Landon

My Sunday started off on such a high and ended on the lowest of lows.

My mate is gone and now I am back to the sad realization that this rejection is for real. There is no point denying it.

When Harry had announced to me that he would be coming home with me that day, my mind created this fantasy where he would see me for who I really am and he would fall in love with me.

I know, right? What romantic comedy am I watching? This is not my story. Not by a long shot. I did everything I could think of to put him at ease, to not pressure him in any way, shape or form.

I did my part, restraining my impulse to not overwhelm him. I had the best time with him last night, I am not going to lie. I did have the best sleep I have had in ages, now I am crying as if I was rejected by him all over again.

Life is a bitch, isn’t it?

After I wallowed in self pity for a good time, I texted Rhiannon to see what she was up to. I could talk to Gustavo, but it's Sunday so he is probably hanging out with his mate and/or family.

Rhiannon lives alone with her father, who is also a warrior. He is a widower, so chances are she could use the company.

It turns out, I was right. She told me to come on over right away.

I entered her nice two bedroom house downtown where I was greeted by her. Mr. Henderson was still sleeping. He had worked the night shift.

"Hi, Lan. How are you?" She asked me once we were both sitting comfortably on the couch in her living room.

"My mate returned to his pack today, so not too good. How are you? It’s your day off, I don't wanna keep you from anything…" I replied, politely. My voice was sorrowful.

"Yes, it is my day off. I get one Sunday per month because I'm not mated yet. Go figure…" She breathed out a sigh of discontent.

"Really? I didn't know there’s different treatment between mated and unmated warriors. This is news to me." I frowned at this discovery, perplexed.

"Yeah, there is. There's a preferential treatment for warriors with pups, with mates away in college and warriors with pregnant mates or pregnant themselves. Unmated folks like me get the bottom of the barrel." She informed me with a disappointed expression on her face.

"I'm sorry your mate is taking forever to present himself. I think the Goddess is intimidated to pair such a fantastic woman." I told her with a playful smile.

She laughed at this statement.

"Thanks, Lan. But I'm not asking to be mated to a prince or anything…" She countered, humorously.

"I know, Ri. I guess I'm just wishful thinking on your behalf. Sometimes our mate is right next door and we just don't make the trip…" I sighed, pensive.

Rhiannon gave me a poignant look, then she asked me:

"Did you have a nice time with your mate? Did he give you any indication of changing his mind about the rejection?" She looked hopeful as she asked me that.

"I had a great time, honestly. We talked for a bit, but mostly just having him near me was great. But yeah, our conversations flowed very well for the most part." I reminisce about all the interactions I had with my mate so far.

"That's good, Lan. At least you have something to hold onto while he's gone. Who knows, maybe he'll come back because he misses you too much." She conjectured in an uplifting tone. I could see that was what she hoped would happen, for my sake.

"Thanks, Ri. You're the best. And how are you? Are you taking care of yourself? Do you need me to help with anything?" I inquired, worriedly.

Rhiannon is such a trooper, a truly selfless person. She sometimes forgets to take care of herself. She had to grow up really fast with her mother gone and her father working 12 hours shifts.

Of course there were family members who helped when she was still a child. Fortunately, she has a beloved aunt who is like a second mother to her. But still, sometimes things slip through the cracks and we fail to see it.

"I am trying to maintain a positive attitude. I am taking care of myself, my dad wouldn't have it any other way. He worries about me, you know?" She replied, deep in thought.

They are a close knit duo since they only have each other, which is good. However, it's also healthy to spread your wings, which is why I love having friends outside of my family and Gustavo. People who could relate to my mateless struggle in ways that they cannot.

"Good for you. Please let me be there for you if you need someone. I’m always available.” I told her, empathetically.

“Thanks, Lan. You know it’s okay to be in your feelings about the rejection. It’s bad enough being unmated, I can’t even imagine being the one rejected.” She frowned, worried for me.

“Yeah, tell me about it. I already felt like such a loser being the unmated Regent of my own pack, now it’s even worse.” I breathed out a defeated sigh.

I lowered my head, feeling the weight of the disappointment. I cannot imagine what my dad would think about all of this if he was still alive, but if he were, we probably wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with and my mate would have accepted me, I am sure.

