Rejection Denied
Head South (Optional)

A/N- I wrote this chapter for Belltora. Sorry, it took so long. I had to purchase a new computer. But, if anyone wants to know what happened to Orions pack here you go.

Niro (Orion)

1 year after Dire Wolf War

“This is fucking insane. Are you sure about this?”

Pulling up my pants and buckling the belt, I looked over at my mate. “We can’t hide forever, Sarina. I need to go to my father; I’m sure he’ll help us.” I pulled my shirt on. “But don’t worry, I won’t be gone for long.” I bent down. And kissed my mark on Sarina’s neck.

“Be Careful, Niro.” She turned my head and kissed my lips.

I nodded. “I will. Now, remember to lay low, while I’m gone—”

“You know damn well—”

I held my hand up. “I know. Despite my warning, you will do what you want to do. So stay safe, stay alert and kill anyone who sees your wolf.” I kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back in a few days. My pack is in the north.” I turned to leave. “I love you, Sarina.” I ran off before she could reply.

Sarina, Mina, and I have been in hiding for nearly a year now. Marshal survived the war, according to some rogues we overheard, and we don’t know what he’s planning. We don’t have any money, so we’ve been sleeping in caves and on the forest floor. We bathe in rivers and lakes, and we eat off the land. This is not the life I want my mate to live. She deserves so much more than this.

Today I’m going to visit my pack, to speak with my father. I’m hoping that he’ll offer us sanctuary. Sarina and I didn’t do anything wrong. The dires were innocent. Instead of hunting us down, everyone should be searching for the real culprit.

I took off north; thank the goddess for my sense of direction. If I shift and give my wolf Ace control, we can get to my pack in a day or so. But my scent will be magnified, and I can’t get caught. So it’s around a five-day run and ten-day walk. So I’m running like hell, with the clothes on my back and nothing else.

“Fuck!” I exclaimed as I came to a stop. I’ve finally arrived outside my pack territory. If I’m lucky, the patrol route should still be the same so, I just need to make my way to the house. I crossed the invisible line and looked around.

“So far, so good, Niro,” I whispered. Ace growled.

“What?”

“Hurry the hell up. I miss our, mate.” He whimpered.

I rolled my eyes and ignored him, I miss her too, but we are doing this for her. Sarina is my everything. She holds my heart. After running away together, we completed the mate bond. It took a lot of convincing, but she finally decided to accept me. It’s hasn’t been easy though, Sarina is not an easy person to talk to. Anything can piss her off, so I try my best to keep her happy.

I continued trekking my way through the forest. Keeping an eye out for any scouts. This place holds so many memories for me. It’s where I met my wolf, Ace. That night we ran for hours, and we didn’t come back to the house until sunrise the next day. Marshal and I trained out here, as children and alphas in training. Even though he revoked our friendship, I still hold a place for him in my heart.

I am approaching the forest line. And the house I grew up in is a few feet away from that. Should I go up to the front door and knock. “Heyy dad, it’s me—” No. That’s a dumb ass idea. I stopped on the edge of the forest and crouched down. The back door leads to the kitchen and the living space. I would have to walk past that and make my way up the stairs to my dad’s office.

I looked up at my old bedroom. If the window is still unlocked, I can easily make it to dad. I looked both ways and shot across the backyard. I jumped up and clung to the low ledge roof above the back porch, and pulled my self up. Carefully I stepped on the wall shelf and crossed over to the bedroom window.

“Yes!” I said as the window pulled up. I climbed through and shut the window behind me. Looking around my room, everything is still the same. Falling back on the bed, I closed my eyes and took in the smell. I wanted to be back in this life, for just a moment.

Rustle rustle

I shot up and looked toward the bedroom door as the knob turned. With speed, I hid inside my closet and covered my mouth. The door opened, and light footsteps entered the room. I could see small feet in blue socks walk across the room to the window through the door crack. I already know who it is…

“Oh, Niro.” My mother exhaled. “Son, mama is going crazy. I miss you so much.” Sniff sniff. “Please be safe, my—”

“Mom?” I said as I gently pushed the closet door open.

My mother’s head turned my way, and she took in a sharp breath. “My baby.” She ran over to me and pulled me into her arms, sobbing. “Niro, my baby.” I embraced her and kissed the top of her head.

