Rejected by My Alpha Mate; Nyra's Awakening

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: I hate It Here

Before he can react, Anna cups his face and yanks him into a deep, possessive kiss, moaning softly against his mouth for everyone to hear.

Adrian groans low and kisses her back, gripping her chin and deepening the kiss as everyone around them cheers like she isn’t even standing there.

Nyra’s wolf howls painfully in her chest as she watches them. Damn wolf, always making her feel all these u necessary feelings! It’s not like it’s the first time seeing them kiss.

She turns away refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her hurt, and quickly retreats to her room, slamming the door behind her.

Through the music, she hears Adrian’s friends joke about her being jealous already. She just wants to scream at the Goddess for giving her such a terrible mate.

"Why did you even invite her, babe?" She hears Anna ask. "You know I don’t want her around me anymore. Even her parents don’t want to see her."

Nyra exhales loudly, blocking out whatever response Adrian gives.

She’s not even surprised that her parents are only on Anna’s side. They’re acting like she can influence the Goddess’ decisions.

After a few minutes of staring at the wall in absolute boredom, Nyra decides she’s done sitting here like a prisoner while Adrian gets parades Anna around their apartment.

She needs to go out somewhere too.

Nyra digs through her closet, pulling out the one decent outfit she owns--a tight black top and jeans that actually fit. She brushes her hair back, leaving a few strands framing her face. Then she adds a touch of makeup and slips on her boots.

She actually looks good tonight.

Her reflection stares back defiantly.

If they want to treat her like nothing, then he surely wouldn’t care if she goes elsewhere else, right? At least then she doesn’t have to watch Anna trying to eat her mate’s mouth.

Fuck that damn contract.

Nyra cracks her door open and checks the hallway--they’re doing karaoke, one of Adrian’s friends singing in a high-pitched, off-key voice, clearly drunk.

The ground is littered with beer cans, and pizza boxes-- Adrian better cleans everything up himself, tomorrow.

Pushing past the small crowd of people, she struggles to get to the door. But before she can even reach the grab the handle, Adrian jerks upright, grabbing her arm to stop her from leaving.

Her skin goes hot from his touch.

"Where are you going?"

"None of your business!" she retorts, yanking her hand away from his grasp. "Enjoy your stupid party."

And before Adrian can question her further, she pulls the door open and storms out.

The nerve of him to even ask when he’s been glued to someone else all night.

The elevator ride down feels freeing.

Outside, the cool night air hits her face. She walks quickly down the well-lit street, away from the condo building, not sure where she’s going but needing the distance.

It’s quite late now--a few minutes past ten. And for an Omega, it’s really dangerous, but Nyra really doesn’t care right now.

She barely makes it five blocks before three guys step out from an alley, blocking her path. One smirks, his eyes raking over her outfit.

"Lost, sweetheart?"

She looks between the three men, realizing they’re thieves, evident by the small pistols glinting in their waistbands.

"We don’t want to hurt you," one of them mutters. "Just hand over the bag and whatever’s in your pockets. Nice and easy."

Nyra bristles, stepping back.

"Back off."

The tallest one laughs, stepping closer.

"Or what? You should’ve known better than to come out alone like this."

He reaches out and touches her hair.

"Or do you want us to take something else?"

"No, fuck off!" She slaps his hand away, her heart racing as she backs up, scanning for an escape, but they don’t let her get far.

They grab her wrist, pulling her toward the dark alley while she tries to fight them off.

Suddenly, a deep voice cuts in from behind them.

"Hey! Leave her alone!"

An Alpha Nyra recognizes from her art classes, Julian, appears from the side street, his hood up and his stance confident. He lets his dominant Alpha pheromones drift toward them.

"I said back off. Now."

The guys hesitate. "Who are you? And how about you mind your damn business!?"

Julian doesn’t bother to respond. Instead, he pulls out his phone, dialing the police.

"They are just two blocks away. Let her go."

The men exchange glances, then mutter curses. Before Nyra can blink, one of them snatches her bag and runs off into the alley.

Julian is already prepared to follow, but Nyra’s laughter cuts him off.

He pauses, turning to face her. "What? They just took your bag, and you’re laughing?"

She shrugs.

"Because it’s empty. I don’t need it. It was old anyway."

"Oh..." Julian’s frown slowly morphs into a small smile. "They’re going to be so pissed when they realize."

