Shunned By An Alpha, Cherished By A Lycan

JASMINE

"Yeah, just right there. Fuck me hard!" I could feel my jaw clench as the muffled sounds of sex reached my ears from behind Jason's closed door. Luna Anna had specifically asked me to invite him for dinner, but there he was, moaning and groaning with a faceless partner in his room.

The sounds of their passion stirred something within me, something that simmered just beneath the surface of my skin. Anger, perhaps? Jealousy? Maybe it was my own secret crush on Jason that made these noises so unbearable. Whatever the reason, I couldn't seem to tear myself away.

"Fuck! That was so hot." The feminine voice jerked me away from my thoughts as I swallowed hard.

One minute, I was standing close to the door; the next, the door opened, revealing Jason in his pants, his hot abs on display. And of course, no other person than the bitch herself, Stephanie. A name I dreaded. She stood there in her bikini. Such a sl*t!

"Look who we have here, the wolfless Jasmine." She sneered, her voice making me angrier. She was always like that, reminding me every moment that I was wolfless.

"What are you doing here?" I looked up to the one person who mattered at that moment, Jason.

"I... I... came to call you for dinner..." My stupid damn voice had to betray me in a moment like this.

He didn't say a word, just nodded his head like he's tired I'd seeing me around. He hated me, I knew it. Maybe it was because I won his parents' affection, or maybe it was because I was a disgrace for not having a wolf. I can't tell any, but I knew he couldn't stand seeing me for minutes.

I nodded my head, my chest aching so badly. I was pained, not from anything but the fact that he doesn't feel the same way I do. While my eyes stared at him softly with all tenderness present, his stared at me, hard and hateful, with an "I don't care" attitude. That was typical Jason.

"Wait! Losers like you are not meant to see a face like his, not to mention knocking on his door. Next time you're given such an offer, pass on it." Stephanie, with her bossy attitude, spoke.

I rolled my eyes and then intended to walk away when the bitch stepped out from the room and grabbed my hair.

"Leave her alone, Stephanie!" Jason said strictly. And just as if she were being remote-controlled by him, she released my hair.

I shot her a deadly glare and then walked away.

Well, this was my typical life, a young, wolfless teenage girl who was adopted by the Thane family and perhaps a disgrace to Jason because I have no wolf. He'd rather tell the world that I was adopted rather than let them know that I was his sister. He wouldn't fail to put the tag "Adopted." How I have a crush on someone like him was very stupid of me.

The pack respected me because I was adopted by the Royal family. So, no one dared to remind me about how wolfless I was; otherwise, Luna Anna would have their tongue rolling on the floor.

The meal with the Thanes was quiet as usual. Dad sat opposite Mom, and I was left to sit facing Jason.

Dinner was always fast, but today, for some reason, I couldn't tell why it was so long. Maybe it was a result of my staring frequently at Jason and the fact that I hadn't taken a bite of my food.

"You can as well place me on your plate and make me your dinner instead," Jason snarled, his eyes on his food.

I blinked my eyes rapidly and then diverted my gaze back to my food.

"Today is the full moon, Jasmine. I'm anticipating knowing who you'll be mated to," Luna Anna, my mom, spoke, her face beaming with a smile as she spoke.

I smiled. Of course, this was the day I had been looking forward to, and maybe I'd have a wolf and also a mate.

It was only a matter of hours, and my long dream would finally come to pass.

"Oh! Leave our baby Jasmine out of this. She's so young, and I can't believe that she's finally going to be mated to someone. I mean, she was just so little yesterday."

Dad spoke, his voice etched with emotions. In their eyes, I was that little baby they had adopted.

But then, I'm freaking eighteen, a teenager, and would soon be mated to someone.

"And also you, Jason. It's high time you get off your high horse and find yourself a mate. Your father was two years younger than your age when he got married to me," Mom spoke, referring to Jason.

Upon immediately hearing his name, he stood to his feet and then walked away. This was typical of Jason. Handsome? Yes. A fuck boy? Yes. A jerk? Maybe yes. A snub? A big yes. But still, my heart chose him of all people.

