Page 1 of Rejected Beta

Chapter One

Moira

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LOVE AT FIRST SIGHTmay be bullshit, but hate at first sight is real.

Something I'm all too aware of as I listen to this beta sniff in disdain as he looks around my art studio, contempt and judgment all over his face.

Mr. Bouchard rubs at the light scruff on his jaw. "On your application, I thought you said you were opening an art gallery."

I swallow the angry reply clawing at my throat, fighting hard to keep my scent from flaring with my irritation, not wanting him to know he's getting to me. "No. I said art studio. Though I do hope to still exhibit art here eventually."

This man owns the building I'm renting, I can't afford for him to kick me out or null the contract. Thankfully, Lexie is upstairs, not being subjected to this beta's harsh demeanor and snooty attitude.

He frowns, the bitter frustration making his black tea and honey scent turn burnt. "Are you sure that's what the application said?"

I'm barely able to keep my tone polite, my hands curling into fists at my sides. "I am. I didn't get confused about what my business is. Did you not read the business plan I sent along with the application?"

His face shouldn't still look so good with a scowl twisting it. "I skimmed it. I focused mostly on the numbers."

"I laid out very specifically what I plan to do here." I reach for my phone, fully prepared to pull up our correspondence and prove to him I've been completely transparent.

Mr. Bouchard cringes, shoving up his spectacles. "But... won't that be messy?"

Is this guy for real? Of course art is messy. But it's not like I'm opening a nightclub.

I pause, my phone ignored in my hand. "Yes. Though it shouldn't damage anything. I plan to take precautions. I'm really good at cleaning and in the application I filled out, I agreed that I'd be responsible for any damages. What exactly is the problem here?"

If I have to find a new space or a lawyer to fight him, I'm screwed. Especially since the rental came with an apartment upstairs I've already moved into.

He rubs his jaw again, huffing and muttering under this breath as he turns away from me and looks around the space like he's imagining it torn apart and trashed. "This is what happens when I try to handle business online instead of in person."

I'm done with this guy.

"Do I need a lawyer? Because we both signed a contract," I remind the asshole.

He blinks at me, surprise in his forest green eyes as he yanks at the sleeves of his tweed jacket. "That won't be necessary, but I do hope you keep the damage to a minimum."

I take a deep breath and blow it out, scraping the bottom of the barrel for just a little more patience. "Like I said, anything that ends up permanently damaged, I will pay to have it fixed myself."

"See that you do." He sniffs again before spinning on his heel and marching his admittedly fine ass out of my studio.

What a fucking prick.

I really hope he doesn't turn out to be a hands-on landlord, constantly popping in to check up on things. His personality will really put a damper on the creative spirit I'm trying to foster here.

He acted more like an alpha than a beta, growly and bitchy over nothing. He was hoping for some fancy gallery filled with art that people will pay a ridiculous amount for to come stare at it while they drink overpriced champagne and pretend to know a single thing about what hangs on the walls.

The place I've created is a lot different. It's a space to get messy and creative, not a place to worry about masterpieces and hidden meanings.

It's accessible and fun, something that beta has probably never experienced in his life, too focused on proving he's just as good as an alpha. I've met a lot of betas like him, jealous of the power alphas wield, so they try to act just like them. A lot of betas try to act more like omegas too, hoping to catch an alpha or make themselves more appealing to packs. I used to be desperate for a pack too, wanting a place to belong, but that dream died a long time ago, one much more important taking its place.

I focus on my deep breathing exercises, determined to get my control back.

Things are going to get incredibly stressful if I have to keep dealing with him. My contract is only for a year. I'll need to start working on a Plan B, find other location options in case he refuses to renew my lease next year.

What a great welcome to town. I've barely been here for two weeks. Everyone else has been incredibly kind, but this is the first real interaction I've had with anyone. And it hadn't been pleasant.

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