Rejection Denied

“YO!!” I shouted as I walked into the library.

Denver followed in behind me. “SHH!” I looked back at her and shrugged.

“The books don’t mind.” I turned back and made my way to the center of the room. Ugh, this place. Why people chose to read will always be a mystery to me. I mean, who can sit here for hours, picturing words in their head. That’s what the damn TV is for.

“Yo, Orion, are you here or not?”

A chair scooted from a table in the back, “Yes, yes, I’m here.” Orion passed through an aisle of books. “Great, you brought Denver along. I was just reading over the rules for the final event. I don’t have much time, but I would like to answer any questions you have. In return, I would like to know a little more about the two of you.”

“Like what?” Denver asked, crossing her arms. “Why do you need to know?”

“To further my research, of course.” Orion took a step forward. “The elusive dire wolf. I have invested a lot of my years learning about your kind. And I’ve only met one, someone very close to me. Sadly she’s moved on, but oh, how the goddess shines down on me. Not one, but two dire wolves stand before me now.”

I scoffed. “I think she’s a clone.”

“A clone?” Denver turned and looked at me. “There is no such thing as cloning. And if anything, you’re the clone.”

“Nope, I’m an original.” I pulled out a chair and sat down. I nodded at Orion. “Let’s get to it. They’re serving prime ribs for dinner. And I’ll be damned if I miss out.”

Both Orion and Denver joined me at the table. Orion sat across from us both and cupped his hands together on the table. This is my first time getting a closer look at him. Salt and pepper hair that’s pushed back and shaved on the sides. Pale blue eyes and dark thick lashes. A shadow of a beard and white glacier teeth.

“The two of you favor each other. Almost like…twins.” Orion shook his head. “But your both strangers. Ha, I mean, the possibility of you two being related is nearly impossible.” He lowered his tone, “But not impossible.”

No, it’s definitely impossible. Related? Who Me and Denver? No, Denver has some good in her. The way she carries herself screams angelic leader. Whoever her parents are, I’m sure they’re proud. Me, on the other hand…well, you know how I am.

“What are you trying to say, Orion?” Denver asked.

Orion shrugged, “Nothing really. Well, at least nothing I can really prove without the right items.” He sighed. “If I had just a strand of hair from both of you, depending on the results, I could tell you a lot about your genealogy.”

“Or you could make more clones. I’ve seen that in a few movies. You’re on some Gremlin shit.” I wagged my finger. “Well, too bad Orion, water doesn’t work on this chick. One of me is enough, any more and the world would fall to its knees.”

Orion chuckled, “Would that be a bad thing? Dire wolves used to be in control of the supernatural.” He leaned in closer. “Do you want to know why Don wanted you both dead? It’s because you two can produce a new generation of dire wolves. ”

“Don didn’t want females to rank up and lead. And he wouldn’t give dire wolves the chance of having control again. You are a combination of both of his fears.” I narrowed my eyes, and Mia was listening in, absorbing the new information.

Orion continued, “There were two houses. The Night clan in the south and the Day clan in the north. Each wolf is marked with a symbol to represents their house. You see, your species of wolf are considered royalty in a way.”

“You hear that, Princess Mia.” I chuckled.

“Focus, peasant!” Mia snapped.

I laughed and listened back in, “Dire wolves are stronger, faster, and deadlier than other supernaturals. That makes you the perfect warrior, but it also puts a target on you back for war.”

“To warn off threats, the dire leaders began to form armies. Not for war, though, only for protection. But the fear of total domination threatened both the supernatural and human worlds. So with the help of hunters. Werewolves were able to form a team to kill off their superiors.”

“So, what does that have to with our lineage.” Denver crossed her arms. “It doesn’t matter if almost everyone is dead. There aren’t many dire wolves left, so a family reunion is out of the question.”

Orion waved his hand. “It’s not about who’s left. It’s about knowing who you are. And if you find relatives in the process, that would be a bonus.” He looked at us both, “Just think about it, ok.”

Denver nodded, and I rolled my eyes. Orion leaned forward. “Now, I just have a few questions. Feel free to pass if you don’t want to answer.”

I raised my hand, “Then I would like to pass on all questions.” Denver kicked my legs, and I shot her a death glare. “Bitch—”

“Just answer his damn questions. The sooner you do, the sooner you eat.” Denver looked back to Orion. “Go ahead.”

Orion cleared his throat. “When were you born?”

“At night.” I sighed.

Denver looked at me annoyed, and I shook my head at her. she sighed, and replied to Orion. “I’m not sure. But I just turned 21.”

I coughed, “Clone.” Orion looked up at me, waiting for my response. “She copied my answer and my age. But the hospital I was brought to estimated my birth sometime in October. “

“Mmm, ok, and do either of you have any special marks. Like a mole, or birthmark.”

Denver pulled up her arm sleeve. “I have a star on my right wrist.” I looked over to see a brown, pointed star in the middle of her wrist.

“And you Aviry?” Orion asked as he looked at Denver’s wrist.

“What, no dinner? You just want me to show you all my little secrets.” I twisted in my chair and pulled down the shirt covering my right shoulder. “I have a crescent moon mark; I always tell people it’s a tattoo that I got when I was three.”

Denver chuckled, “Well, you both have the markings of the night clan. Your wolves love the night sky. It recharges their energy when there under their symbol. When your wolf is hurt or weak, the marking will burn as a warning,”

Orion look at the Rolex on his wrist. “Damn, I have to go. But I want you both to consider the hair DNA test, but of course, I understand if you decline. And please come to me if you have any questions.” He stood up and bowed. “It has been a pleasure.” He turned and left toward the exit doors.

