Tasting 144

144–The Rejected Alpha

Nora:

Ryker stayed seething while I climbed into the car with Brody. It was only after the car hit the road

that I felt guilty about my actions. I wasn‘ t helping our relationship in any way either. But we weren’t

even official yet.

“Okay! You are anxious. What is going on?” Brody finally pointed out how many times I had

adjusted in my seat and sighed.

“Nothing,” I faked a smile.

“Come on, is it about us?” he questioned, and my body twitched. Oh shit! It definitely involved him

but in a very weird way.

“Actually–,” I adjusted myself again, and he laughed, making me shut

1. up.

“Calm down. We can talk about it once we get to school,” he said, and I realized today was going to

be the day when I made a decision. It couldn’t just act like a flirt and string men along. I understood

that I wasn’t official with either of the brothers, but at least I knew what I wanted and who I wanted

as a romantic partner.

While I had felt some connection with Brody in the beginning, that sexual tension had faded after

my encounters with the brothers. My body and my wolf were feeling them and their scents too much

these days. And it made me realize that even if the brothers didn’t accept me, it’s not like I was

going to jump into Brody’s arms next.

14-4–The Rejected Alpha

I would rather live my life and do what I am supposed to do. That should have been my goal from

the start, but I got distracted. Once we arrived at the school, we stayed in the car, and I reckoned

this is where he wanted to have a word with me.

“Look! I know I am being pushy, but I need to know the answer so that I can understand what you

want,” he sighed as he leaned back.

“And trust me, I will be very understanding. I won’t ask you to shift to my pack instantly. I will give

you time to continue your studies here. and accept me whenever you are ready. We can date first,

and trust me, you will see how happy I can make you,” the fact that he was already thinking I would

say yes scared me a little.

I mean, his words made me wonder if my delaying this conversation. had given him mixed signals. I

felt so guilty as I lowered my head and sighed deeply. He was now watching my face. I was certain

about it. And I feared looking up and meeting his gaze.

“Brody, you are a nice guy,” I started, taking calm breaths and fidgeting with my fingers at the same

time.

“And I will show you my best side. I will be the best chosen mate as well,” he continued, making it

so hard for me to break his heart and crush his hopes. Maybe Ryker was right in saying that I had

delayed this conversation too long.

“Brody, I don’t want to do it,” I mumbled, before explaining, “I don’t feel that way towards you.”

As I finished, his lack of response finally prompted me to lift my head and look at him. He was

watching me in disbelief, almost like he was waiting for me to say I was joking or something.

“It’s just that—maybe you should look for a fated mate. You are a nice.

144 The Rejected Alpha

guy and you deserve someone who feels the same way towards you,” I began to ramble now that

he was just watching my face.

“Wait a minute. What are you saying? You’re not attracted to me? Since when?” The frown on his

forehead and the confidence in his voice, as if I was changing my decision, kind of came as a

shock.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“Since when did you stop feeling for me?” he asked again, and my frown grew bigger.

“What are you talking about? I don’t know how to answer this question. without hurting your

feelings,” I mumbled awkwardly.

“Nora, you

Were

going to date me, so what changed?” This time, he sounded stern and looked a little disappointed

with my response.

“Huh? What makes you think I was going to say yes—oh, all the delays?” I sighed, slapping my

forehead and feeling responsible for his pain. But he shook his head instantly, dismissing my

conclusion, making me furrow my eyebrows.

“You maybe told your friend—a certain someone—that you were going out on a date with me. Why

would you say that only to say no?” He didn’t raise his voice, but the pain in it was so much that I

sat back and just watched him look at me.

I wanted to comfort him, but I was also confused about what he was saying until I recalled a

conversation I had with a friend.

“Natalya? She told you that?” I gasped, and he clenched his jaw, turning straight and putting his

hands on the steering wheel even though he didn’t plan to start the car again.

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144 The Rejected Alpha

”

“I—oh my goodness, why would she do that?” I was so shocked. She went ahead and told him

about my conversation with her? But for what?

“I don’t know. But I do want to know what made you change your mind. What did I do wrong—or–”

The sudden pause from him with his frown intensifying made me gulp a little. “Did your brothers tell

your not to date me?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at my face.

As soon as I gulped, he nodded his head and hit the steering wheel, causing my body to jump a

little.

“It’s not like that. I honestly don’t feel–” I shut up because how do I tell him why I said yes to Natalya

about going out on a date with him?

My heart was pounding so hard as I felt cornered but also betrayed.

“Brody, I am so sorry,” not having a response made things worse. He must feel like I was such a

liar.

“It’s okay. I will be fine,” he forced himself to calm down but never

looked my way again. It hurt me, but he had already sped away to park looked my way again. It hurt

me, but he

the car in the parking lot, so there was no hope left for another word with him.