The sorrow of rejection

Five Years Earlier.

Balloons scattered the yard for my sister's wedding ceremony, She had found her Mate Dominic with our neighboring pack a few weeks back and they had wanted to marry immediately not wanting to be apart for a minute more.

So me and my mother and a few family members had put everything together fairly quickly for only two weeks' notice. It had been perfect, The venue on the edge of the woods, Are makeshift Alter by the pond just down the hill, and the wooden pews my father carved for his and my mother's wedding ages ago sat before the alter.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous,

She had it all.

Her mate was her perfect puzzle piece. He treated her like the Queen she was and acknowledge her, Which I was happy about because she deserves everything, and then some.

Clare was an angel.

But it made me sad because my mate couldn't even look me in the eyes, Alpha Bane made sure to not be in the same room as me let alone the same area.

It stung, like a bitch ill admit.

I felt like a loser, I mean how could my little sister find her mate and automatically have a happily ever after when I'd known my mate for over a year now and still couldn't get him to look at me?

I shook the thoughts from my head and went back to getting the buffet together, it was nearly time for us to start the wedding and A lot of guests had already begun to arrive..

Once I finished I showed our family and friends where to be seated. Then rushed back to the house to see how my mother and sister were getting along.

I myself needed to get dressed but I wanted to see my sister in our mom's wedding dress, I knew she'd be beautiful.

However, when I stepped into the room I came to a halt when I found my sister in a vintage gown as white as snow.

I gasp at her... She looked like a real-life Disney princess. Her gold locks were curled and pinned up leaving little ringlets to fall and frame her face.

And the laced gown fell in heaps around her tall figure with little pearls and flowers sewed in at the bottom of the skirt giving her a polished look.

“Oh my gosh,” I gasped again, “Clare, sis you look beyond beautiful.”

She turned in a circle giving me the full effect of the vintage dress. My mom scrambled to fix the dress as my sister moved around telling her time and time again not to move or she’d wrinkle the dress I just laughed and grinned widly at my little sister.

“Thank you.” Clare beamed.

“Baby you look gorgeous.” Our mom started to tear up at the site of her daughter in her wedding dress, “Crap my makeup.”

I pulled a napkin out of the tissue box beside the couch and handed it to her to which she gladly took than looked me up and down noticing i wasnt dressed at all.

“You should be dressed!” My mother yelled and pushed me out the door and assured me to the steps.

“Okay, okay.” I skipped up the steps in my sweatsuit and sneakers, Reaching my room I closed it behind me quietly then looked back to my bridesmaids dress.

The dress my sister had picked out was a cream-colored dress it was floor length and had no design.

which did surprise me considering my sister was the over-the-top type. I however was appreciative, I wasn't the over-the-top type and Clare knew all too well it wasn't I made a mental note to thank her later.

I slipped into the dress and watched it fall to the floor in the mirror, and put the heels on. I now stood a little taller now than my original five foot two inches.

Taking a spray bottle off my vanity to my left I sprayed my hair, giving my natural brown curls some more life. I pinned up my hair and left a few curls out and applied a light layer of makeup before stepping back to my full-length mirror.

My reflection shocked me…. I actually looked beautiful. I ran my eyes down the light gown and back up to my face.

I ran my hand down the dress feeling the soft fabric and to the small of my waist before tracing over the width of my hips.

The dress did me justice, it hugged my waist perfectly and flowed down almost reaching the floor but not quite, now that I had heels on.

A few minutes later my mother poked her head into my bedroom.

“Oh, Melanie you look gorgeous.” She had her hand over her mouth still staring at me through the mirror.

“Thanks, Mom.” I smiled.

“We have a few minutes before the wedding starts so let's get going, your sister and father will be down shortly.”

I nodded grabbed the small cream-pigmented bouquet and followed after her, my mother seemed to be so stressed today she kept rechecking the list we had for earlier to make sure everythingwas checked off and of course it was but she still freaked out anyways.

“I put the buffet together and Dad finished putting up the white tent before I came in earlier so don't worry Mom everything is gonna be fine.” I reassured her.

I could see her hands start to tremble, so i took her hand in mine as we walked down the stairs and out to the backyard.

The cool breeze it is lifting our scent and trailed others around us.

My nose immediately smelled my mate before I’d seen him. I grasp my mom's hand even more to which she squeezes mine back just as tightly, though i kne she had no coue i had found my mate a year ago it still help when she did small things like that even if she had no idea.

My whole family had no clue I'd found my mate, No one did…. So, I had to play pretend whenever we were around one another which was never but when the moments came when we were near each other I would hurt more than anything but i acted as if nothing was wrong and i was fine.

But To pretend my soulmate isn't my soulmate crushed me every fucking time. It killed me, even more, to not be able to talk about it with anyone.

I had to snuff that part out and quiet my wolf whenever I was near Alpha Bane.

Steadily, I walked the path with my mother to the alter where we parted ways, She took a seat in the front row of wooden pews as I walked to the side right side of the alter.

