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CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE
“Hey Izzy,” Clyde calls to me from the kitchen. “Sharon’s on break. Take table 12, yeah?”I cringe a little. I hate being called Izzy. But I put on my best fake-sweet smile and tell him, “Of course, Clyde.” Then I tighten my apron and hurry off to take their order.Clyde is a rogue, like me. But that’s pretty much where the similarities end. In fact, Clyde is the only rogue around here that gets any sort of respect, since he owns the diner and it’s a popular spot for wolves and humans alike.He knows I hate being called “Izzy.” But I don’t call him on it because I need the money and he’s the only one that was willing to give me a job.In the interview, he asked me what experience I had.“None,” was my answer.That’s the answer to a lot of questions in my life.Experience? None.Pack? None.Parents? None.Mate? None.I hurry back towards table 12 to take their lunch order. I’m halfway there when I feel a steely grip of two fingers pinching my butt, hard. Hard enough for me to
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER TWO
The howl that interrupts my thoughts a second later is enough to jumpstart my legs back into action. The pitch and timbre of a howl can mean a lot of things, and that howl sends a shiver down my spine and a spring into my step, because it means only one thing: I’m being hunted.I vault forward down the path for a few yards before I realize how completely idiotic it is for me to keep following the path. I mean, that’s like trying to break out of jail by making a run for the front door.So I veer off the worn path and between two trees. I hear something, a rapid rustling that’s way too close for comfort. My pursuer is gaining on me.My brain is in overdrive as I keep running, my survival instincts kicking. Movement, to my right. More rustling. Another pursuer. My heartbeat doubles. My lungs burn, but I can’t stop. This can’t be how it ends for me.The next howl is closer, so close it sounds like an alarm blaring in my own head. I crash through the woods, painfully aware that I’m
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER THREE
I close my eyes and wait for the blow to fall.Instead, I feel the package snatched out of my hands. When I open my eyes again, he’s taken several steps back, away from me, as if being too close to me might hurt him.He still looks angry, but also a bit… confused? He looks left, and then right, and then down at the package, like he’s not sure what he’s supposed to do now.Yeah, you and me both.“You,” he says, his voice deep and tinged with a growl. “You kicked me.”Oh. The sable-fur wolf.“Sorry. I… was scared,” I manage to say. “I mean, I am scared.”Suddenly it feels like this isn’t real. Like I’m not lost in the woods at night, like the dark, alluring, frightening, attractive, dangerous stranger in front of me isn’t my mate.“What’s your name.” He asks it flatly, like it’s not a question but a demand.“Uh, Izzy.”Izzy?! Why did I say that? I hate that nickname!He stares at me for a long moment, long enough for me to realize that neither of us has any idea what to do nex
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER FOUR
Goddess, he’s even more gorgeous than I remembered. It’s almost difficult to look at him, but I also can’t look away. I lean toward the sill, my fingers meeting glass and reminding me I closed the window after I took a shower. I unlatch it and sit on the sill, opening my mouth and hoping that an elegant greeting with emerge from my lips. My mate wasn’t exactly smiling before — now that I look closer, I see that his is a face more suited to scowling than smiling — but after my “hi?” he’s now outright frowning, his dark eyes glaring so harshly at me I can feel it in my chest. Even frowning he’s beautiful, his cheekbones so sharp they’d make a sculptor weep.I open my mouth to try again, to ask him why he’s here, but just as I start to speak, he bolts, racing toward our fence and leaping over it in one smooth stride. He shifts as soon as he hits the ground on the other side, his grey and silver fur dappled with moonlight. I track him as he races off through the trees, leaning dang
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER FIVE
“Yo! Earth to the world’s worst waitress!” the Gamma says, breaking me out of my reverie. “Are you deaf? My boy said he wanted a veggie burger, sweet potato fries and a soy strawberry milkshake.”“No, I’m not deaf,” I retort. “I’m just surprised one of you is ordering something besides a giant hunk of beef,” I say. “It’s refreshing to see someone in your pack is open to new things.”I direct this second comment at James, hoping he’s smart enough to read between the lines. Please be open. Please accept me. Please don’t hate me just because I’m a rogue. It’s pathetic, but I can’t help it. “Anything else?” I ask. “Yeah,” one of the fighters says. “You suck at your job.”A small part of me hopes my mate will jump to my defense, but when I glance over at him, he’s still staring past me rather than at me, like I’m nothing to him, not worth a glance. So much for being able to read my thoughts. “Great. Thanks. Your criticism is greatly appreciated,” I say, forcing myself to maint
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER SIX
“How was work?” Ben asks as soon as I get home. I’m rushing because it’s already 5:30 and I don’t want to be late meeting James. “Fine! Good!” I yell back at him over my shoulder as I take the stairs two at a time. I don’t know if we’re meeting in human or wolf form, so I err on the side of caution and put on the cutest outfit I can find at short notice: black tights, a black velvet dress, heavy silver boots and a leather jacket. Washing my face and reapplying my makeup takes a few minutes, and after some swipes of my hairbrush, I think I look as presentable as I’m going to get without a shower.Checking my phone for the time, I see it’s 5:50. I need to head to the woods if I’m going to make it on time. Ben is still engrossed in the video game he was playing when I got home, so I pat him on the head, tell him I’ll be home later and leave, thankful that he was too distracted to ask me where I’m going. I hardly ever have plans on a Saturday night so it wouldn’t be out of the questio
