Fated is overrated

Chris POV

I should be sad that my fated mate, the one I have been waiting for ages for, wants to reject me. But somehow, I am not. I actually feel.. relieved? 'Cezar?' I check in with my wolf, praying to the goddess that he doesn't want Belinda as our mate. I would hate to be at

odds with him over this, as we are finally getting along now.'

I.. I don't know. I am supposed to want her, no, crave her. Unconditionally. It makes no sense to me why they are acting like that. And, above all, it makes no sense to me why I am actually OK with her wanting to reject us? Chris, what is wrong with me? I feel like I am a wolf who isn't "wolfing" right now.

Am I broken?'. Poor Cezar. I have never seen him like this, so distraught. 'Hey, hey, calm down buddy! Nothing is wrong with you. Something is definitely wrong with them, though.

That's the reason you aren't sad over their rejection, something was wrong from the get go. You are "wolfing" just fine' I chuckle the last part at him, hoping to alleviate the mood for him. "Belinda! What is wrong with you?! This is your fated mate! And not to mention, a respected Alpha we are on friendly terms with" Belinda's father scolds her with a scowl on his face.

Before I can tell the beta it's alright, Belinda provides the answer to everyone's questions: "Daddy, this pack is so small, I wanted to be mated to an Alpha with a bigger pack than this, or someone with money! You know I can't settle for less. He probably can't even support me properly, and I need my things!".

Ouch. Even though I'm relieved to have dodged a bullet here, it still stings. Cezar however, is growling lowly at his own fated mate. Many paragraphs are missing. Read the complete book on J o=b n-l b. c (o) m. 'Fated mate or not, she is disrespecting our pack'. And, honestly, she is hurting my ego a bit too.

I'm an Alpha for crying out loud. "Right, well, let's get this rejection over with. I, Chris Vanera, Alpha of Red Dagger pack reject you, Belinda Nisi, as my mate and Luna".

She hunches over, gasping for air and clutching her chest. I too feel discomfort in my chest, I have to say.

But, I'm not hurting as much as she is. Until Belinda grits out the following words, that is. "I, Belinda Nisi, accept your rejection". I try to keep it together, but it feels like I have just torn a huge muscle in my chest. And perhaps I have.

Cezar is letting out the weirdest mix of a whimper and growl while the rest of the room just looks at us incredulously. "Are you OK, Chr.. Alpha?" Ashton asks.

For once, he is actually being considerate. Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood now. "I'm fine, beta. You should be worried about your mate, not about me".

I hear Belinda splutter and cough, before she yells at Ashton "MATE?! You have a MATE?!". Ashton pales and scratches his neck awkwardly, before saying "but, I am going to leave her like I said I would.

We can be together". Wait, what?? I look at him dumbfounded while I try to put 2 and 2 together. "He can support me, daddy. His parents are well off, and I can live the life I have always wanted."

Belinda speaks to her father in a childlike manner, and I can't suppress the deep laugh wanting to erupt from within.

She thought he had money? And she rejected me for that? Ashton's parents aren't poor, but they have nothing compared to what my dad has.

She looks at me irritatingly, while Ashton's face just continues to drop another shade. 'Oh boy, is his party about to be pissed on' Cezar snickers in my mind.

As their words sink in further, I'm not sure how to feel about Ashton claiming he is going to leave his mate. On the one hand, I am beyond livid that he would do that to Elise.

But on the other hand, I feel... happy? Happy that she will be free to find someone better, she deserves the world. 'Someone better, like us?'

Cezar teases me, and I can't say the thought hadn't crossed my mind. I guess I do actually care for the girl. Perhaps a bit too much. Let's get this show on the road. "So, you are going to leave your mate you said, Ashton? When were you planning on doing so?". "I.. uhm.. soon, actually" he responds shakily, d*ck. "How about you do it right now? You can be with Belinda, and your poor mate won't have to face the betrayal pains of you f*cking another woman. It's a win-win don't you think?" I rebuke. I can tell he is reluctant, but I really don't care.

I will not let Elise suffer any longer, so I mind link her to come to my office. "She's on her way over here" I deadpan, plopping myself down on my desk with my arms folded across my chest.

As Elise enters the room, the tension is so thick it could be cut with a knife. I can tell she feels uncomfortable, so I mind link her 'I'm sorry Elise, but this has to happen. I'm sure you felt the betrayal pains last night, and I'm guessing it wasn't the first time, too. You deserve so much more than this douchebag, I hope you know that'.

Her eyes dart to me for a brief second, before her gaze lands back on Ashton. "Ashton?" she asks softly, and the d*ck doesn't even have the audacity to look her in the eye.

"Look, Elise. You and I both knew this wasn't going to last. I need someone who is on my level, and I have found that in Belinda".

I let oud a loud growl at the prick, before correcting him "what Ashton meant to say is that he has realized you are way too good for him, and he decided to go for someone with the same morals as him".

Ashton's head snaps towards mine, probably to see if I am being serious, but I am pretty sure the murderous look on my face tells him not to f*ck with me right now. Cezar wouldn't mind ripping him to shreds, and if I'm being honest, I'm not sure I wouldn't mind either.

I am caught off guard when Elise sighs deeply, before reciting the needed words to break a bond "I, Elise Johnson, reject you Ashton Lowell as my chosen mate". Ashton grits his teeth, before responding "I, Ashton Lowell, accept your rejection". Neither of them seem to be in much pain, whether it is because it was a chosen bond, or because they had already distanced themselves from the bond, I don't know.

"If this was all, Alpha, I will be on my way. I have a lot of packing to do" Elise states calmly. She doesn't wait for an answer, and heads back out the door immediately.

To say Ashton seems stunned, would be an understatement. 'The way she holds herself is so incredibly sexy' Cezar gushes in my mind, equally drawn to Elise as I am. And before I know it, my feet are moving on their own accord, running out the door and after Elise.