I finished my meal on time and left to prepare for the big day.

Heartbeats later, I was present at the club, my eyes staring for one person. And I smiled when I saw her waving over. Ruby Slade, my only closest friend.

"Hey, J," she walked over to where I stood. My eyes took in her dress, she wasn't dressed so badly. Neither was I. At least my parents allowed me to dress myself for a function without their input.

"Look who is dressed hotly!" Ruby could be a bitch sometimes, her voice was loud as all attention diverted and focused on me. Thanks for having a sassy best friend like Ruby.

I heard a familiar chuckle behind me, and then I turned. "It's just so unfortunate you won't have a mate because you're wolfless," Stephanie whispered close to my ear.

I gulped, clenching my fist, the urge to slam it across her face. But then I couldn't ruin today. Not for someone as bitchy as she was.

"It's the full moon!" Someone screamed, jerking my attention from Stephanie.

I smirked at her. "How about you watch and see, bitch?" And with that, I walked away. I could feel the connection, the bond pulling me to where someone familiar was sitting.

I was sure he was feeling the same, too, as he turned, and then his gaze rested on me.

"Mate!" I whispered the word. It was a dream come true. My longtime crush, Jason, was staring deeply into my eyes.

But then the moment only lasted for a while, as he chuckled. "Mate? How ridiculous for me to be mated to a wolfless being like you! I, ALPHA JASON, REJECT YOU AS MY FATED MATE!" The words he spoke shattered my heart. I felt the world spinning around me as I slumped.

JASMINE

It's been three years since my life took a turn, two years with me fleeing from the pack. Even though Mom had strongly disagreed with me leaving the pack, Dad had fully supported it. He knew it would break me to stay and see the person who had rejected me. Dad had said it was for the better, while Mom was scared that I was going far away and that no one would be able to take care of me.

But here I was, wheeling my luggage as I sighted the pack name. Over the years, I've grown bold, and, of course, I've gotten over Jason. Not even his name could break me now, let alone his sight. Or maybe not.

I stared back at the taxi that had just dropped me off and waved at it. I couldn't believe I was taking this step.

After the rejection, I went through several turmoils, depression, and all. I was shattered, broken, and humiliated before a bunch of teenagers. I just had to blame my stupid heart for falling in love with such a jerk like Jason.

"Hey J!" A familiar voice yelled my name. I turned to see Ruby alighting from a car and running toward me.

"Rat!" I grinned back. She laughed, pulling me into a tight hug.

Her eyes roved over me. "Look at you looking so big and beautiful. I mean, you're so curvy!" Puberty had hit me well; with my hips and boobs, I wasn't looking like the Jasmine of three years ago.

"Just stop the flattery already," I chuckled, pulling away from her hug before she squeezed the hell out of me.

"Girl, I mean you're looking so hot, with that killer shape of yours. You'll surely have the men of the Blue Moon pack rolling at your feet." I couldn't believe Ruby hadn't changed a bit-still the chitty-chatty type. Ruby assisted me in carrying my luggage into the car she had brought and started driving to the pack house, not missing a detail about everything that had been going on in the pack.

As we arrived at the pack house, Mom was standing outside, her eyes gawking expectantly down the road.

She yelled happily as she saw me, "Jasmine!" That was enough to tell everyone in the pack house that I was back.

She pulled me into her arms, and I hugged her back. I missed her. Three years without a home. I really did miss everything.

"Look at you, looking so grown up! Alpha!" she yelled, calling for my father. I mean, mothers can be very dramatic.

I laughed, my heart happy and relaxed. The welcome was hearty so far, and I couldn't be less excited that I was back.

Ruby and I entered the house. After a three-hour drive, I needed to rest. I plopped down on the couch, the softness reminding me of home.

Dad entered the sitting room, his expression not far fetched from Mom's earlier.

"Look at our baby girl, all grown up!" Dad's face brightened. He wasn't looking much different from the last time I had seen him.

I stood to my feet and hugged Dad. I really had missed him. So much.

