Rejection on the Full Moon

Chapter 19 - Worst Nightmare Comes to Life Part 3

Laughter fills the warm kitchen while the scent of chocolate and cream fills the air. The sounds of the doors to the three ovens open, with the impatient Miles checking to see if the desserts we just placed inside are done yet.

“You have another hour and thirty minutes until the cake is done, you moron.” I call out to him, placing steaming mugs of hot chocolate in front of Dominic, who snakes his arms around my waist and pulls me onto his lap. With a blush creeping along my cheeks, I sip on the hot chocolate, letting the creamy chocolate drink distract me from the circles being drawn on my skin from Dominic’s fingers that have “slipped” under my sweater. Miles walks over to his mate Concra, Lease’s twin, pulling her in for a kiss as they settle onto a bar stool around the kitchen island.

“So, I was wondering, if it’s okay with you and Amberle, me and Concra would like to take a vacation when we all return to the pack. We sort of found out today that she is pregnant.” Miles says out of the blue, directing his statement to Dominic as his arms hold Concra closer to him. My eyes widen for a moment as I turn to look at the she-wolf who is one of the top Hunters in the pack and back to Miles. “Why are you asking me for permission?” I ask, bewildered for a moment as Dominic tightens his hold on me, chuckling at my question.

“Isn’t it obvious? Sooner or later, you’ll be our Luna. The Moon Goddess has to be blind not to pair the two of you together.” Concra states, the blush on my cheeks darkening a few shades.

"Seriously! The two of you are always together. Like, Dominic even pulled you into his lap, and you just allow it!” Bill, Lease’s mate, points out, getting a chuckle from Dominic, who pulls me closer to his chest and envelops me in his arms. I sigh at their teasing, focusing my attention on the hot chocolate in my grasp to hide the blush on my cheeks. The scent of the baking cheesecake grows stronger, and I take this moment to slip out of Dominic’s grasp to check on the seven cakes. Hearing the chuckle from Dominic at my escape, I ignore everyone’s knowing looks and slowly open the steaming hot oven doors, careful to use the handles and avoid the hot metal.

“So, Amberle, when are you and Dominic getting married?” Christian calls out with a laugh. I know my face probably looks as red as a tomato by now with their teasing and I sigh, ignoring their laughs.

“How does spring sound, Fire?” Dominic calls out. I wrinkle my nose at the suggestion and turn to look at my friend with a roll of my eyes.

“I prefer fall. It’s prettier, and the weather is a lot more friendly for us she-wolves to wear dresses.” I state, getting a chuckle from Dominic and knowing smirks from everyone else. I realize I answered without thinking, my tomato red blush returning as everyone else starts to laugh. The timer for the cheesecake dings, relieving me from their stares as I busy about getting the cakes out of the oven and onto the counters to cool.

“Is Forest Paw doing any event to welcome us?” Miles ask as Lease and Bill help me cut and distribute the slices of the white chocolate chip New York cheesecake to everyone in the cabin.

“Yes. Leo planned a bonfire for us to mingle with the Forest Paw wolves and to get to know the ones we will be training. All of the Hunters and Trackers will be there tonight.” Christian answers as I dig into a piece of the cheesecake.

“Also yes, the two of you can have a vacation when we’re done here.” Dominic adds, answering the question that Miles asked a while ago. Everyone laughs as Miles shouts with joy, excited for a break from his duties and to be able to get away with his mate. I’m happy for the two of them. They will have the chance to enjoy each other’s company before their pup comes into the world, something I wish I could enjoy.

A small ache throbs in my heart at the thought of the lack of my mate. The rejection process is almost done, with another six months left to wait, but still the pain remains, even if it’s only a dull throb every now and then. Taking a deep breath and another bite of cheesecake, I push these thoughts aside. If I start thinking about it, then the mate bond will revive. I refuse to allow that to happen.

“Anyways, Miles, because you’re going on vacation, you now have to tell everyone to get ready for the bonfire. I want everyone outside and ready to go in twenty.” I state, chuckling at my friend, who quickly salutes me and rushes off to gather our pack mates. Dominic and I head back upstairs as I grab my jacket from the closet and wait for Dominic to change his outfit.

“You know, sometimes I question if you are a guy or not.” I state to my friend, watching him roll his eyes at me.

