BARON

A heavy pang was heavily felt within my chest as she uttered those words and fled. I watched her running away from me. My mate. Gasps of shock and surprise filled the air as college students who had witnessed the rejection watched on in disbelief, surprise and some even envy.

I wasn't a student, I left a long time ago, dropping out of school. I wasn't back at Stone Shadow academy to continue my education. I had come because Lucas had texted me of her presence in the school.

I had to drive like a maniac down here, hoping for a wonderful time with my mate and what I got was a rejection.

A rejection! Anger and pain mixed to cause a whirlpool around my chest.

My wolf was angry and pranced around my head in rage. She was an Omega, I knew that the moment my wolf sniffed her and tagged her our mate.

A weak one.

But I didn't care about her wolf's status or her status, I just wanted her.

I could not stop staring in the direction she had run off to, controlling the urge to pursue her and make her accept me. The school bell rang signalling the beginning of the day's lectures. I didn't move.

"Go to class, everyone. We need privacy." Aaron ordered.

No one dared defy the words of the next in line Alpha. I only heard the scrambling of feet, I didn't look.

"Come, Baron, let's go to the cafeteria." Katherina's soft, sympathetic voice had me turning to meet her gaze. She took one look at me, her eyes watered. "Oh Baron, I'm so sorry." She enveloped me in a warm, comforting hug.

"She rejected me." I was yet to wrap my head around it.

"I'm so sorry. Let's go to the cafeteria. We'll talk better there." She pulled back from the hug, stood on tiptoe to give me a kiss on my cheek and held my wrist, pulling me along.

I went with her, so did my brothers. We all went in the direction of the private, luxurious cafeteria meant strictly for the Salvatores with private chefs and menus.

Girls were dying to be in here. Boys wanted to be friends to hang out with us but we all had one thing in common - we didn't like outsiders much.

Katherina was a step sibling who turned out to be my twin brother's mate. I liked her a lot but I couldn't fight against the will of the Moon Goddess and had just surrendered and hoped for my own.

Actually, she was my second chance mate. I had thought I might never find anyone to be mated with especially after Katelyn, Aaron's long time friend, killed my first mate just to cause a rift between Aaron and me.

Her plan had worked actually and for a long time, Aaron and me were enemies until the truth was exposed. Katelyn had been banished from the pack after severe punishment and humiliation.

She would not be returning to Stone Shadow pack in forever.

"Sit." Katherina had me occupying a space on one of the long sofas.

"But why would she reject the mate bond? Only yesterday, there was this acceptance and excitement on her face as soon as she figured out you are mates." Zach wondered aloud.

One of the waitress saw us and made her way towards us.

It was only in this cafeteria that alcoholic drinks were allowed. The other four general cafeterias for every level had just soft drinks and yoghurts.

"Good day, Royal Highnesses." She bowed, greeting us all. "What would you like?"

"A bottle of coffee-flavored rum." Trenton ordered, he knew my favorite alcoholic drink.

Trenton wasn't much of a talker and was a wall when it came to knowing him but we as family knew he was not a bad person.

He was adopted but very few knew. Many didn't. To us, there was no difference. He was family.

Complicated, yes. Bad, absolutely not.

He was an immediate younger to me and Aaron.

"Get her fruity wine." Aaron ordered for his pregnant mate, Katherina.

He was the serious one. He and I were the oldest of the Salvatore boys - though I was the oldest twin. I was considered the troublemaker and black sheep.

"I need food, give us the special for today." Lucas, who was the foodie and jocular one amongst us put in. He was also the last child.

"Yes and make sure it's delicious." His second-in-command for food matters and the wild, crazy one, Zach, added.

Zach was an immediate older to Lucas.

The waitress nodded and left as quietly as she had come.

"Why do you think she had a change of mind?" Zach wanted to know.

"What if it had to do with that man she had come with yesterday?" Aaron opined.

We all looked at him. "Are you certain?" I was the one asking.

"I'm not certain of anything, Baron. I'm just guessing. I don't know. He acted really crazy yesterday." Aaron continued.

I noticed Katherina had gone quiet. Despite my own troubles, I nudged Aaron under the table. He met my gaze, I gestured for him to look at Katherina.

The boys understood and no one talked about the man anymore. Silence ensued.

"You guys didn't have to stop the conversation simply because one mad man barged into our home, claiming to be my father." She scoffed and eye rolled. "I don't care who he is. The only father I have is David Salvatore, the Alpha of Stone Shadow pack." Katherina spoke up.

She didn't appear bothered by the mention of the man. Maybe she was good at hiding it because no one would hear such news and not think about it.

"But what if her decision was not influenced by this Ben guy?" Katherina contributed. "What if she has her own reasons for rejecting the bond?"

"What reasons?" I wanted to know.

She shrugged. "I don't know. She was happy at first but today, it's a different story. And the way she ran after declaring the rejection doesn't even make me believe she wants to let you go." Katherina wisely opined.

"So what are you saying?" I leaned forward to hear more. Both my interest and curiosity were piqued.

