Reject

I was shocked at what I just heard. **Work for him?! Like, for real?!**

"Excuse me?" I asked, my voice laced with disbelief.

He groaned, clearly impatient. "I said, work for me, Omega."

"Lucia!" I corrected sharply.

"Whatever," he rolled his eyes dramatically, "Work for me."

"In case you haven't been paying attention, I *am* his teacher! I already have a job!" I exclaimed, matching his sass with an eye roll of my own.

He shrugged, completely unfazed. "I know that, but Ellis seems to like you. I can’t take care of him properly, so you can. Be his caretaker or something."

I glanced at Ellis, who was still glued to my side. His innocent eyes flicked between his father and me, pleading silently.

"Come on, Omega. I’m not asking you to quit your job. Just… add Ellis to your daily life," he said, waving a hand like it was the simplest thing in the world.

I thought about it for a moment and sighed. "So, what would I be doing exactly?"

"Live here," he replied casually.

"WHAT?!"

Now he was pushing his luck. **What the absolute fu—**

"Sorry, sir, but I cannot do that."

I heard Ellis whimper softly beside me, and my heart ached. I tried my best to avoid looking into his big, sad eyes. Dante, noticing my hesitation, smirked knowingly. He was well aware of my soft spot for his son.

"I’ll pay you well. You’ll have a beautiful house and never have to struggle again. Just take care of my son," he said smugly, his expression practically begging for a slap.

I sighed again, weighing the temptation of his offer. It was hard to deny that it was appealing. But could I really leave my own life behind to live under this… brute?

"I’ll think about it," I said, my voice firm.

"No rush," he replied with a mischievous smirk. "I’ll give you until tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?!" I repeated incredulously. **That’s not enough time to make such a huge decision.** "Fine, but I have to go now."

I looked down at the small, pouting boy beside me. "I have to go, Ellis. You’ll be okay, I promise. I’ll see you tomorrow," I said softly, giving him a warm smile as I patted his head.

With one last glare in Dante’s direction, I stood up and headed for the door. I glanced back at Ellis and waved before leaving.

---

By the time I got home that evening, my legs were killing me from walking all the way from the bus stop. As soon as I reached my door, I groaned at the sight of a letter waiting for me. I already knew what it was.

I snatched the letter and walked inside, gently closing the creaky door behind me. My apartment was modest, just what you’d expect from a teacher. A bed, a small kitchen, a makeshift living room, and a tiny fridge. It wasn’t much, but it was mine.

I stretched, feeling my wolf stir inside my mind. "Of course, rent is due," I muttered bitterly, opening the letter.

Alexandria growled lowly. "Growl at it all you want; it won’t go away," I said with a small laugh.

"It might," she grumbled.

Rolling my eyes, I began taking off my dress, but just as I was about to pull it over my head, I heard a knock at the door.

"I know that knock. Let me bite him," Alexandria barked in my mind.

"Relax, girl," I replied, putting my dress back on and opening the door with a hand on my hip, an annoyed expression already plastered on my face.

"Hey, baby girl," Mike greeted, his voice dripping with sleaze.

I internally rolled my eyes and sighed. "Go away, Mike," I said flatly.

Mike was my neighbor and obsessed with me. He constantly showed up at my door, trying to win me over. He even said he wanted to make me his wife, despite the fact that we weren’t even mates.

He feigned hurt, placing a hand over his heart. "Oh, baby, you’re breaking my heart rejecting me all the time. Come on, let me give you some good sex," he added crudely.

I felt disgust twist my face. Mike never bothered to hide his vulgarity, making it all the more repulsive.

"Thanks, but I have papers to grade," I said, trying to close the door, but he blocked it with his hand.

Alexandria growled in frustration. She was getting agitated.

"Listen, baby, your mate already rejected you. You’re not gonna find another one anytime soon. Why not come with me and let daddy take care of that unused puss—"

"MIKE!" I growled, baring my teeth.

I could feel his wolf, Chase, beginning to rise. Mike was a Beta, but I wasn’t about to let him talk to me like that, even if he was stronger than me.

"Why are you yelling, baby? I’m just speaking facts. You’re a reject! Wolves like you should jump at any chance for a relationship, ‘cause you know you’re unlikely to find another mate again," he spat, a smug grin on his face.

He hit a nerve. I was trying so hard not to let it get to me, to pretend I was over it. I even went to their wedding to show I was fine with it… but maybe I wasn’t as over it as I thought.

"What? Cat got your tongue, rejected Omega?" he taunted.

Maybe not…

Alexandria snapped, and before I could stop her, she lunged at him.