Rejection on the Full Moon

Chapter 7 - The Full Moon Rejection Part 1

Wakey, wakey, Amber, and happy birthday, sweetie...

The voice floats through the air as a remnant from my dream, and a soft smile graces my lips. The light from my window illuminates the picture of my parents on my desk, and I am reminded of my dream last night. In it, they were beside me as I blew out the candles of my cake, wishing me a wonderful birthday. I haven’t dreamt of them like that in years, and a small sadness settles in.

But today is Monday.

It means today is my birthday and that I’m now considered an adult.

I can finally live my life my way without the worry of Mia and Zack trying to control me. Today will be a good day, and to top it all off, there will be a full moon tonight.

The shrill of the stupid alarm rings, making me groan and ruining the quiet morning. I forgot that Monday also means school. With a sigh, I sit up and fumble with the alarm clock. All I know is that when I graduate, the first thing I’m doing is smashing this thing with a sledgehammer so it doesn’t cause me any more grief in the morning.

Finally turning off the annoying gadget, I fling back the covers and head towards my bathroom for a long shower. I lean my head against the tiled wall as the warm water cascades down my body. It feels like a normal day today. No magical smell has me hunting down to find who the owner is. No enhancement to my body as an adult werewolf. I just feel normal.

With a sigh, I finish washing and turn off the water to continue my morning. I have school to attend to, and with it being my birthday, I decide to dress up. I am eighteen after all, and I have a feeling I could run into my mate at any time. With renewed vigour, I quickly towel-dry off and start styling my hair. I keep the usual messy bun, but only half of my hair is tied up. The other half of my fiery red hair flows down my body in loose curls. I look at the outfit I set out last night and smile at the figure-skating high-low off-the-shoulder dress in navy blue with the white cropped jean jacket vest and black wedges. It’s something a little girly and a little edgy that matches my personality well. I can’t help but twirl around a bit in the almost empty room before sitting at my vanity to put on the little bit of makeup I own and the only set of jewellery I kept—my mother’s white gold necklace and matching hoop earrings. I kiss the frame that holds my parents’ picture smiling at me, taking one last look at my empty room.

“Wish me luck, mom and dad. Maybe I’ll find my mate today.” I whisper before grabbing my school bag and making my way down the stairs. Many pack members stop to wish me happy birthday or ask about my plans for moving out. Only a few sneer at me and ignore my presence.

“Morning, Blue.” I sing out as I enter the kitchen, Marie handing me a plateful of food as I settle in beside the Alpha.

"Morning Am, happy birthday." He calls back, wrapping me in a one-armed hug as he pushes a cup full of orange juice towards me.

“How does it feel being eighteen?” Marie asks with a smile as she puts a lunch box beside my bag for me to take.

“Honestly, everything feels the same. Nothing is unusual so far, and everything’s the usual routine before school.” I answer with a shrug as I shovel a big forkful of bacon and eggs into my mouth. I pause as a breeze floats through the window, and I catch a hint of something in the air. Something that I believe I could get addicted to. My attention is snapped back as an envelope is slid towards me, and the scent disappears. With suspicion in my eyes, I stare at the envelope that sits beside my orange juice.

"It’s your birthday gift, not a bomb." Blue chuckles out as he sips his coffee, Marie giving me a look with a knowing smile. I laugh at my behaviour as I open the envelope and taking the card out. Deciding to put the scent out of my mind, I focus on the here and now. It is unlike me to space out like that. I smile at the check and frown. It is five-hundred thousand dollars, not the three we planned, and another hundred in cash.

"Six-hundred thousand in total?" I question, my eyes wide in shock as I look to Blue. Sometimes I question what he is thinking with how he could spend money on everyone in the pack only to remember that he owns multiple businesses outside of the pack funds.

"That’s from Marie and me." Blue answers with a smile as Marie walks to a cupboard, taking out something large and wooden. My eyes widen again as she places an ancient oak box in front of my now empty plate before leaning back. I see the connection between the two wolves and can’t help but grin. It is about time they paired up after both being mate-less for years.

