Chapter 3

Seven days had passed since Ackerly went back to his residence to escape this Pack's members. His soul was consumed by a profound sense of despair.

Throughout the night, his heart had been wracked with a persistent ache, as though a sharp blade was being driven into it time and time again. Even brief respites from the pain were fleeting, as it inevitably returned with renewed intensity.

The poor man's heart had been beating like crazy for days. His mind and soul were in a state of turmoil, still reeling from the sting of rejection. The memory of his ex mate's violent act lingered in his mind.

The sensation of being strangled and injured by someone he once trusted was a haunting experience that he couldn't shake off. The feeling of his hand on the nape of his neck lingered, a tight grip that seemed to envelop him still.

As he contemplated his existence, Ackerly couldn't help but think that he was cursed with a perpetual string of misfortunes. "Such is the fate of a man like me," he mused to himself.

For a full week, his body was consumed by a raging fever. His head throbbed with a persistent ache, and each breath felt like a struggle. Despite the concern of those around him, no amount of comfort or consolation could ease his discomfort.

The mate, who was expected to provide love and care, appeared to be in search of a she-wolf to fulfill the role of Luna. Ackerly chuckled at his own expense, finding humor in his own shortcomings.

Ackerly was being mocked and laughed at for his commitment to honesty. He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for the path he had chosen, but circumstances had left him with no other option.

He remained resolute in his decision, unwavering in his conviction. The opinions of others, even those closest to him, would not sway his resolve.

For he knew that the consequences of his choice were his alone to bear, and he would not be deterred by the disapproval of others. He was a man who lived solely for himself, without any regard for the needs or desires of others.

Ackerly resigned himself to the fact that solitude would be his constant companion for the remainder of his days, a realization that weighed heavily upon his heart.

Ackerly struggled to come to terms with the harsh reality that lay before him. The notion of spending the remainder of his days in solitude was a bitter pill to swallow, but alas, there was no other recourse available to him.

The mere act of embracing one's sexual orientation is a miraculous feat. He surveyed his surroundings. Though not grand in size, the room serves as his sanctuary - a haven where he can let his guard down and find solace.

He had been slated to join the esteemed ranks of the Leonidas Research Facility, but a change of heart led him down a different path.

Last night, he diligently composed and dispatched electronic missives to a multitude of disparate Packs. He humbly requested permission to work at a business in close proximity, one that boasted a research center.

Ackerly possessed a brilliant mind, one that could accomplish anything, so long as there were no prying eyes to observe his actions.

He comprehends the significance of his role within the Pack. Never again would he make contact with anyone from the Sun Forest Pack. He shall not endeavor to make an attempt.

He harbors no desire to disturb the Pack and seeks only to proceed with his own plans. Ackerly, with a heavy heart, resolved to feign ignorance of the fateful day.

He weighed his options carefully, contemplating the risks of leaving the safety of his home and venturing into the unknown territory of his ex-mate.

After much consideration, he ultimately concluded that the prudent course of action was to remain within the confines of his own home.

As he closed his eyes, his consciousness was whisked away to the moment when he received the crushing blow of rejection.

No one, not even Alpha, dared to challenge his choice to embrace the rejection. He shall not foist his presence upon an unwilling recipient.

"You shall overcome this, Ackerly. Believe in yourself; I do. You make a habit of doing that every time, right? He delicately pressed his index finger against his wounded heart.

Not only was he spurned by his own family, but fate had also deemed his intended mate to deny him. The acceptance of Ackerly's sexual orientation appeared to be an unattainable dream, one that may never come to fruition. He toiled ceaselessly, his every effort focused on securing his own survival.

He was a man who possessed a heart full of kindness and a willingness to nurture those who reciprocated his affections. However, the notion of his desires being fulfilled was nothing more than a figment of his imagination, a mere illusion that he could not grasp.

As he took his initial steps onto the unfamiliar environment, a foreboding sense crept over him, signaling that an ominous event was on the horizon. His intuition proved to be accurate. Ackerly wept silently, his tears trickling down his face.

As he stepped into his apartment last week, he embarked on the job of repacking his belongings into the luggage that he had brought along with him. He shall depart, and his return shall not come to pass.

After just a few days in this place, a profound sense of agony and distress began to consume him. The world can be a harsh place for one with Ackerly's personality. His fate was the most dreadful sentence.

The act of striking oneself can serve as a jarring wake-up call in such a state of mind. He found himself in need of a corrective action, and thus resorted to smacking himself twice.

"Wake up, you idiot! Do not allow the life you have constructed for yourself to rob you of your identity," the wise words echoed in his mind. He castigated himself for his deeds.

He should give up on them if they are not interested in him. Right! He was left with no alternative. "They are not worth your time, Ack," he added with a sigh.

As soon as he rises from his sleep, he makes his way to the kitchen. He drank from the source to quench his thirst, but the water was made bitter by the tears that had fallen into it.

As tears streamed down his face, he came to the sudden realization that his behavior was akin to that of an infantile state. He pondered his options, searching for any alternative course of action that might alleviate the weight of his emotions.