PLUNK!

“Ouch!” I swung my arm around, and Denver leaned back in her chair. “What the hell.” I rubbed the back of my head, glaring at her.

“Sorry,” Denver said. “But Orion is right; we need to do this. And if not for a family tree, then for ourselves. You are the closest thing I have to family right now, in terms of being a dire wolf.”

“Yeah, well..?” I reached my hand out and plucked a few strands from her head. “There, here’s your sample.”

Denver growled and rubbed her head. “He only needs one.”

“Well, what if he drops one.” I shrugged. “Now, he has one…two…three…eight.” I passed the hair to Denver and stood up from my chair. “Alright, well, this was informative.”

“Where are you going.” My clone jumped up and followed behind me.

I skipped out of the library, smiling. “Prime Ribs, baby!”

“Go away, Denver.” I tried to close the door to my bedroom, but Denver blocked it with her foot. “Did you want me to break that?” I swung the door open ready to slam it, but Mia growled and took over my arms.

Denver smiled. “Oh, great, you changed your mind.” She walked into the room carrying a blanket and a pillow covered with a musty ass T-shirt.

I scrunched my nose, “No. I still want you to leave. This mansion has a plethora of bedrooms, couches, and storage closets. I can find you a nice dog bed and layout some newspaper for you if you need me to.”

“Oh, haha..” Denver tossed her belongings on the bed and walked around the room. “I’d rather grace you with my presence bitch. You can fit three more people in here; this room is huge.”

I closed the door to the room and walked over to the minibar I had Nixon add. “Oh, really? It’s pretty small compared to my last place.” I poured a shot of whiskey and threw it back in my mouth. I winced at the burn and capped the bottle. “About that dog bed—”

“Fuck off, Aviry.” Denver walked over to the couch. “So, do you want to watch a movie? Maybe eat some snacks and stay up late.” She held up the last film Cay, and I watched together. “Oh, I love this one. Jim Carey is awesome. He can make anyone laugh, including you dark princess.”

“Great idea. You know this place has a seventy inch downstairs. So, grab your shit and then go to the second floor. I’ll be down shortly.”

“Really!? Great I’ll meet you—wait…your not gonna come, are you.” I shook my head and shrugged.

Denver pouted, “Oh, come on. I’ve never had a sleepover before. The men and women in my association treat me like a boss, not a friend. Please, Aviry, I promise to leave as soon as the sun rises. And hey, I’ll make you a special snack.”

“Ugh, fine.” I stomped over to my bed and plopped down. “But sleepover means, we’re sleeping. I’m tired as hell. And I want to be alert for the next fight tomorrow.”

During dinner, Kane made an announcement about the remaining rounds. Due to the rescue mission, all rounds will be held tomorrow. And the final event will be held the following day. Each alpha will be sending in warriors to aid in the mission—everyone except Orion. Even though the majority of his warriors are here, they are still being trained.

Denver nodded and tossed the movie on the table. “Yeah, you’re right. I need to rest up..” She yawned. “I want to be prepared to join the rescue. My people and my mate are depending on me.”

She walked to the other side of the bed and climbed in. I looked over and raised a brow. I could kick her out, but Denver is just as stubborn as me. I laid back on my pillow and pulled the cover over my body. The pungent musty smell that surrounded me had me turning to face Denver.

“That pillow smells horrible.” I wriggled my nose.

Denver yawned again. “It’s my mate’s scent. It smells wonderful to me, and it’s the only way I’ll fall asleep.”

“Your mate needs deodorant. What’s his name? I want to gift him a lifetime supply of it..” I fluffed my pillow and buried my face in it.

“His name is Tanner. He’s the beta too—”

“Oooo damn, that sucks.” I looked over at Denver. “Well, you know life is cruel. But, what the hell can you do about it.”

“Tanner is wonderful.” Denver scoffed.

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, ok, if you say so. You don’t know the guy like I know him.”

“You’re right; I don’t. But when I rescue Tan Tan, I’m not going to waste any time. I want to know everything about him.”

“He’s a kidnapper,” I mumbled.

“Huh?”

“Nothing. I’ll let your Tan Tan fill you in.”

Denver pushed on my shoulder. “And what about you, huh? Did you find your couch in the sewer, or is your mate a sewer rat?”

I groaned, “I don’t have a mate.”

“Tsk, the lies.” Denver pulled the cover over her body. “You have one. That’s why you’re so repulsed by the smell of my mate. Once you accept the bond, the scent of every other male smells horrible.”

Really? Is that why the mansion smells like horseshit and rotten eggs. It’s not a strong scent but it’s there.

“I’m surprised that your not mated to him yet. Then again you are competing in this competition, so I understand why you haven’t. It would go against the rules.” This bitch is smart. “That’s my theory, but you could be holding off for some other reason, maybe your too bitchy for him.”

“If I had a mate, he would appreciate my bitchiness.” I slammed my head on the pillow. “But, I don’t have a mate. Now sleep, or leave.” Just saying that had my heart hurting. But no one knows yet, and I want to keep it that way.

“Ok. I won’t poke and prod. But how do you feel about him? I can’t wait to see Tanner again. I swear I will never leave his side. It’s just amazing how the bond pulls you to your soulmate.”

“Mmm, I’ll take your word for it. Now, can we sleep?” I turned on my side and turned the lamp off. I need to go to sleep.

Denver is the last person I want in my bed right now. She’s right about the pull, though. I could smell the chocolate scent of my mate near the door, but it’s retreating down the hall now.

“Ok.” Denver sighed. “Aviry…”

“Mmmm.”

“Goodnight.”