"This is from your parents. You're eighteen now." She says with a soft smile as I look down once again at the box. I am scared to open it, but I can’t help lifting the lid with trembling fingers. Inside is a beautiful diamond and white gold locket in the shape of a pawprint, the diamond the shape of a wolf. Next to it is a pair of stud earrings also in the shape of a wolf as well as a letter that looks a little old from the years of being kept away for so long. With trembling fingers, I carefully unfold the letter and take a deep breath before reading it.

Our dear Amberle,

In case anything happens to us, Blue offered to take care of you and promised that he would hand you this gift on your eighteenth birthday. It must be so hard without us there, but know that no matter what, we are proud of the woman you have become.

Baby girl, you are strong and brave and meant for so much more, and we knew that when you first shifted that you would be a powerful wolf and a force to be reckoned with.

Blue has also set aside the money meant for you to inherit in case of our passing, as well as bonds and stock shares that we were growing in hopes that neither you nor your siblings are left without a way to provide for your future. Whether you decide to go to college or build your own business, know that we are happy for you in building a strong future, our dear little spitfire.

We know that not having us around hurts but know that we will always be with you. It’s why we had the locket made especially for you, as it holds a picture of the three of us the day you were born, as well as the last picture we took on your birthday.

Always know that we loved you no matter what and to keep your head held high.

Love Mom and Dad.

P.S.: Dad is leaving you his cherished Mustang. Goddess only knows how much he loves that stupid car. – Mom

​I read and reread the letter written in my parents’ handwriting, laughing at the note mom left at the end each time I read the note. It is clear that they took turns to write, making me love this little note even more. A hand wiping away tears from my cheeks makes me realize I had started to cry, as the faint scents of my parents from the letter wraps around me like a warm hug. I missed them so much.

"How much did they leave me?" I ask, taking the offered tissues from Marie to clean my face as she carefully puts away the letter and envelope from my parents, Blue and her into the oak box.

"They left you and your siblings the same amount for each of your birthdays, just over two million." Blue answers, giving me another hug as I slowly calm my aching heart.

“Your siblings already earned their inheritance, but I had to wait for you to turn eighteen to hand it to you.” I nod into his chest and pull away as Marie comes over to give me a hug as well. I am lucky that no other wolf comes into the kitchen this early in the morning. The two give me some space as I place the oak box and lunch box into my bag, making sure everything is secured before I sling it over my shoulder. I have a feeling the box will be safer while on me than in the pack house. Who knows if Mia or Zack will try looking for it.

"I'm off to school." I whisper, passing my siblings, who just glare at me.

"Remember Amber, your party is in the meadow." I hear Blue call out; I reply that I understand before I exit the room. I can hear Mia complain about wasting money and time for my birthday and calling me a jinx. Blue yells at her, and I feel the love he has while protecting me from Mia, giving her extra chores and duties. I wait by the door as I hear everything Mia has to do for a week, and a smirk spreads across my lips. These punishments served her right for being disrespectful all the time.

With a chuckle, I head into the pack garage and make my way towards my Mustang. Today was my day, and I will not let anything get me down. Normally, I would ride my mountain bike to school on the trails, but today I want to make a statement. I want everyone who looked at me with contempt to see who I truly am—a force to be reckoned with. The drive is short, and I stop at the café to grab a vanilla Frappuccino after checking I had more than enough time to treat myself before school. The parking lot is full once I reach the building, the only spot available for me to park being next to Leo and his jock squad. I roll my eyes as their heads turn to me, a wolf whistle directed at me from one of the football stars as I exit my convertible and strut past them. The delectable scent from this morning brushes past me, causing my heart to quicken as I eye the males surrounding a hummer I believe belongs to the future Beta of Glacier Pack.

"Hey, Amberle, why the new change of clothes?" A voice calls out as I turn to stare at Matt—future Alpha to Glacier Pack—as his eyes rove up and down my body. Leo stands beside him and just stares at me with a peculiar look in his eyes.