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER SEVEN
“And where have you been, young lady?” Ben asks as soon as I walk in the door. His arms are crossed and he’s glaring at me, but there’s a grin tickling the corners of his mouth because hard as he tries, he can’t even fake-reprimand me.“Out gallivanting with ne’er do-wells, of course,” I say as I shut the door and toe off my boots. My feet are sore and my legs are tired, but those sensations pale in comparison to the happy glow I feel. “Of course,” Ben says.I flop down on the couch next to him and steal the last piece of pizza from the box sitting in front of him on the coffee table. All that running made me hungry.“Seriously Bel, where were you? You don’t normally stay out past midnight,” Ben says, and I look at the clock and realize that it’s nearly two o’clock in the morning. James and I were running for eight hours together.I guess time flies when you’re spending time it with a beautiful werewolf. However, I feel bad because even though I’m a twenty-year old adult, I’
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER EIGHT
I do not want to be here. I want to be curled up in bed, replaying my run with James from a week ago. Instead, I’m at Sharon’s for a “girls’ night.” Which is supposed to include gossiping about boys. But the boy I want to gossip about has to be kept a secret. Ugh. “Can you get me some mugs from the cabinet?” Sharon asks. I reach up and grab three from the shelf in front of me and hand them to Sharon. Just as she starts to pour the spiced hot cider she’s made, I hear the front door open.“It’s me! And I have cake!” The voice belongs to Lisa, a waitress Sharon and I used to work with at the diner until she left to start her own bakery. She races into the kitchen and wraps me in a hug before doing the same with Sharon. “It’s so good to see you both! I feel like it’s been forever since we last hung out,” she says as she takes off her jacket and throws it on a nearby chair.“I know! We’ve all been working so much,” Sharon says as she hands me a mug of cider and shepherds us
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Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED
DAMIENYears pass slowly when eternity is no longer in sight.Standing on the edge of the balcony of the bedroom I’ve shared with Isabel for five hundred years, I watch the lush lands in the distance. The demon realm has never prospered like this before. I’ve never been this content before.In the distance, I hear laughter and I look over to see two of my older sons carrying their sisters in their arms while my other daughter run after them, Cerebus trailing after them.I’ve had children before. I’ve watched them pass on. I still watch over their families. But this is different. This is more precious. Isabel has given me so many children and for once, I will not have to watch them die before me. Twenty strong children, half of whom are now leading their own lives, coming back to visit us. I have never once regretted sharing my life span. Now I get to enjoy my beautiful mate for centuries to come before we move on from this world. Speaking of my mate, I hear her voice.“Junip
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE
I clutch on to Damien’s still body as I see Balin’s body dissolve into nothing within seconds. There is hush across the battlefield as everyone stares in shock at what has just taken place.‘Justice.’The words echoes in everyone’s ears and then I see the realization hit the elves about what is coming to them. The begin to flee.But only if it was that easy.One by one, they fall, their deaths painful and horrific sights.The battle which had come to a halt because of Damien’s sacrifice has now been ended by the interference of the Gods. There is no guilt within me.There is just dark and vicious satisfaction.Let them burn. Let them feel what it is like.The whole thing is over within a couple of minutes and the silence stretches across the field.Finally, the Gods face me, ‘What do you wish from us?’My eyes flicker towards Damien and when I look up, the field is gone. Both me and Damien are in this white space that has no end.“The elves are gone,” I say with great di
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY EIGHT
My heart is filled with a broken pain that I can’t breathe past.They showed up. But they showed up too late.I’ve lost everything.Damien isn’t breathing. I pull out the spears one by one, ignoring the presence of the beings, tears falling down my face, my chest so tight with pain that I think it will burst. I can’t feel our mating bond!Oh, God! I can’t feel him anymore!The wail that rips from my throat at the realization that he’s left me all alone is a terrifying sound. The earth begins to shake as my grief grows out of control. These powers, these abilities, they’re useless to me!My heart is tearing out of my chest in my madness, the ground shaking.Let it all burn!Let them all die!‘Child.’The voice echoes in my head again and this time I look at those beings, my face ravaged with the tears of a broken woman.‘You cannot destroy these realms.’“I cannot?” I snarl, “Just who do you think you are to tell me what I can or cannot do?!”The more upset I am, th
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY SEVEN
