3. Unwanted

Although it had been two years since we had joined this pack and in the meantime, we had also established good relations with most of the native people in our neighborhood. But still, the blot of being 'Rogues'- unwanted outsiders- was still visible on our foreheads, and the last thing I wanted was to get into an argument that would confirm such people's prejudices against our family. Micheal had been trying so hard for all three of our sakes, and I commanded myself to take deep breaths so I would not end up spoiling this for all of us. 

Thankfully, I felt Jean's pat on my shoulder right on time. She was the one who had called out my name a few minutes ago, and her intervention was a good enough excuse for me to divert my attention. She handed me my earphones and nudged me towards the exit. But before leaving the classroom, I arranged my features into the most deadpan expression I could manage and made my voice cloyingly sweet, giving my reply seconds before putting my earphones in my ears. 

"Yeah, well. All the best for your Alpha's late realisation." 

I just walked out into the hallway and realised that Jean had followed me only when she tugged at my elbow. 

"Lexie, wait! Whoa- that was…I mean…Abby is still seething, dude! You just said it like that, huh? That was really-" 

"Umm, thanks I guess? But seriously, Jean, thank you for interjecting at the right moment, or I might have said something I would regret later." 

"Yeah yeah, of course that's nothing. But listen, I had to tell you, Alpha Paul has summoned the Rogues and the ones who didn't attend the party last night today. Will you be going, then?" 

'Will I be going? Let's see. Do I wish to waste my time by visiting the palace of an Alpha I know for sure I am not the mate of? Do I wish to put myself under the scrutiny of so many people and 

hear their opinions about my foolishness for even considering the invitation? Do I wish to become the subject of gossip about how I still had the audacity to show up as the great Alpha's probable mate when I have already entered his pack as a refugee, all because of my actual mate? No, right? Then no!' 

But I couldn't exactly say all this to the sweet girl who had helped me out of a sticky situation and was looking at me with anticipation filled in her grey eyes. And so I managed a smile as I replied, "No, actually I am not exactly in the mood. But thank you for asking." 

The last few minutes had left me in a sour mood, and I decided I would go for a walk instead of attending the next lecture, I was better at English than our professor, anyway. 

Adjusting my hood so that the right side of my face was covered, I raised the volume of the music in my earphones and made my way to the exit. 

*** 

The meadows just outside of the boundary walls of the school were just pleasant enough to take my mind off things. I stretched my arms out, greedily filling  the crisp air into my lungs as I looked up at the azure sky and walked through the freshly bloomed flowers... and walked right into a well-built torso. 

'Wait a minute! A torso? Attached to a person? Here?!' 

Opening my eyes, I came face-to-pecs with a man in a black t-shirt. I took a step back and the person immediately crossed his arms across his chest, and I gulped before raising my eyes to meet the unmistakable scowl on his face as I removed my earphones. Somehow, we both ended up speaking at the same time. 

"I am sorry, mister, I suppose it's not my lucky day today-" 

"Are you supposed to be one of the Rogues who didn't attend the party-"

Blinking rapidly to process the confusion, I simply nodded in reply before the words came to me a few moments later. 

"Yeah, but who-" 

"I am Jayson, the Beta of this pack. I have orders to bring you to the palace, because apparently, you are incapable of following orders on your own." 

"I would let you know that I have good reason to refuse the invitation, as-" 

"Don't you understand, young lady, that this is not an invitation anymore? It is an order, and we are bound to follow the Alpha's orders under any circumstances." 

This was the only warning I got as I was overpowered and handcuffed, despite my attempts at running away, and carried to see the Almighty Alpha of Apollo Pack! 

*** 

I was still grumbling to myself and vowing to heed Dylan's advice to start running from tomorrow morning, once this visit was over. I was sure that it would end in nothing but humiliation for me, and hopefully, running would provide a good method for me to channel the frustration I would certainly feel due to the insult I was being led towards. 

Jayson was ushering me through the various hallways of the palace, while keeping an eye on me to make sure I didn't run away. 'But my stubbornness has been triggered at this moment, and 

now, even I will not leave the palace without meeting the Alpha!' 

"You need to go on your own from here, go straight down the hallway until you reach the Alpha’s chambers. He is waiting for you…"