"I'm eighteen today, so I figured I would dress up in case I meet my mate." I answer with a wink and twirl around to show off. Kevin and Kent walk up to me as the jocks wish me a happy birthday, whisking me away from the football players and towards our friends.

“Happy Birthday!” Ivory exclaims, her petite frame wrapping around mine as she hugs me. I can’t help the chuckle that escapes my lips as I hug her back, feeling the four-foot-tall wolf try her best to stand on her toes to reach my shoulders.

“Stop laughing. I’ll be your height in no time.” She pouts as Kent pats her head gently. Ivory is considered a genius. At fifteen, she had already surpassed the other grades and would be graduating with us soon. She is the future Alpha of the Harvest Willow pack as the only child to the Alpha and Luna, and she could be the most serious wolf. But in our group, she is like our little sister.

“And when that day comes, I’ll personally step down as your Beta and be your errand boy.” Kent says, Kevin nudging me with a wink.

[Twenty bucks says they’re mates.] I link Kevin, a challenge in my eyes, as I stare into his.

[Deal.] His voice enters my head as a smirk shapes his lips. Without warning, he takes my Frappuccino out of my hand and walks away, sipping on the creamy drink.

“Give that back!” I yell, rushing after him and trying my best to take back the drink. Realizing my drink is long gone in the hands of the food thief, I resign to my fate and head into class with Kevin and Kent as Ivory heads off to hers. The scent that’s been enticing me all morning is back and lingered in the room as I scan the wolves, noticing the jock squad is early as I hand in my paper and take my seat. I nervously bounce my leg and lose focus in class from time to time as I kept trying to find the source of the scent.

“You good?” Kent whispers, poking my shoulder with his mechanical pencil. I shake my head no and sigh quietly as I try my best to focus on the lesson. Luckily, the classroom phone rings and Mrs. Marrywind stops the lesson.

“I think my mate is close.” I grumble as the teacher excuses herself to take a phone call and exits the room. The class starts to hum as wolves turn to talk to each other. It is clear that Mrs. Marrywind wouldn’t be continuing the lesson, so I start to pack away my things and get ready for the bell to ring.

“Try to stay calm. You will eventually meet your mate. How long have you sensed them?” Kevin asks, moving his chair to sit in front of me.

“All morning. I’m positive that my mate is from my pack.” I admit, catching the twins smirking at me. But Kevin is right. If my mate is from my pack, then I will eventually run into him in no time. The bell rings, signalling the end of class. We make our way out and head towards our next lesson. The twins split from me, and we agree to meet at our usual lunch spot.

Once again, I catch the tempting scent and heave an exasperated sigh. The rest of my morning goes well, other than having a hard time focusing on classes, wondering who I am mated to. Would I be mated to an Alpha or a Beta? Could it maybe even be a Head Hunter or even a Head Warrior? At lunch, I head to the usual spot by the forest, my friends surprising me with a round vanilla cake. A smile spreads across my face as I focus on them and watch as Dawn—Matt’s sister from Glacier Pack—tackles Kevin to the ground, smashing a piece of cake in his face.

“Your Alpha invited all of us and some of our pack members to your party. We’ll be there with you and hopefully, watch you ditch us for your mate.” Dawn calls out, a smug grin on her face as she looks at the mess she made on Kevin. Those two were always fighting to see who was stronger or faster. It is entertaining, to say the least. With a promise to talk later tonight, I head to class. My school day ended with my art teacher holding me back after class to wish me a happy birthday, handing me a sketchbook and high-quality art pencils and charcoals.

“You’re just like your mother, you know that? I was happy to have taught her years ago and even happier to teach you.” She praises with a sad smile on her face. I knew Mrs. Wright had been teaching for years. Her gray hair showed her age and wisdom. She is the one teacher in the school I trusted wholeheartedly.

“Thank you.” I stay back and talk to her before making my way out of the school and towards my Mustang. The first think I do is sniff out the scent that has been distracting me all day but feel slightly sad as the scent that has been frustrating me is no longer around. But hope ignites inside me as I remembered that there is a possibility of running into him at my party.