Rejecting My Rogue Alpha

I threw the fabric I was holding to the wall, sweat creasing my brow as I sighed heavily. How much longer did I have to clean up? I asked myself as I stared at the empty hallway.

There was no one available and this was because it was a hot Saturday afternoon and there was really nothing important to do on a Saturday afternoon.

I was sure the alpha and his household were resting in their cabin. Same with the rest of the pack members. I could easily sneak away without anyone finding out.

"No." I shook my head. Sneaking away had never done me any good instead it had given me more beatings and insults. I hated being insulted even when I had been insulted all my life.

It was just so difficult to get used to it even when the wolves picked on me at any slightest chance they had for being a disgrace to the pack, a disappointment to my mother and an embarrassment to myself.

My misfortune began at the shape-shifting ceremony, a ceremony looked forward to by everyone especially young wolves who couldn't wait to meet their wolves.

It was held every year for the eighteen years old who would be shifting for the first time in their lives. It was a joyous ceremony and everyone in the pack anticipated it.

It was on this joyous day I found my misery. I had dressed in my best suit like every other wolf my age and had looked my best for the ceremony. I could still remember being so nervous on that day, asking my mother a series of questions about how it had been for her.

My mother was an omega and as much as I loved my mother, I didn't want to be an omega. I wanted to be a gamma so I could help fight against rogues and enemy packs. It was a dream I and my three best friends: Jamal, Calix, and Andrew, shared and we talked about how we would fight together to protect our pack.

I finally went for the ceremony with my three friends and when it was midnight - the time for us to shift - I watched as the young wolves screamed and cried as their bones snapped and they shifted into their wolves.

I could still remember waiting earnestly with my eyes shut to feel the pain or anything at all but I never did. While my mates were howling including my best friends, I didn't feel anything. I couldn't shift. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shift.

That day was the worst day of my life and Alpha Lundamos had looked at me like I was a curse. While everyone had been celebrating, I sneaked out of the hall and into my mother's room where I hid myself under the bed, crying my eyes out.

My mother had come after me and no matter how much she said for me to feel better, I never did. I was a curse to the pack. I didn't have a wolf. What type of werewolf couldn't shift? What exactly was I?

This had never happened before in the Dark Moon Pack so I didn't know what to expect from my pack after that night. But I didn't have to think so much because the next day, everyone began to taunt and tease me.

They would throw things at me and call me a curse. Before this time, I used to be friends with Jared, the Alpha's son but after that night, I was never allowed into his room anymore.

I was treated lesser than an omega and I had to do more work than any other person. But my best friends still stood by me despite all these even when I thought they would leave me as everyone else did.

But they stood by me instead, fighting off anyone who taunted me. However, it was of no use because they couldn't be around me all the time. They were gammas now and they were always busy, unlike me who was a slave.

Apart from my best friends, there was one other who didn't treat me like I was worthless. It was. . .

"Snap!" A slender lady with big hazel eyes jumped in front of me with her hands curled up. I flinched at this, swallowing a shout because I didn't want to disturb anyone. I was already useless, bringing more attention to myself would make people remember me and hurt me. This was why I tried as much as possible to be quiet and left unnoticed. There was no use being in the limelight.

"Adelia!" I held my chest, panting heavily as I tried to stable my breathing but the young beautiful lady who had scared me was now laughing heartily, her hazel eyes twinkling as she jumped up and down in excitement with her ponytails bouncing up and down in the air. She looked very excited.

"You're such a frightened cat." She teased and I frowned.

"I'm not a cat. Stop calling me that."

"I won't." She stuck her tongue out and I smiled despite myself.

She was the one: Adelia. The one who didn't treat me like I was different. It was Adelia, the Alpha's only daughter.

It was still a surprise how she spoke to me despite my pathetic self. She would yell and curse out at people who tried to taunt or oppress me and I know I ought to be grateful for her help but her behaviour only brought more attention and problem to me. It made the pack members even more envious of me and they increased my work when Adelia was not around to fight.

It was not like I couldn't fight for myself. I had a very big build and I stood at a towering height of 6'3. My shoulders were wide and my chest was broad. I was also very handsome, with my thick brow, slim nose and full lips. I had high cheekbone, square jaws and a pair of golden-brown eyes with a slight feline curve.

