Rejection: The Last Dance

“They certainly love each other, don’t they?” I compelled myself not to glare at Beta Homer as his words hit close to home.

I crossed my arms, a displeased grin split my lips. “Oh, they’ve been doing that many times that I felt like the Alpha’s personal Omega rather than the actual Alpha’s girlfriend.

Alpha Jonathan, my boyfriend of four years, is dancing closely with Emilia, another Beta’s daughter. Though Emilia and I both came from a prestigious Beta family, she happens to be the one closer to the Alpha because of their childhood friendship.

I returned my eyes to them, dancing on the floor to the sway of melancholic music. My gaze was nothing short of amused.

A heartbeat later, the music and dancing ended. They strode to my table, where Beta Homer and I are sharing a bottle of champagne along with a conversation that only happens when either of us is drunk.

“I’m surprised you didn’t kissed Emilia?” I asked as Jonathan’s eyes darkened when he found me sitting on a chair in a vulgar position.

“We’re just playing a game, babe,” he explained gently, trying to portray himself as the ever-humble gentleman. “Besides, you’re drunk more than usual today.”

I shrugged, “Can’t I just celebrate anytime I’d like? Just as you two cuddle each other anytime even when your girlfriend is here.”

“It’s just a dance, Anastasia,” Emilia chirped behind him, her face the perfect portrait of boredom.

“And do dance partners lean into each other and whisper lovingly?” I raised a glass of champagne before sipping it half.

Both of them were silent so I filled their glasses with the liquor. When I lifted my gaze, the Alpha’s face contorted to embarrassment—to disdain.

“I told you. Emilia and I are just friends. There’s nothing between us,” his tone was both soft and echoing with warning.

I ignored that warning.

“If there’s nothing between you then you two won’t be friends,” I made my sickly sweet smile be at the frontline of my expression.

As anticipated, Emilia slammed a hand on the table but not enough to rattle the glasses. “Why do you always create drama every time Jon and I are together? Can’t a female just spend time with her male bestfriend?!”

“Oh, you can...” I drawled, “As long as that male doesn’t have a girlfriend watching both of you one breath away from kissing.”

“You can’t be serious,” Jonathan sighed. “Look. We didn’t kiss or lean too much to one another. Probably your drunkenness made you see what you wanted to see—”

“So now I’m delusional?” I straightened my back, my rising tone made everyone around us turn to our table, gawking like some hawk in our direction.

Beta Homer whispered, “Ana, calm down. How could you make the Alpha awkward in front of everyone?” The Beta laughed before I could answer, “You shouldn’t sit—you should stand so that you can humiliate him further—”

Homer and I burped and ended up laughing. Alpha Jonathan just remained on his hot seat, sweat forming on his forehead, glaring at Homer and me.

Emilia broke our reverie. “Alpha Jon and I are just friends, Anastasia. If I had any intention of being with him, it would have happened a long time ago considering we grew up together.”

“Please don’t cause any more trouble, babe. Emilia isn’t the only one receiving the awkward treatment. You too.”

“So now it’s wrong for me to reprimand the two of you that she—” I pointed at Emilia, “—is no longer respecting boundaries or even acknowledging that you are already taken?”

Well, it seems I’m the one taken for granted.

“Are you even hearing yourself, Anastasia?” The Alpha stood and used his alpha tone. He acted as if I had done something so unforgivable that he wanted to shove me out of the pack party by dragging me by the hair if only I wasn’t his girlfriend.

I was hurt by his voice, his expression, and his...siding with Emilia. For the thousandth time, I’m the one to fix my attitude when it should be Emilia.

But my heart was hurt only in the blink of an eye, and then it no longer did. It was back to beating to my own unending rhythm of being the one to adjust when Jonathan and Emilia were together.

And as I heaved a deep sigh, I stood. I will no longer endure this drama. “You all have fun and enjoy the night. I’ll gladly remove myself to not be your obstacle for tonight.” I turned to the Alpha as I grabbed my bag, “And Alpha Jonathan, no matter how many years we’ve been together, no matter how many times you’ve told me what you and Emilia are, I’d like to end this now.”

He had chosen her many times already. I bet he’ll choose her several times in the years to come too.

He blinked, then— “What do you mean by that, Ana?”

“I, Anastasia Stephens, am now breaking up with you and severing our bond, Alpha Jonathan of the Dusk Rose Pack.” I lifted my chin and didn’t let my voice waver, “I hereby reject your love and affection from now on.”

Alpha Jonathan clutched his chest, speechless—

Emilia rushed beside him, whispering comforting words and stroking his hair.

I took one look at their hateful faces and then left without a word.