Page 20 of Rejection on the Full Moon

“Hello, I’m Alpha Dominic DeValorse. Behind me are my Beta Christian, my Head Hunter Miles, and my Head Tracker Amberle, whom you all already know.” I see the shock in Mia and Leo’s eyes as they openly stare at me.

“Amberle will be the one in charge of training for the next three weeks, and Miles will assist her.” Dominic continues, motioning for me to step forward. I remember Christian’s words and sashay towards Dominic like I own the lands of Forest Paw. I was no longer the wolf who left, rejected from this pack. I am a leader, and I shouldn’t have to cower before the wolves before me. My eyes scan Axel, Blue, Leo, Zack, and Mia for a moment. I realize that Mia and Zack stand as far as possible from each other. Curiosity fills me, but I quickly store the questions away to deal with for another time. I catch the look of parental pride emanating from Blue, who gives me a wink. I rarely speak to him, and all he knows is that I joined Blood Moon. I guess I have some explaining to do to my adoptive father.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Dominic. I am Leo Bloodsbain, Alpha of Forest Paw.” Leo steps forward, handing a manila envelope to Dominic. Leo’s eyes never leave my face, as if expecting some form of reaction from me. A tinge of pain shoots through my heart, but I keep the mask of indifference on my face. I refuse to let the bastard who rejected me see any form of weakness. Dominic hands me the folder, his fingers grazing my own as I flip through the signed paperwork that we had faxed over last night for everyone before us to sign.

“Behind me are my Beta Zack, my Head Hunter Axel, and my Head Tracker Mia, as well as my father, Blue, the former Alpha.” His eyes are off me as Leo continues to speak to Dominic, giving me a chance to breathe. I hate being scrutinized by those I consider my enemy and take the time to look for the one part of the contract that states the Head Tracker will be under my command as I train said wolf to fulfill their duty. I couldn’t wait to get back at Mia and train her the way she had Abby train me. My eyes turn to take in the four wolves behind Leo, giving Blue a questioning glance as I motion to the paperwork. He mouths the word “Later” to me, and I nod in reply. I know Blue will explain to me what happened since I left, better than Axel or Serena could.

Dominic and Leo continue their conversation about training, with my name being slipped in every now and then. It is clear that Dominic put much emphasis on me training my old pack, his way of getting me some justice for what I went through. I would be lying if I said that it didn’t make the butterflies in my stomach flutter with his gesture.

[How you holding up?] Christian’s voice fills the link meant for Dominic, Christian, Miles and me. I turn to smile at my friend.

[Better than I thought I would. I’m kind of excited to kick their asses tomorrow.] I catch Dominic trying to hold in his laughter, and Miles coughs to disguise his own amusement. It was clear my friends were ready to make bets on who would get sent to the pack hospital first, between Mia, Zack, and Leo. I go back to giving the paperwork a final check before passing it to Christian to look through. I turn to look at the wolves still standing at attention behind us to make sure they’re okay. Getting a subtle nod from Lease, I turn my attention back to Dominic and Leo, catching the latter with his eyes trained on me once again, causing me to suppress a shudder of discomfort. As if sensing my discomfort, Dominic ends the conversation with Leo and makes his way towards me, wrapping me in a hug and resting his head on top of mine. I smile with the feeling of safety that Dominic brings and relax into his chest.

“Since everything seems to be in order, we will be heading back into the cabin. Fire here said she would teach some of us how to make her famous cheesecake.” Dominic states, his arms pulling me closer against him, causing a slight growl to come from Leo at our proximity. Too bad he had his chance and rejected me for not being “good enough” for him. Blue and Axel send daggers at Dominic and a questioning glance to me, and I just chuckle before turning to look up at Dominic and poking his cheek.

“Of course. Just remember that you aren’t getting any chocolate until it’s done baking, Ice.” I laugh, going along with the diversion Dominic created. But I knew he would want the actual cheesecake and I would have to bake the dessert the moment we return to the guest cabin.

“Okay, guys, you heard Amber. Get inside and warmed up. We’re having cheesecake tonight.” The group of wolves behind us soon break formation, hooting and cheering at the realization that training is cancelled due to the arrival of the five Forest Paw wolves, as well as the prospect of cheesecake tonight. My pack is hopeless when it comes to food, but they are loyal to each other. They are my family, and I couldn’t have asked for better wolves to count on. The group of Blood Moon wolves’ race towards the cabin as Dominic and I walk past the five from Forest Paw. Eyes burn into my skin, and I know that Leo is watching my every move. I snuggle closer to Dominic’s side, letting his calm presence wash over me.

“Thanks for helping me out,” I whisper to Dominic, feeling the wolf beside me press a kiss on my forehead.

“Always, Amberle.” He whispers back, leading me into the cabin and up the stairs. You can hear the excited chatter coming from everyone in the cabin about the prospect of cake and the chance to explore another pack’s territory. I couldn’t help but helplessly shake my head as the chatter continues to many making bets on who I would send to the pack hospital first.

Separating into our individual rooms, I quickly change out of my gear and into a warm cashmere sweater, a pair of leggings, and a warm pair of boots. I head back into the kitchen where Dominic and five other pack members are waiting, setting out ingredients on the counter. Accepting my fate, I grab the apron Lease holds out to me and begin to teach the six wolves how to mix together the ingredients for the cheesecake. Laughter fills the warm kitchen, where the scent of chocolate and cream fills the air. The sounds of the doors to the three ovens open, with the impatient Miles checking to see if the desserts we just placed inside were done yet.

