Rejecting The Alpha

Chapter 3 - Ceremonies and Mates

The school bell rang and students began trickling out to get to the lunchroom. I packed up my stuff and began walking out as well. I still felt a little uneasy from that encounter with my 'mate'. My wolf hasn't spoken to me since I ran, she seemed to be mad at me for running from our mate but hey, what could I do, just sit there and accept that my heart was going to be toyed by someone that I held no feelings towards. Reaching the upper floor, I knocked on the window of the science class, alerting my friend, Renard, about my presence. He would always flash me a big smile that would make my heart skip a beat.

"Oi, Noelle!" He smirked. "Let's head out!"

"Good grief, to the Library!" I smiled.

We always hung out there. With him being the ladies' man that he is, he caught the attention of women from every class and was always bombarded with confessions, dates, and all that jazz. I took advantage of this and we've been eating in the library ever since. We sat somewhere out of the sight of the librarian, we would get caught eating here. Renard was chewing on a sweet bread whilst scribbling through his small notebook, eyebrows furrowed together. I sat across him, drinking a carton of banana milk, he's cute when he's focused. Suddenly, he shot up, pinning my arms onto the table, and stared intensely at my face. I could feel my face heating up and my heart rate increase.

"R-Renard!" I yelped.

"Your eyes," Renard muttered, letting go of my hands. "Are a really vibrant red."

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack!?" I said, slamming my finished carton of banana milk onto his head. "You can't just do that! Don't you already know that my eyes are red!"

"Sorry, sorry," Renard sighed, showing me a dumb smile. "I just wanted to double-check!"

"Double-check my ass!" I said throwing a punch at him. Why is he so dense. Dumbass.

"Anyways, wanna go karaoke with me after school?" He asked.

"Can't, don't you remember?"

"Remember what?"

"The ceremony! The one they hold every time a wolf comes of age. The one where the whole pack gathers in the main building and holds a party so that mates can find each other."

"Right, they held one for me last year."

"That went down badly didn't it"

"Yea..."

Silence filled the room. It was awkward. I mean, he was rejected during that very same party.

"Hey," Renard spoke up. "Promise me one thing."

"What is it?" I replied, feeling a little uneasy. 

"If and I mean, IF you find your mate, please," He said softly. "Keep spending time with me as if nothing has changed."

AAAAAAAAAAAARGH. What did he mean by that!? I thought, pacing around my room. As soon as he said that the bell rang and he swiftly left for class. He didn't even wait for me at the school's entrance so we could walk home together. What did he mean? by that? Did he mean that like he was jealous? Did he want to spend more time with me than I would with my mate?  D-Did he like me?

"Snap out of it, young lady!" My mother said placing various pieces of clothing on my bed. "Oh dear, your face is absolutely flushed."

I touched my cheeks, feeling the heat emitting from them. Oh god. I looked at my mom, picking out lovely dresses for me to wear at the ceremony. She was extremely excited for me to meet my mate and wanted me to be my prettiest. I preferred to wear my suits to important events but dresses were also nice. The problem is I already met my mate and by gosh, I don't want him.

"But I do, " Nova whimpered. "Our mate makes us whole, at least give him a chance!"

I tuned out Nova's complaining. Why couldn't I just do what I want, I didn't need a mate now, nor do I need this ceremony. I turned to look at my father who seemed disinterested but also deep in thought.

"Hun! I have set the dress on the bed over there. Your pops and I need to go get prepared now!" My mother said, kissing my cheek and making her way to her room.

"Hey," My dad said his body halfway through the door frame and his back facing me. "You should know that whether or not you decide to follow the fate set out for you or to forge your own path away from your origin, you'll still be the daughter I know and love."

Walking away, I could only reply to him with a simple phrase.

"Thanks, I love you too"