Rejected by the Alphas

Joan's Pov

Night approached faster than expected. Some guests had begun to show up one after the other. I also saw Alpha Xender, a very good friend of my father back then. He was looking gorgeous and excited about the night, and I wondered within myself if he ever felt sad when he heard about my home.

I doubt he did. The way he shook hands with Alpha Rex showed he never cared, because if he did cared, he wouldn't have given him those smiles.

"You brat, what are you doing here!" Mrs Green yanked at me. I felt her hand land roughly at my back. "Do you want those guests to see you appearing in this?" She said, pointing at the rag I was putting on. "Now get the hell out of here or I spank you again."

I ran out of her sight. I hid myself under the staircase where no one could find me, especially Mrs Green. Then I heard Alpha Rex's voice, he was talking to a lady. Her voice sounded strange, I haven't heard it before.

I stayed in the same position, not attempting to move or he finds out that I am here. "What about your mother, it's been long since I last saw her?" She asked.

"She's in her room." He replied.

"I heard she's been sick for months now, is it true?"

"Yes." He replied with a sigh. "She wants me to get a mate as soon as possible. She wants to see her before she leaves. That's why I called you, because I need you." For the first time I was hearing the soft part of Alpha Rex. I guess the lady means a lot to him.

"Don't worry, you've always got me by your side. I'll do whatever it is for you, even till my last breath." That was the last thing my ears could hear before Mrs Green's voice sounded my name.

I ignored her calling, shutting my ears from her voice. "Joan! Joanna!" I could hear her footsteps heading upstairs, but I remained in the same position.

After what seemed like minutes, I heard Silvia call my name. "Joan?" She is the only one who knew I always hid under the stairs whenever I tried to avoid my duties. "Joan, are you there?" Her voice was low, almost like a whisper.

"Yes, Silvia, I'm here." I answered, my voice also low.

She came to my side. "Mrs Green has been looking everywhere for you. She wants us to get changed for the ceremony."

I sighed. "I don't want to attend the ceremony." I said.

"Why?" She asked. "You don't know if they might let us have a little enjoyment or something."

"Enjoyment?" I scoffed. "They probably won't even recognize you exist. Trust me, the ceremony calls for nothing."

"You're wrong. The Alpha had organized the ceremony to choose a mate for himself. Haven't you heard, his mother is almost close to her grave and she desperately wants to see his mate, that is why we are having this ceremony."

I recalled Alpha Rex's conversation with the lady a few minutes ago. "I think Alpha Rex has discovered his mate already." I said with all confidence.

"How sure are you?" She asked me.

"Very sure. I overheard him talking to a lady some minutes ago. He had called her to introduce her to his mother."

"Hmm." She hummed. "Well, it doesn't matter, we should get going now or Mrs Green has us clear the garden tomorrow."

We left the stairs to the changing room, appearing in a better maiden attire. I was surprised there were nice looking outfits like this in the house, but Mrs Green preferred us appearing like slaves rather than the maids we are.

The ceremony was going to start in the next five minutes. All the alphas were gathered already. Silvia was right about what she said, there would be lots of enjoyment. But I wonder if we'll ever have a taste of the meal.

I noticed Mrs Green's eyes were on me as I glued my gaze at the countless plates of salad and meats on the table. I returned the glare only to see her angry scary face staring back at me.

The bell finally rang, and it was time for Alpha Rex to announce his mate. Some other lonely alphas used this medium to find their mate. I heard someone call my name, and when it called again, I realized it was Silvia. She was already taken.

She was crying as the alpha held her by the hand. She was calling on me to save her. But what can I do? This doesn't seem like an ordinary ceremony, it was a mating ceremony and I can't do anything at the moment.

I was even happy for her. She'll finally be free from Mrs Green's maltreatment. She frowned as I smiled at her. "You're free now. You're free." I couldn't contain the tears in my eyes despite how much I tried to hide it with my smile. I was going to lose my best friend.

She pulled her hand away from his hold, running to me in tears. She hugged me so tightly like the world was going to end. I've never felt this love before, sticking in the arms of my best friend, feeling this moment to be the last we'll ever get the chance to meet.

