Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

The question took Charles unawares. He felt the mate bond and it was very strong but he was still able to fight it. Therefore, he did not doubt that Clara would do the same if they were not paired by the moon

goddess.

"She would just do the same thing I did. Reject him."

"And you are certain that she would?" Alpha Clinton did not want any more drama. Everything had to be settled here and now because after making the announcement, he knew that he would never go back on his word.

"Most assuringly," Charles responded confidently, making it easy for Alpha Clinton. If Charles had decided to go and apologize to Rowena, he would have held back but now, everything was settled. "I don't think we have a problem then. I will announce Jaxon as the Alpha first thing tomorrow morning."

Jaxon did not seem excited by the news, knowing that being an Alpha was more of a responsibility than honor. It was not what people thought it was but right now, he had other things to do. He rose to his feet, saying, "I will send some groceries to Alice and go for a run after."

Indirectly, he was not coming back anytime soon but Alpha Clinton was disturbed. Jaxon was troubled by Rowena's leaving of the pack. "You should eat too," he suggested but Jaxon shook his head. "I don't have the appetite."

Alpha Clinton did not know how to help but he also wanted to confirm what Jaxon felt for Rowena when he saw her. "Thinking about her? Is she..."

He was rudely interrupted by Charles. "Look, big brother, are you sure you are doing the right thing? I mean there are a lot of beautiful girls from dignified homes, though I already have the prettiest but I mean...."

"Just stop it if you don't have anything tangible to say," Jaxon shut him up, stood up, and left. He could not understand how Charles could be like this. He used to be kind to all pack members but was it all a mere façade?

Jaxon had not forgotten how the pack was structured. It was just three years and not much had changed. Most people greeted him and he responded with a nod. The air around him was so cold that he did not allow anyone to strike a conversation with him. Reaching the grocery store, he purchased more than enough before walking to the Omegas' community. He did not drive this time because of how clouded his mind was.

Reaching Alice's house, the woman was surprised to see him. "You came back."

"As promised," Jaxon smiled and handed the bags of groceries to her. Alice was reluctant to take them, fearing that Jaxon may trap her with his kindness.

"It's only me. It's too much."

"I made a promise so you can't refuse," Jaxon insisted, Alice was helpless. Then her eyes lit when an idea cropped into her mind.

"Okay. Why not come back in an hour? I will prepare food for you."

For the opportunity to be closer to his mother-in-law, Jaxon welcomed it. Since he was determined to marry Rowena, he already saw Alice as his mother-in-law. "I won't refuse. I will go for a run and come back."

Alice smiled a little and watched him disappear in a flash. Jaxon began running from the Omegas community, not caring about the surprised gazes following him. He welcomed the scent of the earth and all the woods and leaves he had left behind for an undeserving mate. When he was about to shift right there and then, he recalled his promise to Alice and decided to remove his clothes, so they don't get torn. As soon as he allowed Jax to take control, the caged beast began to run like crazy, filled with excitement.

'It's good to be back.'

'I know but I'm not in the mood to talk. Just shut up and run,' Jaxon shushed him. So bad they missed each other but his human side was devasted at the moment and no one could make it better except his mate.

It was a little over an hour before the beast allowed Jaxon to gain control and they both felt better. Jaxon returned to have his supper with Alice, which made him miss his late mum. Alice was just as gentle as his mother and her food was delicious. When they were done, he hugged her good night and went back to the pack house, careful to not talk about Rowena.

He did not see it right to make it

seem like he was using her. He went to have a long shower before going to bed. He missed everything about his pack and was glad to be back. The only person missing was

Rowena. If not for those stunnet

rogues, he would have had the chance to speak with her, and maybe convinced her to stay. As he laid on the bed, her face was the only thing he saw, especially those green eyes that seemed to have endured so much pain, which he instantly wanted to take away.

The next day, the pack members were all gathered in front of the pack house before Alpha Clinton went to wake Jaxon from the comfort of his bed. Jaxon had slept late as a result of thinking about Rowena so much. He recalled her cleaning the pack house when she was younger, thirteen perhaps. It was the same time he met his mate but he was never mean to her. Rowena had changed a lot within those three years but Clinton could not recall her vividly, knowing that even if he had claimed her, he still would have had to wait until she was eighteen before he could mate with her.

"It's time to be introduced to the pack members, son."

Alpha Clinton sat beside Jaxon, speaking gently. Knowing that Jaxon had come from a long journey and into a mess, he could not be upset that the latter was still in bed at time like this. Jaxon woke up at the sound of his voice, feeling a little embarrassed since this moment reminded him of when he was a teenager. This was the same way his father used to wake him from bed if he was upset over something, slept late, and did not wake up on time.

"Yes, dad but where is Charles?"

"Outside with his girlfriend."

Jaxon discerned disapproval in his father's tone but did not think it was the right time to ask certain questions when pack members were already waiting.

"I see. I'll be out in two minutes."

"I will not speak until you arrive." Alpha Clinton rose from the bed and began to walk towards the door when Jaxon called behind him,

"Dad, I will not have my coronation until Rowena returns."

Alpha Clinton smiled; his heart warmed. Every burden that laid on his heart quickly disappeared. "That is understandable. But the responsibility will still lay on your shoulders. Don't forget that medical school takes years," he warned in a calm tone. He did not want Jaxon to interfere with Rowena's dream of being a doctor. It might come around to help everyone in the pack in the future.

"I will still wait for her," Jaxon stated but Alpha Clinton was a little worried, asking,

"What if she gets married to someone else?"

Jaxon could feel Jax getting upset at the question but so was he. Agreeing that there was a possibility for that to happen, he still put himself in her shoes and disagreed. "Dad please, that question hurts but I know that if she has been hurt in love like me, then she would not fall in love too soon."

"If she returns, I will tell you a story," Alpha Clinton hinted.

"I can't wait to hear it," Jaxon said earnestly.

"I will leave now. I don't want to make the mistake of revealing everything before the right time," Alpha Clinton said with resignation, knowing that he almost let out the secret from the joy he felt when Jaxon declared that he would wait for Rowena.

Just as Alpha Clinton said, he began to address the pack members only when Jaxon arrived. Charles had moved away from Clara to take his position beside his elder brother.

"Everyone, you already know my first son, Jaxon Clinton. He is not a stranger. Today, I wish to announce that upon his return, he shall take up my responsibilities as the Alpha of this pack. His brother, Charles, will remain by his side as his Beta."

Everyone began to clap but with no excitement, as everyone had expected Charles to be the Alpha. Charles had won them over with his fake niceness, for which reason they wanted him to be the Alpha. Clara could not stomach it, asking, "Alpha Clinton, why him when he deserted us? Beta Charles has always been there for us, and should be a better choice."

Everyone began to cheer with the exception of the omegas. After witnessing what Clara did to Rowena and how Charles overlooked it, he no longer had their support.