“Hey, ma,” I said softly.

She pulled back a little. “My love.” Sniff “I missed you so much. To have you home one day and hear you ran away the next it broke my heart.” Sniff “Why are you hiding in your closet? The front door still opens, you know.”

“Umm…I was looking for something. But I’m sorry for leaving..” I wiped a tear from her face. “I love you so much.”

She smiled and shook her head. “No. I understand why you left. You found your mate and chose to live with her. You gave up your title for love.” Sniff “But still, a proper goodbye would’ve been nice. But I know how strong the mate bond is.”

That’s not the reason. Why would my mother think that? “Mom—”

“No.” She pulled me toward the door. “Dad will be so happy to see you’ve returned. He’s in his office.”

“Wait—”

Before I could protest, my mother pulled me out of the room and down the hall. “Jacob!” she shouted down the aisle. “Jacob, my love!” We stopped in front of the door, and my mother pushed it open.

“Jacob, look.” My mother passed through the open door. “Our son has come to visit us. Isn’t this wonderful!?” My father looked up to my mother and then over at me with wide eyes. “Well, don’t just sit there. Greet your, son.”

My father stood from his desk and smiled over at my mother. “This is wonderful crystal. Hello Niro, it’s good to see you.” He walked around his desk and extended his hand, and I slowly shook it. “Crystal, how about you go prepare some snacks for us, dear.”

My mother smiled and clapped her hands. “Yes, and then Niro can tell us all about his mate. You will bring her next time.” She winked and left the room, closing the door behind her.

“What the fuck are you doing here.” My father snapped.

I held my hands up. “I need your help, dad. We need a place to stay and lay low for a while.”

“Damn you, Niro. I can’t help you.” He rubbed his hair through his hair. “You coming here was a waste.”

I pleaded with my father, “Dad, please. No one will know. We can stay hidden.”

“If Marshal found you here, he would kill us all.” He walked over to his desk. “It was hard to convince him that we had no idea about your part in his father’s death—”

“But Dad, I didn’t—”

“I know you had no part in that Niro.” He ripped off a piece of paper and walked over to me. “But for the safety of this pack, you must leave. Here take this.” I slowly reached my hand out. “It’s untraceable, a hidden account that I have in case of emergencies. It’s enough to get you on your feet, son.”

I folded the check and looked up at my father’s sorrowful eyes. “What did you tell mom?”

He sighed heavily. “Marshal has way too many allies, excluding me. After the war, he threatened to destroy the pack. But I disowned you in front of everyone, except your mother. I gave her a happy ending Niro. Don’t plague her mind with thoughts of you being hunted down, son.”

I nodded in agreement. My mother should believe a lie rather than worry about my safety. “What should I do, dad?”

He walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a map. “Marshal has allies all over this region. The most powerful being, Alpha Don Riders Pack Crystal Moon. That man is a ruthless alpha. He won’t attack you head-on, though. He uses rogues and mercenaries.” He pointed to a region on the map.

“Marshals believes you’re up north near us. So that’s where he’s searching” But over here, he pointed a little bit further down. “He won’t think of checking his own back yard. The forest goes on for miles in all directions. So head south, and stay south until that boy replaces his mind.”

My dad looked over at me. “Now, Niro, go and don’t ever return here. You are still an alpha by blood, do the right thing and protect your people.” He pulled me into a tight hug. “I love you, son.”

Sniff. “I love you too, dad.”

Orion

Present-day

So, I left my home. Leaving my parents and pack family behind. Sarina, Mina, and I started a new pack in the south. Two years after I visited with my dad, pack Crystal Moon invaded my father’s territory. Alpha Don challenged my father’s title and sentenced him to death. My mother took the same route as Marsh’s mother.

I wanted to aide my former pack, but we were just starting off. If I went there, it would be a suicide mission. Instead, I improved my pack, vowing revenge on both Marshal and Don. I got to Marshal first with the help of the hunters. When I found out Don would be at this Alpha Luna Competition, I planned on completing my hit list.

Before I could act, my daughter took care of him. When I saw her rip his heart from his chest, I knew there was a connection between us. And now that we are reunited, I will bring back the dire wolves and rule over them.