The Return

Izzy's POV

I never thought that in a million years that I'd be able to kiss Theo. His lips were so soft against mine. I still remember how they felt against mine. There I was thinking that he was trying to hurt me, but in actual fact he was trying to get me to admit my feelings for him. Sure it was a stupid plan but just the thought of him trying for me makes me smile.

When he kissed me like he did, I felt like I was on Cloud 9. Not only did he kiss me, but he confessed his feelings for me. I am most likely the luckiest girl in the universe. He's willing to be with me, the girl who is to weak to fight against anything. The girl who cries for every mean word thrown at her. The girl who was rejected by her mate. Mate...

Theo has a mate out there somewhere.

Why was I so stupid! I didn't even think about that. Sure Theo says he likes me now, but when he finally meets his mate he'll leave me. Gosh, why didn't I think of that before I talked to Beau. I don't regret what I did, but now I'm a mateless wolf and the guy who I like will soon find his mate.

I felt bad for glaring at Theo after that fight with Beau, but I needed him to leave so I could talk to Beau. I knew what my decision was, and I wasn't going to let go of it.

Flashback

"Theo stop!"

He eventually did stop, releasing his hold on Beau's leg and moving away from him. Why did Beau have to ruin such a beautiful moment between us? It was so perfect, just thinking of it made me blush.

Still, it doesn't give Theo the right to hurt Beau like he did. The way Theo looked at Beau, that I'm sure if I didn't stop him, he would have killed Beau.

I walked over to Beau, to check if he was okay. I heard Theo walk away, it hurt my heart cause I knew he thought I was mad at him. Sure, I was a little bit upset that he lost his temper like that, but I could never stay mad at him. It was Beau's fault, not Theo. Doesn't mean they're both not in the wrong.

"Why did you have to do that?" I ask him, while running my hand through his fur. He snorts then shifts into his human form. I ignore the fact that he's naked, not like I haven't seen it before. No, not because we had sex, but because we just had a very close friendship, well before he turned on me.

"He was kissing what belonged to me. What did you expect would happen? No one is allowed to kiss my mate. Why would you ever let him-"

"What about you Beau! Gosh, you're such a hypocrite. You slept with so many girls, even after finding out that I was your mate. You did far worse things, plus I like Theo-"

"You what! Izzy, don't be silly here. I'm your mate, you said you'd give me another chance. You can't leave me." He looks at me with anger, but also sadness, guilt, regret and pain.

"We both know that if I say the words, we won't be mates anymore Beau. I know that I can only forgive you Beau. When I said I'd give you a second chance, I meant as my friend again. I can't be your mate, after what you did, its just to hard for me, and my heart belongs to Theo." I finish my little speech, knowing what's to come soon. There's nothing he could possibly say to change my mind and he knows that.

"Please Izzy..." He whimpers out, not looking at me. I can see a tear sliding down his face but he quickly wipes it away. I can feel my own tears wanting to fall, but I know that I have to be strong.

"Beau, you'll find someone else to love. Sure we were mates in the beginning but we both know that we just weren't meant to be. I'll still always love you, just not in the way you want me to. You'll still always be my best friend, and I know better than anyone that you'll be a great Alpha, with an amazing Luna to rule by your side. It's just not going to be me." I say softly, sitting down next to him. We both don't say anything for a while, just let it soak in.

"I do regret it you know." He mumbles softly, looking over at me. I smile sadly and nod my head. I see the regret, I saw it even when he was hurting me.

"Alright, just get it over and done with please."

"I, Issabella Nyxs, accept your rejection."

So now it's official, I no longer have a mate and to make matters worse I only realised now that Theo will leave me soon. Can't get a break can I?

After I accepted the rejection we both felt our connection break. It was painful but still not as painful with the first rejection. I don't regret what I did, even if I can't have Theo. Deep down in my heart I knew that me and Beau just couldn't be together.

When we came back I asked Skylar if he could stay the night to get his strength back. There was no point in him staying here any longer so in the morning he would return to his pack. She was fine with that but gave him a strict warning to not intrude on our lands again. He apologized profusely and promised he would not do it again.

After getting him to bed I went to look for Theo. Making my way to his room, I tried to keep my nerves under control. I know I can't be with Theo now but, I'd still like to be friends. I just can't be with someone who will eventually leave me for someone else. I'd rather him be happy than me.

Knocking on his door softly, no one answered for a while. I heard some shuffling from behind the door before it opened slowly. I thought I'd be greeted by Theo, but it wasn't, it was a guy I had never seen before. He was good-looking but he didn't come close to Theo.

"Hi, is um Theo here?" I ask trying to look over this guys shoulder. He frowned down at me, studying me over.

"Nope. Not here, now leave." He says then tries to slam the door shut. I slam my foot to keep it from closing. I cry out in pain as I hear a snap.

"Shit!" The guy curses and crouches down to my height, since I had fallen. He tries to touch me but I shuffle away from him.

"Adrian, what the hell is going on?" I hear Theo call from inside. I go to speak but am cut off by Theo still speaking.

"If it's Beau, tell him he won. I'll stay away from Izzy. It's not like I really cared." My heart begins to break hearing him utter those words.

"He doesn't mean it-" That guy, Adrian, whispers to me, when he sees my expression. I bite my lip but shake my head. I ask him to help me up and he does. I limp into the room and see Theo laying, in what looks to be like a fort.

"You don't care? So after that kiss, it just meant nothing to you? Nothing you told me was real?" I saw him tense when I began to speak but he still didn't face me. I could feel tears wanting to fall but I didn't let them.

"It's not like you cared either. You went back to your mate straight after he attacked me. Excuse me for wanting to just move on. I get it Izzy, I'm no longer needed. Go and be happy with your mate." He says turning over to glare at me. In the corner of my eye I can see Adrian shifting uncomfortably.

"I don't have a mate anymore." I say and walk out the room. I'm screaming at myself to just turn around and tell him the whole truth. For him to know that I don't want Beau, I want him, but I can't do that. Unlike I did, Theo will probably have an amazing mate.

"What do you mean?" I hear him say from behind me. I hadn't realized he had followed me from his room. I turn to face him, wanting to just make up some lie but the selfish side of me didn't listen.

"After you left, I spoke to Beau and told him that I wanted to be with you. I accepted his rejection and our bond broke. He's only staying here for the night to regain his energy then he's returning to his pack. I didn't want Beau, Theo, I wanted you. But I can't have you-"

"What does that mean?"

"You have a mate out there. I didn't realise it before but now I do. You're going to find someone so much better than me, and I just can't be with you if that's going to happen. I just can't Theo, it would break the last piece of my heart, that's still intact. Happy now?" I huff and try to walk away again, instead I am pulled back into a very warm chest, a very naked chest.

I look up at Theo in surprise, he smiles softly down at me. His eyes hold so much awe, affection, happiness and something else I couldn't place my finger on.

"Izzy, I don't have a mate. I'm a Rejected." He says and swoops down to kiss me. As he does, my eyes flutter closed but I still can't help but think...

What the hell is a Rejected?