Tommaso Castello's POV
With intense silence, the brown papers stared at me in mockery. Watching as the pages flip from the wind, I buried myself deeper within my seat.
My wolf growled in protest, "why did you reject her? She's our mate!"
I ignored him as he clawed against the barrier I had put up to avoid his pestering.
Suddenly, he went quiet. Curious, I pulled down the wall to have him yell. "I warned you against rejecting her for years! I thought I had finally gotten through to you so why did you do it?"
It was starting to hurt. My head ached as he pushed on the barrier, trying to claw his way to the surface, to take over. I held him down, knowing well if he surfaced he'll go after Laurel, my rejected mate and I didn't plan on going back on my word.
Not being able to contain myself, I let out a yell. My head banged hard as he continued to fight me. I slipped out of my seat and on dropped to the white, marble tile. Cocooning with my head in my lap, I yelled at him to quit fighting me. My emotions turned into a mess. I wasn't sure what I was feeling anymore.
Pain? Hurt? Regret?
As my lips parted from the pain, my soon-to-be gamma walked in. He looked concerned when he saw the state I was in. I would too if I saw my soon-to-be alpha on the floor with his head in his hand as his other hand clawed at the walls.
Deciding not to speak on it, he said, "why didn't you close the windows?" He dropped some files and walked over to the window, his large frame blocked the wind before he cut it off entirely by closing the windows.
Walking up to me, he uttered, "these need your signature."
It was awkward for a moment as I still sat on the floor. I saw his hand itch at his side as he clenched it, ignoring the urge to try to help me. I would have snapped if he did. Looking weak was not something I wanted to add to my list right now.
"These need your signature and we are waiting for your word to patrol the north border again. We still haven't found the rogue but his stench proves he's near." He was in his business mood as he started unblinkingly, looking away for some second to not set me off with his unwavering gaze. My wolf wasn't the patient or kind type. He didn't take kindly to threats or in this case, a stare-down that meant a challenge.
"Get the enforcers and patrol the east and west borders. He shouldn't have gotten far."
With those words, I fell back in my chair with a loud sigh. My fingers drummed on the table as I waited for him to leave but he didn't bulge.
"Need anything else?" I urges him to speak up when his lips parted but he went silent again.
"Why did you reject her?"
His words had my eyes snapping to his. "How do you know about that? Was it Laurel? Did she tell you about it?" I had so many questions that I got up in an instant.
Shaking his head in disapproval, he uttered, "We aren't that close and I always knew she was your mate." He paused, waiting for me to speak and when I didn't, he added. "Why did you do it?"
The silence was awkward. Though he was my gamma, he was two years older. I looked up to him in times of trouble and especially during training. He always looked like he had it all together. I got a little jealous sometimes and even told him about it. He helped me channel my frustrations and now I can say I could take him down. It wouldn't be easy but I could. Having someone in the pack who could beat me was dangerous especially with me taking over the alpha position soon. Seeing him now, in all his glory reminded me I needed to work harder to become the alpha my pack needs. One of the reasons I couldn't mate with Laurel. She would destroy everything I have built till this point.
With a loud sigh, cold, harsh words left my lips. "You've been in this pack for a long time Lorenzo, longer than I have. You know her reputation. She isn't fit to be Luna."
It felt good to finally say that out loud even though it had only been a few hours since the rejection. Maybe talking to him will help convince that little part of me that felt like I'd made a horrible mistake.
Looking at me dead in the eye, he spoke, "the moon goddess doesn't make mistakes. She gave you Laurel for a reason."
"She's a slut for the goddess' sake. I'd be a laughing stock if the word got out. Alpha's meeting will be brutal. The whispering and the laughter, heck one might even feel they could challenge me." I said the words that first came to me when I found out she was my mate. I wish it didn't have to be this way but her reputation will end me. I've trained long and hard to get to where I am right now and the goddess forbids that I'll let an eighteen-year-old destroy the progress I've built.
"She's your best friend's sister. How do you think he'll react when he finds out that his best friend rejected his sister?" Gamma Lorenzo dropped into a seat with a raised brow, his lips remained in a thin line as he glared at me. He thought he had me but I had thought everything through.
Taking my seat, my knuckles joined together on the table as I muttered, "She won't tell him. I know that."
He gave a mocking chuckle. "What makes you think so? Did she tell you?"
