Once Rejected, Twice Desired
Chapter 13

Alaia POV

After Xander left, I was left alone with my thoughts. So much had happened in one day, and now was a perfect time to sort out my feelings.

I knew that at any moment, the challenge would be starting, and I didn’t want to be anywhere near it.

I did not doubt that I wanted Xander. My mind, definitely my body, and my soul craved him. He had become like fresh air to me, and I couldn’t imagine how bland my life would be without him in it.

The things I had felt for Alexi were child’s play in comparison.

Xander would come back to me. He would claim and mark me. He would bury himself deep within my walls and fill me with his seed. I wanted all of that and more with him.

My one concern was Alexi. Would he concede? Xander was a dominant alpha, fighting for his mate. There was little chance of Alexi beating him.

Alexi was full of pride. It was one of the things that used to attract me to him. I just hoped that pride would not turn to cockiness at the most inopportune moment.

I did the only thing I could think to do, and I mindlinked Aaron.

Aaron, where are you?

I’m heading to the training ground for the challenge. Are you alright, do you need anything?

I’m alright, I promise. But I do have a favor to ask.

Alaia, you know I can’t interfere in the challenge. They have to settle this on their own. There’s nothing-

No, I don’t want you to interfere. I know the rules. I also know that the chances for Alexi to win this are slim to none.

So what do you need for me to do?

I don’t even know really. Alexi’s so proud, Aaron. Don’t let his pride get him killed tonight. If it’s clear that it’s over, maybe you can convince him to concede? Please?

I don’t know, Alaia. I don’t want to lose my best friend tonight either. I’ll see what I can do, but I make no promises. Okay?

Okay, thank you, Aaron.

Anytime little sis. Sit tight; I’ve got a surprise on the way to you. See you later!

Once Aaron cut the mindlink, in walked Jordyn. Goddess, it felt like ages since I had spent time with her, even if it had only been a couple of days.

As soon as I saw her, my face lit up. Aaron had marked her.

“Ohh, you dirty girl,” I squeaked with giddiness. “Tell me everything NOW!”

She walked towards my bed before lying down beside me.

“Wait! Tell me almost everything,” I corrected.

She chuckled then let out a long sigh.

“Everything has been such a mess,” she started.

I grabbed her hand to show her I understood before she continued.

“After everything happened with you and Alexi at the party, it was apparent that Aaron and I wouldn’t mate last night. Our favorite person in the world was shattered; there was just no way.

Then this morning, I can’t even begin to explain the relief I felt when I saw you in the kitchen inhaling those pancakes. I’ve always known you were strong, but I couldn’t figure that you’d get over Alexi’s rejection so quickly.

Then when Aaron told me what happened at the Alpha meeting, it all clicked. I couldn’t believe the Moon Goddess would give you your second chance so quickly, but I’m beyond ecstatic that she did. You deserve nothing but happiness, and the glow that Xander has given you today has kept Alexi from dying at my hands for sure.

Then the a*****e challenges Xander? The one person who was able to make you whole again? Needless to say, Alexi was on my shit-list again. At the tippy top.

It made me understand that the Moon Goddess gives us mates, but it’s up to us to love and cherish them. And that’s what I was determined to do.

Your brother is so perfect, Alaia. I wanted nothing more than to bear his mark and let the world know that I belong to him.”

“I’ll spare you the details,” she said with a laugh, “but it was the most amazing experience of my life. When we became one, I swear the air became sweeter, the sun is now brighter, and life is just…better. He’s my entire universe…”

I sniffled and wiped away a few tears. Never in my life did I imagine that my best friend would be my brother’s mate, but I couldn’t be happier. She saw him for who he was, not his place in the pack.

Not once had she spoken about the fact that she would soon be the Luna of the pack, she didn’t care about titles like that. She just cared about Aaron, and it made me love her so much more because of it.

“No more tears, lady. You’ve got some sharing to do as well. I can tell, so spill.”

We spent the next hour or so filling each other in on the joys of having a mate. It was so funny to watch her jaw drop, and her eyes almost pop out when I told her about Xander being a “dominant.”

“Holy s**t, that’s hot,” she said, dramatically fanning herself.

Before I could respond, a breathless and disheveled Aaron burst into my room.

“It’s all over. It’s done.”

***

Xander POV

As soon as I left Alaia’s room, I mindlinked Kade to meet me at the training grounds.

By the time I arrived, he was already there, stretching his muscles.

I pulled off my shirt and walked towards him.

I needed to spar, and Kade knew this. I never knowingly went into a fight unprepared. Alexi may have just been a beta, but I would never underestimate a wolf fighting for their mate, even if that mate was now mine.

“You ready?” I asked.