"Try again. Find her and talk to her."

I had no idea how long I sat crying in that dark janitor's closet, the cramped space smelled like a laundry room. Antiseptic and detergents.

My heart was broken. Too broken to even realize I was not supposed to be inhaling such air for a long time. I had no idea where I had been going, I just wanted to flee from there.

All of them looked so neat and rich while I stood there in my cheap thrift store-bought clothes and old sandals with an Omega wolf sticking out like a sore thumb. My pump was in the back of my jean pocket, ready to use if the occasion called for it. I just hoped I never have to use it in public. It was embarrassing.

I heard footsteps but then it stopped.

"I know you're in there. My wolf sniffed you out. Come out let's talk."

I jolted a bit in fear and shame. I couldn't face him, not after what I'd just done.

Only Omega wolves received rejection. Never an Alpha wolf. It was unheard of.

"Go away please. D-don't make this harder than it should be." I sniffled.

"I'm not going anywhere until you come out."

I kept mute, knowing it was impossible. There was no way an Alpha royalty line himself would lose sleep over me.

He could always get girls born with stronger wolves from prestigious families like Betas, Deltas, Gammas, even Alphas like himself.

A sob escaped me. The very thought of him with another girl hurt me more than I could think of and I barely knew him. Hell, I didn't even know his name.

Mate bonds were crazy.

I had always anticipated finding my mate and I was glad I did but I could not accept it, not when there was an important life at stake here.

I couldn't be that selfish.

I listened for any evidence of him being there but nothing. I peeped from the small space between the doors but saw no one. He was gone. I knew there was no way he would wait for me.

I stood and opened the closet, ready to leave for home. I could just lie to my stepdad that I had a bad episode today and was told to go home and rest.

I stepped out and breathed my relief when I saw the hallway was clear.

"Now that you're finally out, can we talk?"

I jolted in shock as my heart pounded furiously within my chest. I whirled to see him resting against the wall, he was unsmiling and his eyes were focused on me.

"You scared me." I said, not wanting to believe he actually waited.

"We should talk. Hell, I don't even know your name." He changed his pose, putting his hands in the pockets of his trousers.

I tried not to notice how handsome and tall he was. He seemed like the bad boy, mischief maker type and it was only more alluring.

"Maybe it's better you don't know my name, as I don't know yours." I replied, not looking at his face.

"Maybe it's better if you can look me directly in the eye and tell me what you want." He said, his tone thoroughly displeased and held a suppressed anger.

"I don't have to do that. I rejected the mate bond and that's it." I was still looking at the floor like I was searching for something.

"Yes, you have to. The mate bond deserves that respect in the least. If you want to reject me, do it looking me in my eyes." I had no idea how he moved so fast - probably courtesy of his Alpha abilities - but he stood before me. His fingers lifted my chin so my eyes could meet his gaze.

"Reject me by looking me in the eye." His eyes searched my face. There was this tenderness and affection that could only had been evoked by the mate bond dancing brightly in his eyes, making his grey orbs more appealing.

He was really a beautiful specimen and his stare right now was making me hot and flushed.

"You want this bond. You want it as much as I do. So why?" His tone had gone soft and sounded like lullaby to my ears. It had my skin prickling with heat that had nothing to do with the sun or atmosphere. The hallway was well ventilated.

This was that spark I was talking about. The one I'd felt yesterday.

I gulped. "Just let me go, please."

"No, I won't." He stepped closer, releasing my chin to wrap his arms round my waist, bringing me closer to him. "Don't deny us the joy of being together. The Moon Goddess has willed it to happen, you can't fight it."

I shook my head as I struggled to hold back tears.

"Please, don't fight it." His voice was pleading and desperate.

Our eyes locked together, a tear escaped. I wanted him so bad but my stepdad would kill me. He would do many bad things to me.

Not just to me but to my mate as well.

I didn't want that so I said the only thing that would make him go away. "I'm a weak, defenseless Omega."

"I know you're an Omega but I don't care." One of his arms left my waist to caress my face.

Aliya, my wolf, purred in my head. I wanted more of his touch too but I couldn't.

"W-what?" That was not the response I'd been expecting. "No, you can't cope with a weak Omega."

"You're an Omega but I can tell there's nothing weak or defenseless about you."

"How did you know what wolf I possess?" I had to ask.

"Because Alpha wolves always know. My wolf sniffed out your wolf the moment you stepped into my home." He told murmured.

"Oh... o-okay." I was enjoying his touch too much.

"Can I know your name now?" His voice had gone softer, his lips was in my hair.

"I...I..." Knowing my name might lead to something that has been forbidden from happening.

I moved away, missing his touch as soon as I did. "I'm sorry, but I can't."

I made to run away again but he pulled me back roughly, my back hit the wall.

He pinned me on both sides, my eyes widened in slight fear when I saw the frustration and anger.

"Reject this!" He growled before slamming his lips into mine.

"What are you doing?"

I jolted out of shock, pulling away from the kiss with Baron. Fear immediately seized me as my brain recognizes the voice even before I turn to see the face.

