Rejected Warrior

ALPHA CANNON

When I got the call, I was devastated. I just looked at my desk and hung my head in my hands. How could someone just reject her without even knowing her? They didn't even bother to get to know her! They just tossed her aside like the day's trash.

How could we prepare her for every aspect of pack life and forget about the rejection part? I mind link her mom and brothers and wait for them to come down from their offices. They all come in, waiting for me to answer why I have contacted them.

"Cora got rejected today from her mate, Alpha Stern."

Within seconds, her brothers are growling, storming out as her mom Callie buries her head, crying. Our poor baby. We knew it would be a long shot of getting a possible mate, and hoped because she may have had wolf in her somewhere she would still get one.

She never shifted at eighteen, but now we know it's somewhere because she had a mate. A mate who didn't want her. Mates are made just for each other, and he rejected our baby.

"She is at work and Seth wants us to go get her so she doesn't drive home."

I allowed her to live in her own apartment that she pays for by herself. She wanted to be independent after college and even though I would rather her be here, I knew it was the human side.

So I allowed her to get her own place and job and she has been doing great and making me proud. She still comes back on the weekends to train, but I gave her the weekend off this weekend for the mate event. She will need it. Maybe she can go and get a better fucking mate.

I stand up from the desk and grab her mom's hand. "Let's go get our girl, and take her home."

We walk out of my office hand in hand and can feel the sorrow and hurt coming from her mom. Just the thought of her hurting this bad is nothing that a dad ever wants to see, let alone from his only daughter.

My sons all found their mates and cherish them like I do their mother. It's been ingrained that when we find them we love and cherish them. I guess some packs run differently and don't instill that thought.

We walk to our SUV and grab a few guards to go with us. Zach and Jackson jump in the front as we climb into the back. As the engine roars to life and we start driving, the guys can tell something isn't right.

"If it's ok to ask, Alpha, what is going on? Where are we going?" Jackson looked back from the passenger seat.

"We are going to Tricora's work to pick her up. She was just rejected by her mate."

I see Jackson turn around and put his head in his hands because he is clearly upset. I have known that Jackson has had a thing for Cora, but never acted on it because she is my daughter, and he has been waiting for his mate.

I did hear a rumor that they both made a pact that if by 25 they had not found their mates, they would choose each other. As much as I am all for true mates, I would not object to it, especially if she hadn't found one by then.

We drive for an hour and as we approach the business, we see Seth standing outside with Sara and our girl. Before Zach can even put it in park, her mom is jumping from the car as Cora runs at her full speed. I slowly get out, walking up to Seth and putting my hand out to shake his.

"Who was her mate that rejected her?"

"Alpha Stern. I had a meeting with him today and right in the middle, he asked her name and rejected her. Then left her crying, walking out like it was an everyday thing," he replied.

"My heart crushed for her. To see him reject her so casually just blew my mind. I found out from staff as they were leaving that he has a choice mate who he would take any day over a human. Chase, he didn't even give her a chance. What if she is in fact a wolf, and he just blew her off."

“I know, I just don’t get it! Let me take her home so she can relax.”

I quickly turn to see her crying in her mom’s arms, seated inside the car. I jump back in and we head towards her apartment to drop her off.

I see Jackson looking back while he is driving and I know he is hurting also for her. Zach is driving her car back so she will be able to get to where she needs to go later. To finally find your mate and be tossed aside like you’re nothing would devastate any wolf.

When we pull in she looks at me and says that she will be fine, she just wants to go inside and sleep. I don’t blame her at all for just wanting to be alone.

I get out and stand, watching while she slowly lowers herself down, and give her a big hug. She smiles up at me, turning and walking to the front giving Jackson a hug also.

I watched while he just held her while his tears fell kissing her head. I know that if nothing happens he will be an amazing mate to her.

***

TRICORA

I leave my parents and Jackson, and I get my keys from Zach and walk inside my apartment. It’s not a grand thing but it is just perfect for me.

The moment I walk in I lock the door behind me, tossing my keys into the little tray on the desk by the door. On my left is a little couch with a TV on a stand, and on my right is my little kitchen table and kitchen area.

I walk down the small hall to the back and enter my bedroom, quickly stripping off my clothes to jump in the shower.

I have a bathroom attached to the bedroom which is nice for me, but when friends come over they go through my bedroom to use it. I don’t have many people over but when I do it’s either my friend Tara from the pack or some guards to hang out.

After my shower I throw my hair up in a ponytail and toss on some shorts and a tank top. I just want to be comfortable right now.

I walk back out going to my freezer, grabbing my ice cream and a blanket and head for the couch. I just lay there watching TV when I get a text from Martin to not come in for work tomorrow.

Take a personal day, he says. Ugh why though? Work would get my mind off of the asshat, but at the same time remind me of what happened. As I battle in my head arguing with myself my phone rings and it’s Tara.

“Girl! Omg I heard what happened! I am coming over! We will get your mind off of him as this Saturday you are helping me work the mate event,” she yelled through the phone. “We will find you a better mate than that idiot!”

She could always make me feel better, and before long she is using her key to let herself in.

She walks in with all kinds of candy and more ice cream. My right hand gal brought me cookie dough because she knows me all too well. We both sit and laugh, we cry, and scream to get everything out.

She brought a bag with her which later I found out was clothes because we are having a sleepover till Saturday. Then I would go over with her to the mate event and hopefully find someone.

***

ALPHA STERN

I could not get out of that building fast enough after the Luna ripped me a new one. Fuck her she doesn’t know shit! My men still say I am an idiot, but I don’t care. I am not having a human as a mate.

We are sitting in the car heading back to my territory when my beta shows me his phone.

“See I know I knew the name from somewhere! Tricora Cannon is the adopted daughter to Alpha Cannon!” he said. “It’s said she is a warrior also!”

“How fucking good can you be if you’re a human! I don't care, I don't want her! I have my choice mate, Brianna! That is who will be my mate and that is who will be your Luna!”

They just looked at each other, sitting back. I know they think I made a stupid decision, but I don't care! This was my choice and now even Kyro isn't speaking to me.

When we drive up to our pack house, I see my Brianna waiting for me. I jump out, running to her, and take her inside as I need her next to me. I need to remind myself why I rejected that human and why I need a wolf as my mate.

“How did the meeting go? Did you get the deal done?” she asked.

“No, I got kicked out of the building. It isn't happening.”

“Why did you get kicked out?” She looked at me confused. “I thought it was a done deal and all you had to do was finish the paperwork and sign? What will we do now? We are running out of funds?”

“Some shit went down and it isn't happening, we will figure something out.”

Thanks to my parents, the current living expenses drained almost the whole pack of money. We are struggling to just keep afloat, and this deal would have started making us some money so we could restructure things.

Although I think the word has gotten around on what happened today because I see pack members giving me dirty looks. I know they don't like Brianna, but she will be their Luna after this weekend, so they better get used to it!