For those in need

Chapter 21 - "Why would he say that?"(G)

"Hey buddy!" Laughed Andy nervously and gently played with Michael who crawled to her. It's the first time in a while I saw anything like a smile on her face. I almost forgot she used to laugh a lot when we were kids. Ever since the new order was established and she became Omega I barely speak to her... now that Nina pointed out I see how terribly she must have been treated.

More Omegas are joining her and Nina and Michael are both friendly with everyone.
"Why don't we go out to the garden?" Nina suggested and Omegas are almost immediately out there even before her. Andy is entrusted with Michael... I was good with Michael so maybe it's a family thing then. It's a nice day outside so I will join them.

The bomb that Nina just dropped got everybody surprised and I'm sure they will think of me as "omega lover" as well. But I don't care anymore. Maybe Nina was meant to bring compassion into our tough pack full of warriors and lone wolves. But I can't be so sentimental just yet. Alpha didn't mark her so she isn't fully a Luna and she can disappear from our lives anytime.

"So how do you feel Luna? Is everything ok?" I asked her when I got outside. She was standing on the side watching Omegas entertain Michael and themselves. Some even started cutting grass and cultivating the garden.
"I'm good...Yes..." she said and I saw her eyes slid down to look at her toes. She's bothered by something I can tell.
"No strange tingling anywhere?"
Her eyes flinched back to me and widened a little.

"Well... sometimes I feel tingling on my shoulder blade right here."
She turned her back to me so I could see her shoulder blades peeking through the cut in her tank top. She traced like 20 centimeters on the enge of her shoulder blade.
"Oh...I though so..." I said worriedly and looked compassionately at her.

"What?!" She stared at me with panic written all over her face.
"You're turning into an angel... I can see wings growing...for all that you've endured these past days and still act kind - now I know why." I said with a straight face, really fighting laughter.
She looks at me and I can feel she is very confused.
"It was just a joke." I said and started laughing.
"Garret... you know I'm not sure anymore. Can I really turn into some kind of creature? I mean... Alastair said something about marking - is it like biting? Isn't it how people turn into vampires?" She said while looking away from me with a deep frown.

"Don't worry Luna, it will all come in the right time. For now, enjoy your time and be curious." I told her and winked at her. Then I turned around and walked back into the house.
I knew Alpha and Warren wanted to talk more about the offer we got since tonight we need to confirm or decline the cooperation.

"The rising power could be someone probably named Chas." I hear Warren saying to Alpha.
"Chase?" I repeat and they both look at me.
"I'm not sure, the intel is not clear. Nobody knows his name or his story for sure." Said Warren, but my intuition didn't want to let go.
"Let's get into it later." Said Alpha. "I have a bigger problem now. It's personal." He said and signaled to the basement.

We went downstairs again and he immediately sinked desperately into the couch.
"She doesn't feel it." Alpha started helplessly.
"What?" We both asked.
"When she accepted me she didn't feel the urge to kiss me or anything. It is as if she is not attracted to me at all."
That came as a surprise to us. She should feel head over heels for him. Could it be because of the baby? I also voiced this idea of mine to others but Warren shakes his head.
"I don't think it should affect that much."

"Maybe you are under some sort of spell." Warren thought.
"Nina is not a witch!" Alpha tried to scratch this quick.
"I'm not saying she is. But someone could use a witch to cast a spell on you." We all tried to think why would anyone do that.

"I know it might sound crazy, but what if her mate is still alive..." I finally voiced my inner discovery.
"I saw his headstone." Alpha retorted immediately.
"Have you seen his dead body?" I pushed further because I really feel this is the way to go with this problem.
"Of course not, he's dead over a year and something!" He answered angrily.

"What I'm saying is he could reject her and then fake his death. When she couldn't tell they had mate bond she wouldn't recognize rejection either. And with the pain of loosing her husband this would be easily mistaken." I was in a spiral of thoughts.
"Warren, when did he started to raise in power?"

Suddenly someone opened the door and we heard a footsteps down the stairs.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd be here. Am I interrupting something important? I just wanted to take a sunshade." Said Nina.
"It's ok. Actually can we have a question?" Warren seized the opportunity immediately.
"Sure." She said.
"Nina, how did your husband died?"
"He got in a car accident." She answered immediately.
"Was it like normal car accident?" I asked.

"Yes. He was called by a friend to cover for him - Craig, the security from a night club, was cheating on his wife and Chase always covered for him. That night he was leaving and we had a big fight."
"Did he say anything about rejection?" Warren pushed further.
"Yes..." she said looking a bit suspicious.
"How did he say it?" He tried again.
"He..he said that he is rejecting me. We had a big fight because I wanted him to stay home." All three of us were starting to get the clear picture now.

"Did you say it back?" Alpha asked hopeful.
"No.. I didn't..." she said a bit surprised. "It was just a fight, I knew we needed time to cool down and I would never say something that could hurt him that much."
"Hurt him?" Alpha asked clearly surprised.
"Yes. When we met he said he would die if I ever rejected him. He was abandoned by his family before and he had to fight his way up and he said the only thing he fears was rejection from me."
"Interesting... but he rejected you..." I hear Alpha murmuring.
"How did you feel?" I asked my share as well.
"I felt angry, hurt and sad like always when we had an argument. I was so happy that day, because I was late on my period so I felt like I might be pregnant but almost 10 minutes after he left the police called me so I didn't have enough time to think because I had to arrange a funeral, deal with the insurance, stay calm so it won't hurt the baby..." she started to look very troubled.
"We're sorry to bring back those memories. No more questions I promise. Do you need help carrying that sunshade?" Alpha asked.
"No, I'm fine. You should finish whatever were you talking about. I'll go now." She took what she came for and left a bit sad.

"Rejecting?" I said faking confusion and looking at Alpha and Warren. "Why would he say that?"