With Mom and Dad, everyone was complete except him, the guy I had fled the pack for. The man who shattered my heart. Jason, my foster brother.

I hugged Dad tightly, feeling the warmth of his embrace. Pulling back, I glanced around, half expecting to see Jason's familiar face despite everything. The memories of our past and the pain of his rejection tugged at my heart, but I pushed them away. I was here to move forward, not to dwell on old wounds.

After settling inside my room, everything was just been the same as I had left it. Ruby hadn't given me a breathing space, she wanted to fill in every area, including if I had a boyfriend.

Well, what would you expect from me, a heartbroken girl? I'd sealed my heart and said no to men.

"It's almost time for the party," Ruby said as she dropped the nail polish brush back into the bottle. "We should start getting ready."

Of course, I couldn't forget the Party, Mom had stated in the letter. Jason's engagement party was tonight with Stephanie. That Bitch. Not like I care, but... The past is just the past, anyway.

Ruby took her time to dress me up; it would have been a typical me putting on whatever I could get my hands on, but Ruby had insisted the least I could do was look nice wearing any outfit from my wardrobe.

I was dressed in a silver strapless gown, revealing my curves, and my cleavage was left exposed. I wasn't comfortable in such a dress, but Ruby had told me If you have it, then why not flaunt it.

All throughout that evening, I didn't get to see Jason, maybe he was preparing for his engagement party.

The evening was cool and calm, Dad's face was beaming with pride, as well as Mum's. Today was their son's engagement party. So, they were meant to be happy, of course.

The whispers from the crowd about my return filled the crowd, but they dared not say it out loud.

"Aren't Jason and Stephanie such a cute couple? I mean, they look so perfect together," A blonde beside us muttered out loud.

A stern glare from Ruby made her leave us.

The loud jeering from the crowd made me walk forward, my throat gulping. Was I ready? I thought I was over him, but with how my heart was beating rapidly, I doubted it. Ruby excused herself to get us a drink.

I stood at the VIP corner, my eyes met his for a fleeting second. Dressed in a sharp, tailored navy blue suit, he wasn't looking so different from the last time I saw him. Old memories came flooding through my head. My heart was racing heavily, I couldn't stare at him, the pain, the ache. I couldn't watch.

I thought I had gotten over this, I thought I was a grown up girl now and it wasn't going to hurt. Lies.

One minute, I was standing at the dinner party; the next, I found myself running away.

I stopped running, my chest beating heavily. Suddenly, the place I stood in became dark. The light was suddenly turned off, I couldn't tell which was the lesser Demon, was it the fact that I was running away from Jason, or the darkness I was so scared of?

"Hi, Baby Vixen!" The light was suddenly on.

JASMINE

"Hi, Baby Vixen!" The light was suddenly on, and I flinched, turning back at the sudden voice. I had thought I was alone.

Cold eyes stared at me like frozen steel; his eyes were enchanting, as if they could see through me.

"Who are you?" I stuttered. My throat suddenly felt dry.

He smirked. His looks were dangerous, and he didn't look like any Werewolf. His muscular body was almost visible, even with the suit he was wearing.

His gaze, dark and mysterious, raked over me. His eyes held a glint of mockery in them.

"So, this is your safe haven away from your scandal?" He grinned, his lips curling into a dangerous smirk. He was mocking me.

I gritted my teeth together, an unknown anger washing over me. How dare he remind me of something I was running away from?

I tilted my chin, refusing to be defeated by him. "Wherever I stay is none of your business. Now, if you'll excuse me," I said as his long legs took steady strides closer to where I stood. I took a step backward. He was so mighty as he towered over me, and I was compelled to look up.

He seemed to be enjoying it. The glint of mockery was still present on his face. I could read his expression even without him voicing it. He was laughing at my height.

I mean, I was 5'7" and hadn't considered myself short until this very moment.

Everyone was at the party, so I wondered what he would be doing there. I was very sure he was new to the Pack because I hadn't seen him before.

