The Rejection of Fate: The High Alpha’s Chosen Mate

Solenn

Anxiety sits heavy in my chest. It feels like a physical weight pressing against my ribs. I tug at the collar of my shirt, trying to find some air. I have a bad feeling I might be literally suffocating soon enough.

Esme is staring at me. Her eyes are sharp, like she’s trying to peel back my skin and read my soul.

"You volunteered?" she asks. Her voice is low. Her fists are clenched white on her knees.

"Yeah. It isn't worth a war. I don't want people dying for me." I gnaw on my lip, my heart racing.

Esme moves fast. She’s off the bed and swinging before I can blink. Her small fists thud against my shoulder.

"What the hell!" I shout, grabbing her wrists to stop the onslaught.

"Solenn! You are our future Beta!" she screams. She shakes me hard, her face twisted with fury.

I get a flash of irritation. I’m not in the mood for this. I peel her hands off me and push her back firmly. I need my space. "I know who I am. And as a Beta, I know our pack would lose. I can handle myself. You know that."

Esme throws her hands in the air. "He's an Alpha! You're a Beta. You can't fight that kind of power."

A soft knock sounds at the door. My mother edges in, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. She looks like she’s been crying. "Don't mind me," she whispers. She sets the tray on the dresser and slips back out.

She hates this. She’s stubborn, just like me, but she’s out of moves. She raised me to be selfless, and now she has to watch me pay the price for it.

'Mom is listening at the door,' Eva says.

I grab a pillow and hurl it. It hits the wood with a soft thud and the door clicks shut.

"I'm going to apologize to him," I say, going back to the clothes piled on my bed. "I shouldn't have bitten him."

"He put his hands on you!" Esme yells. she snatches a dress out of my hands before I can fold it. "You had every right to draw blood."

"It was childish. If I’m going to be a Luna, I can’t act like a brat." My voice sounds cold, even to me.

Esme sighs, her anger deflating into sadness. She starts helping me fold. "That's if you live long enough to be a Luna," she mutters.

I hear her. I don't say a word. I just tuck a stack of shirts into the first suitcase.

"How are you going to fit your life into four bags?" she asks.

I let out a small, dry laugh. "Mom will send the rest later. My dad brought these down from the attic. I thought he was crazy, but he reminded me they have to fit in a car and then Fenrys’s private jet."

Esme scoffs, her nose wrinkling. "Of course the bastard has a jet. Assholes always get the shiny toys." She starts packing my makeup into small bags. "Why do you call him Fenrys?"

"I feel like he’d kill me faster if I called him Axel. Axel sounds too personal. Too real."

Esme doesn't push it. She knows how my mind works. She climbs onto the suitcase, using her weight so I can pull the zipper shut.

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow. I want to be ready early. I don't want to give him a reason to start a fight before we even get to the airport. I’m meeting him tonight."

Esme claps her hands. Her eyes light up. "Okay. Change of plans. I’m calling Cross and Blaze. The four of us are going to dinner. No arguments. I’ll walk you to your meeting myself to make sure you’re on time."

I look at my wardrobe. It’s mostly empty now. "Fine. Where are we going?"

"The fancy Italian place. We’re dressing up." She’s already mind-linking our friends.

I think of Cross and Blaze. They’re the perfect pair. Cross is a nurse at the clinic, calm and patient. Blaze is a disaster of a warrior who is always covered in bruises. They met in chemistry class. Cross literally fell off her stool when she saw him.

I feel a sharp sting in my throat. I won't be here when Esme finds her mate. I won't see her face when she finally clicks with someone.

Esme squeals with excitement, and I force the sadness down deep. She’s always been able to read my moods like a book. She’s a teacher for a reason—nothing gets past her.

I am the odd one out in our group. I have a master’s degree in marketing from a human university. For two years, I’ve worked remotely for a firm in the city, tucked away in my office while the others deal with people face-to-face. I’m good at selling things. I make a lot of money doing it. I knew I’d have to quit once I took my place as Beta, but having those skills usually makes a high-ranking wolf more valuable.

"I booked a table for five," Esme says. She skips over to me, looking far too happy for a girl whose friend is being sold off. "Your dad said the meeting is at seven. That gives us plenty of time."

She scans the few clothes left in my closet and points. "Wear the red one."

"I haven't touched that since graduation," I say.

Esme shrugs. "Your boobs have finally grown in since then. It’s a crime to leave that dress in the dark." She pulls it off the hanger and holds it up like a trophy.

