Rejected

“Are you ok?” A soft voice calls out from somewhere close to me, but I cannot focus on the voice enough to determine where exactly. I shake my head, but that only makes my head spin and I instantly regret it as my body begins giving out and I wait for the feeling of my body colliding with the sidewalk, but instead, I feel arms wrap around me.

“What happened to her?” A familiar deep voice chimes in, but now my mind is too hazy to care where it came from.

“She needs to be taken to Doctor Jacobs!” The woman’s voice cries out and suddenly the world around me is moving and jerking…am I moving or is the earth shaking? I try to open my eyes, but realize that was the wrong choice when my vision goes black and everything fades into the void.

“She suffered a panic attack. Has she been through anything stressful or traumatic lately?” Who the hell is that? That man’s voice is unfamiliar and what the hell is that smell? It is the most unpleasantly sterile and unwelcome smell!

“Yes, she has been through something pretty awful, which is why I had her move here and stay with me.” Aunty Sandy?

“She said she was rejected by her mate. Do you know why?” Oh, I know that voice! Why is that dick even here? Where is here? Holy goddess, my eye lids feel like they weigh a hundred pounds each.

“Well, it was her lack of status in the pack. He wanted someone with a title…with privilege. He would never get that if he were to remain mated to her. He was an insufferable and detestable mutt who broke my niece’s heart in front of the entire pack. All for something that she had no control over.” Oh, aunty. The way she comes to my defense is comforting, but the fact that she just revealed my humiliation to the alpha is unsettling.

“Aunty?” Shit…my voice sounds even weaker…how is that even possible?

“Dia?! Oh baby girl, you had me so worried! Your mom is going to kill me if she finds out that you ended up in the hospital on your first day here!” I can’t hold back my soft chuckle, or the playful grin that pulls at my lips.

“I won’t tell her if you don’t.” She bursts out laughing and I feel her take my hand in hers. Ok, enough of this darkness bullshit. I use every bit of my concentration to slowly open my eyes. Yeah, this is a hospital alright. That explains the sterile stench.

“How are you feeling?” I think about her question as I try to move each of my limbs, only feeling minor discomfort.

“I am ok. I guess the goddess didn’t think I had been humiliated enough.” My aunt gives me a glare that suggests she is not amused, but I catch the slight curl of the alpha’s lip.

“Come on aunty, he thought it was funny!” I motion to the alpha and she just rolls her eyes at me while squeezing my hand.

“I am going to talk to the doctor and see when I will be able to take you home. Alpha, could you sit with her and make sure she doesn’t do anything reckless?” He gives her a stiff nod and I watch as she walks out the door. As my eyes travel back toward the alpha, I feel the rage lowly working it’s way back in.

“So, are you happy now? Now you know why I came here, something that was none of your business. I can’t believe I came here to get away from that shit just to have it haunt me here too. I might as well just go back home.” I mumble the last part more to as a comment to myself.

“I am sorry if you thought I was being cruel. I assure you, I have my reasons for being so cautious about outsiders. I realize that the way I phrased my question was inappropriate.” I really hope that is not his idea of an apology.

“Inappropriate?! You asked me what I did to make my mate reject me!” he visibly winces at my outburst, but quickly returns to his cold façade.

“Your aunt explained everything. I am sorry you had to endure rejection. It is a pain I would not wish on anyone.” His comment piques my curiosity.

“It sounds like you know firsthand how it feels.” He squeezes his eyes closed tightly and lets out a gruff sigh.

“You can say that.”I know I should be sympathetic since he is a kindred spirit of sorts, but I am still too heated to play it cool.

“So, what did you do?” He should be angry and goddess knows I expect him to be, but instead he smirks…fucking SMIRKS.

“Touche. Listen, I was a jerk. I would like to officially ask that you stay. Your aunt mentioned that you are good with children.” I tilt my head in confusion, wondering how my affinity for small pups has anything to do with me staying here.

“Um...I babysat for several families in my pack. Why? You have kids?” He runs a hand down his face, clearly he is frustrated with me.

“No, but we are in need of help at the daycare. There is an opening in the nursery so you would be working with newborns and toddlers. Would you be interested?” I try to hide my excitement…and fail miserably.

“Oh, my goddess, YES!” He seems startled by my loud response, but I am not surprised since every other time I have spoken to him, I sounded like a broken, weak husk of a wolf.

“I will forward the details to your aunt and you can start tomorrow if you are feeling up to it.

“Thank you…I mean it…thank you for this.” He gives me, what I assume is meant to be, a warm smile, nods and exits my room just as my aunt is coming in with the doctor.