Rejected Mates

Chapter 19

Jared knew he couldn't delay any longer, and he needed to talk to Mel about why she had been sent to his back. For his own awareness, he needed to know if she was going to be trouble, mixing with the other wolves in the pack.

Mel, we need to discuss a few things, he began. Melinda felt a warming calm sensation with the alpha's voice in her head, even though his words and tone were not conveying that.

Yes, sir? She inquired, sitting down on a bench in the garden.

I typically try to have this type of conversation on everyone's first day upon arrival, but circumstances prevented it, he said, still reluctant to broach the subject of unfaithful mates.

I understand, Melinda replied, feeling a pit in her stomach. She didn't want to have this conversation either. She didn't want to discuss with anyone what had happened to her at the West Hills Pack.

The charges against you are serious, Jared began speaking formally. You had an affair with the alpha of your pack, who was not your mate. Do you have anything to say on your behalf?

Like what? Melinda snapped back. I'm sorry, sir. That was disrespectful. I apologize. I'm not sure what you want me to say.

Do you deny the charges against you? Jared asked, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Not only was he afraid of the topic, but just the thought of Mel in another man's arm was very unsettling for him, and he couldn't figure out why. He had never even actually met this woman.

Yes, I had sex with the alpha of the West Hills Pack. No, he isn't my mate. Is that what you want to hear? Melinda responded, again with a defensive tone.

My responsibility as the alpha of this pack is to ensure everyone's safety, Jared began, struggling to find words that wouldn't express the jealous rage building up inside that he couldn't explain. I need to know if you're going to be trying to seduce any of the men here because I won't stand for that, he snapped back at her.

That won't be a problem, Sir, she replied tersely.

Good, know that I will be keeping an eye on you, Jared replied, ending the conversation. He felt sick to his stomach. That had not gone as he would have hoped. He didn't know what he had hoped, but for some reason wished she had denied the whole thing. He wished that the Luna was simply jealous and that Melinda being sent to his pack was just a result of a jealous she-wolf who felt threatened. He couldn't explain why it pained him so much for Mel to have admitted to sex with her previous alpha.

Melinda was equally upset, and burst into tears, there in the garden. She was disgusted with herself. She had rejected her mate when she met him because she was selfish, she had allowed the alpha to have his way with her because she was afraid. She had begun to hope that she really would get a fresh start here, but after the conversation she just had with her new alpha, she felt the despair wash over her once again. She was afraid she would never be free of her mistakes, even here where they touted the second chance. Worse yet, she felt humiliated that her new alpha held her in such low regard. It devastated her to consider what he must think of her, especially as she spoke of his concern about her trying to seduce those around her. If he only knew how much pain even the simple touch of another man caused her, maybe he wouldn't think so poorly of her. But she wasn't about to tell him.

The dinner bell began to ring, and Melinda decided to return to her apartment. After her conversation with the alpha, she wasn't hungry. Plus, as she had been crying, she didn't want to have to answer anyone's questions about why, or make excuses. She just wanted to be alone, so she hastily left the garden, returned to the women's dorm, and locked herself into her apartment.

A few minutes later, Jared entered the cafeteria for dinner and scanned the room for Mel. He didn't know what she looked like, but that didn't matter. He knew everyone else in his pack, so it would be simple enough to identify her as the only person he didn't recognize. But, she wasn't there.

"How's the new girl?" He asked Nancy, approaching the table where she was sitting with a few others.

"You mean Mel?" Nancy replied, quickly swallowing the bite she had just taken. "She's nice, I think she'll fit in here."

"Do you know why she's not here at dinner?" Jared asked.

"No, she'll probably be along soon. I saw her a couple of hours ago," Nancy replied with confidence.

Jared just nodded and turned away. He sat down at his own table to eat, watching the doorway so he would be able to see when Mel entered.

"Everything alright, sir?" Kira asked as she sat down at the same table.

"Just a lot on my mind," Jared replied dismissively. "I'm going off-site after dinner."

"Okay," Kira said, a little surprised. Jared usually only left when he was upset, and to her knowledge, there hadn't been any specific incidents that were impactful enough to upset Jared enough to leave. She almost asked if there was something specific going on that needed to be addressed, but she changed her mind. She could tell that the alpha wasn't in a conversational mood, and if it were something relevant to her job and responsibilities, he would have told her.

After waiting through the entire dinner service without Mel ever coming into the cafeteria, Jared got up to leave. He grabbed his keys out of his office and left the pack territory. He argued with himself the entire time, wishing he had more self-control. He didn't know why he was so bothered, and he was furious with himself for allowing himself to be so affected. He found himself where he always went when the self-loathing spiral hit, at the dive bar outside of town. It didn't take long before a beautiful woman approached him, as they so often did.

Melinda showered and went to bed. She felt sick and humiliated. She wanted to leave this place but knew it wouldn't do any good. She had nowhere to go, even if they allowed her to leave. She felt like she poisoned everything she came in contact with. She felt defeated and raw, afraid that it would never get better. She wished desperately that she could clarify for the alpha that she wasn't as bad as he seemed to think her. But then she told herself that she really was that bad. Her only solace was that he hopefully didn't know about her life before the West Hills Pack, and just what a horrible person she felt she really was. She fell asleep sad and weary, only to be woken up by the searing pain in her lips that was a clear indication that wherever he was, Jared was being kissed.