"Leave me and my chest alone," I mutter, crossing my arms.

"I would, but there’s actually something there to look at now. Unlike in high school." She cackles and grabs a pair of black heels from the floor.

I take the dress from her and laugh. "They only grew because I finally got away from you and your teasing." I walk to the mirror. "What time is it?"

"Four," Esme says, checking her phone. "Can I trust you to be in this dress with red lipstick and heels in one hour?"

I nod. "I can do that. I’ll get my dad to drop me off at the restaurant."

"Is Betsy still dead?"

I scowl at her. "The shop keeps finding new things to fix. It’s annoying."

"Just get a new car, Solenn. Betsy is a wreck."

I gasp, feeling genuinely offended for my car. "Excuse you. You lost your virginity in the back of that wreck. Cross got her first positive pregnancy test in there. Betsy took us on every road trip we ever had. Show some respect."

Esme whines, but a grin breaks across her face. "You had to bring up the virginity thing."

"You insulted my car. I had to." I brush my hair over my shoulder.

"See you in an hour, bitch," Esme laughs. I hear her boots thumping down the stairs.

Once she says goodbye to my mother, the silence of the room hits me. I sit on the edge of the bed and rub my temples. The pressure in my head won't go away.

"Do you need help?" my mother asks softly from the doorway.

I look up and force a smile onto my face. I won't make her worry more than she already is. "No, I’m fine. Just getting ready for dinner with the girls. And Blaze."

"Blaze is basically one of the girls now," Mom says with a small smile. Her eyes land on the red fabric. "Esme's idea? I remember you hated that dress the day we bought it."

"She thinks I’ll fill it out now."

Mom chuckles. "She’s probably right. I’ll let you get to it. Call me if you need anything."

She closes the door. I let out a long, shaky breath. I need a shower. I’ve been packing all day and I feel like I’m covered in dust and anxiety. I walk into the bathroom and turn on the water. I brush my teeth and stare at my reflection. Twelve hours ago, my life was normal. Now, everything is breaking.

'Dad, can you drive me to the Italian place when you get back?' I link him.

'Sure. Is Betsy still in the shop?' He sounds tired.

'I don't think she's ever coming home,' I tell him. He grumbles a response and closes the link.

I hop in the shower and scrub my skin until it’s red. I shave my legs in record time, glancing at the clock. If I’m late, Esme will actually kill me before Axel gets the chance. I dry off and slather myself in coconut moisturizer. If I can't be on a beach, I can at least smell like one.

'Forty minutes until your dad gets here,' Eva warns.

I jump, hurrying back into the bedroom. I’m always on time. I hate being rushed. I pull on a matching set of black lace underwear and a strapless bra.

I look at the dress on the bed. It’s a deep, blood red. One sleeve sits off the shoulder, the other goes straight up. It looks tiny. I pick it up and hold it against my body, wondering if I can even squeeze into it anymore.

I have more curves than I did in high school. If I don't fit into a six-year-old dress, I won't let it ruin my mood.

I unzip the fabric and slide it up my body. My eyebrows shoot up when the zipper actually closes. It is just as short as I remember. Since I haven't packed my heels yet, I slide my feet into the stilettos Esme picked out for me.

I spin in front of the mirror. I can't help but giggle at how the skirt moves. I grab a black clutch from my drawer and check my reflection. This restaurant is where the Alpha usually takes visiting high-ranks. It is fancy, and I need to look the part.

I clip my hair back and grab the makeup bag Esme helped me pack. It is time to beat my face into submission. The foundation and powders go on smooth. The bronzer deepens my skin just right. Even my brows are cooperating for once.

I glance at the clock and my eyes go wide. I have five minutes.

I wing out a quick cat-eye and swipe on a deep red lipstick. I fluff my messy waves with a bit of oil until they shine. I look good. I haven't tried this hard in a long time, but I love feeling like a princess. I drop my phone, keys, and cards into my bag and nod at myself.

Getting dolled up is a good distraction. If Esme hadn't forced me out, I would have spent the evening moping about my meeting with Axel later tonight. This is better. I get to see my three best friends and eat great food.

The front door opens downstairs. I grab my bag and a black blazer, navigating the steps with caution. These heels are my biggest enemy right now.

"Hey," I say, grinning at my parents.

My mom, Vivienne, claps her hands. Her face lights up. "The dress!"

"I know!" I laugh and pull her into a hug.

"Solenn, you look lovely," my dad, Asher, says. "Can we go before the traffic gets bad?"

