Her Alpha's Rejected Mate: Read Chapters 1-5

PANDORA'S POV

I bounced happily to the mating hall where the epsilon would announce who our mates were. My best friend, Kiara, already knew hers and just wanted to go for confirmation while I hoped that the moon goddess wouldn't disappoint me.

The mating hall was filled with young men and ladies of my age. Some of them who had already identified their mates sat smiling with each other, while I looked around for Kiara.

While searching for her, my eyes landed on Derrick, the hottest man in the pack. I've had a crush on him since I was fifteen, and even when I thought it would go away with age, it kept increasing until I thought I would explode with my feelings for him.

Seeing him check his wristwatch and batting his lashes in impatience aroused fluttery feelings in my belly.

I'd never had a conversation with him before, but today I decided to try my luck. I kissed the necklace I usually wear on my neck for good luck and approached him cautiously.

"Hi... Derrick," I stuttered behind him.

He twirled around and regarded me with an air of nonchalance which I ignored and grinned.

"Hi… do you need anything?" He asked impatiently, going through his phone.

"I don't need anything, I just felt like I could have a decent conversation with you. It's the mating ceremony today, have you found your mate already?"

He tilted his head to the side with a questioning look and shrugged. "How does that concern you?"

"Because it's happening today and almost everyone in this pack knows their mate already." I replied.

His expression wasn't friendly, yet I kept up the conversation hoping that he would get interested, but he kept up the scowl in his face.

Footsteps rang towards us and then I was met with the sight of a beautiful lady. Her expression was unfriendly as well and her eyes glimmered with jealousy.

"Who is she, babe?" She asked, taking in my appearance from head to toe.

"She wanted my help, that's why she's here. And I've been calling you for a while but you've neither picked or returned my call. What happened?" He asked and drew her closer to himself.

I was gobsmacked at his response and felt a tinge of bitterness. Maybe I deserved it for approaching him, but it wasn't wrong for me to start a conversation with him.

"My phone wasn't with me. But the Epsilon is around and I can't wait to be announced as your mate." The lady shrieked and led him into the hall while I blinked hardly to stop the tears that had already formed from rolling down my eyes.

While they headed for the hall, his scent kept wafting strongly into my nose, making her heart palpitate. My wolf purred at his scent and then I realized that Derrick was my mate.

I leaped for joy and ran towards the hall, searching furiously with my eyes for Kiara so that I'd tell her the good news.

Finally, I found her at the back of the hall with her mate, Eric. Their eyes were locked with their palms linked together. Today, I'd get to experience that with Derrick.

"Kiara!" I screamed and hugged her, interrupting their cuddling session.

"Hi, Pandora. Why are you so excited?" She asked, getting up her feet.

I got a grip on myself and glanced at Eric, stretching my hands for a handshake. "I'm really sorry for interrupting you both, but I really need to steal your mate right now." I giggled.

"It's fine," He replied as I dragged her out of the hall, not waiting for his response.

"I finally found my mate," I announced.

"Really? Who is he? Is he here right now?" Kiara asked in excitement.

"One question at a time. You are not more excited than me."

"Just give me a response. The ceremony is about to begin and I don't want to miss it for anything." She chirped, grabbing my hands.

"His name is Derrick." I announced and her eyes widened in surprise, then her lips stretched in a smile.

"Derrick, your crush? Does he know that he's your mate?"

"Yes and he doesn't know, but I guess the epsilon will announce us as mates and we'll live happily ever after," I replied, lowering my eyes then shrugged.

"He'll know soon. Let's go," Kiara comforted me and led me to the hall.

The Epsilon was already standing on the podium and making a speech but that didn't matter to me as I scanned the hall in search of Derrick. I found them at the front of the hall, smiling at each other.

"Soon you'll be mine," I muttered happily and listened to the Epsilon call out people's mates.

"I know that some of you have discovered who your mates are already, but I still have to confirm it and announce it publicly. Kiara Jones from the Beta family, you've been Mated to Eric Williams. Do you both accept to be each other's mates?" He asked as they stood up.

"Yes we agree." They chorused and everyone clapped for them but I clapped the loudest.

My best friend had a kind heart and she deserved to be with Eric. They had been in love with each other for a while and it was only fair that the moon goddess matched them with each other.

When the applause died down, he moved on to the next name and called mine.

"Pandora Miller, from the Omega family, you've been mated to Derrick Brown . Do you both accept to be each other's mates?" He asked with an uneasy look.

I stood up excitedly to give him a positive reply when a yell rang out.

"I don't accept." Derrick objected with a scowl.