"I know, right!" Nyra nods, still laughing. "I put my phone in my pocket, and thank goodness I did." She chuckles again, finally straightening. "Thank you so much anyway."

"No problem," he mumbles, lowering his phone. He has sharp features, dark curls, and a warm smile. "I’m Julian. You really okay?" freewebnøvel.coɱ

"Nyra. Yeah... I think so." She takes his hand. "And I think I know who you are. You’re that crazy-rich new kid who just joined art and martial training, right?"

He seems genuinely intrigued.

"I’m not crazy rich..." He’s smiling. "But yeah, we moved here from another pack."

"Nice to meet you," she mumbles.

This is the first time in months she’s had a normal conversation with someone her age

Julian nods, pointing toward a nearby 24-hour diner. "Nice to meet you too. Come on, let’s go get snacks. My treat."

Nyra blinks in surprise. "Y-you really want to hang out with me?!"

He looks at her incredulously. "Yeah. Why? You don’t talk to strangers?"

She shakes her head, masking her expression. "N-nothing. It’s fine. Let’s leave, in case those idiots decide to come back."

He smiles and leads her there, the adrenaline fading into a quiet conversation. They end up in a diner, gossiping over steaming mugs.

Within an hour, Nyra finds out Julian is only into male Omegas and is very much a yapper.

He also makes her feel so relaxed that pretty soon, she finds herself opening up more than expected.

"My... mate is throwing a party with his girlfriend. In our new place. I’m the unwanted one." freeweɓnøvel.com

Julian raises an eyebrow. "Mate drama? Oof. Sounds toxic. I’ve never believed in that mate bullshit. Can’t you just, like... leave?"

Nyra sips her coffee, shrugging. "The bond makes it hard."

She doesn’t explain further, and thankfully, he doesn’t ask.

They talk for over an hour. Julian shares stories of his old pack troubles and how hard it was for his parents to accept him.

Laughter comes easier. For the first time in years, Nyra feels seen without pity or mockery.

It’s past midnight when she checks her phone. Two missed calls from Adrian, but she ignores them.

"I should head back. It’s getting late. Thanks, Julian. Really."

"Anytime. Here’s my number. Text me if you need backup again." Julian hugs her briefly, then pats her back. "You’re stronger than you think, Nyra."

She nods and smiles. "See you in class next week?"

He nods. "Hell yeah."

After that, Nyra walks back home--if she can even call it that--slowly, the streets quieter now.

Inside, she rides the elevator up, steeling herself for whatever mess awaits as she reaches their apartment. The music is surprisingly quieter now, and the lights seem more dimmed.

She inhales sharply, steps inside, and freezes.

In the living room, under the dim fairy lights, Anna is on her knees in front of Adrian on the couch. His head is tilted back, eyes closed, one hand in her hair as she moves. There’s no mistaking what’s happening.

Nyra’s stomach drops.

Adrian’s eyes snap open at the sound of the door. He sees her instantly.

"Shit--"

He pushes Anna back quickly, yanking his pants up, his face flushed.

Anna, on the other hand, doesn’t seem at all flustered. She wipes her mouth slowly, smirking as she stands.

"I thought you’d be gone longer. You’ve ruined the fun now."

Adrian zips up, but instead of looking ashamed, he walks closer, his nose scrunching at the strange smell.

He leans in, inhaling twice, the bond burning with jealousy.

"Where have you been?!"

Nyra still isn’t responding, petrified.

"You were with an Alpha, weren’t you?" he accuses, his silver eyes darkening with jealousy. "Where the fuck were you, Nyra? You reek of Alpha pheromones."

The nerve to even ask...

She finally finds her voice, her face folding into a disgusted frown as she lets out a shaky laugh.

"You’re really asking me that?"

She meets Anna’s smug smile.

"After I just walked in on..." She gestures wildly. "...on that?!"

Adrian’s eyes stay locked on her, showing no shame whatsoever.

"Anna is my girlfriend. You are single. It’s not the same thing!" he argues.

Anna looks between them, her eyes blazing with quiet jealousy. "Adrian... what’s it to you? If she finds someone else, it’s better for us, right?"

Adrian doesn’t even look at her.

"Stay out of this, Anna!"

Before either girl can retort, a loud knock echoes from the front door.

Adrian snarls low in his throat but goes to open the door anyway, ready to blow up on whoever interrupted them,

He freezes when he sees the person standing behind it.

"Dad...?" Adrian glances wearily between Anna and Nyra. "W-what are you doing here?"