"I love you, Joan. Don't you ever forget that." She said,

"I love you too, Silvia. I wish you a happy home."

"I can't tell how nice he is, but I hope for a good home too. And I'll keep putting you in my prayers too, you'll find your soulmate just like I did."

I broke the hug. "You've been praying for me?" I was surprised.

"Every night before I go to bed, and every morning when I wake." She said with a smile. "I hope this won't be the last day we'll see. Goodbye, Joan." She pulled me into her embrace and I found myself crying more than I could offer. "Till we meet again." With that, the Alpha took her hand and she left with him.

I was clouded in my own tears that I couldn't imagine how I'd spend the rest of my life without Silvia. She was the one who meant the world to me after my family. Now that she is gone, I'm back to feeling the same lonely girl I was a year ago.

But when I thought everything was over, no, my journey had just begun. I felt someone standing beside me, his intoxicating scent was too much for me to bear. I couldn't look back, I felt I had no control of my body any more.

And in his cold and domineering voice, he said to me. "Mate."

Joan's Pov

Night approached faster than expected. Some guests had begun to show up one after the other. I also saw Alpha Xender, a very good friend of my father back then. He was looking gorgeous and excited about the night, and I wondered within myself if he ever felt sad when he heard about my home.

I doubt he did. The way he shook hands with Alpha Rex showed he never cared, because if he did cared, he wouldn't have given him those smiles.

"You brat, what are you doing here!" Mrs Green yanked at me. I felt her hand land roughly at my back. "Do you want those guests to see you appearing in this?" She said, pointing at the rag I was putting on. "Now get the hell out of here or I spank you again."

I ran out of her sight. I hid myself under the staircase where no one could find me, especially Mrs Green. Then I heard Alpha Rex's voice, he was talking to a lady. Her voice sounded strange, I haven't heard it before.

I stayed in the same position, not attempting to move or he finds out that I am here. "What about your mother, it's been long since I last saw her?" She asked.

"She's in her room." He replied.

"I heard she's been sick for months now, is it true?"

"Yes." He replied with a sigh. "She wants me to get a mate as soon as possible. She wants to see her before she leaves. That's why I called you, because I need you." For the first time I was hearing the soft part of Alpha Rex. I guess the lady means a lot to him.

"Don't worry, you've always got me by your side. I'll do whatever it is for you, even till my last breath." That was the last thing my ears could hear before Mrs Green's voice sounded my name.

I ignored her calling, shutting my ears from her voice. "Joan! Joanna!" I could hear her footsteps heading upstairs, but I remained in the same position.

After what seemed like minutes, I heard Silvia call my name. "Joan?" She is the only one who knew I always hid under the stairs whenever I tried to avoid my duties. "Joan, are you there?" Her voice was low, almost like a whisper.

"Yes, Silvia, I'm here." I answered, my voice also low.

She came to my side. "Mrs Green has been looking everywhere for you. She wants us to get changed for the ceremony."

I sighed. "I don't want to attend the ceremony." I said.

"Why?" She asked. "You don't know if they might let us have a little enjoyment or something."

"Enjoyment?" I scoffed. "They probably won't even recognize you exist. Trust me, the ceremony calls for nothing."

"You're wrong. The Alpha had organized the ceremony to choose a mate for himself. Haven't you heard, his mother is almost close to her grave and she desperately wants to see his mate, that is why we are having this ceremony."

I recalled Alpha Rex's conversation with the lady a few minutes ago. "I think Alpha Rex has discovered his mate already." I said with all confidence.

"How sure are you?" She asked me.

"Very sure. I overheard him talking to a lady some minutes ago. He had called her to introduce her to his mother."

"Hmm." She hummed. "Well, it doesn't matter, we should get going now or Mrs Green has us clear the garden tomorrow."

We left the stairs to the changing room, appearing in a better maiden attire. I was surprised there were nice looking outfits like this in the house, but Mrs Green preferred us appearing like slaves rather than the maids we are.