"What does it look like she's doing, Mister?" Baron's tone was challenging.

"She does not belong to you!" Ben threw a challenging glare right back.

Baron erupted in a mirthless, mocking chortle. "Yeah? Tell that to the Moon Goddess, fella."

"Baron please." I begged, knowing how much of in trouble I was in that moment.

"Come here this minute, Scarlett before I deal with you." Ben's angry tone reverberated.

Jolting in fear and apprehension, I took slow steps towards him. To my utmost surprise, Baron pulled me back to his side. "She's in school and as long as she's in Stone Shadow academy and pack, she's mine!"

"Scarlett!" Ben called in warning.

"Let go, Baron, please. I don't want any trouble." My chest was beginning to pound heavily, my breaths coming in short.

I could feel an episode coming on but I held it in. No need to disgrace myself before my...Baron.

"I'll have you on you're butting in family matter." Ben stepped forward to grab me from Baron who held on firmly.

"Please..." I could not breathe fine. "G-guys..."

"I don't care who you are. You have no right to hold my daughter and keep her away from me."

Baron's eyes flashed. "Try me, buddy."

Their arguments continued, their voices increasing by the second while I was struggling to hold myself from falling to the floor and collapsing.

I didn't bother talking as I would not want to worsen my case. When it showed sign of starting, it was best to keep mute and reserve strength.

I heard footsteps approaching. I could not tell how many they were but it was more than one person.

"What's going on here, Baron?"

It was the boys and Katherina, they were here.

"Are you okay?" A soft hand touched my arm.

I managed a smile. "Yes, thank you."

It was Katherina and she was staring at me with concerns in her eyes. She seemed doubtful over my response but didn't say anything.

"Tell this jerk to leave this school, Aaron or else I'll deal with him." His statement was directed to Aaron, his twin brother and Katherina's mate but he had his glare fixed on Ben, my stepfather.

I wish I had the strength to step in and beg them to stop, but I didn't.

I was trying to stand strong especially with Katherina watching me like a hawk. She was suspecting something was wrong with me. My condition was one I never left people see or know.

I found it embarrassing so I mostly kept it to myself.

"She's my responsibility and she's coming with me now!" Ben spat. "Come here this minute, Scarlett!" Her ordered me.

I made to go to him though reluctantly. Baron wound a protective arm around me, I wasn't sure he knew what was wrong with me at the moment. His Alpha wolf was more interested in bullying Ben into submission.

"She's not going anywhere."

"Let the girl go, Baron. Even though he's a jerk, he's her family." Zach stated, giving Ben a condescending once-over.

"She's an adult. More than eighteen, I'm sure she can speak for herself." Baron replied stubbornly.

Ben continued to argue with him, I couldn't really hear them anymore. The arguments were loud, chaotic echoes to my ears.

My heart pounded faster, beads of sweat formed on my forehead, my breath were coming in short, low wheezes.

"Something's wrong with her, guys." Katherina's voice disrupted their argument.

"Let her go, boy. I need to take her home." I heard Ben say to them, he was coming for me.

But Baron was already lifting me bridal style. I could barely make a sentence at this point.

I was trying to reach for the inhaler in my pocket.

"Wait, Baron. She's trying to reach out for something in her back pocket." This was from the voice I'd come to recognize as Luke's.

"It's her inhaler. Give me that girl." Ben cussed.

"One more step and I'll have your guts splattered on the walls of this hallway." Baron threatened. "Kathy, reach out and get whatever it is."

Her held me close to his chest as Katherina brought out my breathing pump.

"She's asthmatic?" One of the guys, I didn't know which said.

"Administer it, fast!" There was a note of urgency mixed with anger in Ben's tone.

It was Katherina who put it iny mouth and pumped hard. I took in three long, mouthfuls of air before I weakly pushed her hand away from my mouth, signalling I'd had enough.

"Let's take her to the clinic, quick." Still in Baron's arms, he hurried towards where I supposed was the clinic.

I was new but had no idea where it was located. I saw, heard and knew everything that was happening around me but I couldn't talk.

This was embarrassing for me.

Baron glanced at my face every now and then as he hurried with me in his arms. There was worry, concern and pity.

There. That was the look I hated the most.

Those who didn't bully me, pitied me. I sometimes think that was worse than the bullying itself.

I shut my eyes so I would not have to keeping meeting his gaze.

"Hey, are you okay?" He nudged me a bit.

I nodded my head but kept my eyes closed.

Soon I felt myself being lowered on a bed in a room that had air conditioning. With how hot I felt, the cold air was a welcome but I knew it was not for long before it affected me again.

"Reduce it." My eyes were still closed, my voice was low and held a little tremble at the edge.

"What?" He lowered his head so he could hear me better.

"The AC, reduce it." I repeated weakly.

But Like had beaten him to it and reduced the cold, crisp air. "Okay?"

I nodded. I searched the room, Ben was nowhere in sight. My heart pounded in fear. Who knew what fate awaited me at home.