Chapter 4

Where is everyone? I asked myself not expecting an answer.

Alpha sent them away, he wants this conversation to be private. This isn't about my absence at the pack training this morning right? He nods his head before getting out to open the door for me.

"Such a gentleman". I said and he snorted in response.

He is waiting in the office. I nodded and I walked up the stairs. He doesn't need to show me the way. I have always been visiting since I was young. The alpha and luna have taken special interest in me since I was young, they saw the aptitude for pack dynamics and took time to train me and improve my skills and help me grow,more reason why I love them both.

"I just don't love their son".

I knocked on the door, and the alpha call's for me to come in. I stepped into the office and looked around. The alpha, Luna, Gabriel as well as my parents were present. They both looked annoyed and I turned to look at Gabriel.

You told them right? You fool you ruined my plan. I yelled at him and he looked at me confused.

"What plan? He asked irritatedly and I growled at him.

" To get out of the pack" He and the alpha both growl at me.

"You are going nowhere"Gabriel said.I rolled my eyes at him.

"You don't have a say over that" I said and Gabriel growled at me again. The alpha held his hands up to get our attention back and motioned me to sit on the chair in-between my parents.

Why don't we talk this over. He says apologetically.

Now Rachel, why did you reject Gabriel? He asked and I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes. My mom pinches my thigh for response and I growl at her. Surprising everyone because I have always been a gentle wolf

" No offense alpha but your son is an asshole. You know before today I have never heard him call my real name in years. You know what he calls me bitch,slut,whore sometimes he is more creative. I said and Luna hit Gabriel at the back of his head, making me laugh.

You called your mate such filthy names? She asked horrified and Gabriel got defensive.

"I didn't know she was my mate," He shouted.

" That is not an excuse for you to speak to pack members like that. Alpha cut in before turning back to me. Maybe we shouldn't hold grudges over the things peace does when we are young, Rachel people grow.

" It was three days ago" Luna hit his head again. I gave her an appreciative look. My dad and alpha both growl at him and he sank in his chair.

" It really is ironic though, if you think about it. He called him a slut while I waited for my mate. Did you wait for me Gabriel? Did you? I asked him, as I pinned him with my glare, he couldn't answer. He was only looking at the floor.

" That's what I thought," I muttered. Alpha sighs heavily and pinches the bridge of his nose.

Rachel. My son is an asshole, but I need you to put that aside for a minute. I need you to give him a chance not just for him but for the sake of the pack. He says.

Am sorry that my pathetic love life is making you and the pack uncomfortable, alpha.

" What are you talking about? I asked with obvious irritation in my voice.

Watch yourself Rachel. My mom mutter's to me.

If I ever have the right to be ,it would only be now.

It is not just Gabriel you are rejecting as your mate. You are rejecting the whole pack. You are meant to be luna. Alpha explained and it dawned on me.

Holy shit, how could I not have realized this before? I tried to calm my beating heart and my thoughts began to race. I started to hyperventilate and my parents tried to calm me. Gabriel comes up to me and rests his hand on my back.

" Don't touch me" I shouted at him and he pulled back his hand in surprise.

Isn't my touch calming to you? He asked and I let out a mocking laugh.

Not since I rejected you. I feel nothing, I said and I didn't bother to hide my satisfaction at the truth. Gabriel looked more saddened than before.

You can't feel our bond? He asked and I Shaked my head.

"No" so I guess you bond now. I said and he went back to his seat looking defeated. Once my breathing is back to normal, alpha continues.

Normally Rachel, I did say you have every right to reject your mate, but this is bigger than you and Gabriel. This is the future of our pack," It strength". Doesn't that matter to you? He said and I nodded.

" It does that y I want to leave, alpha furrowed a serious brow at me, so does everyone else.

Explain. He says and I sigh knowing I am bound to make everyone angry.

I don't think Gabriel will make a good alpha. I said all the gasps and Gabriel growled at me.

And why is that? Alpha asked, obviously trying to control his temper. I straightened my back and took a deep breath.

He is rude, selfish, self-centered and proud. He is power hungry and stubborn. He will make this pack explode. I said, no one spoke for a long time.

Surprisingly it was Gabriel who opened his mouth first.

"I Gabriel accept".

Luna smacked her hand on the table before he could finish accepting my rejection.

When you finish that sentence I will put you in the ground myself. By doing that, you are proving everything she just said about you is true. Luna says with firm glare. Gabriel nods a little and she removes her hand, watching him closely.

Chapter 5

I won't say it, Gabriel says annoyed and runs his hand through his hair. I watch his movement,my eyes trailing his hand. Gabriel saw my gaze and snorted at me. That pissed me off and I returned my gaze to the alpha.

