Rejecting The Alpha

Chapter 5 - Karaoke and Pain

"Walk like an Egyptian!"

I sang my heart out. Karaoke nights are some of the best nights I've ever had, and this just might be the best. We drove from the pack house to the city, I've rarely ever gone out this late so it was always a surprise to see neon lights flashing all around. Renard got his license this year; we took every free weekend we had to travel out into the city to do random things. We visited malls, restaurants, and many others just to get out of the house. It would be very rare for werewolves to leave their territory if it wasn't for a meeting with the other packs, only the Alpha and his Beta had the privilege of leaving the territory. Now you might be asking, how did WE, a dynamic duo with one brain cell among them, get out scot-free? We begged Amelia's husband of course! He's the biggest softie you've ever seen and with enough persuading, we were granted permission to visit the city whenever we want so as long as no one else knew. Genius! Amiright?

Today's Karaoke night was a lot more special than others, as not only was it my birthday but I rejected the big bad Alpha! We sang to our heart's content, having brought our student IDs with us. Renard was a sucker for old 80s and 90s songs while I, being the biggest weeb you've ever seen, sang purely anime openings and video game tracks. We weren't allowed to drink, so both of us ordered a Coke Float as well as a basket of Cheese Nachos with Salsa. We were having the time of our lives, laughing and goofing off as teenagers our age should.

"Noelle, how about you open the gift I got for you, I'm curious to see your reaction." Renard smiled, bringing the gift bag towards me.

"Well don't mind if I do!" I happily sang, grabbing the bag and pulling the box out to inspect it. "Dude, you knew he was my favourite?"

"Of course I did, you wouldn't stop talking about him!"

"Ah, yeah, My bad."

I pulled him into a warm hug. It was to thank him for the gift and to make sure he doesn't see any of the faint tears falling from my eyes. My mother rarely ever gave me gifts and just gave me the money to buy things, my father cooked a special dinner of my choice and Amelia would go out shopping with me but I would end up buying merchandise or a video game in the end. Today would've been the same except that I was 16, everything related to my day of birth was disregarded for the fact that I was to find my mate at this age. No one remembered to wish me a happy birthday, except for Renard. It might seem childish of me but like bro, we are teens.

"Time's almost up, you wanna cram in a bunch of songs before it expires?" I said, pulling away from the hug.

"Fuck Yeah, We gotta sing 𝘙𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵!" He replied happily.

It was a little over 12 in the morning when we made our way back to the car, I started to feel a harsh sting in my lower abdomen. I stumbled a bit on the way to the car, which Renard immediately noticed. What is this feeling?

"Noelle, are you okay? Renard asked, with worry in his eyes.

"Yea, I just-"

I fell to my knees from a new pain swarming my entire body, it was like I was being roasted from the inside out. I clenched my stomach, trying to alleviate the pain I'm feeling, but it's no use. I had a horrible ringing in my ear, and my eyes became blurry. I didn't notice it till Renard picked me up and tried to speak to me. He carried me to the car and drove back to the house, laying me down on the backseat. He was trying to speak to me, but I couldn't hear nor see what he was mouthing as there were tears forming in my eyes. I bit my shawl to try and muffle my screams. It probably wasn't necessary. When we reached the house, it was raining. What bad luck. He carried me to the door and called out for someone; we weren't in the branch my family was in so it must've been the one opposite to it. A hazelnut-haired man came down the stairs and ran towards me. Dad? I think he was trying to tell me something, but as soon as I was going to say something, I passed out. 

.....................................................

I woke up the next day in my room, with a massive headache. Ouch, what the fuck happened. I blanked out after seeing what is most likely my dad trying to speak to me. I glanced around my room, and nothing seemed out of place, well except for Renard sleeping next to my bed. Wait. RENARD?! I wanted to let out a scream but held back in the end. He looked so peaceful next to me, but his face was quite pained. I reached out to touch his tousled hair before feeling him waking up.

"Ah, Noelle, did I wake you up?" Renard asked in a daze, before shooting up and slapping his hand on my forehead. "Are you okay? Are you still hurt anywhere? How is your body temperature?"

"Slow down, I still have a headache mind you," I said, moving his hand away from my head. "And I also have a fever, I think."

"Then there's no improvement. Your body was burning so I had to... I had to..." He said, his face turning red. "I'm so sorry, I had to um... wipe down your body."

Eh? What?! That means he must've seen me! I looked down at my body and noticed I was wearing my grey pajamas.

"You fell unconscious, and I couldn't get you to wake up. I didn't want to, but your father left me in charge as he had to go speak to someone, I swear!" 

"My father?"

"Y-Yea, he said he had to go speak with someone and told me to keep an eye on you to make sure your condition didn't any worse."

"Well, it's fine then."

"Huh? You aren't mad?"

I am in love with this man. He's so cute.

"Of course not, I know you did what you did to help me and I'm glad for that."

"I'm relieved."

We had a small laugh before hearing a voice outside my bedroom door. I shushed Renard with a wave and tried to listen to the conversation outside. It sounded like my mom and dad were...arguing?

"I can't believe you let...the shame...how will he feel..."

"Noelle was in critical condition...I had no choice...was her friend anyway...it shouldn't matter..."

That was when they walked in, and I saw their eyes widen at me, it seems like they were surprised. I saw my father holding a tray of food. Breakfast? My mom, glared at Renard and me, causing him to apologize and leave the room. My father cast his own glare at her, and she simply shrugged it off. Shit, I was going to tell him something. My father placed the tray in front of me. It was a bowl of mushroom soup, a plate of chicken tenders with a glass of warm honey tea.

"Are you alright? No more pain?" He spoke softly. I had rarely ever seen him like this.

"Ah! Yea, just a small fever now." I stammered, not used to my father being this soft.

He placed his forehead onto mine and I felt myself heating up. He's never been this close. He asked me a few questions as I ate my chicken tenders and soup. He asked what pain I had felt yesterday and if any of it still lingered, all the while my mother looked at me coldly. I finished my breakfast, which was delicious, and he took the tray, leaving the glass of honey tea on my bedside table.

"Go back to sleep, It's a Saturday so rest up before Monday comes round."

I nodded and pulled the sheets back on to lay in bed. I overheard my parents speak once again.

"You know we have to do something about that boy,"

"He's just her friend, Amore. She was extremely ill so I don't see a problem."

"The problem is that he isn't her mate! Do you know the shame that this will cause if poor Damien found out?"

"Damien isn't her mate."

"He sure is! If that bond isn't there anymore then why would she be like this?"

"I don't know, but she doesn't want him."

"I don't care what she wants! If she doesn't accept her mate, then she doesn't deserve to be a wolf!"

"Amore, please!"

"Zip it. That boy should not set foot into this building for these two days. The alpha has requested that Damien be in charge of nursing her back to health."

"Amore-"

I wanted to scream at them, but I was so tired, I just drifted back to sleep. Let's hope when I wake up, I would be all fine and dandy.