Rejected You Alpha, for A Beast
Chapter 18

JESSICA’S POV

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Nathaniel’s eyes almost pop out their sockets when I asked about taking in an entire pack. “No.” he deadpans, looking at me with narrowed eyes. If he wasn’t my mate, I would be sure that his glare was going to make me drop dead on the spot. “Well then I don’t want anything happening to Nick.” I cross my arms over my chest.

Nathaniel’s eyes drop to my chest and I scoff before uncrossing my arms. His gaze flicks up to me, “Look, I won’t mingle the normal wolves with the Lycans, do you know what havoc it would bring? Did you think about all the fights it would cause? Did you think about how your old pack would feel surrounded by such power?” he preaches to me.

I want to argue and tell him that it won’t be as bad, but as he lists every single reason not to merge the two packs, my idea just starts making less and less sense. I want more for my people, more than Nick and Tiffany, but I have to consider all the facts.

“I can’t be your mate.” I shake my head and his jaw falls open, his eyes growing large in shock. “What?” he seethes, “I can’t. What about my people?”, “These are your people now.” he grits out, pointing at the door.

My gaze drags to the door and I stare at the large wooden surface, wanting to feel the homey feeling that I had in my own pack, but it doesn’t surface. “It doesn’t feel like it.” I sigh, turning my head to face him again.

“Of course it won’t. We haven’t even started our relationship yet because of Nick.” he growls out his name like it’s venom, and in a way, he is. He is the venom that I let into my life when I was vulnerable and young. If we didn’t end up together, I would have been free, but if I didn’t get with him, I wouldn’t have been at that party because I’m a mere omega. If I weren’t at that party, I wouldn’t have met Louis and then I wouldn’t have met Nathaniel.

If it weren’t for Nick, I would never have met my mate, but he would have met his.

“He’s an alpha, he’s territorial.” I glance at the floor, “He’s no alpha, he’s a skank.” Nathaniel scoffs and some sort of overwhelming anger fights its way past my walls. “He’s not a skank!” I growl, leaping toward Nathaniel, wanting to attack him and he catches my wrists, turning me around in one swift motion and he pulls my back to his front. His touch immediately calms my racing heart, the anger fades and all I feel is humiliated. “Calm down.” he whispers against the shell of my ear and I rest my head back against his chest. “I’m sorry…I don’t know what came over me.” I whimper.

I’m on the verge on tears. The pent up anger, resentment, longing and loss is all too much, it’s like swirling my mind, taunting me.

“It’s okay, you’re still linked to him but don’t worry…It’ll be over soon.” his tight grip on my wrists lessen and he holds me from behind.

I hold onto his muscular forearms, resting my chin against his skin and I take a deep breath.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” I mutter and he lets me go, a loud chuckle rippling from his chest. “You can’t hurt me even if you tried.”

I turn to him, my cheeks red with humiliation and I just nod. He captures my chin between his fingers, tilting my head up, “I mean you can, but a huge part of you wouldn’t let that happen.” Zola, my black wolf, is howling in my head. She is loving this attention, not because it’s attention, but because it’s his. My entire body is electrified by the simple touch of his fingers and I can’t even imagine what it would feel like when his hands are really on me, feeling my skin…

I gulp as I try to think of anything else while my colorless orbs flick between his beautiful emerald ones.

“Let’s get you into a hot bath and into bed.” I frown at the mention of a bath. “You don’t like bathing?” he frowns with a hint of curiosity glistening in his eyes. “I did, but not anymore.” I mutter.

The last time I took a bath, I was almost drowned and knocked out.

I don’t think I will ever bathe again.

“Then shower it is.” he mutters, but his voice seems so far as I think of how it felt to have all of that water coming through my mouth, nose…I could feel myself choke on the water and I couldn’t do anything except kick and try to get rid of Nick’s hand that was holding me down under the water, “Jessica?” Nathaniel’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts, “Sorry.” I shake my head, rubbing my fingers across my temple. “What’s wrong?” he grabs my shoulder when I try to walk to the stairs. “Nothing.” I shrug it off, “I just need to unwind.”

“Alright.” he gulps before moving his hand to the small of my back, his thumb rubbing up and down as we ascend the stairs.