“You’re not a loser, Landon. You have every right to feel what you’re feeling, but you are not, nor will you ever be a loser.” She asserted with conviction.

I smiled at her and we spent a good time talking. Eventually, her father woke up and they ate together. They offered for me to join them, but I politely declined. I needed to get back to my house and its tightly scheduled meals.

In the days that followed, my life was an endless routine of fulfilling my duties as Regent and boring night activities. With each passing day, I missed my mate more and more.

The first days were the worst, but even after a week had passed, I still missed him. I will always miss him, I am sure. It is the curse of the mate bond. The fate of the rejected werewolf.

Lourdes refused to address me as anything other than Alpha. She refuses to believe my mate has rejected me, even with the clear writing on the wall. I know she speaks from the heart, I can’t fault her for keeping the faith. I only wish I could share it.

After a week, I started going to the training center. My mom had a doctor check me out - of course, she wouldn’t have it any other way - and I was cleared for physical activities. Now there is only a scar left on my chest.

And the memory of the traumatic event.

The warriors welcomed me back with a resounding round of applause, even though I feel even lesser than when I was still unmated. But I thanked them for their support. I really do appreciate my people, my pack. Now more than ever.

I wouldn’t mind so much not ascending as Alpha of my pack, as long as I was properly bonded. Of course, I want to be Alpha. Yet what hurts the most isn’t the ascension that is denied to me, but the companionship of my mate.

I continued seeing my ‘lonely heart club’ friends once in a while. Even though we are not in the same situation now, I don’t want to lose touch with them. These people will always be my friends.

“Good morning, Alpha. Beta Carillon is waiting in your office per your request.” Lourdes greeted me on a Thursday morning.

“Thanks, Lourdes. Have a great day.” I replied in a forced chipper tone.

“Good morning, Beta. Thanks for coming in today. I want to start the mating exchange program between our packs, so I’d like for you to ready it with their Beta. Put the feelers out to see if any of their unmated pack members are willing to make the trip. Obviously, we can’t force anyone to do anything, but even if there’s one person willing to take a chance, I want that for any unmated person from our pack.” I told him, taking my seat behind the desk. Javier was seated in a chair across from me.

“Morning, Regent. I was wondering when you were going to start the ball rolling on that, so I already emailed Beta Wilmont in this regard. He will get back to me in a few days.” He replied, low key boastfully.

“Thanks, Beta. You’re the best. Have they made any new discoveries in the event of my shooting?” I inquired, fervently.

“I’m told Beta Wilmont is very close to finding the culprit. The investigation continues.” He replied, sounding distressed.

“Good. None of us can rest until this situation is resolved. Not only for my sake, but for any chance of lasting peace between our two packs.” I commented, feeling distraught at the impending issue.

Ironically, I am not as desirous for revenge like I was for my father. Not that I don’t care about people shooting me, of course I do. What worries me the most is the fact that my mate is a few miles away from me and I can’t even surprise him with a visit, not unless I bring a powerful security detail with me.

“I agree, Regent. This attack worries me and every day that the person is at large, I’m worried about your safety.” He stated, visibly concerned for my inviolability.

“You don’t think they are coming here to finish the job, do you?” I inquired, confounded by the possibility.

“I hope not, but we have all the city’s entrance points monitored. If there’s anything out of the usual, I’ll get a report right away.” He informed me with confidence.

“Thanks, Beta. Keep me updated, please. You are dismissed.” I concluded. He got up from his seat and left my office.

That night, I stopped by Gustavo’s house to catch up with him. I wanted to make the best of his company while he is still here in town. I had already told him all about my time with my mate, including our wonderful “talks”.

But since then, there has been radio silence from Harry apart from the occasional texts with no real substance. I mean, am I really going to text him ‘I MISS YOU’? He knows I miss him, it’s the prerogative of the mate bond. Even from a distance, we can still feel each other’s feelings.

I went straight to Gustavo’s room and we talked for a while. Incidentally, I am glad Grayson wasn’t present. I don’t mind sharing my best friend with his mate, but I don’t need to feel like a third wheel all the time.

On Friday night, I went to the bar to meet up with my unmated friends once again.

