Chapter 3: Rejection

I stared outside my window at the woods outside the pack headquarters. Sometimes I needed to just think about any worries I had as a future Alpha. It always helped me with figuring out solutions to my problems. My heart rate also slowed down.

A knock came on my door a few minutes later. My dad stood on the other side as I opened the door. I definitely had my dad's long nose and his eye shape. He had the same shade of hair color as me too.

He motioned for me to follow him which I obeyed. He seemed even more serious than usual as we walked side by side down the hall.

"Cleo, I think it's time you started doing more Alpha responsibilities. It's nearly your time to take over for me," dad said while we kept walking.

"I completely agree and need to get more experience. There's so many things I need to learn still."

He smiled wide and wrapped me in a hug, "I'm so happy that you want to learn more about being an Alpha. I can rest easy when you take over for me one day."

He led me towards the elderly members of the pack that were sitting by the fireplace in the large living area. They all looked at me eagerly, and I prepared myself to listen to all of their issues and concerns. I genuinely cared about what they wished for and wanted to make others happy.

I had to go back to my duties as the future Alpha after my birthday was over. I checked on the elderly wolves. They were who I gave extra worry about giving attention to.

One elderly man came right up to me and asked, "May I talk to you about a major concern of mine?"

"Sure. What seems to be the problem?"

"The roof keeps leaking above my room and has been for the past week. Can you please do something about it?"

"I will be sure to get the roof repaired as soon as possible. I promise," I told the elderly man who had concern all over his face.

"Thank you so much. We all will appreciate this. You'll make a great Alpha one day Cleo." He smiled at me and added, "I mean it too."

I smiled and said, "You're very welcome and thank you so much. That means a lot to hear that."

I moved on to the next elderly member who had a concern and listened to them. It wasn't long before we got interrupted by mom.

She said, "Could you please do me a favor and check on our more private pack members?"

"I can do that. What else needs done?"

Nothing else comes to mind. That'll be all for now."

"Okay. I'm on it."

I started heading off in the direction of our cabin's meeting room. I kept walking until I reached the meeting room and found no one in there. It was strange since members hung out there frequently.

There was one pack member that came to mind for me. His name was Zander Underwood. I always spotted him off by himself and not interacting with other pack members. I wasn't sure what his deal was, as we didn't talk with each other much.

A lot of my fellow members who were girls thought he was so attractive. Zander had hair that forever looked messy in a stylish way, and it was almost down to his shoulders. His hair was as black as coal and his eyes were a piercing blue color. He also had high cheekbones that made me jealous.

I made a patrol to rooms of members who did not majorly participate within the pack. When I got to Zander's room, I got an urge to see him. I felt it in my soul and my heart raced at an unusual rate that was normally for Ash.

I walked into his room and my heart beat louder. Why was I so pulled to him? My gut feeling told me the reason. He was my mate. I ran a hand through my hair and held back from screaming. I almost wanted to cry at the disappointment at the realization.

I calmly said, "Hey Zander."

"Did you really come here just to say hey?"

"No. Actually I came to tell you something."

Zander raised an eyebrow and said, "Sure why not. I want to know what you know."

I tried to say nicely, "Well, turns out you're my mate. But I've got to reject you." I paused and added, "I'm sorry but I already have someone who I want to be with. I hope you understand. It's nothing personal."

Zander gave a lopsided smile and said, "Sorry to break it to you, but you aren't my type. I'm rejecting you right back princess." He moved closer to me and said, "I mean, you're pretty but I couldn't see us working out."

I glared at him and put my hands on my hips before saying, "You're rejecting me too? How dare you!"

"I'm sure this isn't the first time someone's rejected you."

"Excuse me?"

Why did he have the nerve to say that? It made me so ticked off that I wanted to hit him.

Zander sighed and said, "Don't take it so hard." He gave a disinterested look and added, "Is that all you wanted to tell me future Alpha?"

"I'm not done yet. Do you seriously not want to be my mate? I can't believe you."

Zander looked tired of the conversation but told me, "Yeah I don't want to be your mate. Nothing personal just like you said." He added, "Unless you changed your mind."

Was he serious? I couldn't believe he said it wasn't personal and about me changing my mind. He was infuriating. That made me so ticked off. Steam would've come out of my ears if we were cartoons.

I wanted to tell him off but instead said, "I won't change my mind. Not ever. You can just keep being by yourself like you normally do. I don't care."

Zander laughed and said, "That's fine with me princess."

I tried hard to resist slamming his door on my way out. How could he reject me? He was the one who was supposed to be hurt by my rejection. Without realizing it, I started curling my hand into a fist. I uncurled it as I walked back to my room.

I had never been so insulted by someone as him. I really hoped my feeling in my soul was wrong. No way would that type of person be my mate. He was no Ash. I kept hearing his words repeat in my head. "I'm rejecting you

right back princess."

I groaned and pictured wiping that smirk off his face. He really shouldn't have rejected like that.

I hoped I wouldn't have to see him again, but I knew that wasn't the case. He was my mate whether I liked it or not.