Chapter Three: Rejection

My back collided with the car as I kept screaming. My screaming stopped the moment the wolf jumped into Dominic’s arms, licking his face. It was the same reaction dogs give to their owner when they return home. I looked ahead and saw other little wolves, playing in the background. 

But I almost fainted when I saw some of them shapeshifting. I turned to face Dominic who had dropped the wolf in his arms on the ground. He gave me the look that said, ‘I told you.’ 

I shook my head slowly, saying ‘This can’t be real,’ in my mind.

As if he could read my mind, he shook his head slowly, following my action, ‘It is real.’ I interpreted his head shaking that way. 

I stepped further away from him. Why would he bring me into the wolves’ den? He ought to have left me in the woods. 

“I know you exist now. So, can I go back home?” I asked, hoping he could sense the nervousness in my voice. 

“Come with me,” he didn't even wait for my response before he started walking towards a house that had a sign written on it, ‘The Pack House’. It’s a storey building, more like a skyscraper, I can’t count the number of floors it had, but it had quite a lot. 

I noticed there were several eyes on me, including that of the little wolves, so I rushed behind Dominic, sticking to his back like glue. He might be a werewolf, but he was in his human form, and for some unknown reason, I felt safe close to him. 

We entered the elevator, but not without me noticing how everyone we came across bowed their heads to Dominic, addressing him as Alpha. He pressed the button with the number 20 on it, and it seemed to be the last floor. It was just the three of us on the elevator and I could feel the tension in the air, as if I’m about to go into a world I’m not supposed to.

I entered the house as Jonathan opened the door with a card, and I could say the house might be a penthouse, judging based on how large it was inside. 

“Did you bring me here because you need someone to watch after your house, be a live-in nurse, or what?” I asked, my curiosity was already at its peak. 

“I brought you here because you are my mate,” Dominic said as he sat on the big couch in the center of the living room.

I remember from those books I read online, that mates are soulmates, someone you spend the rest of your life with.

I let out a laugh, “You can’t be serious?’’ I said nervously, I was yet to accept I had to be in love with a human, but I was mated to a werewolf already.

“Believe it or not that's the truth,” Jonathan said, passing me a drink and gesturing as I took my seat.

“I didn’t know you could speak,” I said to him, but I didn’t get any reaction from him as he proceeded to sit too.

“As you’ve already come to accept, I am the alpha of the Blackwood pack, and Jonathan, my Beta. My Omega is currently out on a mission, so you won’t be meeting him. And my family too, you won’t be meeting them too.” I could guess where the conversation was leading already. 

“Then why did you bring me here?” I asked, keeping my emotions and expressions in check like I always do. 

“Because we can’t talk in the woods. There are rogues everywhere, and your life might be in danger if they find out who you are.” So, he did it to save me. That fact actually made me blush a bit.

“So, apart from me being your mate, what else do I need to know?” I asked, taking a sip from my coffee.

Dominic stood up and walked over to me. I dropped the cup of coffee in my hands and looked up at him. 

“Is your real name Lila?” He asked, his eyes holding a bit of sadness I don’t understand.

“Yes, Lila Rowan,” I said, tucking the strands of hair that had fallen on my face behind my ears.

“I, Dominic Ashbane, reject Lila Rowan as my mate.” He said, without batting an eye.

The moment he finished, it was like a wave came crashing over me. I stood up slowly, trying to keep my cool as best as I could.

“You what? Why?” It’s not like I was looking forward to being his mate, but I have issues with rejections. 

“I am a dignified Alpha, with a name over all regions. I can’t be seen with a human mate, I am more than that.” He backed away and went back to his seat.

I scoffed, placing my hands on my waist, and fighting back the tears that were fighting their way through my eyes. 

It’s actually reasonable that he rejected me, I’ve never heard of Alphas getting mated to humans. I decided not to pursue the matter further. If he didn’t want me, it’s fine. I was used to not being wanted, by my birth parent, my foster mother, and now my soulmate.

“I accept your rejection, there’s no way I’d want to be with a werewolf,” I said, holding my head up high like I did something heroic.

“I’m not going to kill you or threaten you to keep what you saw here today a secret. But I’d advise you to pretend like today never happened if you value your life.” Dominic said, his eyes fixed on the tab in his hands. That jerk!

“Who would believe me anyway?” I scoffed and headed straight for the door.

I turned when I was almost at the door, “Who’s taking me home?” I asked, tapping my right foot on the ground impatiently.

Jonathan raised his hand. I could see he’s not much of a talker.

“Lila..” Dominic’s voice trailed off a bit, “Stay safe.”

I rolled my eyes at him, “You don’t have to be bothered about me, I’m just an ordinary human, so focus on your pack instead.” I exited the room.

The ride down the elevator was quiet, I didn’t speak, and neither did Jonathan. We went to the underground garage, instead of the first floor we came in through. Just as I was about to enter the car, a red-headed girl approached us.

“Hey, you must be the girl the whole pack is talking about.’’ She stretched forth her right hand, 

“My name is Juliana, Alpha Dominic’s arranged mate.’’