Page 39 of Semi-Rejected Life

“There’s lots of things you all don’t know about me. Like that fact that my family is pretty wealthy.”

“Oh, I picked up on that,” Sam smiled. “You checked in with a limitless credit card. They don’t give those to just anybody. Plus it’s not very often that poor wolves check out a room for an entire month. That’s a bit extravagant.”

“Well, there’s a lot more where that came from and I’m due to inherit when I take over the pack.”

Sam lifted and eyebrow. “How much?”

“Ten to twenty million. Maybe more. I haven’t looked at the paperwork in a while.”

Sam’s jaw dropped. “Oh… That is a lot more than I expected.”

“Yeah.” I shook my head. “But it all comes with a price.”

“Like being Alpha?”

“That… and I have to get married.”

“To who?”

“I don’t know. My dad picked her out while I was gone. I haven’t even met her yet. But he expects me to straighten up, literally, when I get home and get on with being the Alpha. I have to take a Luna and produce pups. And I can never be involved with another man again. That was our deal.”

“Deal?” Sam gasped. “Your father knows about all this?”

“He has since I was in high school. And he’s tolerated my… oddity, anyway. That’s why this trip happened. He gave me one final year to get it out of my system before I have to come back and claim my birthright.” I looked up at Sam, cold fear filling my chest. “If I refuse him… not only will I lose everything, but I don’t know what he’ll do. The consequences could be dire. I’ve seen him fly off the handle before and it was terrifying.” I turned my gaze downward, staring at my lap as my fingers picked at the fabric of my shorts nervously. “And even if I somehow manage to summon up the bravery to do it, I’m fucking useless out here in the real world.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve never worked,” I said, shaking my head. “Or cleaned, or taken care of a house, or even myself. I don’t know how to do any of those things. And, if I give up being Alpha, I won’t be able to change our pack for the better someday. Who knows how many young wolves there are like me who can’t be who they are. A life of ease is nice, but making a difference so others don’t have to sacrifice what I did feels better. I just… Can I really give that all up just because I like someone? No matter which path I choose, I’m being selfish.”

Sam put down the knife he was slicing potatoes with, wiped off his hands, and sat down beside me. He leaned his elbows onto the bench, lacing his fingers as he let out a long sigh.

“I’ve been running this hotel for a long time,” he said at last. “And let me tell you a couple of things. Firstly, no wolf that’s ever come to Shifter Grove has been useless. We all have our talents and proclivities that made this community what it is today. Those of us here may not live a life of decadence, but we’re at peace and we’re free of bigotry. This is the most accepting little town you could ever ask for. Shifter Grove is a safe place for people like you and me.”

I looked up at Sam, my eyes widening.

“Yep,” he smiled. “That’s right. I like guys too. And I got kicked out of my pack for that.” He gestured to the hotel around us. “And look at all the good I’m doing here! Hundreds of rogues have passed through these doors and while many of them eventually moved on, they only did so after they were firmly back on their feet and confident they could make it on their own. And even more decided to settle down here and turn this town into what you see today. A wolf owns almost every business here and all of them started off no worse for wear than you are. In fact, I’d say nearly all of them, Vince included, came here much more broken than you could even fathom.” He reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder. “You don’t need to be an Alpha pack leader to do some good in the world. I did it here and I know you could too. Plus… I’ve seen you and Vince together and let me tell you, that boy hasn’t smiled like that ever in this town. You make him more happy than you could imagine.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. “Do… Do you really think so?”

Sam nodded. “Vince is in love with you. He might be too scared to say it, but he is.”

I reached up, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “That’s… terrifying.”

“But in a good way, right?”

“Yeah,” I sniffled. “And it makes everything more difficult. I don’t know what the right thing to do is.”

Sam gave my shoulder a squeeze. “Right and wrong are subjective. What’s right for you might be wrong to your father and vice versa.” He lifted his hand away, pushing a finger against my chest. “But your heart is never going to steer you wrong. Love is a beautiful thing and being in love with the mate you were destined to have is even greater.” He smiled up at me, pulling his hand away. “You two are going to do great things, I’m sure of it. Vince already found his calling, but you… well, let’s just say there’s lots of wolves around here that could use your help too.”

I nodded, knowing he was right. I didn’t want to leave Vince behind. In fact, I wasn’t sure if I could. But that meant I had to come clean with him and I had to face my father.

“Now I just have to figure out how to say it all,” I replied. “To Vince and to my dad.”

“You’ll find your bravery,” Sam said, getting up and going back to the cutting board. “Alphas are gifted with that. Even if you don’t think you can do it, I know you’ll find the right words when the time comes.”

“You really think so?”

Sam nodded. “I know so. I’ve seen it time and again with those that have come through before you. If they can do it, so can you.”

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