My heart shattered to pieces at his rejection. Was I really worthless that he had to reject me in public?

"I, Derrick Brown, will never accept a low-life like her when I have someone as beautiful and classy as this woman beside me." He said and approached me slowly, his glare cutting deep into my broken heart. "Pandora Miller, I reject you as my mate." He concluded and everyone burst out laughing.

PANDORA'S POV

Tears flowed down my cheeks as he rejected me in front of the whole pack like a piece of trash. I had never felt so worthless and useless in my entire life, not even Kiara's soothing words could alleviate the pain that gnawed in my heart.

"But how can you reject me? We are mates." I cried, but he ignored me and pushed me away with his girlfriend walking behind him.

Bouts of laughter erupted from the crowd while I took to my heels and headed for a quiet place where I usually have solace when the rejection from my pack got to me.

I sensed Kiara's presence beside me when I sat on the stone, but I was too dejected to speak. She lowered herself on the grass beside me and we both sat in silence, the both of us unready to break it.

She sighed and placed her palm on my thigh. "What are you going to do? You can't allow Derrick's rejection to break you down like that." She spoke angrily, but I didn't care. I just wanted to stop existing.

"All my life, no one has ever accepted me. I've always been a laughing stock because I'm an Omega and my parents are wretched. Is that my fault?" I asked, nearly choking on my words.

She wrapped her arms around me, placing my head on her shoulder.

"It's not your fault, Pandora. You are a beautiful and nice girl. It's just unfortunate that Derrick doesn't recognise that fact. His bitchy girlfriend isn't as beautiful and smart as you are. So wipe your tears and forget about his sorry ass." She hollered.

A smile crept up my lips and I cleaned my eyes, "I'm happy that the moon goddess gave me a friend like you. What would I have done without you?"

"Nothing, Pandora, nothing. Lest I forget, Eric and I are having a party and I'd like you to be around so that you can forget all about Derrick. Don't say no," She pouted.

I ruffled her hair, "How can I say no to the kindest woman ever? Can I be honest?" I asked and she nodded.

"You are blessed to have someone like Eric in your life. At least one of us has our lives going well and I believe that things will turn out well for me whenever the moon goddess pleases."

"Don't say that, Pandora. You deserve someone who will love you genuinely too and I'm sure that you'll get that man soon, just be patient." She consoled me and stood up.

I did the same as well and we hugged each other. "I'd have stayed longer with you but I have to finish the preparations for the party. Don't miss it for anything," She reminded me, faking a stern expression.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I assured her and we both headed for our houses. We couldn't take the same route because of the differences in our clans. She was a Beta while I was an Omega even though she was the only kind Beta I'd come across.

She had saved me from a getting killed when I was framed by my wicked boss for stealing, since then, we stuck to each other like glue

I walked home, ignoring the snide remarks from some youths that were discussing in circles even though their words cut me deeply like a knife.

"How could she think that Derrick would accept to be her mate? She's too cheap for him."

"She lives in her fantasies. That would be the only reason, or maybe she offered her body to the Epsilon so that he would announce Derrick as her mate."

They all burst into laughter and it heightened when I walked past them, while I wondered how people could be so heartless to discuss someone that was just around them.

I increased my pace so that I'd get home on time. My parents sat on the dining table when I got home, having their meal. They had warned me not to go to the hall, but I didn't listen to them because I believed that my fate would be different.

"How are you feeling, my daughter? I'm so sorry about what happened." She said, pushing her seat backward so that she could get up to hug me.

I freed my vulnerable side and allowed her embrace to strengthen me as I sobbed hard.

"It's my fault, mother, if I hadn't gone I'd have gone to work and gotten some money."

"Don't blame yourself, Pandora, it's not your fault that he couldn't see the beauty that the moon goddess gave him. By the time he realizes the value of what he has lost, it would be too late for him to regain it." My father added and motioned me to join the table.

Mother had prepared my favorite Loco moco dish but I lacked the appetite to eat it.

"You are going to eat it because I poured my heart and soul into that meal, it's your favorite, remember?" She asked, pouring some soup onto my plate.

I chewed some of the eggs absentmindedly while my mind kept replaying Derrick's words and how he pulled his girlfriend from the hall.

My eyes stung at the painful memory, but I willed myself not to cry for my mother's sake.

"Eat up, alright. Everything will be fine," She assured me but I wasn't sure things will ever be fine with me.

My stomach rumbled and then I realized how famished I was. I ate ravenously which was surprising to me and heart-warming for my mother. When we finished, I rose up and cleared the plates.

"The meal was delicious, mother. You should really consider adding this meal to your menu at the restaurant." I advised and walked towards the kitchen.

