His Rejected Mate

Chapter Five: Rejection

Michael Reese.

What are you afraid of the most? Are you scared of heights, of never finding love, or of closed spaces? No matter what your answer is, the last thing you’d admit being afraid of is ending up alone.

This is why rejection affects us all.

I’m Michael Reese. You probably know a little about me by now. You’re probably wondering what I will do? How much did I struggle? And how would I overcome whatever life throws at me?

You’re probably thinking of how you’ll relate to me, cry when I’m sad, and spontaneously smile when I am content, happy, or in love.

You’re probably thinking how you’ll cry at my loss, hate my enemies, and grin in satisfaction when I make an epic comeback and take my revenge.

You’ve probably had the plot all figured out in your mind, putting two and two together just from the title of this book. Rejected Mate. No, His Rejected Mate.

A simple title yet intriguing.

Why this title, you must be wondering? The answer is in each one of us.

Aren’t we all rejected?

We’ve all experienced the bitter taste of rejection. It doesn’t have to be from a love interest or a family member. It could be from society too.

Rejection brings us together and sometimes pushes us apart. It changes us, for the better or worse. It condemns our past, controls the now, and affects our future.

Rejection is one powerful feeling.

Some choose to hide, not to face reality. They put on a solid defense system, not to get rejected ever again. But some, like me, choose to face rejection head-on, smile when facing trouble, seek retribution for what we’ve lost.

People like me consider bitter feelings such as rejection as enlightenment. It clears our minds of any weaknesses and straightens a path for us. It empowers us.

I think of rejection as a blessing. It woke up the real me at the right time. . .

Let me ask you a question. What’s more fulfilling and thrilling? Crying yourself to sleep or watch the people who hurt you shed tears of blood? What’s more satisfying? Starving yourself and destroying your body because you no longer want to live with the pain? Or, building strength to destroy those who messed with you?

Which is better? Being a hero, a goody-two-shoes, helping people, and never getting any appreciation or recognition? Or, be like me, a villain; a hated and feared being?

Let me tell you, if you choose to be a hero, then this story isn’t for you. Trust me. This will only make you hate me. Not like I’m fishing for your love.

I was rejected at the age of nine, but my oblivious, dumb mate isn’t aware of what he’s done. Wolves indeed need to mark their mates to complete the bond, but they can also create a temporary mark with someone who isn’t their fated pair. My stupid mate did just that, and I’m paving my way to find the asshole he chose before me and kill them.

Hayden Davis is such a fool. I made him think that I’m influenced by the infamous hunter, that Michael Reese is an innocent, frightened boy who needs someone to protect him. I’m my own person. The moment I was born, I knew who I was. I’m an ancient soul rebirthed in a younger body.

I’m Callus, known as Therot; the ruthless hunter.

What’s my purpose, you’re wondering? I need the help of my stupid mate to get to his supposed best friend, Uktena, and to get everyone to trust me, enough for me to get my dagger back.

You see, that fool, Uktena, thought of sealing my powers in my hunting dagger. And he succeeded, but not quite, actually. He only managed to trap the powers gifted to us by the Horned Serpent. The abilities I earned from practicing dark arts and fulfilling my duty as a hunter are still as sharp as before.

I want to have fun and enjoy manipulating these stupid mutts. I’ll earn their trust and sympathy, then turn them against each other, break that strong bond they have and are so proud of.

But, I wouldn’t be able to control my anger when I'd meet whoever my mate chose to mark. Even if they’re oblivious, too, and it's only a temporary mark, to save face, I’ll kill them. As for Hayden Davis, he’ll suffer the worst outcome from this. If everything goes as planned, then he will voluntarily do what I want him to, which will kill him, and I’ll get to be with someone worthy of my love, preferably a female.

“You’re quiet today.”

I glanced at Seth, my uncle, and smiled. We were on our way to school. He proved to be a great servant and follower. He is blinded by revenge and thinks of me as the ultimate weapon.

“I’m just thinking about what shenanigans I can pull today.”

“You seem to be enjoying this school life quite a lot.”

“Indeed, Seth. One doesn’t get a chance to relive one's childhood. This time around, I’ll have so much fun with the new puppets that are following me. That little Omega girl thinks of me as a close friend, and soon enough, once she reaches her eighteenth birthday, her powers will be unsealed. I’ll use her as I please, then steal her powers. She’s too weak and naïve to do anything, anyway.”

Sylvie Red is the reincarnate of my beloved Amahi. She's as sweet and weak as she was before, always a pushover, submitting to others. You know, the prefect, silly protagonist kind of girl.

I loved Amahi in the past. I really did because I was such a simpleton, thinking that I could have a normal life. But destiny thought otherwise, which I'm grateful for, in all honesty.

I could feel Seth's hesitation, which I found very annoying. Ever since he found out that I’m Callus, he’s been very careful around me, not as vocal as he was before. I may have threatened him a couple of times, but he doesn't have to be this alarmed whenever he's around me, right?

At first, he believed, just like Hayden, that I possessed his nephew’s body. I explained how Michael is me, and I am Michael. I reincarnated in this body, but the soul is mine. I only acted ‘normal’ to paint this image of a feeble boy for others. This way, all those who had any evil intentions toward awesome me came forward to kill me and ended up dead.

“What is it?”

“Mike. . . I mean, Callus,”

“Mike is fine,” I interjected, stopping myself from rolling my eyes, vexed by this shivering man. I mean, did he have to look so petrified? Over-dramatic much?

“After all, this was the name my dear mother chose for me.” I added when he looked like he'd just swallowed his words. Such a wuss.