But what use was all these physical features if I couldn't shift to my wolf? What use was all these if I had to remain in the pack when my mates were off to fight? I was useless, completely useless, to myself and my pack. I wish I wasn't even handsome, that way I can just fade into thin air and exist without anyone noticing me.

"What are you thinking about?" Adelia stood on her toes to pat my dark brown curls.

"Nothing," I told her, stooping to pick the soft fabric I had been given to wipe the window.

"You're sad." She observed and I turned to look at her.

"What are you doing here?" You know you shouldn't be here. What if someone sees you?" I asked, my golden-brown eyes looking around furtively.

"Aren't you happy to see me?" Adelia frowned.

"You know I am but if any of the pack members see you here, then you'll be in trouble. Didn't you say Alpha Lundamos warned you not to be friends with me?"

Those words were bitter and they hurt my chest anytime I remember it. Even my alpha had given up on me. At first, he had waited to see if I would shift but it was seven years now and I still haven't.

"You worry too much, Aiden. I won't get caught. Don't you trust me?"

"I do." I sighed. "but I get scared, you know. You're the Alpha's daughter. You shouldn't be seen around this weak man who doesn't have anything to offer you. I can't protect you. You don't need me, Adelia." I lowered my eye.

I have tried to let Adelia see reasons why she shouldn't be around me but this lady was dogged and strong-willed. I loved her but I also wanted the best for her. I wouldn't want me for me if I were to be in her shoes.

"Stop it, Aiden!" Adelia whispered, her voice coming out tight as she glared at me. "You are not weak. The fact that you haven't met your wolf doesn't make you weak. You will shift when the right time comes."

"And when is that? When I'm a hundred years old? I'm twenty-five years for crying out loud. Everyone already met their wolf except for me. I don't have a wolf. I'm a disgrace."

"Shh!" Adelia placed a finger on my lips, her hazel eyes welling up with tears. "You do. Your wolf is in here." She placed her hand on my chest.

"I know you always try to be optimistic, Adelia but it's not for me. I don't have a wolf. If I do, why hasn't he shown up since? He must be a useless wolf just like his owner to remain inside."

"Don't say that Aiden," Adelia said softly and I sighed.

"Besides, who said I needed protection?" She lifted her chin. "I'm Adelia! The only daughter of Alpha Lundamos. I do not need protection."

I knew what she was trying to do. She was trying to make me feel better. As much as I didn't want to feel better, I couldn't stop my lips from stretching into a small smile as I watched her antics.

"You proud girl."

Adelia's smile broadened when she saw me smile and she nudged me by the shoulder. She had to jump to do that because she was quite short - well, not that short but I liked to tease her by calling her short. She was 5'8.

"Let's meet at the pine tree. The last to get there will be a slave to the Blood moon pack." She giggled as she turned to walk away but I held her back.

"I can't. I can't leave here without Gamma Ray's permission."

"Gamma Ray is not around. My father sent him out. You don't have to stay here."

"Really?" My eyes lighted up.

"Yes. So the last to be at the pine tree is a slave." Adelia chuckled as she ran out.

Adelia and her childish behaviour!

It was a common thing among kids in the Dark wood pack to tease one another by calling one another the slave of the blood moon pack. The Blood moon pack was one of the most hated packs and they were an enemy to our pack. Their alpha hated ours but none of the packs had launched an attack yet.

I walked out of the packhouse after waiting for about two minutes because I wanted to ensure that Adelia had walked a distance. I didn't want to put her into trouble for my sake. There were lots of snitches in this pack and they would not hesitate to tell the alpha if his daughter disobeyed him.

When I was sure the coast was clear, I began to run to the pine tree which was quite a distance from the packhouse.

Surprisingly, Adelia was still on her way there and I raced past her, giggling as she struggled to meet up with me. This was my only strength: fast in my human form. But what use was that anyway? It was nothing to glory in.

"You are the slave."I grinned, staring at Adelia as she got to the huge pine tree which had been our hideout for quite a while. It was located at the heart of the pack and the wolves rarely went there.