A knock sounded on the door and then I left the kitchen. "Don't worry, I'll get it," I shouted and rushed towards the door.

The smile which was on my face disappeared immediately when I saw the manstanding in front of me.

"What are you doing here, Derrick?"

PANDORA'S POV

"Can I come in?" He asked curtly and I led him in with my heart thudding faster.

Was he here to apologize for how he treated me at the mating ceremony? Maybe, afterall, I couldn't see any other reason why he'd come to my house after what he had done.

"Mother, Father, someone is here to see us." I announced and hid my excitement the moment I saw the look of disgust on my parents' face.

Mother wanted to talk but my father was quick to interrupt her. "How did you get to know my house and what are you doing here? I hope you know that you aren't accepted here?" Father thundered.

Since we were Omegas, other people treated us like trash, even Omegas like us. So my parents were very protective of me and since I was an only child, they gave all their attention to me.

"I don't care about your acceptance, Mr Miller. I only came here to ensure that my rejection at the ceremony stuck to your daughter's head. Things don't have to be so complicated and I'd even offer you guys money if you need any." He disparaged, gloating like the proud peacock he was.

Instant dislike filled my heart as I wondered why I had a crush on him in the first place. Maybe it was because of his physique and his handsome face, but I should have known better than liking people for the wrong reasons.

I walked in front of him with an angry smirk, he was taken aback as he didn't expect me to stand tall in front of him without cowering in fear.

"You might have rejected me in public and made me a laughing stock just because I'm not up to your standards, but I'll tell you something, you aren't up to anyone's standard as well. You are so proud of what can be taken from you at any time. Your manner of speech is wack and I pity whoever is with you right now because she is ignorant of the chaff that calls himself a man." I lashed out, my voice climbing at every word I blurted.

He was gobsmacked, his mouth slacked in surprise. "You really have the effrontery to talk to me in such a manner, you low-life?"

I couldn't take his insults anymore, so I made signs to my parents to allow me to handle it. "I do, now you're free to leave. I don't want your girlfriend to come here in search of you. After all, people like you are meant to be in a palace, not here." I said sarcastically.

He was at loss of what to say so he scanned our house and then snorted and left.

I hugged my mother after he exited and sobbed. Though I had acted tough in front of him, my heart wished that he would retract his words and apologize for everything he did. But now I knew that the moon goddess was bent on punishing me, if not she wouldn't have mated me to someone as obnoxious as him.

"Don't worry, my darling, everything will be fine." She consoled me and planted a kiss on my forehead.

Father came closer to us, his eyes glimmering with pride and gratitude. "I'm so happy that you were able to stand up to him. With your response, he'll never talk down on you anymore." He assured me and patted my back.

It was evening already and I was all set and ready for Kiara's party. For the first time in a while, I applied light make up which accentuated the nude short dress I wore.

After my banter with Derrick, I made a promise to myself to always be happy and never to take insults from anyone. A fierce feeling was ignited in me and I pitied anyone that would try to make me a laughing stock.

"I'm off, mother." I announced from the living room since she was having a cozy time with my father.

"Have a nice time and if you can't make it back, please tell us." Father reminded me and I smiled and assured them that I'd do exactly as they instructed me.

Ever since I turned twenty-one, they lifted the curfew they placed on me, but I didn't care because I wasn't a party freak and I preferred the comfort of my bed after work.

I flagged a taxi which headed for Eric's house. He was rich, just like Kiara, so he decided to use his house for the party.

When I arrived, the place was already bubbling with loud music and happy screams from the people dancing wildly. I looked around for Kiara who was having a good time with Eric.

I approached them slowly with my lips stretching into a smile, ignoring the surprised looks on the people's faces when they saw how different I looked.

Kiara's eyes widened when she saw me and then she hugged me tightly. "What happened to you?"

A giggle escaped my lips at her question. "Derrick happened to me. After he came to threaten me at home, I realized that I didn't deserve less from any man. And even if I'm an Omega, I wouldn't be treated like one."

"That's the spirit, Pandy. Come on, let me fix you up with something to drink. I know that you aren't good at socializing and somehow, you want Derrick back but forget about him and focus on tonight's party. It's going to be fun," She convinced me and darted her eyes to Eric who winked at her.

I nodded to every word she said and allowed her to lead me towards an empty chair. I fed my eyes with the activities going on and had a tiny wish that I didn't have to be alone at the party.

A man cleared his throat, intruding my thoughts as I slanted him a look. He had a cute face with deep blue eyes and a rich chocolate scent oozed from him.

"Can I sit with you? I'm here alone and very bored," He asked with a pleading expression, lowering his lashes.