“Why did you insist on joining this school, if I may ask? Do you feel close to those damn mutts because of your mother?”

I chuckled at what he said, wondering why all the people around are so fricking ludicrous?

“Don’t make me laugh, Seth. The reason why I joined this school is to get close to one person, and one person only.”

“Sylvie Red?”

I shook my head, feeling my lips curve upward. “Hayden Davis. He has this blog talking about Uktena. I managed to track his IP address, which led me to this town. That’s why I contacted Thomas, your brother."

"You did?!"

"Did I stutter?! I just said I did. You know how much I hate repeating myself."

"I didn't mean to." He stammered, licking his dry lips, quivering like a leaf on a windy day. So weak.

"Anyway, I was the one who told him about my mother being a member of a wolf pack, which resulted in them getting killed. Bla, bla, bla. . . I knew that once both of them would die, the hunter council and the mutts' elders would fight over me. But you, dummy, almost ruined my plan when you refused the elders' offer. Hence why I had to reveal myself to you.”

He scowled, and I grinned when his hands tightened around the steering wheel, seemingly trying to control his temper. “You got. . You got my brother killed, and for what? Aren’t you the hunter we were all waiting for? Aren’t you supposed to kill those freaks?!”

I narrowed my eyes at his firm tone but kept my cool. After all, he’s technically still my guardian.

“Every time I go overboard with what I’m ‘supposed’ to do. For once, I want to enjoy my time and have some fun.”

“Have fun?!” He yelled, then gasped for air when my spiritual powers got ahold of his heart, making him swerve the car on the road.

“Manners, Seth. I’m not a person you can talk to with that tone of voice. You know that, silly. You should be grateful that you’re still breathing after you almost ruined my plan.”

I retracted my powers, and he panted for air, trying his best to control the car, almost hitting a pick-up truck that was parked on the side of the road.

Being alive, sure is thrilling.

“Now, I want you to drop me off here." I said, lowering the window, letting in the cool morning breeze. "Go back home and punish yourself for talking back to me. Understood?”

I enjoyed watching him sweat in fear, having no choice but to comply with my demand. After all, I’m a god; A demon god.

I got out of the car and watched as Seth took a u-turn on his way back home. I chuckled, knowing he wouldn't stop his punishment until I got back home, and he had a long day ahead of him.

Oh, it would've been fun to watch, but I have matters to attend to right now.

I stared at the building I was in front of, smiling when I could sense Hayden on his way down. His wolf is as much of an i***t as he is, as he allowed me to mark them temporarily. It serves as a tracker, in case my mate decides to visit his best friend, whom he believes is Uktena, any time soon.

I could sense the moment I stopped smiling, as a deep frown creased my handsome features, as I saw my mate coming out of the building with a woman carrying a small child. They looked like a couple, and I found it somewhat troublesome. I just stood there, observing as Hayden leaned down and planted a kiss on the small boy's cheek, who resembled him.

Is she the one who my mate marked? Is that. . . their kid?

My blood was boiling at this sight, and I know that this isn't jealousy. I felt cheated, and my pride took a major hit.

"Michael?! What are you doing here?!"

I grimaced when he blushed like an i***t. For sure, his wolf told him about the kiss.

Damn, he's so easy to read.

I avoided his eyes, acting coy while giving a side glance at the b***h standing next to him.

"I fought with my uncle," Was all I said, hoping this i***t would get the hint. "And I don't feel like going to school today."

I pouted, knowing how that made me look adorable, batting my eyelashes as I stared at him. I stopped myself from gagging when the woman standing next to him giggled for some reason.

"Who's this cutie? A student of yours, Hayden?"

Before Hayden could say anything, I cut in, forming a dry smile her way. "I'm in his care. You must be his mother, right?"

Hayden snorted a laugh, and I glared at him, which drove him to say, " She's my friend and my neighbor."

"Boy, how old do you think I am to be his mother?! You're as rude as Hayden. . . Oh, hold on," She had this twisted smile, looking back and forth at Hayden and me. "Is this the boy you were talking about?"

Hayden talked about me? I wonder what he said.

He nodded, the tips of his ears reddening as he looked my way.

"This is Michael Reese, the new transfer student."

Oh, he must've told her that I'm a hunter's child. Is this why she's studying me now? Why is she being a creep?

She cackled, confusing us both. "Hayden, you're a real dummy."

That, he is.

She looked my way, adding, "Since when did you know that Hayden is your mate?"

"Casey!" Hayden interjected, and I could feel my eyes widen. How did she figure that out?! Was I being too obvious?!

Ugh, I hate intuitive women.

She cackled some more when I huffed, "You're so adorable!"

"Since we're stating the obvious, you're so annoying."

This woman had a strong heart, seemingly unfazed at all, laughing like a maniac.

"You knew?! I mean, of course, you did. You're not. . ." Hayden stammered, trailing off. I figured he thought that he was in the presence of Therot rather than Michael.

"Anyway, I don't feel like going to school. Can I crash at your place for today?"

"I don't think it's appropriate for you to stay over at mine." He said, his hazel eyes losing the spark they had when he first saw me. Certainly, he's disappointed, while he should feel privileged to be in my presence.

"Oh, come on, Hayden. There is nothing wrong with him staying over. You should take leave today as well and stay with him."

I snorted a laugh, looking at this bumptious woman. Hayden got closer to her and whispered something, making her giggle. She shrugged, quirking an eyebrow my way, saying, "You better have some self-control, Teach."

Looking at his flustered face, I felt myself blushing as well at what she implied.

What the heck is wrong with me?!