My Promised Rejection (Olivia and Ace) novel Chapter 16

Two Days Later

Olivia POV

As I approach the gate, the urge to turn my car around is overwhelming. The thought of stepping foot back in this place makes me want to run. Before I can change my mind, a man steps around the gate and approaches my car. I open my window and his low growl startles me. “What is your business here, rogue?” “Well, aren’t you just a ray of sunshine? I’m here to join the pack.” Fear flashes in his eyes. “Olivia,” he says.

“That’s me. Can you open the gate, so I can get this over with, please.” “I’m so sorry” he starts to say, but I quickly cut him off. “Just forget about it and open the gate.” “Of course,” he says, rushing away from my car.

Once I’m parked, I make my way toward the pack house. I smile when I see Becca standing on the steps waiting for me.

She squeals as she rushes toward me. As soon as she reaches me, she pulls me in for a bone–crushing hug.‘ Becca, you act like we haven’t seen each other in years.” “It feels like it. I’m used to seeing you every day. I’ve missed you,” she says. “I’ve missed you too. Now tell me about this ceremony.”

“It will be in the training field and most of the pack will attend. Xavier, Evelyn, Connor, and I will be on stage with you. Xavier will speak first about welcoming you into the pack, then he will call you to stand in front of him. He’ll cut his hand, letting some blood drip into the pack chalice. Then he’ll cut your hand. Once the bloods mixed, he’ll hand you the chalice. One little sip, and you are part of the pack,” she says.

“What the hell? You expect me to drink blood. There is no way I’m doing that.” “It’s the only way to become a member if you aren’t born in the pack,” she says. “You’re telling me Connor had to drink Xavier’s blood.” “Yes, he did. He is also going to take over for Xavier someday. He will become the Alpha of the pack and I will be his Luna. I’m hoping when that happens you’ll come back to live here with us,” she says.

I hate the hope I see in her eyes, but that won’t ever happen. “Let’s not talk about that right now, Becca. I need to get through this bullsh*t tonight. Then I can start my college courses. I’ve decided I’m going to become a nurse.” She squeals pulling into her arms again. “That’s amazing. When you’re done with schooling, you can work in the pack hospital,” she says. “Becca, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be willing to move back to this place.”

“Well, I’m not giving up the dream. Besides, you never know, maybe you’ll feel differently once you find your mate,” she says. My mind flashes back to the day in the hospital when I smelled creamsicles and Danical whispered mate. Before I can ask her, Xavier’s voice brings me out of my thoughts. “I’m glad to see you came, Olivia,” he says. “I didn’t have much choice if I didn’t want to be a prisoner here again, did I?”

“You look beautiful, Olivia” Evelyn says as she links her arm with his. I’m wearing a blue sundress and I have my hair in a French braid. I nod just as Connor steps out of the pack house. He smiles when he sees me. “Are you ready to do this, Olivia,” he asks as he approaches me. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Becca links her arm with mine, and we make our way down a path through a large group of trees.

I’m shocked when we breach the tree line to see a huge clearing that is full of people. There is a small stage that everyone is facing. Becca continues to lead me through the crowd that parts as we approach. Right before we reach the stage, the scent from the hospital is so strong it overwhelms me. My steps falter and Becca looks at me with concern. “Are you alright,” she asks. “I’m fine.” “Mate,” Danica whispers, and I swear my heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest.

There to be a way thing happening, declare in the trek of more, Becca leads me up on the stage, long out at the proud and ever gearing, ten the man, the scant tongues to Water to this joining ceremony, Xavier’s booming voice pulls my attention from the crowd. We are here today to welcome my stepdaughter, Olivia Crocker to the pack 3 force myself to not react to being called his anything

Something in her voice makes unease roll through me. “Well, I missed Ace and our daughter. Besides, Collette told me all about our new pack member, so I decided I should meet her,” she says.

Why do I get the sinking feeling that Becca doesn’t like this girl? “Ace, I know you have sort of met Olivia, but she wasn’t really awake, Olivia, this is Ace Morris, the pack doctor,” Becca says. Ace reaches for my hand, but Candace quickly pushes it out of the way, taking my hand with hers. “I’m Candace Morris, Ace’s wife,” she says. “Want mate,” Danica chants as I try to focus on the situation. “It’s very nice to meet you both. What is this beautiful little girl’s name?” “Our pup,” Danica says. “Her name is Della,” Ace says.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Della” I say reaching out my hand to take hers, but Candace steps in the way. “She doesn’t really like strangers” she says. “Candace,” Ace says her name like a warning. He steps around her, moving close enough that his scent is making it hard for me not to reach out and touch him. “Hello sweetheart,” I say, and Della reaches out to me. “May I,” I ask Ace and he nods.

He hands her to me. Our hands brushing against each other has the tingles taking me off guard. I quickly pull her into my arms. She lays her head against my chest and I can’t help but smile. “She is precious.” “You look good holding her,” Becca says. A low growl has me looking at Candace. “Chill Candace, I just meant with a pup, not your pup. Although, it’s not like you’ve marked Ace,” Becca says. “I don’t think that’s any of your business, Becca. Just because you’re going to become Luna doesn’t give you the right to speak about my relationship with Ace,” she says.

This time it’s me that growls, holding tightly to the little girl in my arms. “Enough Candace. Becca, I appreciate you worrying about me, but you don’t need to. Candace is right. What happens between us is just that, between us,” he says. “I’m sorry, Ace,” she says. “It’s alright Becca.” He reaches out and I hand him Della. “It was very nice to see you again, Olivia.I’m glad I got the chance to meet you while you were awake this time. Let’s go home, Candace,” he says. My chest aches as I watch the man that is my mate walk away with his wife.