Rejection on the Full Moon (Rejection Series) Chapter 30

"H.T. Amber." A voice calls out to me as I step out of my Mustang, the cold winter air nipping at any exposed skin not covered by my winter gear. I turn around to catch a Tracker jogging her way towards me, her warm breath fogging in the winter air and blonde ponytail bouncing up and down.

"Hi Lease, want to give me a hand with these?" I close the driver-side door and make my way to the back seat, revealing boxes upon boxes from my store's bakery, my logo proudly showing.

"Sure, as long as I get some to snack on some too!" I chuckle when Lease's stomach growls to punctuate her statement. I bend over to pick up a few cake boxes and hand them to her. These were some treats that I had made in advance for the pack while at my store. Business has boomed incredibly in the last year and a half after agreeing to Dominic's request. Today has been busy, and all I wanted was to go home and sleep, but first, I have to make my usual appearance at the pack house. Lease and I take our boxes of goodies and make our way into the pack house, greeting the wolves passing by.

It has been a year and a half since my first day training the wolves of the Blood Moon pack, something I felt grateful for doing. I had gone home after talking to Christian and Dominic about who would make an incredible Head Hunter and great Assistant Tracker, as well as Head Tracker, if I decided not to take the offer. Dominic reminded me to think about the offer of joining this pack and knew right away what my answer would be. I remember calling Dominic late at night, surprised to learn he was still awake at the time and informed him that after the month of training is over, I would join his pack. On the first of August, I became the Head Tracker of Blood Moon and never regretted my decision.

Lease and I chat about the training she has been doing, a smile on my face at the young eighteen-year-old wolf. I had a feeling that Avery was looking for more one-on-one training in case something happens and either Avery or I can't train the wolves for some reason. One thing is for sure, Lease is a talented Tracker, and having her in our ranks as another trainer and top Tracker will improve our pack's strength significantly. After setting the boxes down on the counter in the kitchen, I take out a Tupperware container and proceed to take out some treats I know Lease personally enjoys. I hand her the full container once I'm done, and the she-wolf bounds away with her stash of baked goods. I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm, even though we're pretty close in age.

Familiar steps on the hardwood floor catch my attention, and a soft smile plays at my lips. Seconds later, Dominic rounds the corner and enters the kitchen, his head tilting back as he takes in a deep breath. His wavy, silver-blue hair is slicked back and damp, probably from a fresh shower, and his ice-blue eyes wink at me.

"I smell… cheesecake. Did you bring enough to share?" He asks playfully, taking long, slow strides towards me. Inwardly, I curse and turn to search the pile of boxes, seeing the one box that must have been mistakenly carried in—containing my cheesecake. With a glare, I hold the box filled with my treasure away from Dominic, unwilling to share with him the one treat I have to hide away from the Alpha with a better nose than any Tracker I've trained.

"This is mine, Dominic," I warn, slowly edging around the kitchen island to put more space and an obstacle between us. Dominic continues his advance with a smirk, his eyes darting between the box in my hand and my eyes.

"Give me the box, Amberle." Dominic's voice is authoritative as he relies on his Alpha command to order me about. But the thing is, both of us hold Alpha blood in our bodies, even if mine is slightly diluted with Beta blood.

"No, Dominic." I retort calmly, watching his muscles tense. Somehow, I'm the only one able to refuse his Alpha command. I know this challenges his authority, but being able to voice my concerns with this pack and not having to cower before an Alpha made a small part of me prideful—that, and the pack got a kick out of me annoying Dominic every time I refuse his command, brushing his words, laced with the power of Alpha blood like a piece of lint, off my shoulders. I continue to back away, using my skills and silent footwork to position myself, ready to run. Dominic soon joins me on the other side of the kitchen island, a gleam in his eyes as if victory for the prize of the coveted cheesecake with white chocolate drizzle is in his grasp. He makes his final move, lunging into the air in my direction. I run towards him, falling to the ground and sliding under his airborne form. The sounds of the pantry door splintering alert me to Dominic's position, but I refuse to look back. Looking back would get you caught.

Rushing to my feet, I hurriedly grab a fork from the dish-drying rack and scurry out of the kitchen and into the hallway. I had a feeling that if I raced off towards my house, Dominic would be there waiting to capture me and eat my cheesecake. The only other option is the stronghold we call his office on the second floor. Being the place where we store documents for our pack, Dominic's office is reinforced to bear the brunt of an attack or storm. It is the safest place I can lock myself in and be able to enjoy the creamy treat on my own.

But my plans are foiled as a group of young pups bound down the stairs, forcing me to back away and turn around, ready to find another route. I forgot that on Fridays, pups are allowed to study in the pack house with Hunters and Trackers as they learn the rules of being either a Hunter or Tracker, to then decide their role in the pack for the future. Taking a step towards another hallway, I plan to make a run for the other staircase in hopes of reaching my destination safely. But strong arms pull me back against a sturdy chest, and Dominic's familiar scent fills my nose, letting me know my attempt to run away has failed.

"I should really thank you for making me as fast as you." He whispers huskily, causing a shiver to run through my body. One arm stays around my waist as Dominic bends to lift me bridal style into his embrace, causing me to squeal in surprise. My eyes look into his, my pout signifying the pride of having the upper hand over him shattered. I always forget that pride comes before the fall, and with Dominic's speed increasing each day, it was only a matter of time before he can outrun me. I hated the fact that I had trained him to be stronger and faster, matching me as my equal at this point in time.