"No, but Laurel has always been a proud woman. Never showed weakness or flaws even when she had bad days."
"All I hear are reasons why she will be perfect as your mate. I think you've made a huge mistake. What will your father say about this when he finds out? That you rejected his friend's daughter."
Again, the mockery reached my ears. I would have snapped if I didn't need him on my side. I needed someone to tell me I did the right thing. Anyone.
"I plan on keeping my mouth sealed and so does Laurel so I think my secret is safe. Or do you plan on telling him?" My heart was in my mouth as I waited for his response.
Ignoring my question completely, he asked, "And the elders? You could be stripped from your title if this gets out. I don't think you know how risky this is." He leaned closer to me, keeping his voice low as he tried to make me see reason but I have thought it all through. I've had years to think about everything. My plan was foolproof.
"Accepting Laurel will be just as tough. I'm doing this for the pack. This just makes me right to be alpha."
His hands slammed harshly on the desk as he leaned in, his breath fanned my cheek at how close he was. "No, what the pack needs is a luna and you stripped them of that the second you rejected her."
"I can always pick a luna." I deadpanned as I leaned away from him, showing how serious was.
"I'm not doing this." He got out of his seat and paced around the room. My eyes stayed glued on him, waiting for his next words. "Are you even listening to yourself? Why pick one, and go through the stress of convincing the alpha king when the one right for you is only a few feet away!"
With exhaustion laced in my voice, I decided to put an end to our seemingly endless ranting. "Look, I'm not asking you to take my side here. Just keep everything you know to yourself is all I'm asking."
He wasn't going to take my side. He didn't want to see reason. Everything I was doing was for the good of the pack. I trained for years just to befitting of my post. I wasn't going to let some random girl ruin it all for me, not when I'd gotten this far.
"You are going to regret this."
He was out the door with those few words, slamming it a little harder than necessary. My heart thumped in my chest. I just hoped he wasn't right.
Laurel Monterello's POVWalking back from school, my gaze fell in the direction of the pack house. With frozen feet, my thoughts ran wild. I wanted to see him, speak to him but I couldn't. No matter how much my wolf, Gain pestered me. I could never beg him for his love.Wanting to be around people, anything to make me forget about the rejection, I walked over to be pack house. My hands froze on the doorknob for over a minute as I collected my thoughts. Would I be able to control my wolf if I saw him?Would I snap in frustration when his scent whipped past me?Would I freak out and make a fool of myself?Decided against it even as Gain, my wolf begged me to go in, my lanky hands lowered from the knob. From where I stood, I got whiffs of his scent proving he was near. My wolf clawed and tried to take control to get to her mate."He wants us!" She snarled. With my internal struggle, I didn't notice the front door open, almost making contact with my face."Are you okay?"My eyes lifted t
Laurel Monterello's POVI walked down the halls, heading for my locker and fully aware of the eyes on me as I walked alone. I was never alone. Gemma and Alessia were nowhere in sight neither were they in their rooms at the pack house when I tried to apologize. They weren't at my locker or theirs. I knew they were avoiding me. I got insane on birthdays but never snapped at them. Yesterday was a first and we suddenly didn't know how to act around each other.A sigh left my lips as my fingers unlocked the lock. It gave a loud bang as I forced it open, drawing attention that I didn't need or want."What?!" I snapped at the brunette beside me as she gave me an unwavering stare. Hands up in surrender was the response I got and a mumbled apology that was anything but sincere.I turned to find a mini skirt in my line of sight. I lifted my gaze to a pair of black orbs glancing at my outfit. It was one of those days when I didn't give care and just pulled anything my hands could find.Her perfe
Tommaso Castello's POVClasses began swiftly and I was forced to leave my mate in the hands of that enforcer. My heart squeezed in my chest as they both walked into the janitor's closet. Moans and gasps filled the air after and we all stared at the door in silence. I was unsure of what to do, unlike my wolf that pushed to the surface to claim what was his. With the little restraint I had, I was the first to leave as I fought my wolf for control.While in class, Matteo, my beta and best friend walked up to me and popped into the vacant seat. "We won't be able to make it to class tomorrow with training and the meeting. How are we ever going to catch up?"I didn't realize I was silently sulking till my pen snapped and Matteo threw me a weird look. A concerned look made its way to his face as he threw me a second look."You good?" "I'm just stressed." I wasn't lying and wasn't telling the truth either. It was easier than telling him my true dilemma that I rejected my mate and now she wa