As he greedily consumed the refreshing liquid from the pitcher that was placed before him, the shrill sound of his cellular device interrupted his thirst-quenching ritual. He furrowed his brow in deep concentration as he contemplated the unfamiliar number.

The phone rang twice, yet he remained unresponsive. His energy was depleted, leaving him with no desire to engage in conversation with anyone. Nevertheless, the incessant ringing of the phone persisted. His response was laced with irritation.

"Hello?" He answered the phone with an air of irritation.

"Is that you, Mr. Galeno? The Human Resources Department of the Leonidas Group of Companies would like to inform you that you are welcome to remain on the property and work at our research facility." The voice emanating from the opposite end of the telephone line spoke up.

Ackerly came to a sudden stop, his hand tightly clutching the phone. "Do you still happen to be there, Mr. Galeno?" The woman on the other end of the line inquired. The man cleared his throat a few times before giving his reply.

"Good day, Madam," he said with a polite tone. "Because of an exciting new opportunity provided to me by another company, I must tell you that I will be leaving the area tomorrow. Thank you for being so understanding." With a firm tone, Ackerly bid the caller farewell and promptly ended the conversation, leaving the other party bewildered and uncertain.

Numerous questions swirled within his thoughts, yet he remained without any solutions. Killan's demeanor was far too detached and unfeeling to even consider such a cruel act towards his spurned mate.

Ackerly conceded that the man did not desire his presence and made a solemn promise to refrain from forcing himself upon him henceforth.

The system and people's judgments have both worn him down to the point of exhaustion. With his health restored, he made the decision to lead a reclusive life, which led to further heartache.

"Leave me alone; I won't bother you anymore; I accepted your rejection; why are you ripping my heart apart again?" His voice trembled," he said. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes, yet he managed to restrain them.

Ackerly lowered himself onto the floor with a hushed sigh, his movements deliberate and measured. After a moment of stillness, he rose to his full height and deftly collected his belongings, preparing himself for the arduous journey that lay ahead.

With a heavy heart, he resolved to depart from this place at the earliest opportunity, vowing never to look back.

He could become much more miserable if he remains here for too long. He kept in touch with the Research Facility, where he had submitted his application earlier. The establishment he found himself in was a research facility tailored to the needs of werewolf intellectuals such as himself.

Here, he may get up-to-date information about werewolf culture, medicine, and lifestyle, including treatments for rare diseases and specific nutritional needs.

In this manner, he can guard his emotional well-being more effectively. As he turned his back and began to walk away, a low groan of agony escaped his lips.

Meanwhile, Alpha Killan kept himself occupied, yet in truth, he evaluated his actions from the week prior.

A full week had elapsed since he had uttered those words to his mate. His mind was a jumbled mess, thoughts swirling around like a chaotic storm.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to articulate his ideas into coherent words. It was as if his mind was a tangled web, trapping his thoughts and preventing them from escaping.

Disappointment weighed heavily upon him as he grappled with the realization that his mate was a man. Despite this, a nagging doubt tugged at his conscience, suggesting that perhaps he had erred in refusing his advances.

Killan was a man of unyielding determination, steadfastly convincing himself that the individual in question could not possibly be his destined mate. In his mind, only a female wolf of the highest caliber would be worthy of his affections.

The Alpha had resolved to sever ties with the aforementioned individual, yet he harbored no clandestine motives that he wished to conceal from his trusted Beta.

Cato's heart sank as he came to the realization that his Alpha's mate was, in fact, a man. At first, his Beta was filled with an overwhelming sense of elation, but alas, the subsequent rejection has stirred within him a deep-seated fury.

Regrettably, it was a shame. The individual in question seems to possess an unwavering confidence in their intellectual prowess and a distinct advantage over their peers within the Pack.

"I don't care!" The Alpha's scream echoed through the room, his hand slamming down on the table in a display of clear frustration and irritation at the current predicament.

Killan's Beta stumbled upon his ex-mate's profile and implored for the man's assistance, a request that Killan was loath to entertain. Nevertheless, he found himself devoid of options in the given circumstance.

Cato's discernment of the circumstances was accurate. As he sat in his chair, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as he awaited the call from the esteemed Human Resources Department.

The ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to echo throughout the room, only adding to the tension that hung in the air. He knew that this call could potentially change the course of his life, and he couldn't help but wonder what news it would bring.

As his phone began to ring, he noticed the caller ID displayed the name of the Human Resources Department. Without hesitation, he swiftly answered the call.

"We made an attempt to contact Mr. Galeno, but regrettably, he refused our offer, citing his imminent departure from the area. He informed us that he is presently occupied with the task of packing his belongings, as he has received a tempting proposition from another company."

With a swift motion, the Alpha terminated the call and proceeded to obliterate the device in his grasp.

Killan was acutely cognizant of the motives behind his mate's departure. Killan was utterly bewildered by his own behavior. He couldn't fathom what had come over him, but he was unmistakably consumed by a sudden and overwhelming rage.

His emotions boiled over upon hearing the news, and he could feel the anger coursing through his veins. Without a second thought, he unleashed his fury upon the objects in his office, his fists pounding against them with a deafening force.