I smiled at my soon-to-be brother-in-law before moving my eyes over the crowd of people majority of the pothers were family but a few here and there were friends. My gaze shifted to the back They stopped on my handsome mate in the very back row, his eyes met with mine.

The small moment was enough to suck the air out of my lungs, and I quickly averted my eyes to the path that lead up to my parent's house.

Where my father and sister were strolling down, Clare looked like a real-life angel with her pure white wedding gown.

“Breathtaking,” My sister's mate, Dominic said astonished by the view in front of him.

“She is, isn't she,” I replied.

I was a proud older sister at that moment because she truly was beautiful and her wedding itself was beautiful. Like I’d known it would be.

When they made it to the makeshift alter just before the lake, My father kissed my sister on the cheek and placed her hand in Dominic's.

Dean my father gave Dominic a stern nod before heading towards my mother, she took his hand in his before looking back to Clare who was beaming with so much excitement.

Pope Anderson started the ceremony, smiling at the couple before him as he began to speak.

“Into this union Clare Daniella Fitzgerald and Dominic Ray Callen now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now, or else forever hold your peace,” Spoke the pope. He paused for a moment before beginning again but to the couple before him and no one else.

“I charge you both, here in the presence of the moon goddess and the witness of this company, that if either of you knows any reason why you may not be married lawfully under the eyes of our ancestors and elders and in accordance with Goddess Word, do now confess it.” He looked to both my sister and Dominic briefly, “Clare Daniella Fizgerald, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live?”

Clare nodded her head not taking her eyes off of Dominic for a second. “I will… I-I mean I do!” she stuttered.

Pope Anderson smiled graciously at her before shifting his eyes to Dominic, “Dominic Ray Callen, will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together with her in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto her as long as you both shall live?”

Dominic took in a sharp breath before eagerly replying, “Yes, I do,” I could see his hands tightening around Clares and so much anticipation lacing both of them.

I couldn't help but smile at how happy they were.

“In the name of the Moon Goddess Lunalle, I, Dominic Ray Callen, take you, Clare Daniella Fitzgerald, to be my wife, My soulmate for life, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.” Dominic’s voice boomed.

They drop hands. The bride my sister then takes his right hand in hers, then says,

‘In the name of Moon Goddess Lunalle, I, Clare Daniella Fitzgerald, take you, Dominic Ray Callen, to be my husband, My love, and my soulmate for the rest of our lives, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.” Clare kept her eyes on Dominic as they both spoke. I just watched in awe and jealousy, because I knew I wouldn't get anything like what they had and it bothered me so much.

A feeling swirled in my gut and I felt eyes burning holes into my skull. I ignored it and watched as the newfound married couple placed golden rings on each other's ring fingers.

They flowed with excitement so much so It made me feel what they felt and I knew everyone else felt it as well. My cheeks started to sting from all the smiling I'd done today.

Pope Anderson calmly began to speak again, “Bless, O Goddess, these rings as a symbol of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other; through Our beloved Moon Goddess.”

The crowd stood from the seats, “Bless the marriage,“ they all spoke and cheered on the newly married couple.

I swear I wouldn’t. Cry but with how beautiful everything went I could feel the tear start to prick my eyes. And on instinct, I looked to my mate who had already had his gaze on me.

“You may now seal a kiss the bride,” Pope Anderson said to Dominic, He wasted no time in taking my sister in his arms and kissing the life out of her.

Claps erupted in the crowd and I followed their actions, Cheering for Clare and Dominic who were making their way down the path as everyone threw white rose petals and seeds above their heads.

I stood in my place watching the happy couple and crowd walk up to the tent where the after-party would be held.

And when I was alone I let my tears go, I didn't need my family to see me like this, especially on my sister's wedding day. So I just stood there holding the bouquet of roses silently crying.

I knew I would never have what they had….. What everyone else in the pack has, A mate. It killed me to know that even when I accepted Bane for all that he is, He would never accept me. Not in this world or the next.

With so much equilibrium. I pulled myself together and stopped all my selfishness, I wiped away my good-for-nothing tears and slowly walked to the tent that was booming with music and people dancing.

I gulped down my sorrow and took a deeply needed breath before faking a smile as I stepped into the tent.

The smell of booze hit my nose along with the sweet smell of cashmere and pine. I ignored it and made my way to my family who were in the middle of the dance floor swinging around happily.

They pulled me in and we began to dance together, “Where were you, sissy?” My little sister asked dancing with my dad as my mother and Dominic danced beside them.

“I dropped the bouquet of roses in the water and had to fish them out.” I lied through my teeth. Giving her my best smile I grabbed her out of my father's arms and we swung around as we use to when we were little.

Laughter erupted from our bodies as we twirled around the dancefloor dancing and swirling between everyone like ballerinas.

“Okay, girls don't hurt yourselves,”

My father kissed us both before walking off to the bar, When we were out of earshot of him I looked back to my sister whose attention was plastered on her mate.