“Guys, thanks for still accepting me into your circle. I really appreciate it, despite my circumstances having changed a little.” I showed appreciation to my circle of friends.

“Of course, Landon. If anything, you’re even worse now than before. At least we still have hope to be mated.” Ares was quick to say, causing a collective gasp among those present.

My mouth is agape at his horrible phrasing.

“Thanks, Ares. But I came here to feel better, not worse.” I glared daggers at him.

“I think you need tequila tonight.” Rhiannon told me, placing a hand on my shoulders.

“I agree with you. Tonight Mike is gonna pay off his son’s college tuition.” I snickered. Mike is the bar owner. He has a son in college, though now he is home for the summer. In fact, he is helping out in the bar tonight.

“I can’t drink much, I have a shift tomorrow.” Ares chimed in, frowning in disappointment.

“We all have shifts tomorrow, Ares. You’re not that special.” Rhiannon rebuked, annoyed at him.

Those two cannot see eye to eye at all. I would say they would end up together, but it’s already been established that Ares is gayer than me. *giggles*

We ordered a round of tequila, then a pitcher of beer. I drank the night away with my friends.

“Hey, can I ask you a weird question?” Rhiannon cozied up to me as we nibbled on some onion rings that were on the table.

“Ask me anything, I’m an open book.” I replied, drunkenly.

“Why did you never hook up with Ares?” She questioned me and both of us gasped in shock at the same time.

“You do know that not all gays go around having sex with each other, right? We can be just friends.” I glared at her, deeply embarrassed by the question.

“Yeah, Rhiannon. Come on! I don’t mess around with mated people!” He snarled at her.

“He was rejected, it doesn’t count.” She shot back and I gasped at her reasoning.

“It counts to me!” I interjected, angrily.

“I think it’s time for Mike to call us a cab.” I declared, loud enough for him to hear back at the counter.

I was clearly distraught, not so much by the question, but at the memory of rejection. She is right, though. There is no fidelity required when you are rejected, but I don’t want anybody else. Not even someone as hot as Ares. And I do mean he is scorching.

“I’m sorry, Lan. I didn’t mean any disrespect.” Rhiannon apologized, seeing how affected I was by her words.

“I know, Ri. It's fine. Ares is a great guy and friend. I would be happy if he were my mate, but he isn't. So I’m just glad to count him as a friend.” I declared in a serious tone. He smiled at me softly.

“Me too, Lan. I hope he sees reason and appreciates you for the great guy that you are.” He told me with affection. I grinned widely.

“Thanks, Ares. I’m working towards getting their unmated to come here. If I succeed, the people here are the first ones I wanna introduce and see paired up.” I announced, causing a smile to spread around the table.

“Thanks, Landon.” - Rhiannon said, faking a smile. - “But I don’t want any of them to be my mate.” She shot it down, scowling.

“I’m sorry you feel like you have a choice in the matter. If it were up to me, I would have completed the bond by now and I would already be planning my ascension ceremony.” I snapped back at her in a snarky tone.

Rhiannon growled, but I know she is just drunk and not mad at me, per se. I am sorry, sister. Beggars can’t be choosers. You’ll meet their unmated even if I have to command your presence before them.

You are free to reject whoever you want, but I’ll get my friends mated. If anything, it’s a point of pride for me.

I am done with this foolish rivalry between our two packs. However, I am not so sure THEY are done wanting me dead, but that is another story.

I got into my cab with Ares. Rihannon got in hers with another friend. Two other people shared another one. We went back home to get ready for another weekend.

Some of them had to work - warriors function around the clock, there is no break as they follow a schedule planned by Delta Saunders.

I just spent my day off trying to occupy my mind and missing my mate dearly.

This is my new normal. Filling out days waiting for my brother to ascend to my position. Waiting to hear about some uncomfortable news. Waiting for the mate who won’t come back to me.

Damn you, Harrison Staedler! I wish I knew how to quit you!

A|N: If only all chapters were this easy to title... *sighs*

There's not so much I can say I never did in my 7 werewolf books written so far. But something is coming to rock the world and shift all our characters' lives.

Something I've never done before. Something unthinkable to me up till this point.

Love,

Léo.