FENRIS

I blink open my eyes. This room is unfamiliar and I instantly become alert. I look around to scan my surroundings and see that I am still in Elder Alarick's private chambers on a couch besides his desk in the corner of the room. I sit up and take deep breaths to stop the headache but my eyes start burning now.

"Oh, I see you're awake. Here, drink this and it will help with the headache," says Elder Raoul as he hands me a cup of steaming liquid. I take a whiff of it before drinking.

"Is it ginger tea? Thanks." I say when the elder nods his confirmation. I am not going to drink anything without knowing what it is.

I take a sip and look around to see that there is only Elder Alarick and Elder Raoul in the room with me. Elder Alarick is sitting in his chair behind the desk and Elder Raoul takes a seat beside the couch on the chair.

I do not understand why I fainted but the elders seem to be completely calm about my condition which means they know why this happened. This is such a big mess and I do not know from where do I begin to unravel this mystery. What is the connection of this rogue with my parents? Why the hell did he attack my parents and if he did, why didn't he kill me?

"Calm down, Fenris. I understand that this is a very huge news to you. We ourselves know very less about this situation. Till now we thought that the rogue Xavier is dead but the recent kidnappings and those letters mean otherwise," says Elder Alarick.

"Why did you all think that Xavier is dead? Was there any proof regarding his death?" I ask trying to connect these dots.

"No proof as such but during the war, Xavier led your father in an unknown place for a duel. During this time, both the royal's as well as the rogue armies were fighting. Suddenly, the rogues surrendered which only happens when the alpha or the leader is dead or has submitted. Xavier was very stubborn and therefore, his chances of submitting were very less hence, we declared that the rogue is dead," explains Elder Raoul.

I think over all this information. Where the hell was I when this war was going on? I don't understand any of this.

"I think I should think this over properly. I do not understand the direction all these events are moving into. I do not even understand why the rogue wants Sierra and me. What grudge does he hold against my parents? I need a little time to think about all this," I say getting up and calm my breathing. The headache is increasing.

"It is alright. You should rest. Should we set you up in the infirmary with your mate? It will help you regain your strength with your mate by your side," asks Elder Alarick.

Goddess! Again, with this mate thing. How should I tell him that my mate has rejected me? That she is in love with someone else? My head starts throbbing now.

"No that's fine. I can go to my room and rest. Let her rest for now. And I would like all the elders to keep this information of my mate a secret. Please do not let anymore people know about Sierra being my mate," I ask for a favour as I am still very hesitant if I want to be known as the rejected mate or not.

"Finding your mate is the best thing any werewolf can ask for, Fenris. Why do you want to hide this fact? Do you not like her?" asks elder Alarick and I just stare at him dumbly.

I mentally feel like kicking him but refrain from acting on it.

"They must have discussed about this Alarick. Maybe Fenris has a doubt that there is another traitor amongst us and does not want to unknowingly declare about who exactly Sierra's mate is, right Fenris?" elder Raoul covers up for me and looks at me for confirmation.

I just nod my head in confirmation. Does elder Raoul know about my mate and her previous boyfriend? How did he know? And why is he covering up for me?

Thinking about this is hurting me more. My head feels like someone is hammering on it. I should better get moving.

"I will meet you all tomorrow. Thank you for sharing this news with me," I say and they both nod their greetings before leaving for my room.

After this drama, I need a good night's sleep to overcome the headache as well as the heartache to track this rogue.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Can I have a black coffee and an omelette?" I request the lady behind the counter in the kitchen. It is 11 am and I am quite late for a breakfast but without a coffee my brain won't function today so here I am breaking into the school kitchen for a coffee.

"Yes sure, Fenris but you know that you aren't allowed to have untimely meals," says the lady in her chef's coat.

"I know ma'am. But I slept in and I need to have some food before beginning my day," I say trying to be calm. I don't want to start my day with an argument. She clearly doesn't know what I am going through. No point in having a pity party here.

"I understand. Wait for a few minutes and I will whip up some food for you," she says.

"Anything is fine but I need the coffee."

"Yes, yes," she says all cheery.

A few minutes later I get my cup of steaming coffee and a plate of scrambled eggs. Not my choice of breakfast but still manageable. I clean my plate within minutes and gulp down my coffee. Thanking the lady, I head out of the kitchen and to the medical wing of the school. I have many other matters to deal with but I need to go through the first and the most important issue of my life.

Time to have a chat with my dear mate.

The first thing I notice around here is that there is no one in the corridor of the infirmary. Strange. Tatiana had promised that she would stay here for the night with Sierra.

I take deep breaths to identify any scent here and... woah.. the scent of that boy, my mate's lover. I march down the hallway towards my mate's room and open the door without knocking. Manner less, I know, but I want to know what exactly does this boy want from my mate when he has already found his.

I find Aztec sitting on the chair besides Sierra's bed. The same one in which I sat yesterday. Sierra is awake and it looks like they are having some serious conversation.

"Good Morning. I hope I did not disturb you guys," I say all the time looking at Aztec.