“You don’t know. I could have been born a girl named Darcy and realized I identified as a boy.” Dominic retorts, and I smile.

“Well, even if you used to be Darcy, I would still love you as you are, Dominic.” I laugh, pushing off the door frame and heading downstairs. The bonfire is a tradition that welcomes visitors to the pack. It’s something I remember attending growing up because Blue insisted that I be there. I used to just stick to once side of the clearing, used to being ignored by others.

Exiting the cabin, I find that everyone is ready and waiting in front of the cabin, the excited energy bouncing off the fifty-two wolves, bringing a helpless grin to my face. Their breath fogs in the cold winter night air as they chatter amongst themselves.

“So, you love me?” A deep voice whispers in my ear, and I blush, hiding my face from Dominic’s view as he wraps an arm around my waist.

“We should probably make our way to the clearing where the bonfire is being held.” I say, changing the subject and motioning for the rest to follow me. Dominic switches his arm from around my waist to holding my hand as I lead the group around the large cabin and head in the direction of the trees. The night sky is well-lit, with the stars above illuminating the lightly snow-covered path leading to our destination, where music, laughter, and the mouth-watering smells of food are carried in our direction on the wind. My pack mates continue their happy conversations as Dominic and I silently walk beside each other.

The trees soon give way to reveal the clearing where my rejection took place two and a half years ago. That day - still deeply embedded into my mind - is the reason why I worked so hard to be stronger. But the man who takes my hand in his and gives it a slight squeeze reminds me that it’s okay to be weak sometimes because I know Dominic is there beside me. I smile up at my friend, whose ice-blue eyes look into my own for a brief moment, then towards the stage.

Tables are loaded with steaming hot food, and hot drink containers are set up to help the wolves battle the cold. A large bonfire crackles about five meters away from the stage, the scent of wood burning with the crackling sound of the flames fill the clearing air. My pack mates begin to disperse to mingle with the Forest Paw wolves and Dominic and I make our way to a lounge chair where we settle in, the warmth from the fire caressing our bodies and protecting the two of us from the cold wind. Deciding that we would stay in this spot, I sit in Dominic’s lap, roasting marshmallows and making smores for us to enjoy.

Every now and then, a member from Forest Paw will come to chat for a bit and see how I’m doing. The wolves that went to school with me surprised me, as some apologize for how they treated me growing up. You can see the remorse in their eyes as their heads lowered with each word of apology they speak, and I can’t help but forgive them. I will never forget what each wolf put me through, but that doesn’t mean I want to continue holding a grudge on wolves who have clearly learned their wrongdoing.

Dominic introduces himself to the few elders that came to meet the Blood Moon wolves, including Elder Sylvia, who chatters away to Dominic about the antics I performed when I was still a juvenile. Luckily for me, her mate - Elder James - whisks her away as the night grows darker before she could tell any more embarrassing stories. Dominic and I are left to ourselves after the departure of the two Elders, and we take this opportunity to survey the wolves we will be training starting tomorrow. We compare their built to our wolves and how it should be easier to train their stamina first in the winter cold.

Suddenly, the scent of cheap perfume wafts in on the wind and I sneeze, my eyes looking for the telltale sign of danger that normally comes with this scent.

"Why are you sitting on him? What are you, his little lap whore?" I bristle with these words as my eyes instantly spots Mia standing a few feet from where Dominic and I sit. Her clothes are still as skimpy as usual, and her eyes stare at me with disgust and hatred. Her gaze flicker briefly to Dominic, a trace of lust shining in them, causing my own disgust to surface at the woman who shares my blood. If she thinks she has a chance with Dominic, she is dead wrong.

“What Amberle does, doesn’t concern you.” Power radiates off of Dominic, who pulls me closer to his chest, his arms wrapping protectively around me as he growls menacingly at Mia. I see the fear in her eyes while I allow my own glare to dig into her. I had no reason to fear this pack whore, even if she is supposed to be my sister. Before Mia can retaliate, three young pups brush past her, causing Mia to fall into the lap of some drunk wolf, who promptly carries her away.

“Why do you look like Nana? Daddy has a picture of her, and Papa and you look like Nana, but you have fire hair.” My eyes focus on a little girl who looks about five years old. Her big doe-brown eyes stare up at me while the two younger wolves that look to be about two wait on either side of her. With how similar they all look, it takes me only a moment to figure out that the two little ones are twins, and that the five-year-old is their older sister. I smile at the three pups, and Dominic scoots over to allow the three to join us on our lounge chair while I offer them a roasted marshmallow each. After looking at the little girl for a few more minutes, I realize why these pups seem familiar to me, they are Zack and Abby’s children.

