Rejected and special

Chapter 3

 I've been running for hours...

But I can't believe I actually made it past the Blood Red Pack's territory.

I'm free.

"I'M FREE!" I screamed into the trees, breathless and smiling.

This is the best feeling in the world, I told Honor.

"Go to that apple tree and turn left—there's a lake," she said, calm but firm.

Got it, I replied, my throat burning for water. All this running had me parched.

"Now go!" she shouted.

I picked up speed in my human form, racing through the trees toward the apple tree. When I turned left—

Whoa.

The lake was stunning. Crystal clear water sparkled in the sunlight like it was made of magic. I bent down to drink, letting the cold water soothe my throat.

Then—SNAP.

A twig broke behind me.

I turned, too slow.

WHAM!
A brown-colored wolf slammed me into a nearby tree. I hit the trunk with a grunt, dazed.

The wolf shifted into a man—tall, strong, and clearly not happy.

"Who are you, and why are you in Blue Moon Pack territory?" he demanded.

Blue Moon?
Oh, hell. The strongest pack in the world.

"I... I was just passing through," I stammered.

"You're the first loner we've had step into our territory in ten years," he said, narrowing his eyes. "And my Alpha gave orders—any loner bold enough to cross our borders gets brought straight to him."

"What? Why?" I snapped.

"Because you're a threat. Or... interesting. Either way, he wants to meet you."

"My name's James," he added.

"Okay, James," I said, rolling my eyes. "But I'm not meeting your Alpha. I'm going the other way."

"Go with him," Honor said.
Ugh... fine.

James didn't even flinch. "Anyway," he said casually, "I'm the Beta of Blue Moon Pack."

That made me pause.

"...My name is Jamie," I muttered, falling in step behind him.

We walked for what felt like forever until I saw it—a huge pack house, bigger than any mansion I'd ever imagined. We climbed endless stairs before stopping at a grand door with the word ALPHA in gold.

"Wait here," James said before disappearing inside.

I stood awkwardly in the hall, nervously shifting from foot to foot.

After a few minutes, the door opened again. "The Alpha will see you now."

I stepped inside. The moment I did, a scent hit me—cucumber melon.

"Mate!" Honor whispered urgently.

Then I heard him whisper it too: "Mate."

Wait... what?!

Suddenly, the Alpha was in front of me.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Jamie," I whispered.

He smiled warmly. "Jamie... what a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. I'm Kyle."

That was it. I broke.

Tears fell down my face faster than I could stop them.

"Jamie, what's wrong?" Kyle asked, stepping forward with concern.

"I—I can't take being rejected again," I choked out.

"Again?!" he growled. "Why are you a loner?"

Should I tell him?
"Yes," Honor said. "But don't mention the tiger yet."

I took a breath and walked over to sit in the chair across from him.

"I was born into the Blood Red Pack... or adopted. I was the only omega. The pack's maid, their punching bag, their slave. My first mate? Alpha Sam. He rejected me today. Hit me, too."

Kyle's fists clenched on his desk.

"That's why I cried when I realized you were my mate. I thought... the Goddess was being cruel again."

He stood slowly, pulling out his wallet.

"If you found your mate today, then today's your birthday," he said softly.

"...Yeah. It is," I replied, blinking in shock.

He handed me the wallet. "Go to the mall with my sister, Taskila. Get whatever you want. You deserve it."

I nodded, overwhelmed. "Okay."

"Sit tight—she'll be up in a few."

Ten minutes later, a bubbly girl bounced into the room.

"Hey! I'm Taskila. You must be Jamie—love your name, by the way!" she squealed.

"Thanks," I said, laughing at her energy.

"You ready?"

"Yup. Let's go," I said with a smile.