The ceremony was going to start in the next five minutes. All the alphas were gathered already. Silvia was right about what she said, there would be lots of enjoyment. But I wonder if we'll ever have a taste of the meal.

I noticed Mrs Green's eyes were on me as I glued my gaze at the countless plates of salad and meats on the table. I returned the glare only to see her angry scary face staring back at me.

The bell finally rang, and it was time for Alpha Rex to announce his mate. Some other lonely alphas used this medium to find their mate. I heard someone call my name, and when it called again, I realized it was Silvia. She was already taken.

She was crying as the alpha held her by the hand. She was calling on me to save her. But what can I do? This doesn't seem like an ordinary ceremony, it was a mating ceremony and I can't do anything at the moment.

I was even happy for her. She'll finally be free from Mrs Green's maltreatment. She frowned as I smiled at her. "You're free now. You're free." I couldn't contain the tears in my eyes despite how much I tried to hide it with my smile. I was going to lose my best friend.

She pulled her hand away from his hold, running to me in tears. She hugged me so tightly like the world was going to end. I've never felt this love before, sticking in the arms of my best friend, feeling this moment to be the last we'll ever get the chance to meet.

"I love you, Joan. Don't you ever forget that." She said,

"I love you too, Silvia. I wish you a happy home."

"I can't tell how nice he is, but I hope for a good home too. And I'll keep putting you in my prayers too, you'll find your soulmate just like I did."

I broke the hug. "You've been praying for me?" I was surprised.

"Every night before I go to bed, and every morning when I wake." She said with a smile. "I hope this won't be the last day we'll see. Goodbye, Joan." She pulled me into her embrace and I found myself crying more than I could offer. "Till we meet again." With that, the Alpha took her hand and she left with him.

I was clouded in my own tears that I couldn't imagine how I'd spend the rest of my life without Silvia. She was the one who meant the world to me after my family. Now that she is gone, I'm back to feeling the same lonely girl I was a year ago.

But when I thought everything was over, no, my journey had just begun. I felt someone standing beside me, his intoxicating scent was too much for me to bear. I couldn't look back, I felt I had no control of my body any more.

And in his cold and domineering voice, he said to me. "Mate."

Joan's Pov

I froze under the voice of Alpha Rex. "Did he just call me mate?" I thought to myself. "Does it mean I am his mate?" When I turned to meet his gaze, he had a frown on his face. I was twice as shocked as he is.

I couldn't believe any of these, plus the numerous eyes staring at us. "No, this is not possible. There must be a mistake somewhere. You're wrong, it can't be me. I can't be your mate." I said, shaking my head continuously as I stepped backwards from him.

"Look here, young lady, as much as you think this is a mistake, you better start accepting your reality. And bear in mind, none of this changes anything between us." He said as a matter of fact.

"You're lying!" I yelled. "This is all fake! I can't be your mate! I'd rather rot in hell than to accept you. I don't want..."

He grabbed my hand tightly. "You better shut the fuck up and act for once." He growled, his voice low but hard. His gaze was piercing to the bones, and there was no single joy in the way he looked at me.

Alpha Rex does hate me, and realizing I am his mate has only gotten things worse for the both of us. I guess he wasn't expecting it to be me. I mean, who in his right sense would ever imagine someone like me as a mate?

I'm just eighteen with no parents. Looking so messy like I've been picked up from some junk garbage store room. He made an eye sign to Mrs Green, while she came to our direction, he walked away.

I realized I was even more terrified of her than I was of him. Her looks alone can send one to his grave. "Don't feel so excited about tonight, Miss Crawford, your journey has only begun."

Was she threatening me or what? I didn't bother asking.

I followed her to who-knows-where. We got to a room, it was so beautiful and had pink decorations in it. I've never gotten the chance to be in here until today, and somehow I was feeling freedom knocking on my door.

But I tried my best not to let any of this look new to me. It was obviously clear to me that none of this was going to change anything.

"Get a shower and get dressed too. I'll be back in the next ten minutes. The Alpha queen wants to see you, don't keep her waiting."