Then I replied, batting my lashes at him. "Sure you can."

DERRICK'S POV

"Why did you go to that woman's house? I thought you rejected her?" Hermione hollered, rising up from the armchair in anger.

"I went to make things clear that nothing can ever happen between us." I replied and sank onto the chair, unbuttoning my shirt in exhaustion.

I'd never felt that exhausted in a long time, and it all began when I rejected Pandora at the mating ceremony. My wolf growled in anger but I ignored it because I couldn't imagine myself with a low-life like her.

"There was no need for that. With how you treated her in public, no one would remember that you both were ever mates. She's such a stupid clumsy girl," She snarled as a growl escaped my lips.

Anger welled up in me as she called Pandora names. I was the only one allowed to mistreat her and no one else.

"Don't talk about her like that. You are not her mate,"

Hermione huffed, her mouth slackening at my outburst. "The same mate you rejected? You are so crazy, Derrick. I wonder why I'm putting up with an idiot like you. The both of you are meant for each other," She ranted, wearing her bag and straightening her dress.

I said nothing more as she left the house in embarrassment, leaving me to wallow in the consequences of my actions.

The sound of a car horn blasted through my reverie and I got up to know who it was. It was getting dark already, and the only thing I wanted was to relax and forget about everything that just happened.

The door was pushed open as I rolled my eyes. There was only one person who had the liberty of opening the door as she wanted, which was my younger sister.

"What are you doing here?" I bemoaned as she grinned, flinging her bag on the chair.

"So have you realized what you did?" She teased me. "It was so easy for you to reject the person who the moon goddess has fated to you."

"Can we not argue, I'm tired." I drawled and rested my head at the edge of the chair.

She looked around and settled her eyes on me. "Where is your girlfriend?"

Her question spiked fury in me as I thought of Hermione who had left because of my visit to Pandora's house. What the hell was wrong with me?

"She left and I don't think she'll be coming back," I admitted, shifting uncomfortably.

"That doesn't sound bad, I never liked her for you. She is more proud than you are and heartless too. You need someone who will compliment you, not someone who competes with you," Mira explained as I sat up, surprised at her words.

"You don't like associating with the Omegas, why are you speaking in Pandora's favor?"

"I still don't like those weak and lazy people, but you've been making wrong decisions for a long time and that has to change." She got up and walked towards me. "Since you have lost two women today, get up and let's go to a party." She ordered and dragged me up without much effort.

It was one thing I admired about Mira, she was strong and brave. She had a kind heart even though she liked to discriminate with people that weren't from our social status.

"Do we really have to go? We could sit here and relax all night," I whined, pouting my lips like a child. She didn't reply, rather, she pushed me towards my bedroom and waited for me to dress up.

Partying wasn't a thing apart from the times I felt like celebrating. I tossed on a deep blue T-shirt and a pair of faded jeans. She picked a pair of white converse and dropped it at my feet.

I glanced at her and she shrugged.

"Let's get out of here," I said.

Eric was the first to see both of us. Mira was friend's with him, apparently, he invited her to the party. Then I saw his mate, Kiara, walking towards us and I bared my teeth.

I slanted a look at Mira who masked her expression into an innocent one. She surely knew what she was doing. "You did all these on purpose, didn't you?" I snarled.

"You were sulking at home, I just wanted you to have some fun." She said, replying to other people's greetings as well.

"What kind of fun will I have when I'm here at Eric's party? Pandora might be here as well," I bemoaned and ruffled my hair.

"Then deal with it. You have no business with each other anymore, so look for a hot girl and enjoy the rest of the busy night. Or do you intend on searching for your rejected mate?" She asked a bit loudly, and then I pinched her to tell her that Eric and Kiara were making their way towards us.

"Behave!" She screamed in my ears and produced a heart warming smile as soon as they got to us, as I wondered if I was the older brother or not.

"Hey, Eric. You've finally found the bone of your bones," Mira joked and stretched her arms for an embrace.

"How funny," I scoffed.

Kiara sent me a look that said that she wasn't happy with me.

"What is he doing here?" She blurted, eying me furiously.

"He is Mira's brother, Kiara, and I guess she brought him here." Eric explained while I yawned, feigning boredom.

A mild flowery scent wafted into my nose as my heart thudded faster against my chest. There was only one person who had such a scent, Pandora.

My eyes darted around in search of her, and then I excused myself since I wasn't enjoying the conversation anyways. I followed the scent until I got to a spot and then I stopped and twirled around.

My wolf purred at the sight of her, then I approached her slowly and halted on my steps when she laughed without restraint at the words of the other man sitting opposite her.