“You have another hour and thirty minutes until the cake is done, you moron,” I call out to him, placing steaming mugs of hot chocolate in front of Dominic, who snakes his arms around my waist and pulls me onto his lap. With a blush creeping along my cheeks, I sip on the hot chocolate, letting the creamy chocolate drink distract me from the circles being drawn on my skin from Dominic’s fingers that have “slipped” under my sweater. Miles walks over to his mate Concra, Lease’s twin, pulling her in for a kiss as they settle onto a bar stool around the kitchen island.

“So, I was wondering, if it’s okay with you and Amberle, me and Concra would like to take a vacation when we all return to the pack. We sort of found out today that she is pregnant.” Miles says out of the blue, directing his statement to Dominic as his arms hold Concra closer to him. My eyes widen for a moment as I turn to look at the she-wolf who is one of the top Hunters in the pack and back to Miles.

“Why are you asking me for permission?” I ask, bewildered for a moment as Dominic tightens his hold on me, chuckling at my question.

“Isn’t it obvious? Sooner or later, you’ll be our Luna. The Moon Goddess has to be blind not to pair the two of you together.” Concra states, the blush on my cheeks darkening a few shades.

"Seriously! The two of you are always together. Like, Dominic even pulled you into his lap, and you just allow it!” Bill, Lease’s mate, points out, getting a chuckle from Dominic, who pulls me closer to his chest and envelops me in his arms. I sigh at their teasing, focusing my attention on the hot chocolate in my grasp to hide the blush on my cheeks. The scent of the baking cheesecake grows stronger, and I take this moment to slip out of Dominic’s grasp to check on the seven cakes. Hearing the chuckle from Dominic at my escape, I ignore everyone’s knowing looks and slowly open the steaming hot oven doors, careful to use the handles and avoid the hot metal.

“So, Amberle, when are you and Dominic getting married?” Christian calls out with a laugh. I know my face probably looks as red as a tomato by now with their teasing and I sigh, ignoring their laughs.

“How does spring sound, Fire?” Dominic calls out. I wrinkle my nose at the suggestion and turn to look at my friend with a roll of my eyes.

“I prefer fall. It’s prettier, and the weather is a lot more friendly for us she-wolves to wear dresses.” I state, getting a chuckle from Dominic and knowing smirks from everyone else. I realize I answered without thinking, my tomato red blush returning as everyone else starts to laugh. The timer for the cheesecake dings, relieving me from their stares as I busy about getting the cakes out of the oven and onto the counters to cool.

“Is Forest Paw doing any event to welcome us?” Miles ask as Lease and Bill help me cut and distribute the slices of the white chocolate chip New York cheesecake to everyone in the cabin.

“Yes. Leo planned a bonfire for us to mingle with the Forest Paw wolves and to get to know the ones we will be training. All of the Hunters and Trackers will be there tonight.” Christian answers as I dig into a piece of the cheesecake.

“Also yes, the two of you can have a vacation when we’re done here,” Dominic adds, answering the question that Miles asked a while ago. Everyone laughs as Miles shouts with joy, excited for a break from his duties and to be able to get away with his mate. I’m happy for the two of them. They will have the chance to enjoy each other’s company before their pup comes into the world, something I wished I could enjoy. A small ache throbs in my heart at the thought of the lack of my mate. The rejection process is almost done, with another six months left to wait, but still the pain remains, even if it’s only a dull throb every now and then. Taking a deep breath and another bite of cheesecake, I push these thoughts aside. If I start thinking about it, then the mate bond will revive. I refuse to allow that to happen.

“Anyways, Miles, because you’re going on vacation, you now have to tell everyone to go get ready for the bonfire. I want everyone outside and ready to go in twenty.” I state, chuckling at my friend, who quickly salutes me and rushes off to gather our pack mates. Dominic and I head back upstairs as I grab my jacket from the closet and wait for Dominic to change his outfit.

“You know, sometimes I question if you are a guy or not,” I state to my friend, watching him roll his eyes at me.

“You don’t know. I could have been born a girl named Darcy and realized I identified as a boy.” Dominic retorts, and I smile.

“Well, even if you used to be Darcy, I would still love you as you are, Dominic.” I laugh, pushing off the door frame and heading downstairs. The bonfire is a tradition that welcomes visitors to the pack. It’s something I remember attending growing up because Blue insisted that I be there. Everyone is ready and waiting in front of the cabin, the excited energy bouncing off the fifty-two wolves, bringing a helpless grin to my face. Their breath fogs in the cold winter night air as they chatter amongst themselves.

“So, you love me?” A deep voice whispers in my ear, and I blush, hiding my face from Dominic’s view as he wraps an arm around my waist.

“We should probably make our way to the clearing where the bonfire is being held,” I say, changing the subject and motioning for the rest to follow me. Dominic switches his arm from around my waist to holding my hand as I lead the group around the large cabin and head in the direction of the trees. The night sky is well-lit, with the stars above illuminating the lightly snow-covered path leading to our destination, where music, laughter, and the mouth-watering smells of food are carried in our direction on the wind. My pack mates continue their happy conversations as Dominic and I silently walk beside each other.

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