Tommaso Castello's POVI couldn't tear my gaze from them. I wanted them on my face, on my lips. I wondered how they tasted, how all of her tasted. Lips, those plump lips reminded me of cherries with how red they were. She bit softly on the bottom and I hissed in anticipation. They looked soft and I wondered if they tasted as they looked, like cherries. Her soft, cherry lips parted by no words came out or it was my hearing as I could barely concentrate on anything other than her lips. I wanted so badly to taste them, bite them. Pulling her closer, my hands stayed on her slim waist, a perfect for my large hands. Sparks flew between us and I gulped. I finally understood what the elders meant when they said a mate's touch is everything.She had suddenly gone quiet. I forced my gaze from her boobs to her eyes to find her as immersed as I was. Her eyes trailed down my body and I watched her gulp. She liked what she saw as did I."You really are a whore, aren't you?"I knew the mate bond wa
Tommaso Castello's POVSulking in my seat, I slouched as I got lost in my thoughts. I was confused and slightly worried about Laurel. She was slowly becoming a thorn in my side and it was getting harder to ignore her. Not only was she annoying, but she was also starting to fill my thoughts. I wanted so badly to blame it on the mate bond but a part of me knew better.I racked my brain intensely for something, anything to push her away and that was when it struck me. A plan popped up, an idea that could not only get Laurel away from me but could also put an end to everything. I grinned internally as it was slowly starting to get together. I was about to leave my seat to go to my room for a celebratory drink when Lorenzo walked in."Where are you going?""My room. I thought you were at Matteo's. Done with the birthday preparations already?" I asked as I took my seat back.He dropped onto the couch, "no, but he's going to buy some stuff for the party. Before I forget, he asked me to invi
Laurel Monterello's POVA loud bang on my room door woke me up. Completely out of it for almost a minute, my squinted eyes fell on my reflection in the mirror. The blonde strands remained tousled as my fingers ran through them. Another knock came in and I dropped to the floor in shock forcing an angry growl to bellow from within s raced for the door."What?!" I snapped, my claws out and ready to play on the intruder's neckAs the red cleared my eyes, I realized it was Lorenzo, one of Matteo's friends. His eyes fell on my claws as he had an unimpressed look on.He pointed at my claws. "Are you going to put that away?" My eyes rolled in response. "What do you want?""The beta is back and requests your presence at your house." He remained emotionless, giving nothing away."Dad's here?" I questioned like an idiot though I heard him loud and clear. He nodded in agreement.I wasn't sure how I felt. I did miss him as he had been gone for over two weeks but at the same time, I didn't. He was
Laurel Monterello's POVI took a sneaky peek from the window as I watched my mate and my brother make their way into the training field. My brother had taken his shirt off at the entrance, discarding it at some female wolves that came to watch. They squealed in delight at seeing a buff man while I shivered in disgust.That's my brother!My eyes peeled from him to Tommaso who looked a bit flushed as he took off his shirt earning whistles from the forming crowd. Matteo whispered something to him and he chuckled. It seemed to lighten him, making him forget about the crowd. They were about to spar as they got into position when Lorenzo strut in, looking as emotionless as ever. With one swift move, his grey shirt came off. Mouths gaped at him as a conceited smirk made its way to his face.He walked with the said smirk still etched on his lips. They spoke among themselves before sparring, the words too low for me to hear. They took their stance, Tommaso going for the first blow only to end u
Laurel Monterello's POVRunning happily through the woods, the wind combed through my grey fur. I could taste the ecstasy on my tongue as it stayed out with drool dripping from it.Shifting, my ass sat on a rock nearby, its hot surface burning deeply but I entertained it. The cool air gave me a chance to think things through. I was getting through to Tom's wolf due to the mate bond but the human wasn't having any of it. His actions and his words lately proved so. He had no plans of accepting me no matter how hard I tried but I wasn't one for failure. He was bound to accept me."Slut."I winced as I recalled the words leaving his rosy lips. It was one encounter I wouldn't mind forgetting. It echoed within me, resounding deeply. I knew I had to get him back. A twig snapped, drawing my attention. My gaze lifted as I got in a stance to protect myself. I growled. "I hear you. Come out now!" Alessia walked out first and then Gemma. Both were in as much revealing clothing as their bodies c