Jake
If there was anything he could use to sum up what he was feeling at the moment, three words will be fitting.
What. the. hell
As he made contact with Irene and he could feel the primal instinct that undeniably told him that she was his mate. As both of them stood stunned, he wondered how everything had come to this.
That evening, the didn't have a particular destination in mind when he went through the forest. For the past several days, he took care of his father's health, and managed to avoid any encounter with Irene. But throughout his stay, he felt so on edge. He disliked the boring calm and missed the rush of parties, the drinking and the club's and most especially, the women. Despite it being his choice to stay he felt frustrated at everyone and everything else.
Restless from the bore yet not wanting to leave the pack house, he decided to expend his energy through a jog in the forest.
As he neared, he couldn't help but feel a closer, deeper draw to the forest. His instincts made him fall closer, urging him to move there.
Soon his jog turned into a run as he traversed the trees, running to a destination he didn't know.
He was very fond of the forest, having played around it when he was a child. After he grew up to become a teenager the forest was a resting ground, somewhere to get away from everything that bothered him.
Soon after, he stopped going there less and less, taking refuge in the night clubs and drinks and women he could find among the human populace.
He hadn't felt this feeling so intensely for a long time. Despite the sight burn in his lungs and his muscles,he kept going.
After a moment, he stopped himself, resting slightly. As he looked at the darkness.
Why did he feel this way all of a sudden?
His questions were answered as soon he caught whiff of a scent. He didn't know what it was, like a combination of strawberries and honeysuckle. It smelt more divine than anything he had ever smelt, and yet he couldn't help but be drawn to it.
It was when he snapped out of it that he knew.
That must be his mate.
He stood up from the log he was sitting on and began to walk to the direction the scent emanated from. He shivered inwardly in anxiousness.
Years ago he was searching for his mate for a long time. Now he had realized her. Many thoughts ran to his head. Was he ready for everything, the commitment and that came with all those things?
Or would they decide to be anything else but that?
Was she even a member of the pack or from another pack? Was she a rogue?
He was closer and the addicting scent has become more intense. He held his breath as he reached the clearing.
It was now or never.
He stepped out of the shadow and came forward, heart beating fast in anticipation.
Only to see Irene.
He would have played it off as a joke, perhaps life was playing a prank on him. But there was no laughing as he felt the instinct in him.
Irene, the beta he hates more than anything.
She was his mate.
He saw the shock, hatred and denial pass over her face as she stepped back, shaking her head side to side as she whispered "no "
It was a look which he could recognize easily. Afterall, Jake must have been wearing a similar look on his face.
"No. No no no no no." She muttered as she stumbled away from him.
"
" Alpha Corneal. What do I tell them!" She spoke absorbed in her own panic.
Taking a few breaths
"We won't tell them anything, because there is nothing to tell them. Let's just reject each other here and now."
He ran his hands through his hair before speaking.
"I am perfectly fine without a mate. Besides, I have a whole life to live and this mate bond will hold me back. Perhaps if it was anyone else I could have managed. But considering its you..."
She gave a mirthless laugh. "Of course not. Everything has to be about you doesn't it?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
She kept silent. Frustrated, he snapped "I don't even know why I bothered talking to you. You're so freaking stuck up and arrogant, always talking down to me, and-"
"And I'm the problem aren't I?" She retorted, laughing sarcastically before narrowing her eyes at him. "You're so self absorbed you think everyone is to blame but you?"
He scoffed, folding his arms. He didn't care what she was going to say "And what am I to blame for?"
"You're a spoiled brat! You're selfish and irresponsible and so fricking ungrateful for the things you have, the things others will kill for. You act so careless while they spend every spare second they have worrying about you. You escape to parties and goddess knows where while your parents work themselves to the bone for the sake of you and the packs future!"
"You didn't even bother to find it in yourself to respect the dead," she spoke with glassy eyes "who died in order to protect your pack and family."
"If it wasn't for Alpha Corneal's collapse I'm sure you'll still be god knows where, lounging away your life like a fool." She gave a mocking smile that made him clench his fists.
"You expect everyone to bow to your will because of a respect you've never earned, and you only hate me because I call you out on it. Forget everything else, you are the last person anyone would want to be their mate!"
His face turned to stone at her words, as they faced each other. The sounds of her heavy breathing filed the air, the only sound that was there.
Clenching his jaw to prevent any more words from coming out. He ran his hands through his hair.
"Rather than this pointless arguement, I'd rather get this over with." He spoke stonily, the words stilted and harsh.
She stood strong and lifted her chin. "Good for you, I feel the same."
He took a deep breath, putting all the will he could muster before speaking.
"I, Jake Corneal,reject you as my mate."
"And I, Irene Antoine, reject you as my mate." She reciprocated.
Just like that, they stepped away from each other, breathing heavily at the feeling of rejection rushing through them.
He stepped away with a sneer.
"Wish you a good life." he said sarcastically
"I could say the same about you too." She spat before running back into the forest in a flash.
As he was now alone in the forest, he couldn't help but take a breath, calming himself and rationalizing everything that took place.
He ran back to his home,.
As he got back, he met his mother at the entrance, clad in a nightgown, looking sleepy yet anxious before she noticed him.
"Jack? Why did you go out so late in the night."
He knew he should have said something, but his anger was overpowering him and hi didn't want to say anything he would regret. He ignored her instead, opting to step into his room without any explanation.
Her food steps followed him
"Jack? Come here and talk to m-"
He shut the door behind him before sliding down in it, until he was resting on his butt and his legs rise. He rubbed his face with both palms as he gave a sigh.
Only for Irene, the stuck up,condescending girl to be his mate.
He recalled the words she said that have been ringing in his mind since he left.
You're a spoiled brat...
Selfish
Irresponsible
Ungrateful
If it wasn't for Alpha Corneal's collapse I'm sure you'll still be god knows where, lounging away your life like a fool.
He felt anger emerge inside him at her words.
What did she know about him? Nothing. Yet she thought she could judge him so easily. He shut his eyes, rubbing his face with his palms, trying to rid her words out of his mind.
Yet no matter how much he tried to stop them, her words kept coming to his mind.
It was all of these that culminated inside him. He couldn't stand to stay in the pack house after the jarring revelation he had gone through. He had to get away, escape from everything that had happened tonight. Thus, he made the impulsive decision.
Picking up his phone he clicked a familiar number and waited for the call to ring. Once it clicked he spoke.
"Hey."
There was slight shuffling sound before the other person answered.
"Yeah Jack? You know, you should have really come to this part-"
"Send me the address."
"Wh-what?"
"Send me the address to the party. I'll be there soon."