"Rachel,I am not saying that you are wrong". Alpha says, making Gabriel growl from his seat. Alpha growled back making him wilt under his firm glare. But if there is any chance of him Changing,it is you. A mate brings out the best in you, especially an alpha. You might be the change he needs, That an opportunity if you ask me." He said and I smiled at him".

That sounds pretty good and all, Alpha am not ready to pin my future on trying to change my mate for good. And it is not fair to ask me to do that, I said as a matter of fact. And Gabriel scoffed from where he was seated.

Why does any of this matter to begin with? I already reject him as my mate, it's not like I can just take it back. I said and Luna cleared her throat.

" Well, actually if you mark him it will restore your bond, it will be your way of accepting him again". She says and I sigh, making him growl in frustration.

" You don't want me either, Gabriel. Why don't you just admit it. I asked him and he rolled his eyes at me.

" Who says I don't want you, I have always wanted a mate. Yes I didn't expect it to be you, but am willing to give it a try. He says shrugging and I growl at him.

Yes, you are not the one who's been tormented all these years, so it's easy for you to say so. I said irritatedly and my mom cut in.

We don't seem to be heading anywhere,maybe we should take a break for today. Gabriel groans and I growl at him.

Rachel, can I talk to you in private? He asked.

Fine.

I followed him out of the office and up the stairs into a room. As soon as I stepped into the room, I got engulfed in his scent. It is not as strong or enticing since I broke the bond, but it still smells so good . I discreetly take in a sniff as he closes the door behind us. He comes up behind me and pulls my hair over my shoulder, unapologetically talking in a long sniff of my scent.

God damn, you smell so good, baby. He murmurs as I pull away from him.

" That's just the mate bond talking". I said and he grew in response.

No, you have always smelled so good. He says taking another step towards me as he sniffs. I could see his tense body visibly relax as he sat on the bed.

I think you know what I am going to say,Leaning back on his headboard.

Are you going to accept my rejection?I asked and he smirked before laughing softly.

No, I am going to say at least we should give it a try. He says with confidence.

Why do you just accept that you don't want me, and we can both move on? I asked stubbornly and he growled a little.

" I do want you, you are smart and hot, why won't I want you? He asked, smiling at me.

You didn't like me yesterday, the only thing that changed is the mate bond. That is not enough to build a relationship on. I pointed out.

" I have always liked you". He says.

You had a shitty way of showing it right. I said as I took my seat across from him, he sighs heavily as he runs his hand through his hair again. I got a strange urge to do the same too, maybe the mate bond isn't totally severed it just muted in a way.

" If I tell you it the truth , you will probably think am stupid". He says.

" Probably, hit me with it anyway you have nothing to lose. I said and his eyes bore into mine as he nodded slightly.

" I was jealous, plain and simple. My parents love you and would always talk about how smart you are. How good it will be for the pack, I feel like they would have preferred to have you as their child than me. He says avoiding eye contact with me, I sighed heavily as I rubbed my temple.

Gabriel, it not stupid how you handled it was wrong, you could have talked to your parents about it instead of treating me like trash. I said and he nodded in agreement.

I know,I figured that out before graduation but I also thought it wouldn't matter that much if I tried to amend it anyway. I thought you would never forgive me but I never thought you would end up being my mate. He said then I stood up making my way to the door.

"Where are you going? He asked standing on his feet, I looked at him in confusion pointing to the door.

Am going home, I have a lot to think about as I head for the door. He grabs my wrist inorder to stop me from leaving and I look at him confused.

Can't you think here? He asked desperately and I got more confused by his behavior.

What's going on Gabriel? I asked him shivers at the sound of his name from my mouth, that made him realize that he still felt the full force of the mate bond.

I just want to be near you. He admits shyly, I sighed and sat back on the chair.

Am not staying here,I am going to have nothing to do with you. Think of it as a punishment for the way you treated me for years, I said.

That fine I totally deserve that, but you won't make me surfer for five years right? He asked but I looked away.

That is not a terrible idea, I said and he slid off the bed kneeling down in front of me.

Please Rachel don't torture me, I know you can't feel it but the thought of not being close to me is killing me . My wolf has been trying to take over so he can mark you, we want you. You are everything we need in a Luna, we are sorry to give us another chance . He pleaded, lifting his face to look at me. They were filled with tears. Never in my life have I imagined Gabriel on his knees begging for my forgiveness.

I almost didn't like it.

I almost didn't like it.

" Just relax Gabriel" I said as I ran my hand through his hair, he leaned in closer as my touch was soothing to him but I miss the spark I felt when I found out he was my mate.