Mara’s anticlimactic death has me reeling. But now is not the time to worry about that. I shift into my wolf form, attacking the enemy with a ruthlessness. It’s true what the witch said. My mating bond has increased my strength. I feel lighter on my feet as I wade through the elves like they’re ants. My speed is faster, although not to the level of that of Damien’s.I can feel some of my abilities leaking through but I’ve still not been able to access my abilities. I’m a little disappointed. I thought weakening the seal would have more of an impact but aside from this soft leakage of warm sensation, there is nothing else.I feel frustrated but I can’t do anything.Damien, though.Damien is stronger than I have ever seen. He’s cutting down the elves with speed, his focus sharp. His laughter is vicious and despite that, my heart flutters in my chest at how glorious he looks. I look at him and that is my mistake.You never allow yourself to get distracted on the battlefield.A
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY SIX
The troops are already waiting in their battle positions when we arrive.Damien brings me with him to the battlefield. He’s wearing a suit of dark armor and I feel tense, “The Rubab Stone-”“I’ll have to be more careful,” his voice is calm. “Last time I wasn’t as aware. This time I know I am not invincible.”“Damien,” my heart is twisting in my chest. “I-”He cups my cheek, his voice gentle, “I’ll be fine, little wolf. Just don’t leave your guards.”I know he would have preferred to stash me somewhere but it’s clear that he wants me close by. After so many traitors popping up after the first battle, it only makes sense.“Don’t let anybody catch you off guard,” he thrusts a sword into my hand. “Trust your instinct when you fight. They’re going to try and separate us. Let’s make sure that, that doesn’t happen.”I give him a small smile, feeling a sliver of hope on seeing his confidence.“Okay.”I get on my toes and press a sweet kiss to his mouth.We don’t get more time togethe
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY FIVE
“What is it?” “Something has happened in the demon realm,” he says, grimly, before looking down at my hand.I shake my head, “The pain is gone.”“Good, let’s go.”“Thank you,” I give the witch a weak smile, not knowing whether to actually be grateful or blame her for the wrong that has happened in my life. But it’s always a good idea to be graceful.She waves us off and I’m in Damien’s arms as he runs out of the cave, past the trees, towards the temple.“The portal-”“Caleb will open it when I give the signal,” he’s not even out of breath as he rushes down the temple where the shrine gates are.As we move towards the town, I grab his shoulder, “Wait! What is that?!”The sky is orange.“How long were we inside?” I mutter. “Is the sun rising?”“No,” Damien says after a long moment. “It’s fire. The town has been set on fire.”“We have to help-”But Damien holds me back, “Look.”For a moment, I don’t understand what he is saying. And then I see the arrows shooting within the
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY FOUR
“There has to be something someone can do,” I ask, forcing my voice to stay calm, despite the roiling fear inside of me.The witch’s voice is kind now, “I’m afraid not. You’re not the first who has tried to seek a way to undo the curse.”It’s hard to keep my tears at bay. The tears are not of sadness but rather of the crippling fear of the unknown future that awaits me. At this point, I am already aware of the nature of the painful deaths a majority of the Righs faced. It was just physical pain they had to go through, that would have been fine. Horrifying as it may be, one can tolerate that to an extent. But seeing your loved ones be tortured? The mental anguish is not something I will be able to take any longer. My suffering may be different from that of the previous Righs. It may not even compare. But for me, it is enough. I am reaching my breaking point. There are so many people in my life that I now care about, so many people who can be used against me. It frightens me to th
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY THREE
The witch studies me, “There have been numerous prophecies recorded about the Righs over time but there was one that was recorded by a Righ who was born to a Seer and a witch. You can call it a curse or a prophecy.”I instantly remember what I saw. The memory of the battlefield. The woman who was held down, screaming.My blood turns to ice as I recall that memory. It still gives me nightmares. “The downfall of the elves. From the hands of the weakest of the Righs. And right now,” the witch looks at me, “no offence, but you are the weakest Righ there is.”I’m being hit by so many curveballs that getting my feelings hurt is at the bottom of the list right now.“It’s funny that you think I’m going to bring about the downfall of the elves when I can’t even protect myself or use my abilities.”My voice is tight with barely restrained anger.“The stars have aligned and the stars have never lied before,” the witch says, easily. “The time is drawing nearer for the final battle.”I don
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY TWO
I feel my knees turn weak, “What?”“But you created the seal!” Damien snaps. “You should be able to break it!”“Logically, yes,” the witch says, calmly. “But this seal is special. It draws its power through sacrifice of fate. Those spells are impossible to break.”A shutter falls over Damien’s face, “What have you done?”I look between the two feeling like I’m in the dark, “What does she mean? What do you mean by a sacrifice of fate?”The witch studies me and for the first time, I see a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes for me, “I don’t think you want to know the answer to that.”I push past Damien, “I do. What do you mean a sacrifice of fate?! Whose fate?!”She looks at Damien before meeting my gaze, “The Righ is a powerful entity. You think it was easy for even somebody like me to be able to contain your powers? No. If I had used a normal spell, as strong as I might have tried to make it, it would have broken against your powers. I needed something stronger. Something that woul
