A Rejected Gem

Eugene was a gamma of the Emerald Pack. He was strong, loyal, determined and clear headed warrior of his pack. He had sun-kissed skin, emerald colored eyes and dark hair, not to mention his perfectly carved abs. Being the top warrior of the pack he was a force to reckon with. Girls would die to just receive a simple glance from him. But he had eys for someone else. Someone who was a perfcet daughter of an Alpha and a sister to ruthless Alpha Arnold. Marie was a calm person, she was a beauty from inside out. Her beauty had many Alphas swoon but she would not pay a heed to any of them, which further uplifted Eugene's hopes. She would spend her time in reading and exploring the unseen, sometimes pay a visit to shopping mall under the protection of their Gamma Eugene. This was perfect opportunity for Eugene to steal glanes at his crush and fill his heart with the warmth of her being close. He could not wait for the day he would confess his love in front of Marie.

"I promise I will be back soon, don't be so dramatic,"Marie said to her brother.

"I know, but please take care of yourself and don't involve yourself into something you shouldn't", replied Alpha Ronald "Eugene you are in charge and make sure she is returned safe".

"Of course, Alpha," said Gamma Eugene.

They both stepped into their SUV along with two warriors. Three more vehicles were behind them to escord them to the Sunrise Pack where they will attend the wedding of Rosalin, daughter of Alpha Gunner of Sunrise Pack.

The journey to the next pack was exciting for Eugene who was dressed in a black Tuxedo perfect for the occasion with slick black hair settled in a perfect hairstyle. His emerald colored eyes travelling towards his left side from time to time to appreciate the beauty sitting beside him.

"Stop ogling me with your eyes, you pervert," Marie laughed and smacked his arm playfully. "I know I look irresistable in this outfit," She was confident she-wolf who knew her worth, looking regal in her vine red long dress with a slit on right side showing off her perfectly tones legs. It had a deep v neck, her neck was adorned by a simple yet elegant necklace made from tiny diamonds and had matching earrings.

"Princess, I was just making sure you are comfortable for the journey ahead," he replied cautiously, and winked his right eye.

"I know, I know..," Marie laughed him off. She knew Eugene had something more than 'making sure she was comfortable'. She had seem him stealing glances at her whenever he had a chance to. On her shopping trips she would shower him with many bags and he would simply smile at her. There were many instances when Marie would feel warm eyes on her but upon looking around there was only her brother Alpha Arnold, Beta Matthews and Gamma Eugene. Beta Matthews was mated and had a child so he was out of the question. But Eugene would always avoid eye contact with her in such situations.

"What plans do you have about your life, since your best friend is getting martied today," Eugene asked her suddenly. She did not expect such questions right now. "Will you wait for your fated mate or find a choosen one" he dared.

"Honestly Eugene, I have not decided anything on this yet," she replied carefree, "but I wonder why do you care?" She wriggled her eyebrows at him.

"Um oh well I just wanted to increase my knowledge, you know," Eugene stammered but he quickly collected himself. "All of your friends are mated now, I was thinking if you also had plans now", he clarified. But Marie was smart and quickly understood what he wanted to say.

"Yeah, I know, but I don't quite entertain the idea of chosen mates, what if I find my true mate few years after settling for a chosen mate," She clarified, "I've heard from many mated she-wolves and they are more than thrilled to be blessed with a mate from Selene, and I think there is no bond stronger than the true mate bond".

"If you say so," Eugene was dissappointed. He was 24 years old and knew Marie is not his mate and he wanted her as her chosen mate. But now after hearing her opinion on chosen mates, he was not so sure about them being together in future.

But he would not lose hope and approach her again. He could not entertain the idea of Marie in arms of another man, may it be her fated mate. He wanted her for himself only and he would do anything to change her opinion and accept him as his chosen mate.

Eugene was an orphan taken in by the former Alpha, his parents unknown. He grew up in the packhouse along other orphan kids. Their Alpha was kind enough to house the orphan kids and provide them a better education and good food to eat. Eugene was always an active and sharp child at the age of 8, he would sneak out of the packhouse towards the training ground and watch the warriors. He would then secretly copy their moves wherever he got a chance and try to build his own tiny muscles. Once as he was practicing the moves in the garden behind the packhouse, their Alpha was watching from the balcony of his room. He called in for him, Eugene presented and showed his enthusiasm for training. Alpha was happy with him and asked him to join the warriors kn training ground next day.

Since then Eugene would wake up earlier than anyone, practice his own moves before the breakfast. After that he would spend most of his time in the training grounds.

Marie was 4 years younger than him and would always sneak out into the library when she was 12. As soon as she learned reading and writing, she wanted to read every book in their packhouse library. She would often stand along the railing of her balcony and watch warriors training at a distance. She wondered how they manage to do that all the time, if it was her she would faint out of the fear. But her worst fear came true when her brother Ronald asked their father to let Marie train with them. He reasoned she sould be strong enough to defend herself in any given situation. Maries stormed off saying it is cruel to her and she would devote her time in studying and learning more.

After giving her one year to make up her mind, her father Alpha Brayden allowed her into training grounds where she saw Eugene.

Eugene was always a fierce warrior, clear-headed and knew his priorities. Alpha Brayden liked him very much, and would pair him up with his own son and future Alpha Ronald. Ronald would lose the duel with Eugene many times and he hated that. But Eugene could not help it. After he turned 20, Alpha Brayden decided to give him position of a Gamma in his pack, as his former Gamma was killed in a rogue attack and had no heirs to carry the title.

Alpha Brayden and his Luna met a car accident in human city and were crushed to nothing. It was that time Ronald stepped up the position of Alpha, he was ready for it. He chose his Beta and kept Eugene on the Gamma position as did by his father. It was Eugene who gave his shoulder to Marie to mourn the death of her parents, Ronald had Alpha matters to deal with. This incident brought Marie and Eugene together and their friendship started.

"Why does this place smells like coffee?" Marie asked as Eugene parked their SUV in the parking lot.

"What do you mean, princess?" Eugene was alarmed, he knew what these distinctive scents mean.

"I don't know, it feels like I am home, not to mention my wolf is clawing my brains out" Marie seemed worried.