I stormed toward their table and banged my fist on it. "What on earth are you doing with him?" I growled.

PANDORA'S POV

I perceived his scent, but I didn't imagine in my wildest dream that he would be around, not after what happened earlier. I ignored his scent and focused on my conversation with Rolan.

With his charming personality, he kept me engaged with several topics. Never had a man been this interested in me, I only hoped that he wouldn't behave as others did when he discovered that I was not from his class.

"So you are introverted like me, huh?" I asked, nibbling on my wine glass.

"I was invited to this party through a friend, but I'm happy because I met someone as beautiful and outspoken as you. You seem to have some knowledge on everything," He stated and I suppressed the blush that threatened to rise to my cheeks.

I didn't want him to think that he could make me smile so easily.

"Thank you for the compliments. It's nice having someone you can talk to at a party. Look at everyone, they are in love and happy and I'd have been so bored if you didn't come here by accident."

He nodded in agreement and tapped the table playfully, while my eyes followed the movement of his hands and how smooth they looked.

"So, why aren't you with any woman? Weren't you mated to someone?" I asked and he smiled sadly.

"I've been mated to a beautiful woman before. She was human, but she died while giving birth to my child, a hybrid, and since then I lost the interest of being with another woman." He replied, his eyes filled with wistfulness.

"That's really sad. It seems that we have the same story, the only difference is that it was a lop-sided feeling and then I was rejected by my mate, the same man I liked." I sighed.

He raised his brows in surprise and cocked his head to the side. "Why will anyone reject someone like you?"

I chuckled with indifference, "That's because no one wants to be associated with an Omega. My parents are poor and you know how it is in this pack. The discrimination and hatred that comes with being a part of the lowest rank,"

"I'm sorry that you went through all of that,"

"It happened today." I blurted and his eyes widened.

Again, I perceived Derrick's scent strongly even though I didn't want to. "Can we leave?"

"You're getting bored again? Come let's dance, even though I'm not good at it, I'll shake my chest and hold your hands" He smiled and I burst into laughter.

Suddenly, a presence appeared with fists banging on our table. "What on earth are you doing with him?"

"How did you find me? I thought we agreed not to come near each other," I jerked up to my feet, my eyes glaring daggers at the intruder who chose the wrong time to interrupt my good time with Rolan.

"I didn't know it was this easy for you to jump into another man, some hours after I rejected you." He yelled, causing the music to stop as people's attention was settling on us.

A smirk rose up my cheeks as I decided that it was the perfect time to pay him back in his own coin. Maybe he had realized that he made a mistake by rejecting his mate, but I didn't care, or I did. But he had to suffer greatly for making me a laughing stock and throwing my feelings to my face.

"But you rejected me, Derrick, in front of everyone or have you forgotten how you said that we would never be mates?" I asked softly.

I didn't want him to know that my heart was hurting and he was getting to me.

"I'm not retracting my words, Pandora, so don't think highly of yourself." He replied, proudly.

"That is your problem, but let me make it clear, right now Pandora Miller rejects you as my mate as well. You can go meet the moon goddess for all I care." I asserted, a feeling of satisfaction spreading all over me as I watched his face turn red in anger.

He stormed out of my sight as bouts of laughter rang out from the crowd and slowly they dispersed, and then I pulled Rolan away from the party. His eyes held a lot of questions that I was ready to answer.

"Let's find somewhere quiet, I'll answer your questions." I said and he nodded in agreement.

Kiara gave me a nod as we headed toward the attic, going through several staircases until we got there . I was happy that he respected my choice for silence until we got there and found a comfortable place to sit.

The attic was covered with glass instead of brick walls that made it easier for us to see the buildings and the vast town.

"He was the one who rejected me like I said earlier and I don't know what he wants now." I explained.

"The moon goddess fated you both?" He asked and I nodded. "He doesn't know what he lost and he's too proud to even admit it."

"I really liked him, you know. But he rejected me like a piece of trash for his girlfriend. I don't even know why he isn't with her." I said, holding myself from sobbing.

"You'll find someone else, trust me."

Something occurred to me, "Are you not irritated with my rank?" I sniffed and he shook his head.

"We consider humans as weak people, but I fell in love with one. How do you think that I wouldn't fall in love with an Omega?"

His kind words melted my heart as I blinked incessantly and sniffed.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"No," I replied and drew closer to him, taking notes of how glassy his deep blue eyes were and the messy arrangement of his hair. I reached out for his hands linked our palms together, enjoying the softness of his flesh against mine.

"Can you kiss me?" I blurted with my lips parting slowly.