For this reason, it was the quietest place in the whole pack and it served as the perfect place for me and Adelia to be alone without getting caught. Here, we had the freedom and privacy we desired. We could do anything we liked here.

"You cheated." Adelia placed both of her palms on her knees as she panted.

"How did I?" I asked, my breath shallow like I hadn't just run about 10km.

"Your wolf will be very fast. I can sense that." Adelia said and I frowned. Here she was again, bringing up this wolf issue.

"Adelia, I don't have one," I stressed, hoping it would sink into her head but she only shrugged.

"I believe you do." She walked to me and pulled me into a hug. I hugged her tightly, inhaling her scent because I had missed holding her in my arms like this.

"Finally." She rested her head on my chest and I rested my chin on her head, stroking her crimson hair, a colour I had now come to love. It was also the colour of her wolf, her wolf was just as beautiful as she was and it was strong and very fast.

We stayed in each other's arms for a while before Adelia released herself. Staring into my eyes with her hazel eyes dilated, she said,

"I miss you."

"But we saw yesterday."

"That isn't enough." She replied, staring into my eyes deeply. It made me slightly uncomfortable.

"Can you feel it?" Adelia smiled at me.

"What?"

"The connection. My wolf is jumping inside of me now. You're my mate, Aiden. I didn't wanna tell you until I was sure. You're my mate and that's why I'm madly attracted to you."

I blinked at that in shock. Being called her mate was huge and for a while, I couldn't speak. We had always been together for years and I knew she liked me but she had never called me her mate.

I was attracted to her too but I didn't have a wolf to know if she was my mate or not. Could the moon goddess be faithful enough to grant me a mate even when she had been wicked to me by leaving me wolfless?

When I couldn't shift into my wolf seven years back, I gave up on the idea of having a mate. But Adelia was saying she felt the connection.

I did feel something for her, I nurture a very big crush on her but I kept it to myself because I didn't want to ruin our friendship. But she just called me her mate.

"When did you know I was your mate?"

"Some years back."

"And why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I didn't wanna scare you away. You were this shy boy that wanted to be on his own. I couldn't scare you away with something as huge as this."

She was right. If she had told me this earlier, I would have stayed away from her.

"Your father will never accept this."

"Good thing you aren't his mate. You're mine and I will accept you. I love you, Aiden. I've always loved you."

"I love you too but what would the rest of the pack say? No one will accept this."

"That is why I want us to promise each other one thing. That we will never leave each other no matter what."

I knew I didn't have a right to do this. She was the Alpha's daughter and we were breaking a rule but what was I to do when I had feelings for her? My love for her was what kept me going.

"I promise," I told her and she smiled broadly, getting on her toes to kiss me.

Adelia's Pov

I sneaked back into my room without getting caught after my escapades with Aiden. I felt so relieved now that I have confessed my feelings to him and it was good to hear that he felt the same. I have always known he was my mate and that was why I drew closer to him when everyone stayed away.

Besides that, I believed strongly that Aiden wasn't useless as the rest of the wolves made him be and I know that inside of him was a strong wolf. I just didn't know why his wolf wasn't coming out. But I was determined to stand by his side regardless of what anyone said.

Feeling sweaty and sticky, I got under the shower, washing myself up with a big smile on my face. I was elated.

I had barely gotten out of the shower when a knock came at my door and I froze a bit, wondering who it was since I wasn't expecting anyone.

"Who's there?"

"It's me, future Luna." Came the reply and I smiled, knowing full well who it was. It was Leah, my second best friend after Aiden. Or should I say my best friend since Aiden was my mate?

Leah was one of the scout wolves who were responsible for warning the pack of dangerous territory outside the clearing, if any. She was well known by neighboring packs and she visited around often.

I quickly opened the door and she walked in, immediately plopping on my bed without my permission.

"Oh my goodness." Leah groaned as she lay on my bed, her wild brown hair scattered around her. "This is so comfy."

"I didn't say you could lie on my bed." I teased, walking to my dressing mirror to comb my hair. I wasn't going anywhere but I just wanted to comb it became it tended to tangle after shower. I raked my fingers through the crimson strands of my hair and I smiled, remembering how Aiden had said my hair was the most beautiful he had ever seen.

