Once Upon A Rejection

Talen Bancroft’s POV

Molly let go of me and ran across the lawn and straight into Grayson’s arms. He held her tightly while kissing her with great intensity. He was acting as though he hadn’t seen her for weeks rather than just a few hours.

‘Like you wouldn’t do exactly the same thing, if the roles were reversed.’ Jax reminded me in a scathing tone. He could judge me all he wanted but I was obsessed with my mate and I didn’t care who knew it or what they thought about me.

‘You have it all wrong. I am only judging you for not declaring your love more openly.’ Jax clarified.

“Are you ready to be the new leaders of the pack?” I asked as I approached the two of them. They broke away from each other slightly to allow Molly to wrap one arm around my waist. I draped my arm over her shoulder and moved closer to her.

People around us were starting to slowly make their way back towards the house for the ceremony. They were all talking excitedly as they walked, it was a different picture to what I had become used to over the last few days.

“So, I was wondering. If the two of you had marked each other would that make Talen our alpha too.” Molly asked.

“No, a lycan can’t be an alpha. I would be a luna like you.” I told her.

That look of defiance came into her eyes, the one she got when to council or anyone else did something that she thought was wrong. I loved her defiant streak and I loved that it seemed to be getting stronger as time went on. However, I still hoped that I wouldn’t have to see that look on her face again. I wanted to protect her from anything that could upset her.

“So is that why you haven’t done it yet?” She asked, nibbling on her bottom l*p as we followed the crowd.

I wanted to say yes, it would have been easier to explain but it would have also been a lie. I hadn’t marked Grayson because I was worried that he wasn’t ready for that. He still seemed pretty nervous about our relationship and I didn’t want to push him too hard to take things to the next level.

“What’s wrong with you both? You are acting nervous and you won’t even look at each other!” Molly exclaimed. A few people walking in front glanced over their shoulders to snigger at us. Ugh, I was probably blushing right now, how embarrassing.

“I wasn’t sure if he wanted us to mark each other.” Grayson replied, looking as sheepish as I was feeling.

“Of course I want to, I just didn’t want to rush you.” I replied.

“The two of you are terrible. You are biting each other tonight.” Her tone told me there was no room for argument. That sent an undeniable thrill of excitement through me. I gave them both a chaste k**s before leaving them to take my place in the crowd.

Grayson and Molly went to stand in front of the group, between Grayson’s parents. Molly seemed nervous at first but once she started reciting the words to officially take over the pack her confidence appeared to grow. She looked so damn close to perfect standing there beside Grayson, her dress wasn’t tight but it showed off her curves perfectly.

My mind was already preoccupied with thoughts about what we would be doing tonight and that dress wasn’t helping. All I could think about was how hot it would be to sneak her off into the forest so I could appreciate her curves more fully.

Molly and Grayson both said their declarations. They were now officially the leaders of the pack and Grayson’s father was making a speech. I was trying to pay attention to what he was saying but it was so difficult when Molly was looking right at me and smiling.

Just as it sounded as though Grayson’s father was getting towards the end of his speech, I noticed a woman sneak around the side of the house and join the edge of the group. Her eyes were puffy as though she had been crying and her uniform looked a little messed up even though it was clearly brand new. That new uniform meant she had to be Gemma. She was Molly’s friend and she had offered to help the pack out with today’s event.

Most people pretended not to notice the woman who was dressed like one of the omegas slipping into the crowd. There were only a few people in the crowd who turned their heads to look as she approached.

“There you are, I have been looking all over for you.” One of the visiting alpha shouted as he pushed his way through the crowd towards her.

Gemma glanced in his direction for a second then turned her attention back towards where Grayson’s father was standing. He had stopped talking now waiting for the commotion to die down, but that didn’t deter her from staring in his direction.

“I’m so glad that I finally found you.” He said, reaching his hands out towards her.

He clearly expected that she was going to go running towards him and melt into his arms. But to me it looked as though she had no intention of doing anything of the sort. She wouldn’t even spare more than a quick glance or two in his direction.

“I think you have mistaken me for somebody else alpha.” She replied coldly.

“No, I am not mistaken. You are mine, my mate.” He purred. He had stepped closer to her now, he was so close that his arms were on either side of her waist. He wasn’t touching her but he was almost begging her to take the last step into his arms. His eyes were filled with sadness as she continued refusing to even look in his direction.

“I don’t acknowledge any bond between us alpha.” She replied.

The alpha whimpered and pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly with one hand on the back of her head and the other on the small of her back. Gemma let out an exasperated sigh but she looked at him properly for the first time.

“I think you should take your hands off me alpha. I am not some slut who will drop my pants just because you are an alpha” She growled.

People were staring openly at the two of them now, seeming to enjoy the drama. I looked around the pack for inspiration on what I should do. I know that alphas are dominant and possessive but this seemed excessive.

Gemma clearly didn’t like the attention he was giving her but I also didn’t want to start a war by keeping an alpha away from his luna. Whether they were really bonded or not, he had claimed her as his. If I separated them then his pack would respond by attacking me.

“Of course, you are my luna. I would never dream of treating you as anything less than a princess, but I am afraid letting go of you is something I can’t do.”

His lips grazed her neck as he spoke. Gemma closed her eyes, if what he was saying was true she was probably struggling to fight the effects of the bond right now. The bond was very powerful and it was difficult to resist its pull, especially when your mate was holding you as closely as the alpha was holding Gemma.

“I am not yours. Do I really need to fake a rejection just to get you to leave me alone.”

She tried to manoeuvre her hands to push him away but before she could manage it the alpha pulled her in tighter. He grumbled something that I couldn’t quite hear then claimed her lips with his in a dominant k**s. She fought him for a couple of seconds before relaxing into his embrace with a sigh.

‘What can we do? We can’t let him get away with being a pushy a*****e.’ Molly told me over a joint mindlink with Grayson and I.

‘I am pretty sure that Gemma will make him pay for his actions. She seems to be doing a pretty good job so far.’ I replied.

‘I agree. Her pushing him away will be painful enough for him. I should know.” Grayson told us before kissing the top of Molly’s head.

Grayson’s father cleared his throat to get the attention of the crowd. He announced that there would be a barbeque starting shortly. People quickly started to disperse after that, the draw of meat and alcohol were much stronger than the draw of a little bit of drama.

I however wasn’t that interested in the party, the only thing that I could think about was tonight. I couldn’t wait until I could get that dress off Molly and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into Grayson. It was just a shame that we couldn’t get away with leaving the party right now.