The Rejected Alpha (Book 1 of the Rejected Series)

Chapter 1

Present

"Hey, Lexi?" the Gamma of the pack asked, coming towards me. He watched as the younger Wolves learned how to defend themselves before looking at me. Worry filled his blue eyes, and I knew that he was worried about our Alpha. Everyone was because he hasn't shown himself for days.

I grunted out a response, indicating that I was listening. My eyes never left the children because I knew that they would try to run away if I did. "Nice work, Thames," I said, watching as the ten-year-old took down his opponent. "Remember to keep your arms tucked near your body. You don't need to look like a chicken."

"Yes, Beta," Thames said, nodding his head. He watched the eleven-year-old, making sure that he kept his eyes on her at all times. Thames knew better than to look at me because he knew that his opponent could attack and win the small mock battle.

It was normal for us to train the pack at a younger age than most other packs. We were one of the strongest packs in the United States, and that was one of the reasons why we did it. Another reason as to why we trained at a young age was because Werewolves grew faster than humans and grew more independent as the days drove on.

Unlike the older Wolves, the younger Wolves had an easier workout and worked fewer hours than the older Wolves did. The younger Wolves were also not on patrol like those from the age of seventeen to whenever the adult Wolves wanted to do something different. The younger Wolves started to learn stuff at the age of five and it was more fun to be a kid training. At the age of fifteen, the Wolves start to train harder until they shift and start working on their Wolf forms at the sixteen.

"Everyone is finished for today," I called out, causing the group to stop what they were doing and look at me. "Good work today everyone. Remember, there will be no practice tomorrow because I will have to work on the newly shifted."

"Yes, Beta," they chorused. They bowed their heads, much to my distaste, and ran to where their parents were waiting for them to do. They laughed and chatted away, and I couldn't help but feel jealous. They were so carefree and innocent, and there were many times that I would like to feel like that, again.

"Lexi," the Gamma, Miguel said. He called me a stupid bitch under his breath and in Spanish, probably forgetting that I spoke that language also. He raised an eyebrow when I punched him in the arm, hiding back a wince.

"Hablo Español, Miguel, (I speak Spanish, Miguel,)" I said, narrowing my eyes at the nineteen-year-old male. "Remember?"

Miguel winced and looked down, and I knew that he was feeling slightly guilty. He knew that I knew a couple of languages because my grandparents wanted me to be... well rounded. "Lo siento, (I'm sorry,)" he said, submitting.

I shrugged my shoulder, not really phased by him calling me a bitch. "What do you want, Miguel?" I asked, looking at him from the corner of my eye. I folded my arms across my chest before I turned my head to look at him.

Miguel sighed and moved a hand through his hair. He grimaced, and I could tell that he was debating on whether or not he should tell me. "Can you check on Levi?" he asked, finally. "He hasn't been letting anyone in his room. And, I don't think that he has been eating anything at all."

I pursed my lips and nodded my head. "Ok," I said, moving a hand through my hair. My heart broke for my Alpha because I did not know the extent of his pain. "Let me see what I can do." I had no idea what was going to happen, but I prayed that my best friend will be all right in the end.

I need him.

***

"Go away," I heard my best friend growl. "I do not want to see anyone."

"Do you really think that I will let you be by yourself after I was told that you were locked in your room for three fucking days?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at the door. "Do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way? I already know that you placed stuff in front of the door."

"No," Levi said. "Leave me alone, Lex."

I shook my head and snorted, rolling my eyes. I hated that he didn't want to see me, but I could understand. I knew what depression could do and how it made people feel suicidal. I had been there and had almost tried killing myself, twice. "No," I said. "I didn't bother you for three days, because you asked to mourn in peace. However, I will start bothering you now."

Levi stayed silent before there was the sound of stuff being moved away from the door. When he opened the door, I wasn't shocked to see how disheveled he looked. His eyes were red, and I could tell that he was trying not to cry anymore. His face was pale, and I couldn't help wonder as to why he hadn't gone to me.

I nodded towards the room, knowing full well that he did not want his pack to see him like this. I knew that I was the only one he felt comfortable crying around, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for it. "Let's go," I said, causing Levi to walk back into his room. As soon as the door was closed, I pulled him into a hug, knowing full well that that was what he was needing right now.

Levi took a deep, shuddering breath and sighed. His shoulders shook as he tried to stop crying, and it broke my heart. "I can't do this," he whispered. "I want to give up but... I know that I can't." His voice cracked as he took a deep shuddering breath. "The pack..."

"The pack needs a strong Alpha," I said, squeezing him reassuringly. I sighed and took a step back to look at my best friend. "King Dima needs help training the younger members of his pack. I said that you will be able to go over there and help out."

Levi snorted and rolled his eyes. He folded his arms across his chest and stared at me, stubbornly. He wanted to stay here, but we both knew that it would be dangerous for him too. "And, who says that I will actually go?"

I raised an eyebrow as I studied him, folding my arms across my chest. I was grateful that he wouldn't actually hurt me because I knew that I was crossing too many lines by challenging the Alpha. "Considering that you want to stay alive for the pack, then you might want to do something to take your mind off of this."

Levi gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. "I do not know what you mean," he grunted. However, we both knew that he did. "And what about the pack if I do leave?"

"Miguel and I will be able to look after the pack. King Dima only wants you there for six months. You will, also, have the same training that I had when I was there."

Levi hesitated and nodded his head. He knew what I was saying was true, and he knew that he had to be strong for the pack. "Ok," he whispered. "I'll go," he said. "But if something happens..."

"I'll let you know immediately," I promised, nodding my head. I hesitated and sighed. "Just... don't do what I did. Please?" I let him see the emotions that I tried to keep hidden. I tried to keep a blank face, not wanting to feel the sense of grief that washes over me many times.

Levi stared at me, his eyes softening a bit. He nodded his head and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I promise," he whispered. He kissed my forehead and held it there for a bit, taking in my scent.

I took a deep breath and backed away from him, sticking my hands behind my back. My heart was pounding in my chest, and all I wanted to do was kiss him and make him feel loved. I wanted him as my mate, but I knew that second chance mates rarely happened. "Right, right," I said. I cleared my throat, again, and looked away from him. "I will let King Dima know that you will be there. You will leave tomorrow. Eat or else I will feed you, myself."

Levi's lip flickered up in a small smile. "Sure you will," he said, sarcastically. He opened the door for me and closed it after I had left.

I took a deep breath and shook my head. My heart was still pounding in my chest, and I knew that I was falling more in love with him by the day. "Grow a pair of balls, bitch," I muttered to myself. "You can't go after him." And with that, I went to tell King Dima that Levi would help train as well as take a cold shower.

I knew that I needed it.