I roll my eyes. "Why do you think I'm already standing here?"

Mom leans in, inspecting my face. "Is that the red lipstick I bought you?"

"Matches the dress perfectly," I shrug.

"Perfect. Have a great night, sweetheart," she says. I blow her a kiss over my shoulder and head for the car.

"Watch your head getting in," Dad warns.

Naturally, I slam my head against the roof the second I sit down. I cringe and hiss a curse under my breath.

"Who are you meeting?" Dad asks as he backs out of the garage.

"Esme, Cross, and Blaze."

He nods. "Blaze is a good kid. He’s been great with the teenagers lately."

"Dad, he’s twenty-four. He isn’t a kid."

"My point stands. Enjoy yourself. And good luck with your meeting with the Alpha." He pulls the car over near the restaurant.

I look at him, my voice dropping. "Do you think he'll kill me?"

Dad turns to me fast. "No. I really don't. You're his mate. He wouldn't have tried to break into the barracks if he didn't want you." He leans over to kiss my forehead.

"You’re going to mess up my makeup," I grumble, pulling back.

"Then get out of my car," he says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes and slide out. I walk toward the restaurant, keeping my shoulders back and my chin high. I feel the weight of my father's gaze on my back, but I don't turn around.

I step inside and scan the room. I find the hostess booth and flash a smile. "Reservation for Esme McNamara."

"Two of your party are already here," she says, leading me to a window table.

Cross and Blaze are already waiting. I grin, thanking the hostess before I nearly tackle Cross with a hug. I squeeze her hard and then give Blaze a quick hug so he doesn't feel left out.

I settle into my seat, smoothing out my dress.

Cross raises an eyebrow at me. "We heard about you and Alpha Fenrys."

Esme slides into the last chair and wiggles her eyebrows. "So, are we talking about Solenn and her sexy Alpha?"

Blaze frowns. "The Sovereign Circle is going to hate this."

Cross hits him with a napkin. "Stop being a buzzkill. Let us have some fun before you get all logical."

Blaze rolls his eyes, but he's smiling.

"I have to see him at seven," I mutter, unfolding my napkin. My skin feels tight. "I bit him earlier. It was self-defense, but I need to apologize before he decides to kill me."

Cross looks at me. She's wearing deep blue, and Esme is in emerald green. "He won't kill you. You're too pretty to die."

Esme starts giggling just as the waiter arrives.

"Ready to order?" he asks.

Blaze looks at us. "A bottle of white wine, your best from the last twenty years. I'll have the lasagna."

"The same for me," Cross says.

"Spaghetti bolognese," I tell him.

Esme makes a face. "Ham and chicken pizza, please."

The waiter notes it down and bows. As soon as he's gone, I lean forward and clasp my hands. "I can't be late. I’m not giving him a single reason to end me."

"We'll get you there," Esme says, rolling her eyes.

They do, but it isn't pretty.

Three glasses of wine later, the ground feels soft. Cross tries to drown me in water, but my head won't stop spinning. It takes all three of them to haul me into the packhouse so I don't bolt.

Blaze steers me into the meeting room while Cross fusses with my hair. Their hands are everywhere. It’s annoying. I shove them off.

'Calm down,' Eva’s voice echoes in my head. I feel a sharp sting in my gut as she starts burning the alcohol out of my blood. I'm sobering up fast, and the headache is moving in.

"Go away. I'm fine," I snap.

They scramble out the door, nearly colliding with Axel on his way in. He watches them leave with a look of pure confusion.

"Beta Thorne," he says. He stops a few feet away. His nose twitches. He smells the wine on me.

I track him with my eyes. Everything is still a little blurry. "Alpha Fenrys. I'm here to apologize."

He raises an eyebrow. "For what?"

"I bit you." I lean back, trying to look steady. "Also, I'll be ready to leave for your pack at eleven tomorrow."

Axel blinks. He looks stunned. "Alright. Is that it?"

"No." I slide a thick stack of papers across the wood toward him. "I want you to sign this. It's a vow. You never touch my pack."

He picks up the pages. He reads the first one and lets out a short, dry laugh. He shakes his head.

"Fine. If this is what it takes."

He doesn't look at the paper anymore. His eyes roam over my body, slow and heavy. He knows I’m tipped, so he stays on his side of the table. He pulls a pen from his pocket and scrawls his name across the bottom.

"Good talking to you, Thorne," he says. He sounds tight. "See you tomorrow."

He turns and walks out before I can even stand up.