"Ryder Kael," he said, a taunting smile spreading across his face. He was handsome, no doubt. Dangerously handsome, if I must confess. His hairline was dark, his gaze dangerous, and he had broad, muscular shoulders.

"Jasmine Thane," I replied, stupid or not. At least telling him my name wouldn't bite.

He grinned. "Of course, I know the story of the adopted Jasmine Thane who was mated to Jason Thane but was rejected because she's wolfless." Anger welled up inside me as I heard him recount my misfortune before me.

How dare he? No one, no one, had ever made me this furious. I gritted my teeth. One minute, I was trying to hold myself from retaliating; the next, I heard a voice inside my head.

"We can't spare this, Jasmine. Give him a taste!" the voice whispered in my ear.

My fist connected to his jaw, my hands grabbing his neck. My eyes were seething red now, and then fangs from nowhere appeared as I sank them deep into his flesh.

Realization suddenly dawned on me as I realized he was hurting. I stopped, taking a step backward.

Did I really do this? Wait, what had happened? Staring at my claws, I was stunned. The claws could be understandable, but the fangs?

"Seems someone finally has a visible wolf," his voice sneered, as if he were reading my thoughts.

Wait, what? I have a wolf? I knew I had, but she was silent on me, but whatever it is about this guy had just sparked up a reaction from her.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to him, even though I knew he deserved it. But I shouldn't have gone so rough on him.

Besides, I have a wolf. Happiness coursed through me. I couldn't thank him enough for making me realize that.

One minute, I was standing an inch away from him, and then the next, I pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you so much," I said, holding him tightly. My head rested on his shoulder.

The erratic beating of his chest made it feel like home. I had just met this stranger, yet I felt like I'd known him for the rest of my life. He felt like my haven.

"Jason is an asshole to reject such a sweet vixen like you," he growled, his hands roaming freely through my hair.

"I'm Jasmine, not a vixen," I corrected. Was I still in his embrace?

"Jasmine?!" That familiar voice made us spring apart.

Ruby held a glass of wine and was staring disbelievingly at us.

I coughed, my cheeks flaring red. "It's not what you think, Ruby," I had to let her know to wipe off that nasty look from her face.

The tall, sturdy frame dipped his hands inside his pockets. "Yeah, not like we banged," he winked at Ruby.

Gross! Was he such a flirt? He walked to the end of the garden and then turned. "See you in there, Vixen!" A smile spread across his face, and this time, it was genuine.

"Holy cow! How on earth did you get the Lycan king to notice you?" Ruby rushed to where I stood.

My eyes widened. "What do you mean, Lycan king?" I queried. I wanted to be sure. Of course, I was right. His broad frame could pass off for a Lycan. Why didn't I notice?

"Do you mean the Crescent Pack?" This time, my voice was pitched high.

"Of course, your parents invited them for the engagement party."

If that was so, I will going back in there, not because of anybody.

"Let's go. I guess I missed the part already."

-

The loud blaring music with people dancing, I had just myself and Ruby dancing. At least I came down here to enjoy my moments here. I wouldn't let my stupid crush on Jason ruin that.

"Hey, Sissy, you came back without a hi?" I felt my heart catch in my throat at the familiar voice. He sounded different. He had always sounded grumpy, mean, and rude. But now, he sounded nice and soft.

"Uhm... I'll excuse you," Ruby took the cue as she grabbed a glass of wine from the waitress and then walked away.

"Uhmm... Hi, Jason," my voice came out stuttered, my heart beating frantically.

Of course, how could I miss the fact that I once had a very major, stupid crush on him?

"You're looking stunning tonight." I could feel his gaze on my body. A few years back, I would have had adrenaline coursing through me if Jason, of all people, could stare at me like this, but now I found it insulting.

"Thank you," I said bluntly. He was nothing but a pervert..

"Hi, Vixen, you promised me this dance, remember?" That familiar voice spoke from behind. Ryder. I turned, his eyes glinting, his hand stretched forward as he asked for mine.

And then I turned to Jason, whose hand immediately grabbed mine.

"She's dancing with me!" Jason's voice objected.