“Let’s do this, Alpha,” he responded.

Kade charged at me, fast and hard. I was dodging blows to my head, chest, and legs. He didn’t relent because he knew that I didn’t want him to.

I took in his stance and anticipated his next move. As he brought his foot up for a roundhouse, I grabbed his calf and ankle then spun around, throwing him into a nearby tree.

Kade was a well-trained fighter so he quickly stood and brushed himself off.

“It only took you ten years to finally start reading that move. I guess now is as good a time as any.”

When he finally made his way back to me, I went on the offensive, throwing combinations and hooks so quickly they began to blur together. Kade was able to block many of them, but I felt the impact of the ones I did manage to land.

One hour later, we’d finished, and I knew that I was ready. My muscles were loose and pliant. I wiped a bit of b***d from my mouth before I decided to let Alastair out and go for a run.

“What do you say to a quick run?”

“As I said before, let’s do this, Alpha.”

I laughed before I took a deep breath and allowed Alastair to take control. My vision began to sharpen, as did my hearing and sense of smell. Then I started to feel the sting of my bones dislocating and elongating, taking on my wolf form.

I felt my consciousness takes the back seat to allow the other part of me to come forward.

Alastair let out an ear-piercing howl once the transformation was complete.

We stood in the middle of the training grounds and looked around.

Alastair was a massive wolf, undeniably an Alpha.

He possessed a massive frame that reaches 6’ at his haunches and at least 8’ at the top of his head. He shared my same coloring with thick black fur and crystal blue eyes.

Through the mindlink, I told Kade where we were heading before we took off.

It had been a few days since I’d let Alastair out, and it showed.

He ran through the forest, dodging trees, leaping over fallen logs, and chasing after any poor little animal he could find.

When we looked over, it was clear that Kade’s wolf, Elias, was just as happy to be out.

We made our way to a clearing with a small brook before we took a quick breather.

So, tell me, Alpha, are you ready for the challenge?

Yes, I’m ready. And what’s with all the “Alpha” s**t?

Just making sure you know who and what you are. You’re an alpha taking on a beta. You are superior in every way, so remember that.

I know what I am, Kade. But alpha or not, I’m still a man fighting for his mate. In some twisted way, so is Alexi.

I do not doubt that you’ll come out on top in all this. I’ve fought beside you for years, and I absolutely wouldn’t want to trade places with Alexi tonight.

I’m worried…

Worried? About what?

Why would he challenge me, Kade? We all know what his chances of beating a trained alpha are. Minimal at best. That means he’s proud, and pride can make you stupid.

Okay?

Ugh, just listen. When Alexi challenged me, I could see the fear in his eyes once I accepted. And I saw that same fear in Alaia’s eyes when she begged me not to do this. Make no mistake about it, she is mine and mine alone, but she still cares for her friend. If it comes down to it and he refuses to concede, I’ll have to kill him. How will Alaia live with that?

Alastair looked over at our second in command before we heard him reply.

If the time comes, I don’t doubt that you’ll do the right thing. You’re an alpha not just in title but in your heart. You are true and just.

Who knew you were so poetic? I can’t wait to tell all your lady friends!

Alastair then took off back towards the training grounds with Elias hot on our tail.

We’re ready, I thought to myself.

That we are, replied Alastair.

***

Aaron POV

My conversation with Alaia had left me more than a little on edge. I knew Alexi, and he wouldn’t concede. I had no idea how this night would end.

As I reached the training grounds, I saw that my dad and Beta Lucas were already there. Alexi arrived a few seconds after I did.

“Hey, man,” he said when he walked up to me.

“Hey, Lex. You ready for this?”

“Can I ever be ready for something like this? Before it’s gets started, though, I wanted to apologize to you.”

“Save your apologies for Alaia bro; she’s the one who needs them. Not me.”

“You’re wrong. Not about Alaia, if I make it out of this, I’ll never stop apologizing to her, but you deserve one too. I hurt your sister, and in turn, I hurt you. You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and I know you’re pissed and disappointed in me. If I get the chance, I’ll make all this right. I promise.”

“Give yourself the chance Alexi. Don’t cause any of us any more pain, got it?” I asked, looking him right in his eyes.

Alexi seemed to get what I’m saying. He sighed and nodded before replying, “I got you, bro.”

Just then, we saw two massive wolves break through the tree line and jog towards us. I’d never seen them before, so I immediately looked around, trying to figure out how they got past our border patrols.

The wolves begin to shift, and we saw that it was just Alpha Xander and his Beta Kade. They both grabbed a pair of basketball shorts lying at the edge of the sparring circle and put them on before stepping into the center.

“It looks like it’s time, Lex. Let’s go.”