"You're smiling this way. I guess you sneaked out to see Aiden." Leah whispered into my ear and I flinched. I didn't know when she left the bed to stand by me.

"Holy shit, Leah." I held my chest. "You scared me."

Leah shrugged, her eyes on my big mirror as she played with her shoulder-length brown hair. She began to pose for the mirror, twisting her lithe figure as she did different posing styles. I shook my head.

"Get out of here." I chuckled and she chuckled with me.

"You saw Aiden, didn't you?" She asked again after our laughing fit and I nodded slowly. Leah was the only one who knew I was still hanging around Aiden even after my father's verdict. But she was never in support because she too like others believed Aiden wasn't good enough for me.

"I thought we talked about this, Adelia." Leah folded her arms, turning serious. "And what's this on your neck? My goodness, Adelia! Don't tell me you already got marked by him?" Leah looked horrified.

But I only smiled as I recounted what had happened back in the woods with Aiden. Finally, I was marked too. We had both marked ourselves during our make-out session and I didn't regret it one bit.

"It's bound to happen. I can't stay away from him." I shrugged. "I already told you why."

"I don't believe he is your mate. How can you get marked by him?"

"I don't believe Derick is yours too." I bit back, getting angry with her for saying such a thing.

"Why shouldn't I get marked? He's my mate so what's the fuss? I don't need anyone to understand what I feel. He is my mate, not yours so you can't understand the connection. I didn't doubt you when you said Derrick was your mate even when you've nursed a big crush on him. Now you two are together and you've even marked each other. So why can't I?"

"But - " Leah was beginning to say but I shook my head vehemently at her.

"Don't doubt me now, Leah. I won't lie to you."

Leah bit her lips as a pout formed on them. I knew she wanted to say more but she didn't and I was grateful she did not.

Our silence was interrupted by another knock at my door. This time, it was an omega girl and she had her head bowed.

"Alpha Lundamous sends for you." She informed and I exchanged looks with Leah.

"What for?"

"He says someone is waiting for you."

"Who can that be?" I asked Leah immediately the girl left and Leah shrugged.

"Perhaps, he knows about your little hide and seeks."

"That's not true." I frowned at her.

"I wonder how he will feel when he discovers you've been marked." She huffed.

"That's for me to decide, Leah."

"Addy, you know I love you and want the best for you. Just be careful." Leah's warm brown eyes bore into mine and I looked away, unable to hold her gaze.

"Don't worry about me, Leah. I'll be with Aiden. You just have to support me." I rose from my dressing table to pick up a dress to wear. Apparently, I couldn't see my father in only my white towel.

Leah watched me with scrutiny in her eyes as I dressed up and when I was done, she said,

"I will be waiting for you here."

I nodded and slipped out of the room, walking quickly to the sitting room where I was sure my father was. If he wanted me to meet someone, then it couldn't be in his room. I guess I shouldn't be worried since I wouldn't be meeting him in his room. The last time I had been called like this was to inform me to stay away from Aiden but this was different, wasn't it?

I stared down at my floral dress, wondering if it was appropriate to meet who it was my father wanted me to meet. It was quite strange that I was being sent for to meet someone but I tried not to think too much about it. I gently stroked my hair to ensure that my ponytail was still intact before entering the large sitting room.

My parents were sitting on one of the sofas in the room while my brother occupied the only single-seater available. The atmosphere looked serious and my heart began to race as I examined the countenance of my parents to see if I could tell what they were thinking.

On another sofa was a man who I had never seen before and he was staring at me with a subtle smile on his face. His black hair was quite short and his green eyes twinkled as he followed my every movement. Sitting by his side was another man who was just as huge as the first man.

This one was more serious and his face was hard with no single smile. His blonde hair fell over his forehead and he drummed on his lap like he couldn't wait to leave.

I stared at my brother, trying to communicate with him through our personal mind link.

I'm confused. What's going on?

You'll find out soon.

My brother tossed me a smirk and I glared at him. Jared could be quite immature sometimes and it made me wonder how he would be a good alpha when he acted younger than me in most cases. I was only twenty but I believed I was more matured than he was. My parents spoilt him a lot because he was their only male pup. Pathetic!

