerner Fir trees had fallen, their stately forms reduced to a tangle of branches and splintered timber; they had clearly been struck by lightning.

As I surveyed the remnants of nature's fury, my mind unintentionally turned to the thorn in my side, the cursed wolf in my pack. She wasn't even a true wolf yet, her bloodline polluted by a curse that made her an outcast. I could feel the same rush of disgust and resentment rising within me.

Luke's name lingered in my head, if only I could murder him again for daring to defy my authority; the memory of his defiance still infuriates me. But the dead cannot be punished twice, no matter how much they deserve.

The only option I had left was to make Casey's life as wretched and awful as possible, was the fact that I had imprisoned her, and was now making sure she would starved.

Lost in my thoughts, I was brought back to the present moment by the greeting of one of the employees.

"Alpha Bran," she spoke up, bowing her head in the process.

"Hey," I said curtly, my tone showing none of the conflict inside me.

"Where are you off to?" I asked her, while stared at her.

"To start my job for the day, Alpha Bran,"

"Good. So you don't have to stop just go ahead," I told her, while she just shook her head and try to Walk away, but I stopped her.

"Has the prisoner being feed?" I asked her, while she quickly responded with a 'no'

"Okay that's better, because I don't want her to be given any food in this house," I told her, and she nodded immediately, promising to make sure of that, before I signed her to leave.

All I wanted was for her to regret what she didn't accept my rejection and break our mate bond. So I'm going to enjoy tormenting her.

CASEY'S POV

It has been a week since I was kept in this dungeon with any food or water, and I could feel life slowly leaving me, and to be honest I really regretted why I decided to not accepted his rejection.

Alpha Bran was really a cruel person to keep me here, all because I refused to accept his rejection.

I really don't think I want to have anything to do with him ever again, I have finally decided to reject him, and be free from this dungeon.

Though my life hasn't been really good, since my father died, but at least it was so much better than this life I'm leaving in this dungeon.

I bet I won't be able to survive another day in this dungeon, so I really hope he comes to see me today so that I can accept his rejection once and for all, and save myself from this horrible death.

"Hey the cursed one," I heard someone call me, but I was just too weak to speak, but I heard the dungeon door being open, making me hope for the best.

"Alpha wants to see you," a man said, standing right in front of me, but I couldn't move, as I was just so weak, and almost life.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" He barked rudely, but I still moved, as I knew how I was feeling, and I know he can't understand me, as he wasn't in my shoes to understand what was happening right now.

"Grabbed her, since she is still acting stubborn," the maid said, and two guards grabbed me, and soon we were out of the dungeon.

I was just too weak to speak or do anything, as I hoped never to return to the dungeon no matter what.

Just then we arrived at the Alpha sitting room, which was meant for him alone.

According to what the workers who were working in the house had told me. No one was allowed into the Alpha sitting room except he asked the person in.

And throughout the time I had been working in the house, I have never crossed paths with the Alpha, as he was always in his sitting room, and I was never allowed to go there.

But today I was finally in the sitting room.

"Put her down," he ordered, making me swallow hard, as he put me down on my knees, as I couldn't look up at him.

"Are you ready to accept my rejection now?" He asked me, while I kept quiet, not being able to say anything.

"I asked again, are you ready now, or I should ask them to return you back to the dungeon?" He threatened me, while the guards made an attempt to hit me, but he stopped them.

I held my stomach, growling uncontrollably, while Alpha Bran kept calm.

"Get her some food to eat," he said, making me happy immediately.

"But Alpha she hasn't accepted your rejection yet," the man said, but he yelled at him to do what he had asked.

"Stand straight, you curse one," one of the guards barked at me rudely, making me try to stand Even though I was just so weak.

"Let her be," he said, surprising me, because I never really expected such a cruel man to say something to defend me.

After a while the food was brought, and I was dropped on the floor where I sat down and started eating hungrily like my life depended on it.

"Alpha, she needs to be flogged, for messing up your chamber," I heard one of the men say, making me swallow hard, as I realised I would be in trouble.

"Not let her be, she is hungry so it is expected that she will make a mess here," he defended me again, and I really couldn't understand why he was doing all of this right now.

Just then Thorne walked into the sitting room, but didn't bother looking at him as I continued eating my food.

"Alpha, you are giving her food, when she hasn't done the needful?" Thorne asked him, and I just paused as I tried to listen to them.

"I know I don't like her, but she still deserves to eat, besides it's been a week that she had been in that dungeon without any food," he told him, while I just swallowed the food in my throat.

I grabbed the water beside me, as I also started having it.

"Alpha I will suggest you kill her, since she is acting so stubborn towards you, besides she is a curse to this Pack," Thorne suggested, right before my ears, as I froze.

I have gotten some strength now after eating, and I really wished I could just run away before Alpha Bran will decide to kill me just as his beta has advised.

"Killing her is not the best object, so I will suggest you just leave that for now, and focus more on the protection of my Pack," Alpha Bran said, changing the topic while Thorne nodded.

Alpha Bran made Thorne leave the sitting room, and once I was done eating, I started cleaning up the mess I had mate.

ALPHA BRAN'S POV

As she cleaned my sitting room, I felt attracted to her, as my wolf was fully taking over. Somehow I could also say she felt the same way, as she stopped what she was doing I looked up to me.

I quickly tried to put my wolf in check, but it was totally not working out, making me so frustrated, and I walked closer to her, who was now staring at me.

"Alpha do you need anything," she asked me, looking so nervous, as I couldn't help but wish for my wolf to stop. But instead the urge to have her increased.

I hugged her, and immediately I felt her wrapped her arms around me, making me gasp, but just continued realizing I don't have any problem with her stopping me.

I proceeded to kiss her lips which she also reciprocated, and within a few minutes we were already undressed, and were having the best moments of our lives, as mates.

All we could feel was just nothing more than just pleasure, and there was no hate at that moment.