I never thought I would live anywhere else…I freeze midstairs, turning to him, “I don’t have clothes.” I mutter. A smile takes over , “I don’t have any clothes because I just left.” I chuckle through a scoff, “I didn’t think to take anything. My parents don’t have clothes.” I really start to laugh and my chest starts to heave.

Nathaniel stares at me worriedly as I babble and he suddenly grabs my face with both hands before pressing his lips to me. I calm as our lips wrestle and then slowly pull away. “That’s one way to calm you down.” he winks, smiling with his perfect row of teeth.

I smile, looking down at my fingers before looking up at him, “Yeah, I guess.”, “Now calm down because there is clothes, it might not be yours but there are clothing, for you and your parents.” he sighs at the mention of them.

He didn’t really sign up to bring my parents to his pack…”Are you sure it’s okay that they are here?” I ask and he shrugs, “I don’t mind, as long as your father settles with the grilling.” he rolls his eyes and I giggle, “I’ll talk with him.” I smile and he nods.

We continue walking up the stairs and I’m stunned to see Louis sitting on the couch in the upstairs living room, “All better?” he teases as we pass him and Nathaniel flicks him on the head as he snorts.

“Rude.” Louis bellows teasingly before we head into Nathaniel’s hall and into his room.

As we walk into the black interior room, I stare at it once more in admiration. It really is something from this era.

“Here are some clothes.” Nathaniel walks over to the bed where there are piles of clothing, stacked and folded perfectly.

Everything from underwear to pajamas and daily clothes, even shoes in front of the bed.

I gulp as I try to think of anything else while my colorless orbs flick between his beautiful emerald ones.

“Thanks.” I sort through the lot and make a pajamas pile before I turn and head into the bathroom.

I take one glance at the bath and my entire body stiffens as I move to the shower. It’s not even the same bath, but the sight of the thing has my mind going crazy.

I hurriedly strip from my clothes and climb into the shower, avoiding the sight of the bathtub.

I use the new bottles of shampoo and shower gel to wash myself and my hair before getting out.

Walking back into the room, Nathaniel sits on the bed, reading a book and I absentmindedly stare at him in awe. I have never seen an alpha have time to sit and read, yet here he is, sitting on the bed, wearing grey sweatpants, no shirt and just reading.

He lowers his book and I inch closer. I don’t want him to think that I weird for staring at him.

He looks good, “Oh, you’re done.” he grins as he closes the book after folding the corner of the page and puts it beside him. I nod and sit down on the end of the bed. “I’m going to shower and then I’ll go sleep on the couch.” he motions to the door, “What? No, I don’t want to put you out. I’ll sleep on the couch.” I argue. This is his room, he should have the right to sleep here. “That wouldn’t make me a gentleman.” his eyes narrow on me, but the smile on his face makes it less scary.

“You won’t even sleep comfortable, I’m tiny, I can and will sleep on the couch. I just need a pillow and blanket.” I shrug and he laughs, “You are stubborn, aren’t you?” he marches back to his bed and I stand, “And kind too.” I add, which draws a good laugh from him.

“Fine, take mine, I will use my other ones.” he shrugs as he throws a pillow at me and pulls his duvet off the bed and he walks to the door, “Come.” he nods his head and I follow him. Louis has luckily disappeared from the couch and I presume that he’s in his room.

“Are you sure? I feel bad. I can sleep on the couch.” Nathaniel hesitates as he stands with the duvet crumbled in his arms. I stride forward, grabbing the duvet from his arms, “I’m sure.” I smile, “You should sleep in your own bed. I am the guest after all.” I shrug as I throw the duvet open over the couch.

His hand wraps around my wrist and he turns me to him, his hand cupping my cheek, “You are not the guest, this is your home now too, but if we sleep in the same bed, I can’t promise to not screw your brains out.” he grins and his words form heat between my legs and I squeeze my thighs together, “I get it.” I force a smile and the sudden need to sneak back into his room when he’s in bed is strong.

I want him, I wouldn’t do that to Nick…would I?

‘He did abuse us, what is a little pain?’ Zola’s teasing voice makes me smile.

“What?” Nathaniel asks, his olive orbs flicking between mine. “Nothing, goodnight.” I smile before pulling the duvet open and I crawl underneath it. “I’m just down the hall if you need anything.” he winks before turning around and he leaves.

I glance back to an empty hall, biting on my lips as I wonder what he’d actually do if I just went there…