"I guess we will leave you two together then." My father's deep voice filled the air and my jaw dropped. What was this?

"This is Alpha Rio of the Blood moon pack. He's the son of late Alpha Raphael. He just became the alpha."

So? I wanted to ask but I knew better to shut up. My father could be quite temperamental and he was always unpredictable.

"I believe I don't have to do the introduction to you, Rio. Since you claim she is your mate, then you already know who she is." My father said to Rio.

"What?" I couldn't keep calm anymore. "What mate?"

"I guess Rio will explain. Come, honey. Let's give them both some privacy." My father stood up, his bulky figure towering over my mother who was more on the slim side. He placed his arm around her waist and led her out, with Jared walking behind them. Their behaviour got me confused. Why were my parents leaving their daughter with an enemy?

The blonde man sitting with 'Rio' walked out too and it was just me and 'Rio' in the room.

"Hi, Adelia." He grinned at me and I felt sick in my tummy.

"Do you mind explaining?" I folded my arms and his smile broadened. I would have found his smiles appealing if he wasn't from the enemy pack. He wasn't bad looking, you know.

"You're my mate. I came here with my beta to speak to your father about a peace treaty since my father is dead and I'm the new alpha. You know, I've never been a fan of war. But when I got here, there was this strong connection and your scent was all I could sniff. Your beautiful scent." He flirted and I got sicker.

How on earth could I be his mate when I was already mated to someone else? What game was the moon goddess playing on me?

"I think you are mistaken, Ryan." I deliberately missed his name and his brows puckered.

"It's Rio and I'm not mistaken. My wolf has been restless ever since I got here. It can only mean one thing." He got up from the chair and approached me. I took a step back and when he saw that, he stopped.

"I won't hurt you."

"How will I know when you're from the Blood Moon pack. Everyone from that pack is an enemy."

"This is why the peace treaty is necessary especially now that we are mated to each other. We shouldn't fight ourselves anymore."

"I already have a mate, mister. In fact, I've been marked." I turned my head to the side, revealing the bite on my neck proudly, enjoying the shock on Rio's face.

But I didn't know I had done the wrong thing because my father walked into the room that instance, his eyes red with anger.

"You are what?"

Aiden's Pov

My friends had just come to visit me after their rigorous gamma training and we had all ended up at the lake which was located some distance away from the packhouse. I could only go there when my friends were with me even when it was open for all wolves.

Going there alone made me stand a risk of being taunted so I stayed away from it even when it was my favourite place to be. The lake was always calm and it gave this peaceful aura; it was calming. When I was here, I forgot all of my worries.

This evening, the lake was surprisingly quiet. There was not a single wolf at the lake and I sighed in contentment because I could enjoy my friends without getting furtive stares and glances from other wolves.

The wolves were fond of doing that whenever I was with my friends. They knew they couldn't do anything to me but they still made me feel bad with their glances and murmurs.

"How have you been, Aiden? What have you been up to?" Jamal asked me and I looked up at him for I had been staring at the beautiful lake, deep in thought.

Jamal was a lean man with lean muscles and long black hair which he tied up in a ponytail always. He was a fine man who paid extra attention to every part of his body.

His fingernails were well-trimmed and one of his ears was adorned with a diamond ring. His wolf was also beautiful, a black furry wolf with beautiful features. I envied him a lot.

"Nothing much. What's there to do?" I shrugged and Jamal's face fell. Jamal had always been the emotional one and he was overly concerned about me, asking if I was fine or if I needed help. Most times, I took his concern for pity. I knew he was just trying to help but I would appreciate it if he stopped making me feel more pathetic than I already felt.

"Don't look at me that way, Jamal." I frowned.

"I'm sorry." He looked away.

The only good thing about all this was that he always understood and that was why I was still with him.

"I'm so hungry, I can eat a deer." Andrew yawned and I smiled. We all knew he was trying to lift the tense atmosphere and we played along.

That was who Andrew was. The peacemaker and the wisest of us all. He was the one to settle disputes amongst us even when we were all his age mates.

"You're always hungry, Andrew." I laughed and he shrugged.