“Are you Aunty Amber?” The little girl asks, her lips holding remnants of the sticky marshmallow.

"Daddy says that Aunty Amber left because Aunty Mia made him treat her bad. He said one day we might meet her." I smile at the little girl who has Zack’s eyes and nose as she stares back at me, her doe eyes holding curiosity and hope. I remembered the last time I saw her. It was three days before my eighteenth birthday, and I was leaving for school. Zack had refused to let me watch her grow up or be in her life, and for three years I never had the chance of being an aunt to her. But I knew this little girl’s name.

“Yes, Lilly-Ann, I am Aunty Amber,” I answer, smiling happily at the three pups. I know pups have a hard time telling a lie, and if Lilly-Ann’s words are any indication - Zack regretted the way he treated me. I smile with how accepting the three pups are of me, the twins sharing their names as Maxwell and Mathew before asking excitedly about my wolf form and if it’s true that I look like living fire. When I mention the fact that Dominic’s wolf is like living ice, the excitement of all three pups grows. They start begging for us to shift so that they could play with our fur.

“Hey, punks. Your mother is looking for you, since it’s bedtime now.” Zack’s voice rings clear as his figure soon appears before all of us.

“But dad, we want to stay with Aunty Amber!” Maxwell protests, his words slightly muffled by the big yawn he tries to fight. I smile at the toddler, pulling him close for a hug before giving Lilly-Ann and Mathew a hug as well.

“Your Aunt will be here for a few weeks, so you can play with her during her stay.” The fatherly love is evident in Zack’s voice as his eyes soften at the sleepy children who comply with their father’s words. They toddle over towards their mother who, with the help of Blue, carries the twins and Lilly-Ann away from the bonfire. Being left in the chair with Zack in front of me, unease grows inside me, causing my stomach to ache slightly. Sensing my discomfort, Dominic pulls me closer, letting out a low warning growl to Zack, who steps back and raises his hands in surrender.

“I won’t harm Amberle; I just want to apologize.” He states, his eyes going from Dominic who holds me protectively, to me as his gaze holds a pleading look. I see the exhaustion in his eyes as a flicker of hope flashes behind his doe-brown eyes. I can sense all fight and disgust for me gone, leaving a lonely shell before me.

"What makes you think I will accept it?" I ask, my words sharp as a knife, making my so-called brother flinch. I spent seven years in hell because he listened to Mia and abandoned me. He promised to take care of what was left of our family, but instead threw me to the curb like I was trash.

“I was an idiot, and I don’t expect you to accept me ever again. I let Mia and the others hurt you and was the worst big brother ever.” Zack answers, running his hand through his messy hair as he plops down in a chair next to Dominic and me. I wait for Zack to continue, watching his eyes stare off into the bonfire before us. He heaves a long sigh and his shoulders fall.

“Abby and I want our kids to grow up with an Aunt who actually cares for our pups. We’re tired of Mia and don’t want the pups to grow up around that bitch.”

"Excuse me? Who are you calling a bitch?" Zack bolts from his seat, standing between Mia and Dominic and I, his gaze turning into a glare of hatred. Speak of the devil, and she shall come; this time reeking of sex.

"You, of course. You and Leo are the reason this pack went downhill, all because you would rather have the Trackers chase you so you can be fucked like a bitch in heat. If it weren't for Blue keeping track of how much is spent, this pack would be broke with how Leo likes to flaunt the pack’s cash. Do you understand how in debt this place is?" The once-close siblings who made my life hell for seven years now square off. The tension hangs so thick in the air that silence soon settles in the clearing. Forest Paw and Blood Moon wolves all stop to stare at the two who continue to argue. If looks could kill, my siblings would have killed each other by now.

"Until you stop being a slut, I don't want you anywhere near my pups," Zack growls before storming away from everyone. I had to give him points for being a good father. I sit and snuggle into the dumbfounded Dominic, my mind wandering to reconsider forgiving Zack.

[I thought you said they were close?] Dominic’s voice enters our link, his fingers playing with a lock of my hair.