"How am I supposed to get dressed when I don't even know what to wear?" I asked.

"You can check the wardrobe for one and stop trying to act new. No more questions, get things done already. Remember, you have ten minutes for this." She left.

I think the hatred has just skyrocketed into a different level. The way she looks at me seems odd. I didn't let any of these bother me, I shut the door close, heading towards the wardrobe. I opened it, citing a royal blue gown already folded at one end of the wardrobe with silver heels on it.

I picked it, dropping it on the bed. Then I went into the bathroom to get a shower which didn't take much of my time. I made sure I had my skin scrubbed very well to avoid looking dirty before the Alpha and his mother.

I wasn't good with make-up. I did my best to apply the few I got, like the face powder, the lipgloss and eye pencil. I braided my hair in two but halfway, then made a ponytail with the unbraided hair. I walked back to the bed, putting on my gown.

It took my minutes to figure out how to walk on heels, and honestly I still couldn't figure a way out. I have never worn heels before, to talk about walking on them. Mrs Green walked in, glaring at me.

"Aren't you done yet?" She asked.

"I am. But..." I paused, unable to say the words.

"But what?" She questioned.

"I can't walk in heels, can I get something else? Like a flat shoe or something?" She requested.

"If you have any in mind to purchase, then you're free to. The king is done already, we should probably be on our way to the dining."

Dining? No one told me this meeting is for dinner.

A lady walked in, looking furnished. Her skin glowed like that of an Asian, with her red lips which enhanced every beauty she possessed. Her shape was something else, the kind I had always admired. Her hips were curvy, her breasts round with a flat tummy which complemented the gown she was putting on.

"So, this is the famous Joan Crawford." She said, I wish I can tell where this is actually heading to. "Now I see why he never liked you. You don't deserve him, and you don't deserve his love. You don't even deserve to be called his queen. Your type isn't for people like Alpha Rex, your type belongs to the rogue."

She scanned me from head to toe. She scoffed, leaving the room. I felt ashamed of myself, feeling unpresentable even with the new outfit I was putting on. "Don't just stand there, get your ass moving, will you?" Mrs Green sounded and we made our way down stairs to the dining room.

Luna Ryan was already seated on one of the chairs with Alpha Rex. I know Alpha Rex to be a handsome Alpha, but never have I seen him looking this breathtaking before. He was talking with his mother and they didn't notice my entrance.

The Luna was quite old, but still looked young in her late sixties. I noticed her hand was shaking, her smile wasn't much like she always does back then when she was healthy. Nature does have a way of calling its people.

She looked in my direction, her face plastered with a smile. "Wow! Look what we have here." She said in utmost excitement. "Oh gracious goodness, Rex, you never told me you have a beautiful mate."

I noticed the smile on Alpha Rex's face, though it was captivating, but it looked more like he was forcing it out. "Good evening, Your Majesty." I bowed my head in respect.

"Good evening, dear. I'm so glad to see you tonight. Please, have a seat." She gestured for me to sit down on the chair beside Alpha Rex's chair. "Finally the day has come, now I can leave this earth in peace when death comes calling. But, I pray the moon goddess will grant me the grace to live till I see my grandchildren."

"Don't worry, mother, she will." He said, assuring her.

"Yes. Of course, she will." She nodded her head. "You just don't know how happy I am tonight, finally you've found yourself a mate, after all those years of living single.

"I wasn't doing that on purpose, mother, I just wasn't in the mood to have a mate yet."

"And you still aren't in the mood?" She questioned.

I slowly looked at him, waiting for a response or reaction. He looked back at me, he hesitated. "No. I'm happy I finally found one."

I shyly took my gaze off, burying it on the salad in front of me. I was feeling comfortable with the environment, not because of the Luna's presence, but I was actually feeling that way because of Alpha Rex.

I quivered at his touch on my hand as he folded his palms with mine. My system was doing the opposite, I could feel every part of my body responding to his touch, causing goosebumps on my skin.

"I have promised myself to do whatever it takes to protect her, and to stand by her side." He said, sounding real.

But deep down inside of me, something tells me this is all an act.