A ting of hurt flashed over me before I stuffed it down and twirled her around and into Dominic's arms, Which he happily caught her, I took ahold of my mother's hand and began dancing around her laughing as she began dancing like a professional dancer and I knew were me and my little sister got are skills from.

The night went on like that for hours, with dancing and drinking by the time i thought i was ready to go lay down i was some what tipsy but soner enough to know where i was and where to go.

I had gotten tired so I kissed my sister good night and bid both my parents a good night before slipping out of the tent unnoticed.

I would make it up to my sister for leaving her reception early, but for now, I made my way to my bedroom.

It was dark but I knew where everything was I wasn't worried so as soon as I closed the door I slipped out of the bridesmaid dress, shoes, and undergarments.

Leaving me nude as the day I was born.

A growl pierced my ears, causing me to shriek and jump back. I collided with my full-length mirror and looked into the dark space, suspicion creeping up on me.

I could almost see an outline of a man, A huge man at that and I instantly knew who the outline belonged to.

My mate. Alpha Orion Bane.

Why couldn't I smell him? I sniffed the air and smelt nothing of his sweet scent, like i had smelt earlier… It made my stomach drop in realization.

This was the first step to rejection.

We lose the scent of our mates at first and then the sparks leave us … the pain overcomes our senses until we become numb. But why? Why would he do that? How could he?

“Y-” I tried to speak but was stopped by rough hands taking hold of my hips and lifting me.

My body pressed against Bane’s hard muscular one and I quickly forgot what I was going to declare.

Shocks jolted at me with every touch of his hands or chest or lips, I squirmed under him feeling sickness and lust fill me.

“Fuck Mazeken, you look stunning,” Bane breathed out in the curve of my neck.

I moaned at the sensation earning me a growl from the older man gripping me tight.

I gulped and tried to move back, “No, let me go,”

His hands moved lower, one skilled hand skimmed over my sensitive area and touched my bundle of nerves making me squeeze my thighs around him wanting more.

For a minute I felt his inner desire sprout from his wolf, the feeling engulfed me. It wrapped around every nerve in my body before catching my heart and squeezing the organ.

My head fell back when his lips found my neck once again where his mark ached to be. I could feel his canines graze over my sweet spot and I cried out,

“Oh goddess,” I breathed

Another booming growl shot me like an arrow, Bane started to walk to my bed but before we could reach it a soft knock brought us out of our lust-filled actions.

With wide eyes, I pushed off him and landed on my feet before I placed my finger on my lips telling him to keep quiet.

“Good night baby girl.” My father's voice spoke threw my door I heard footsteps getting quieter before I didn't hear anything at all.

I turned to look at Orion who was rigid unmoving by my bed post.

I in an uncertain state pulled my robe that sat on my mattress over my nude body, “Why can’t I smell you?” My worried eyes met his pretty blue ones.

“Because I've begun the rejection. You knew that though.” My lips went to a narrow line at his words, “You know the steps to the process, make sure to visit the pack doctor after you start to feel the pain.”

I frowned at him and push him away from me, “You should have come to this decision a year ago.” He didn't move an inch or even growl at me for showing dominance.

I bared my canines to him and a flash of lust ran through his gaze, “If you think you'll have someone else,” I began, “Think again,” I was seething in anger but none of that mattered now I needed to say all I had to before i got all choked up and cried.

I could feel my alpha exterior begin to show more than it ever has before, “And if you do! I will do everything in my power to make you feel every bit of remorse and loneliness in that fucking fantastic body of yours,” I poked his chest hard. I could almost see him flinch away at my touch.

“And what the hell was the point in coming here, touching me like that making me hot, huh?” I felt him tense under my fingertip, “If you're rejecting me… why come to my room?”

I jabbed my finger in his chest, “I want you. No matter what, I want you.” A growl escaped his lips once more.

“It's too late,” He said between clenched teeth, “It's already begun,”

The look on my face could probably kill and from the flash of emotions in those damned beautiful blueish green eyes, He felt the stad of pain I wanted to inflict on him.

“Mark my words, Orion Alexander Bane,” I said his full name catching his attention even more. “You will regret your decision and I'll be sure of it.”

After a moment of silence, my anger began to rise and I reached up getting on my tippy toes than grabbed his chin with so much force making him bend to meet me halfway. Where tf was this coming from?

“I'll be nice and give you a gift,” I said quietly, “So you can remember me.”

I stuffed down my anger and sadness before giving him all my attention. I pressed my lips to his softly before giving him the hardest kiss I could muster, wrapping my arms around his neck I felt his large hands move to the small of my back and grip it lightly.

Our tongues crossed each other and battled for dominance, I gave him a tough time making him growl and pull me against him.

And before he could win I pulled away and pushed his arms off me, “Now leave,” I pointed to the door not looking at him once.

A ruthless growl left him and I growled back inserting my alpha placement. He tenses up but started to move his feet and as soon as he was gone from my bedroom I drop to the floor and let out a heartbroken howl.

Letting the pack know I’d been rejected.