Rejected My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 10

Rachel's POV

7 Days Later

Freedom suited me.

I smiled all the time now and I took extra care with my appearance because I wanted to, not for any other reason. If someone complimented me, I thanked them and I knew they were being honest because for the first time in my life I was only myself.

Before I had mated Tyler Wright, I had been Patrick Flores's daughter. People who complimented me in my youth either did it out of pity because they knew my father and his nasty habits or they knew my mother had died young leaving me to practically raise my younger brother alone.

After I had mated Tyler Wright, I had been hidden away except to the closest of family. If any compliments came from those people, they were only in an attempt to gain favor with Tyler.

Had I ever been free before rejecting my mate?

I honestly didn't know.

My life felt completely new. The whole world felt wide open to me.

I spent my days composing music again out of joy rather than desperation and my nights I worked as the piano accompaniment to the singer at Blue Diamond.

Being employed suited me. Being single suited me. Being alone suited me.

My face hurt from smiling though I was driving Bella insane with my humming as I danced around her place straightening, tidying, and fighting boredom.

I went for a walk for the fresh air as much as to give Bella a break. I needed to pick up a few things from the market anyway. Who knew shopping could be fun?

Taking a handbasket at the local bodega, I wandered the aisles with the intention to browse more than buy. I knew what I needed without a list and that by itself was almost magical.

As the mistress of Tyler Wright's mansion, I had been expected to keep lists of running needs for the household: cleaning supplies, cooking supplies, groceries, groundskeeping materials, and on and on.

I had lived the last three years of my life making lists.

I was reveling in my freedom when a young woman slammed into me, knocking my basket to the floor. I knelt immediately to pick up the items spilled.

"Watch out! Stupid bitch," the girl snapped and I realized I recognized her---she was Charlotte Wright, Tyler's stepsister.

A week ago I would have apologized. I would have dropped my head and focused on my feet to avoid pissing her off.

"What did you say to me?" I asked, grabbing her arm before she could walk away.

"I said you should watch out because you're a stupid bitch."

Charlotte smirked at me until she realized I wasn't letting go of her arm.

I was stronger than her.

I realized it at the same time she did.

Rayne stirred in my mind, coming awake with a hunger for action. My wolf had not been happy about leaving our mate. She loved when I let her come forward to stretch outside my mind though and I was free to let her now I didn't have to worry about Tyler's reactions.

My eyes shifted to Rayne's golden gaze and my voice dropped a few octaves as Rayne spoke through me, "The next time you call me a bitch I'll tear out your tongue. Apologize or I'll send you away with a far less pretty face."

Charlotte whispered at me, "I'm sorry. Okay? I am sorry. Ma'am. Mistress."

I let go of her arm as I pushed Rayne back down, taking control of my body once more. Charlotte probably would have stammered apologies for minutes more if I let her. Who knew she was all bark and no bite?

"Ma'am is fine. After all, your brother has a mistress, but she certainly isn't me. You're forgiven. Have a nice day, Charlotte."

Charlotte left her items before she sprinted to the front of the store. I didn't watch her leave because I realized I wasn't interested in her or even mildly worried about how she reacted to me.

I was a free woman and Rayne was a free wolf; we deserved to be treated with respect.

Looking around at the shelves, I noticed I was in the feminine hygiene aisle. I held back a snicker as I wondered if Charlotte was feeling hormonal. I noticed my brand of tampons with a twinge of surprise.

I hadn't needed any as my cycle hadn't started. I was a little late. My period was rarely irregular, but I had rejected my mate and my wolf had gone into hibernation for a while afterwards. Was it possible my body was reacting to the rejection in its own way?

Not for the first time, I mourned my mother. I wished I had her to ask for advice. If I had been left with a responsible father, I might have been able to go to him, but Patrick was a burden not a resource.

I picked up a box of tampons for when my body worked itself out again then made my way to the counter. I paid for my purchases and walked back to Bella's in a happy haze.

Who knew it could feel so good to stand up for yourself?

"Rachel!" Bella squealed as I opened the door, launching herself at me while she waved her phone in my face, "You will never believe it! My phone has been ringing off the hook since you left!"

I looked at her in confusion, "What? Who called? Is it about work?"

"No! An Alpha called for you! Not that filthy doggy either. Guess who! Guess!"

I laughed, "Is he the star of your favorite show?"

"No! Even better! Nathan Lewis! Nathan Lewis who was in love with you! He asked how you were doing. I told him I'd give him your number so he could talk to you himself. What do you want to do? Do you want to talk about it? Or do you want to call him? I don't know if you should call him right away. It might seem desperate."

Bella was her best when excited. I couldn't help laughing.

"I think I'll wait to talk with him. I should probably finish my rejection ceremony first if I don't want to start a fight, right?"

"Or a war," Bella nodded, "You're absolutely right. House Lewis and House Wright are always looking for a reason to go to war. Give me your phone. I'll put his number in. Guess who else called?"

I obediently gave her my phone though I couldn't imagine calling Nathan Lewis. He'd been my first boyfriend. He had loved me as I had been when I was a young, confident teenager with a head full of dreams. I wasn't the same girl he remembered and I was sure he wasn't the same boy.

I'd believed myself madly in love with Nathan until Patrick sold me to rapists and inadvertently allowed me to meet my fated mate, Tyler Wright. I couldn't even remember Nathan's Alpha scent anymore. The only Alpha I ever thought about was my mate.

"Let me guess this one: the other call was from the star of that reality show and I've just become a millionaire!"

Bella shoved me with a laugh, "No! It was the filthy doggy's lapdog."

"Who?"

"Adam. His beta?"

I couldn't imagine what possible reason Adam would have to call me. I shook my head in confusion, still smiling at Bella's enthusiasm.

"What did Adam want from me? Is our filthy doggy in trouble with a hangover again?"

Bella had loved the idea of Tyler having to humble himself enough to ask me for help with a hangover cure. She hadn't been so pleased I'd went there to make it in person, but it was still a little funny.

"No. He said something is going on at the office. They want you to come down there to help. I didn't know you were secretly a lawyer, Rachel! Are you into corporate espionage these days?"

We shared a laugh at the idea of me in a boardroom making deals.

These days I danced around the place humming to my own tunes. I wasn't in any shape to be making regular business deals much less corporate ones.

"I'm sure it's nothing!"

We were on our way to the couch when my cell phone started going off. I paused to check the caller ID and realized it was Adam calling me directly.

"Adam?" I asked as I answered, cautious and confused at the same time.

"Rachel, you have to come down to the corporate building. Your father is here and he's making a scene. I don't know how much longer we can contain this."

"Patrick? I don't care."

I didn't care either. Patrick could get himself out of trouble for a change. I had washed my hands of him.

"Please, Madam. I need you to come here. Don't make this any harder on me. The Alpha has demanded I get you here to fix this immediately."

A hidden threat existed in Adam's words: if I didn't go help deal with Patrick, Adam would come get me to have me deal with him. Adam always followed Tyler's orders. If Tyler had told him to get me there, he would get me there.

I sighed and closed my eyes to regain my calm, then I told Bella the bad news:

"I have to go to Tyler's office. Patrick is causing trouble!"