[I thought so too. Guess you miss a lot after two and a half years.] This reply gains me a deep chuckle from Dominic. With a sigh, I take a look at the time on my phone and stand, motioning for my pack to follow.

"Where do you think you're going?" Mia asks, her voice holding contempt and rage that she directs at me.

"To bed. I want everyone outside by eight in the morning in full workout clothing: track pants, long sleeve shirts, and a track jacket made for winter. If you are late or refuse to do what I tell you to do, I will make you pay for it by doing more." My voice rings loud and clear through the silent crowd that eyes my pack and me.

"Furthermore, since I was requested to train you all, you will treat me like I am an Alpha. All wolves from sixteen to forty-five will train with us as well, that is if you are a Hunter or a Tracker. If you have other pack duties, you will not have to join us. Anyone in a high rank will be trained by me also, including the top four and the Alpha and Beta. Any objections?" Mia goes to say something, but Axel gives her a warning glare. I watch as every wolf present nods their head in understanding as I wait for anyone to refuse. After a few minutes, I smile.

"No questions or concerns? Good. I have a list of those who are Trackers and Hunters, as well as a list of those eligible to be Trackers and Hunters. If you are on the list and do not show up, I will come to question you, and you will be punished. Your Alpha already agreed to it when he signed the contract I faxed to him last night." The crowd is still silent, but the pack link is buzzing, as many of my wolves start to place bets on who will get their ass kicked first by me. Of course, the leading bet is Mia being the wolf who gets sent to the pack hospital first.

"Now, many of you should head to bed and be ready for tomorrow. Good night." With these words, I head back to the guest house, my pack taking its cue to leave as well. Dominic keeps his arms wrapped around my shoulders, reassuring me that everything will be fine and that once we’re done here, we can head home. Home is a word I never thought would mean anything to me ever again, but Blood Moon is home for me, and I missed it.

After reminding everyone to turn in for the night for training tomorrow morning, we all say our good nights then head to our respective rooms. I change into pyjamas and jump into bed. I find myself tossing and turning, having a hard time falling asleep with my body alert and on edge inside Forest Paw territory. I feel confined in a place that held too many bad memories, making it impossible to sleep.

Climbing out of bed, I decide to make my way to the kitchen for some leftover cheesecake that is definitely needed after this stressful day of dealing with my past tormentors. Having given up on the idea of sleep for now, I catch Dominic already there with a forkful of cheesecake already being shoved into his mouth.

"Any left?" I ask, leaning against the entrance to the kitchen.

"Yes, want some?" I smile and make my way towards my friend, hopping up on the counter in front of him and taking his fork from his hand. I start digging into the cheesecake and taking a bite of the gooey goodness.

"Hey, save some for me." He chuckles, grabbing a new fork as he takes a large fork full of the cheesecake and shoving it into his mouth. His cheeks resemble that of a chipmunk with how stuffed they are. A large chunk now missing from the cheesecake causes me to glare at my friend. I regret getting him addicted to the treat.

"You already ate half of it." I state in annoyance, hopping off of my perch. I pick up the plate in between us on the counter and promptly walk away with my treasure held tightly. The sound of Dominic’s pursuit has my walk turning into a run, and I race up the stairs and into my room where I promptly slam and lock the door.

"Amberle, open the door!’ Dominic yells, his voice holding an Alpha command. All I do is giggle, knowing full well that his command never affects me.

"Nuh-uh." I retort, making my way towards the bed that beckons me. I sit on my bed as Dominic continues to pound on the door, my senses reaching out while I enjoy my stolen treat. I can hear wolves stir because of the commotion after a while, knowing they were all both amused and irritated at Dominic’s and my antics. Finally giving in, I open the door and hold out the plate that had about three bites left of the cake.

"Here you go," I say innocently, getting an exasperated growl.

"That’s cruel." He sighs, and I smile, poking his nose.

"How about when we get home, I make more?" I say, chuckling at his pouting face.

"Deal." Dominic agrees, finishing the last of the cheesecake and placing the plate on the dresser by the door. Letting out a squeak in surprise, I find myself being carried by Dominic to my temporary bed, where he promptly situates us under the covers

"Now, bedtime." He orders. I smile, letting him turn off the lights before I feel myself being pulled closer to him with strong arms wrapped around me. Tomorrow will be a long day.