Though it wasn't enough to forgive him for the way I was treated by him for the past few years, and that is for sure.

Gabriel lets just take things slowly,once at a time. I said to him,and he looked very relaxed under my touch.

"What do you think the pack will think of us?"? I asked him and he looked up at me with a furrowed brow.

"What do you mean"? He asked me to look him in the eyes.

Have you forgotten that you single handedly destroyed my reputation? What? Do you think the whole pack will accept a slut for their luna? I asked, looking him straight in the eyes and he growled back at me.

"Don't call yourself that" he said and I narrowed my eyes on him.

"I didn't. You did" I said pointedly and his face fell before he laid his head back on my lap. He moves his hands around my waist , I let him do it hoping that some intimate contact would calm him down from throwing a tantrum when I leave.

" Am so sorry, I will never forgive myself for what I did to you" he murmurs and I rub the back of his neck to sooth him gently. His emotionally are throwing the fuck out of me.

" This doesn't actually matter for now " we have to think of a way on how this will look. I sighed and he looked up at me again.

" I will kill anyone who says anything bad about you" he says firmly, I can't help but giggle. He looks up at me in awe and watches me.

Do that again, he says.

Do what?

" Laugh. It was beautiful" he says, shaking me a little.

Well I can't just laugh on command. It doesn't walk like that. He lifted his hand up and tickled my side, making me laugh until I could barely breathe.

Ok, ok stop, I yelled at him and he pulled his hand back quickly. I looked at him and he had a wide, beautiful smile on his face.

" I could listen to that forever". He murmurs, reaching up to run his thumbs down my cheeks.

Rachel? Where are you? My mum links me and pulls me out of my daze. I stood up suddenly, making Gabriel fall over.

"Sorry, that was my mom, I have to go. I said as I was heading towards the door. If before I could get close to the door a pair of large have wrapped around my waist pulling me into his strong embrace.

"No, tell her you are staying with me. Gabriel growls at me. He sounds more wolf than man. I turned around and met his dark eyes, which showed that his wolf he's in charge. I took a deep breath and held his face in my hands.

I will come back tomorrow okay? I need to talk to them, and explain things. I tried to reason a little with him, he held my hands in his kissing palm like he did earlier.

"You promise to come back tomorrow? I nod, my stomach sinking at the thought of what I am getting myself into.

Yes tomorrow, his eyes were back to normal as that of Gabriel as he let go of my hands.

See you tomorrow little mate. He said leaning in to take a sniff of my scent as he placed a gentle kiss on my neck, I smiled at him gently before leaving the room. Taking a deep breath of fresh air before I find my way out of here.

Rachel

On getting home." What took you so long? My mom asked with a worried look on her face as soon as I walked in through the door. My dad was with her standing at her back, staring at me worriedly and I sighed before entering the kitchen.

My parents know that I easily get hungry once I am stressed out.

Gabriel tried to persuade me to stay, he has been acting so strange. I said while I opened the fridge to pull out some snacks for myself. Suddenly my Mom grabs the food from me, and starts preparing something else while my dad pulls to sit beside him inside our kitchen.

" You mean he wasn't treating you like a piece of trash like he does? My dad asked irritatedly and somewhat angry.

Sweetheart,why didn't you tell us it was that bad from the start, my mom asked with a sad and worried expression. There is a pang in my heart at the thought of hurting her.

He is our Alpha son, what would you have done to him? I asked while trying to avoid their gaze. My dad sighs and crosses his arm over my shoulder, pulling me into his embrace while he plants a kiss on my forehead.

" You know we could have spoken to the alpha about it, you heard what he said today. He wouldn't have tolerated his son's behavior towards you mate or know mate. My dad pointed out but I just Shaked my head.

" If he was going to change, I wanted him to do that on his own, not reporting him to his father. That would have made matters worse , he needs to grow and learn how to be a good Alpha in the future. I know doing this all these years probably hurt you guys feelings towards me today, saying what I did about trying to leave the pack. But I want to know that it has nothing to do with the both of you. Only Gabriel, I said, met both of them gaze. They both nod in agreement while my mum places a plate of food in front of me.

"We know, sweetheart. We just feel bad for you, you know we have been excited about you finding your mate. And then you got that little shit" My dad said angrily, snatching a carrot off my plate. I growled at him and he chuckled back in response, he munched on it happily. My mum watches us with a warm and affectionate look.

" You know, a few days ago when he was spewing bullshit at me like he normally does, I told him his mate would be disappointed at having him as her mate, and that I hope she would never accept him. I said with a little giggle, that got both my parents laughing.