"Mo.. Moring. I am fine. Aztec here just wanted to see that I am fine after the incident," says Sierra and I turn to look at her. She's sitting on the bed with all her hair messed up and no makeup. She is still the most beautiful she wolf I have ever seen. The she wolf who is my mate but is in love with someone else.

I look back at Aztec. He is good looking no doubt but still has boyish features. I am still taller than him. I guess, I am better looking than him.

Wait. What hell is wrong with me? Why am I comparing myself with him? Finding a mate also brings out a lot of insecurities, I guess.

"Hey Fenris. I just stopped by to check up on Sierra. Me and Avery were quite distraught hearing about her abduction."

"Why didn't you bring your mate then? I am sure she must be wanting to meet Sierra as well." I say purposely. I don't know why I said that.

"Yes, she wanted to come but her training times are very rigid. I could spare a few minutes so here I am," he says.

"I am sure, your presence means a lot to Sierra," I say turning to look at Sierra's face when I utter those words. As I expected she cringes.

"Oh no. I just came here to be there for her as a friend, packmate and an Alpha. I would never be able to take your place or offer the comfort you can," says Aztec making me frown. Does he know that I am her mate? If yes, then who told him, Sierra or his mate, Avery? I still remember the look of pity in her eyes yesterday.

Or it may be due to the fact that I saved her and that's why he said that he can't take my place.

"I will take my leave now guys. Fenris is here that means you are in safe hands now. Take care Sierra," he says. Aztec touches Sierra's head in a friendly gesture and nods to me before leaving.

I wait for Aztec to leave the infirmary and only when I hear the doors closing, do I look back at Sierra who looks nervous. Why? Does she still think that I am some mentally ill person who would force himself on her?

"I hope you had a wonderful beginning to your day," I say referring to the chair which was occupied by Aztec a few minutes ago. I go and sit on the edge of her bed. I am done being all chivalrous.

"Why do you say like that?" she asks me looking defiant. She sits up straight and scoots slightly away but I notice it.

"Why would I not say like that?" I accuse her, "you are definitely still in love with him".

"Yes. I am still in love with him. I also understand the fact that I am not the one he loves. I also know that he now has a mate who's not me," she says in a shaky voice.

"You should also understand that now you too, have a mate," I say. The sad face is my weakness. I guess this is what happens when you find your mate. Your happiness and strength all depend on your mate's emotions and wellbeing.

"I know you are my mate but somehow I am not able to accept the fact. I do not want to want you as my mate."

WHAT?

What does that even mean?

"I understand this might be too fast for you. You will learn to accept it." My words come out more roughly than I intend to. I just want her to accept me as her mate. This way one of my problems will be solved and then I can move on to the other pressing issues.

"Learn to accept it? What the hell do you mean by that? I will never learn to accept you, Fenris."

"I didn't mean to say that literally but yes, I guess you will get used to me being your mate. This is too new for you," I say trying to what beg her? I don't know.

"No Fenris. I would stay alone than be with you like this," she says.

Goddess! Is she really my mate? How immature can a person be?

"You should know that there is no such thing as a rejection in our world, Sierra. It is either you let me mark you or just part ways with me. That's it," I say trying to reign in my anger.

"I don't see any mark on Avery's or Aztec's necks. You are bluffing," she says still I can see her hesitancy.

"So what? They might as well be waiting for the celebration to complete the marking. I am not here to talk about them. Talk about us. Are you going to let me mark you?" I say. I know she isn't ready for me to mark her but I knew how much I needed it at this moment. To feel that I have my mate by my side even when my grasp on reality is slipping. It will also help me sense if she's in danger therefore, providing her with an additional security.

"No, I can't let you mark me. I am not in any shape to accept you," she says in a wobbly voice.

"Fine. I guess this means that you want to part ways. You do not accept me, is it?" I ask. My heart breaks at this moment to utter these words, to pressurize her but I want to see if she daringly accepts that she doesn't want me. I want to see if she stands up to me. I do not know why but I stand firm with my question waiting for her to answer.

"Yes. I do not accept you as my mate, yet. I do not know if I'll ever be able to move on or not but beginning a new life with you when my heartbreak is still fresh is not possible for me," she says and my heart breaks once again. She is firm on her decision and even her mate cannot break her decision.

She no doubt will mature into a very responsible she wolf but at this moment I cannot make her mine and I want to howl at my loss.

"Please do not look at me like that. I understand that you must be angry but your canines are peeking out and it is kind of scaring me," she says and starts fidgeting.

I immediately control my urges. I do not want to scare her. Shit! How can I forget that she has been through quite an ordeal in the past few days?

"Fuck! I am sorry but yes, I am very angry with you Sierra. You have verbally rejected me twice and it is not very pleasant to be on the receiving end of the rejection," I say lowly but the word rejection is all growl.

I get up not knowing if I should say "good bye" or "see you later". I do not know if I can stay in this school any longer.

I just give her a nod and move towards her to kiss her head and also to take a deep sniff of her. How I wish I could bottle up her scent and take it with me. Her scent has a calming effect on me and I have an intuition that I am going to desperately need to be calm in the near future.

I cannot resist myself. I hug her hard. I almost squeeze the life out her until I hear a slight whimper. I mutter a quick apology and with one last whiff, leave her room.

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Meegwetch!

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