The Alpha's Scorned Mate

ELARA.

"I'm rejecting you as my mate," he stated and my heart plummeted to the pit of my stomach. That wasn't the response everyone had been anticipating. I had expected something else, anything at all, but this. When Kai and I had first met a couple days ago, it had all been butterflies and rainbows, and things with us had progressed so fast that I barely took note of the feeling of foreboding beating in my chest when I rolled out of bed that fateful morning. It just so happens I'm late. Ah shit. I nearly jump from my seat when I see the time on the wall clock. 7:56 am. A few precious minutes to the first ring of the school bell. I wolf down the remaining bread and scrambled eggs on my plate while my aunt stares at me from across the dining table, her brows quirking in amusement. I pay no attention to her, rushing to drop the plates on the kitchen sink. Grabbing my school bag from the only couch in the living room–a green three-seater–I kiss her goodbye on the cheeks and she smiles at me, waving me off. I wave her back as I slam the door behind me, the morning wind blowing my fiery red hair about my shoulder. The sky is partly cloudy and I'm almost too late for the bus. Gripping the handle of my bag, I make my way down the quiet street, half-running, half-flying to get to the station in time. I arrive just as the bus is about to depart–thanks to my wolf–and hop onto the cramped space, taking the only free seat close to the window. Just then, my phone pings and I search through my bag for it, my palm clammy with sweat. My hair sticks to my forehead and I know, without looking in the mirror, I look like a zombie that just escaped the zoo. I notice a few people throwing weird glances my way as I take out my phone to check my notification. Let them stare. As if they've never seen a freak before. The notification is a text message from my best friend, Diana, wanting to know where I am, and that she's been waiting for me by the school gate. Fuck. I text her back, readjusting in my seat. Almost there. Diana Hale (also known as the high school IT girl) is the daughter of the beta's pack and the only friend I have. She's the one person, despite her popularity, that doesn't call me a freak, treating me just like she does everyone else. My freckles and pale skin doesn't help matters and I usually hear the hushed whispers and casual jeers as I walk down the school halls. They don't like me. That much is obvious. I don't blame them. I'm the easiest to pick on–being a lonely Omega she-wolf. The bus pulls to a stop at my destination and I get down, taking a breather before I begin the short walk to the gate. "Finally," Diana drawls when she sights me, tucking a strand of sandy blonde hair which has escaped from her ponytail behind her ear. She's tall and slender, her smile enchanting and her skin the color of fine silk. Her eyes are a striking blue, like the color of the ocean floor, and they light up as I throw my hands around her in a brief, warm hug. "What took you so long? Jeez. Did you forget we have an exam?" As Diana chatters nonstop like a radio broadcast, she waves and smiles at a couple of our other classmates and I hang my head, wanting the ground to open up and swallow me already. Outwardly, I act tough, but the stares and side talks are starting to make me overthink. I wish I could switch bodies and be Diana for a day. She's impossibly beautiful and relates well with everyone. "Come on," Diana urges, her hand outstretched and I snap out of my head, suddenly realising I'd abruptly paused in the middle of the empty hall. "Shit. Sorry," I murmur, taking her hand. Together, we make our way to the row of lockers. The bell gives a shrill cry, signifying the end of exams and I breeze out of the classroom, Diana's hand linked in mine. "Gosh," she mimics the face of someone who's had too much to drink and is about to throw up. "That Chemistry paper really sucked ass. Do you know the color pink is synonymous with a Barbie doll?" Diana says randomly, glancing at me. "Oh wow." I fake a look of surprise, mildly taken aback by the swift change in topics. No matter what, I'm still not used to how fast Diana's mood fluctuates. "I did not know that." "Well, now you know." Diana says that in a small sing-song voice that sounds like bells clanging and I can't resist the smile that slips on my face. She can be funny when she wants to be. "God, I'm famished. Are you?" Diana changes course midway down the hall, heading towards the cafeteria just around the corner. Pushing the glass door open, she laughs at my dry attempt at a joke and my mood instantly changes when I see that the place is swamped with students. I hesitate, dread sinking in the pit of my stomach. "Don't worry, I got you." She squeezes my shoulder reassuringly and I take a moment to gather my courage before stepping inside, the air stifling with the smell of greasy food. If it weren't for Diana, I wouldn't be in this place. The cafeteria is rowdy with noise and everywhere I turn, all eyes are focused on me like a headlight shining in the dark. Shit. I follow closely behind Diana and we join the long queue waiting for the servers. I'm just about to turn when a group of girls brush past me, one purposely stepping on my toes. "I'm coming. I'll be right back," Diana says, her gaze far away, not noticing the exchange. She trails off without a backward glance, and I'm left standing there, my skin pricking with unease. Please, no. "If it isn't the loner wolf herself. Such a fucked up girl, isn't she?" The head of their group taunts, her hair twisted into high pigtails, and the others giggle huddling together. Sucking in the pain in my foot, I ask, "What do you want?" I hate how small I sound, so weak and defenseless against them. I should be giving them hell for calling me 'fucked up', but something holds me back. "Common. What can we possibly want from a red-haired orphan?" At the snarky remark, anger explodes in me and I step forward, about to combust. "Hey, run along now." Diana hisses, butting in. But, the trio stayed put like they hadn't heard her, their stares menacing. "Really?" Her tone is baffled and Diana's fingers form into a tight fist by her sides. She makes as if to hit them with it, and they scamper away like sand flies, disappearing into the crowd. "Fucking bullies," she mutters and turns to me. But, I can barely see her amidst the angry tears clouding my vision. My chest constricts painfully and I bite down on my lips in an effort to contrail my emotions. "Thanks," I say simply, my heart pinching. "But, I'd like to leave." "It's alright. I understand." Diana gives me a sympathetic stare, tucking the juice box she'd picked up into the pocket of her shirt but I don't wait for her, racing blindly out of the cafeteria before the tears–which have been threatening to fall–burst out in public. I pry the door open with force when I slam into a large figure. The impact of our bodies colliding knocks the wind out of me and I fall back, struggling to regain my footing. Almost immediately, I feel an aura so intense it overwhelms me, and a strong, musky scent like the smell of cider and woods assails my nostrils. In that moment, I'm transfixed, the apology my lips had tried to form long forgotten as my gaze trails upwards from his slightly muscular frame to his handsome face. A thrill runs down my spine, and my wolf makes a small sigh of contentment. Fuck me. Before I can do anything, he moves past me, nodding at Diana. As if on cue, I snap out of it, regaining my composure. "Who the hell was that?" I ask, my brows scrunched. I whip around, my eyes frantically scanning the room, but I don't see him anywhere. He's just vanished. "That's Kai. Son of the pack's Alpha. I only know him courtesy of being the Beta's daughter." I nod absently, but those pair of piercing grey eyes flash through my mind one more time, seared into my memory. It can't be possible, can it? That a nobody like me is mated to the Alpha's son?