Chapter 2: Chapter Two: Rejected

I hugged my parents and said, “I love you guys too. Thanks for telling me but this changes nothing.” They hugged me tighter in relief. “Really.”

“We hope you find your mate tonight,” Mom said after kissing my cheek. “We want tonight to be special for you.”

Half the time a werewolf would find their mate on their nineteenth birthday during their party. A big part of that was because we’d invite werewolves from allied packs who hadn’t found their mates yet.

I didn’t need to find my mate tonight, I just wanted to have a good time.

Becca and Sasha, my other best friends met me outside the ballroom where my party was being held. “Freya, you look beautiful!” Becca exclaimed.

I smiled and hugged them. “Thank you, I’m so nervous.”

“This is your day,” Sasha said. “You don’t have to be nervous, we promise.”

We went into the ballroom and I instantly smiled. Ashley outdid herself with the classy decorations and there was live music. I thanked her about a million times.

As the guests arrived I looked around and didn’t see Demetri. I reassured myself that he’d be here soon and spent my time talking to my friends and family. My mother’s sister and my cousins who were of age were here for me as well.

Happiness was already flowing through me, this was going to be a night to remember!

Ashley dragged me towards the middle of the ballroom as my guests sang Happy Birthday to me. My wolf was howling inside with anticipation since she had a feeling we would find our mate tonight. The clock struck midnight and the crowd cheered, it was officially my birthday.

‘Where are you?’ I mind linked Demetri.

‘I’ll be there soon Rei, I wouldn’t miss your nineteenth birthday party, I promise.’ Hearing his voice in my head sounded and felt different than it usually did. It felt almost… pleasurable. ‘I’m rooting for you but even if you don’t find your mate tonight hopefully we can both take or go home with someone.’ Of course, sex was always on his mind.

Unlike Demetri, I didn’t plan on sleeping with anyone else who wasn’t my fated mate. Last night was a one-time thing and it wouldn’t happen again. He was the only person I’d fold like that for… literally.

I danced with a few guests and after making my rounds and introducing myself to the guests from our allied packs I came to the conclusion that my mate wasn’t here. That was until a certain scent struck me, not only that but I felt a sort of pull. I followed the scent and general feeling out of the ballroom. There was only one person in the hall.

Mate.

There was no doubt the man in front of me was my mate. His back was towards me as if he was walking away from the ballroom entrance. He turned around and our eyes met.

“Trey…”

“Frey.”

A smile formed as the revelation that Demetri was my mate set over me. My first time didn’t have to be a one-night stand with my best friend. It was having sex for the first time with my best friend and fated mate.

This was perfect.

It was perfect until Demetri sighed and shook his head. “What…? It can’t be too weird,” I said, still smiling. Sure things would change but it would be for the better. “It kind of makes sense, I’ve had feelings for you for a while.” Last night instilled a kind of confidence in me. There was no way he didn’t feel a similar way after that. You don’t just have sex with someone without feeling something. “Come on, let's go in and announce the good news.”

I reached out to grab his hand but he pulled away from me and stepped back. “It’s not good news Freya,” he said.

“W-what do you mean?” I asked, a lump in my throat.

Silence dominated the conversation for several minutes.

Demetri, say something.

“Reject me,” Demetri said… Demanded… Ordered.

Don’t say that… anything but that.

I shook my head and chuckled in disbelief. “I’m not going to reject you…” I looked up at him. “Don’t you want to be with me?” I asked but didn’t get an answer, causing my eyes to water. “Demetri, I’m not going to reject you so come on, w-we can figure this out later.”

Was it a lot for him to process…? I badly wanted to understand.

Demetri shrugged and looked away. “I wanted to spare you the pain but I guess it can’t be helped,” he said. “I, Demetri—“

“Stop!” I shouted and threw myself at him, hoping the delight from physical contact with his fated mate would change his mind. Pleasurable static coursed through me and he had to have felt it too.

Demetri grabbed me and looked away. “Freya,” he said gently. “You’re making a fool out of yourself. I don’t want to be with you.” No… “The moon goddess made a mistake.”

Diana doesn’t make mistakes…

My knees almost buckled because there was nothing else I could do to stop him. “I, Demetri Stone of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Freya Roman of the Blood Moon Pack.”

My eyes widened as pain struck and Demetri let me fall from his arms onto the cold wooden floor. It was a pain worse than any other I had experienced.

But why…?

My nineteenth birthday was the most memorable but not for the right reasons. I cried on the ground in pain where Demetri left me, trying to find the energy to lift myself up. Demetri was the last person I’d expect to hurt me this badly. “What happened?” Asked the voice of a friend. It was Becca, she got down and wrapped her arms around me.

“What do you think?” Demetri answered coldly, walking past us.

Becca frowned as she put together what happened. “And where are you going??” She asked him.

Demetri shrugged as he walked away he answered, “For a run. Don’t tell anyone about this.” His tone was threatening.

It was like he was a different person. My fated mate rejected me… Demetri rejected me. I actually thought the future alpha would want me as a mate, funny.