The Rejected Mate

I woke up to the annoying sound of my phone ringing, which was threatening to ruin my blissful sleep. Groaning in my sleep, I tried to reach for my phone, and when I got a hold of it, I pressed the answer button blindly and heard the person on the other end talking like a car traveling at 100 mph. My sleep-induced mind couldn't understand their rushed and exciting words. I was tempted to just cut the call since I was already dozing off again. Half conscious, it took me a few seconds to understand two things: 1) The caller was my best friend of four years, Courtney. 2) She was screaming. I looked at the alarm clock on my nightstand, and my eyes widened incredulously when I saw the time. "Jesus Christ, woman! Why are you screaming? It is freaking four in the morning," I asked Courtney, unable to believe why she would call me at such an hour. We have known each other since we were fourteen. She is the Beta's daughter and I’m the Gamma’s adopted daughter. Our fathers are close friends, along with the Alpha's family. "I need you to come back," she answered. "What? Why?" I don't know why she wants me to come back when she knows why I left in the first place. She also helped me leave. "Well, first, because I'm getting married, and secondly, you're the maid of honor, sweetie. So of course, I need you to come back, and everyone here misses you so much. Honestly, it's been what? Like three years now? I think it's about time you come back home. I miss my best friend.” She whispers the last part. Sadness laces her voice, which makes me feel guilty. I inhale a deep breath, knowing that leaving the pack hurt not only myself but also my family and Courtney. It would've hurt more if I had stayed and watched my own downfall. I clear my throat, trying to push away the guilt and the sudden pang in my chest away. "I don't know Court. It's been too long, and I don't think I can handle—" "You know damn well that you're one of the strongest she-wolves I've ever seen in my life, Serenity. You could just ignore him, and you could also bring Matthew with you." I could picture her wiggling her eyebrows suggestively at me on the last part. Honestly, I don't know what I would've done if she hadn't come into my life. She knows when I start doubting myself and she reminds me that I'm worth so much more. I release a sigh and say, "Okay." I instantly regret saying yes when I hear her squealing and screaming on the other end. I pull the phone away from my ear before she decides to scream like a banshee again. This girl has too much energy this early in the morning. "Oh God, I hope my eardrums don’t burst,” I think to myself. My thoughts are cut off when Courtney says, "Well, it's fixed then. You have to be here by Wednesday and the wedding is in two weeks. We have a lot of preparations left to do, so you better not be late.” I gulp when I hear the warning in her words. She might look like an angel, but she's a firecracker. No wonder my brother is whipped. "Okay, I'll be there, bridezilla," I mock her. I hear voices in the background. Someone is talking and Courtney says, "Okay. I've got to go. Bye. Love you." "I love you too, Court." I'm met with a beeping sound, notifying me that she hung up. It seems like she's already busy with the preparations. I sigh. It's been a long time since I've spoken to Courtney and my family back home. Talking to Courtney brings back memories of him and what I couldn't have. It's useless thinking about it now. I had been there and endured all the pain of seeing my mate get married to my other best friend. I was angry and sad for the most part, but I couldn't blame Emily. She was oblivious to the fact that he was my mate since she’s human and would never have a mate of her own. I left soon after. I could not handle the pain of seeing them together. I've not been in touch with the pack ever since, and it's been three years. Emily Christy was a human among werewolves. She was found abandoned in a small basket near the pack border by some patrol guards twenty years ago. The Alpha and Luna, being the kind people that they were, took her in instantly. They made her a member of the pack, not caring that she was a human, and I respected them for that. It was uncommon to find humans among werewolves since we were supernaturals and liked our peace. Humans meant trouble for the most part. You never know who might snitch on us. Emily, Courtney, and I had been best friends since Courtney and I were fourteen and Emily was 15, and we were inseparable. Emily was loved by everyone and was a social butterfly. She was in a relationship with Damien Blackwood, which made her even more popular among the pack members. Damien was our future Alpha and my long-time crush. Although I'd had a huge crush on Damien—emphasis on "had”—I knew if I saw him again, all those feelings I tried to bury deep down inside of me would stir back up. I would never act upon them because he was our future Alpha. Plus, he was scary and intimidating, and it's against girl code to steal your best friend’s man. ‘Even if he turns out to be your mate,’ my wolf said and scoffed at my line of thought. He wouldn't even notice me—a female with boring chocolate brown hair and hazel brown eyes—when he had someone like Emily with her golden blonde hair and blue eyes. I was self-conscious back then and used to hide in baggy clothes because they made me feel comfortable. I didn't want to ruin their perfect relationship. I sort of admired it. Damien was cruel and mean while Emily was an angel. They were polar opposites. Maybe that was the reason they got together in the first place. As the saying goes, opposites attract. It was like some cliché story where the good girl changes the bad boy. I push all the memories away and I smile when my thoughts trail to a dirty blond male. I suddenly realize that today is Monday and Courtney expects me to be there by Wednesday. I groan and realize I have to call Matthew. When I dial Matthew's number, he picks up on the third ring. "Hey Sera, what's up?" I don't answer him, which makes him realize his mistake and he huffs dramatically. "Okay, I won't call you that anymore, Serenity." ‘Sassy, aren't we?’ my wolf thinks. He takes notice of my heavy breathing and silence. "Serenity? Are you okay? What happ—?" "We have to go back home,” I say in one breath, so I won't have to repeat myself. "Why? Did something happen with your family? Are they okay? Is it because of him?” he asks me. I take a deep breath and tell him that Courtney is getting married and as the maid of honor, I have to be there by Wednesday. "So, will you come with me as my date?" I wait hesitantly for his reply. "Serenity," he says. "Yes?" I stutter and take in another shaky breath, waiting for him to say no. "I would love to, but will you be okay?" He emphasizes the word ‘love’ and I smile at his concern. "Yes, of course. I will have you beside me. Okay, I gotta go. This girl needs her beauty sleep.” I say goodbye and we hang up. Honestly, this is the third time in the past two years that I've let myself feel this way—vulnerable. I realize that this is going to be my first time going back home to see my family and the whole pack, including him, after his marriage to Emily. I sigh, which I've been doing a lot lately. It's going to be one hell of a ride.