"You can't blame me. Training is always rigorous and exhausting. We barely have time for ourselves." The cool evening breeze blew the strands of his short silver hair to his eyes and he pushed it away.

"You can say that again." Calix smiled and I looked away.

There they went again, talking about life as a gamma. It was infuriating and painful to hear them talk about their gamma duties. It made me remember my past ambitions and hopes, and how I had planned my life as a gamma.

I had my hope all made up and I even went ahead to draft out things I would like to do when I became a gamma. We were so sure we would end up as gammas but I ended up being useless. While others had a duty or the other they owed to the pack, I had nothing. I contributed nothing.

"We need more time to ourselves and family. The beta should know that." Calix continued, oblivious to my pain. "My mate keeps complaining.'' His brown eyes narrowed as he raked his fingers through his shoulder-length auburn hair.

"Mine understands," Andrew said.

This was one reason I didn't like hanging out with them. They were an open reminder of my failure. Their lives were perfect: they had their wolf and their mate - well except Jamal who was yet to find his, but he was still far better than me.

"I try to make her understand but. . ." Calix couldn't go any further because Jamal had pinched him.

"Shut up!" He whispered, directing his gaze to me. Calix got the message and he kept quiet

I was aware of all these but I pretended I didn't. Instead, I kept my gaze on the still waters of the lake.

"Have you guys ever wondered who Adelia will be mated to?" Andrew did what he was best at switching topics. "I overheard some gammas talking about it. They were hoping it would be them. Silly wolves."

I froze at the mention of Adelia and I turned to look at my friends while they talked.

"She should be mated to Jamal." Calix teased, his bulky body shaking as he laughed at the expression on Jamal's face.

"That's not for us to decide. It's the moon goddess's duty." Jamal frowned but Calix continued to laugh.

"But it isn't impossible. You haven't found your mate yet. What if she is the one? I will be so happy for you, bro."

"That will be great, actually." Andrew supported Calix.

I felt myself getting angrier at each passing second as I heard them talk about Adelia. They were talking about my mate with so much disrespect and it pissed me off greatly. It was true they didn't know about me and Adelia, neither did they know that we were fated to be together but still I was angry.

I was also pissed became none of them had considered me a worthy candidate to be mated to Adelia. To them, Jamal was a better choice and that was why they were talking about him only.

"That's bullshit!" I snapped before they could go on. "She'll be mated to some alpha not any of those gammas."

I could easily tell them the truth which was we were mates but I wanted to keep that information to myself for a while. I and Adelia talked about and we concluded that it was best we kept it a secret until she had told her family about it. It was such a sensitive topic and Adelia said she would have to them.

"She's the Alpha's daughter in case you all forgot." I ended.

With that, I rose from my lying position and walked closer to the lake to get a better view and also to cool off. I would yell at them all if I remained there, listening to their rubbish.

"Why is he so worked up?" I heard Calix ask the others but they all looked puzzled.

"She might get mated to an alpha but it isn't impossible for her to be mated to Jamal. They are friends and I'm sure she likes him." Calix pressed on, a sly smile playing at the corner of his lips as he watched me.

"Stop it, Calix. We are only friends." Jamal feigned annoyance but I could tell it was only a facade. He looked excited at that thought.

"She doesn't like Jamal." I snapped at Calix and he raised a brow at me.

"Really, what makes you so sure?"

"Because she is my mate. We've marked each other." I pulled the corner of my shirt to the side to display the bite on my neck. I couldn't hold it anymore. They were pissing me off especially this short auburn idiot of a wolf. Calix had always been so annoying.

"What?" My friends had their jaws dropped and I smiled in satisfaction, happy to wipe that smugness from Calix's face.

"How did this happen?"

"How could it be?"

Andrew and Calix asked at the same time but I only smiled at them. My eyes were on the still water.

"Pay a visit to the moon goddess and ask her. She might have an answer for you."

My friends were in a daze and for a moment they couldn't speak. They exchanged looks with each other with an incredulous look on their faces. It was so funny. I had to laugh.

★ ★ ★

A/N: Hi, dear readers. Thank you so so much for checking my book out. I hope this is worth your time and I hope you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing. Much love! I hope to hear your thoughts about this book.