Chapter 1 – His Plump Mate (Rebel & Austin) Novel

Alpha Austin POV

Damn it! That fucker Cullen is really pissing me off lately. This is the third time this month that greedy bastard has attacked my pack, trying to get our gem mines. I give him credit for trying, but I’m too mean a bastard to let anyone try to take what’s mine, and believe me, Blackstone Pack and everything in it, is mine.

“Renz, have the patrols secured the borders?” I mind-link my Beta. Lorenzo is my beta but also my best friend since childhood. No one knows me better and no one understands my the way I think, like he does. When you grow up next to the same person and go through everything from adolescence to puberty to adulthood, you can’t help but know that person like the back of your hand.

“Yeah Alpha. Borders are secured. The patrols said that bastard Cullen came in charging with 40 of his warriors. With only 3 guards are patrol, some of the territory’s fences were damaged. I’m getting orders in for the materials to rebuild now, and it should be here in the morning.”

With so many attacks by that bastard this month, a lot of repairs must be made. It’s a good thing that my pack is one of the wealthiest in the southwestern region. It’s also the reason why that prick wants my gem mines.

“Keep me updated. Triple the patrols tonight and over the next week. We need to make sure everything is reinforced before we can drop down the patrols.” I told him.

“Already done Alpha. Patrols will be tighter than a she-wolf’s first time.” I could hear the smirk on his face, like he knew that was what I was going to want. “By the way, are you still going out with Ceraline tonight?”

“What are you talking about?” I can’t stand Ceraline. That she-wolf has been vying for the Luna position for the last 5 years. I’m not in the least bit interested in her. She’s not my fated mate. Don’t get me wrong. At 30 years old, I’ve been searching for my mate since becoming Alpha 12 years ago, but even a man has needs. I’ve had women that were a form of release for me, but I never have been with the same woman twice. I enjoyed their company for an hour or so and then we both go our own separate ways, neither party wanting anything more than a good time without commitment. I always use protection too. I’ll be damned if a woman tries to force me into a mate bond or claim I’m the baby’s daddy.

I try to be the southern gentleman my mama raised me to be, but seriously, I wouldn’t touch Ceraline with a stolen dick. She is just bad news all the way around. The only reason I keep her around is because I told my late father’s Beta, when he was on his deathbed, that I would look out for his daughter. Somehow, she morphed “looking out for his daughter” into “making his daughter my Luna”. That’s NEVER going to happen. The only woman that will be my Luna is my fated mate.

“Well, she was saying that you and she were going on a date tonight to see a show. She is saying you arranged everything. Are you trying to give her a private show Alpha?” as my beta tries to keep a straight face.

“Does my fist need to visit your face Renz? I haven’t, nor will I, plan anything with her crazy ass. I really need to figure out what I can do about her to keep her busy and away from me, before I kill her. She is annoying as all fuck.”

“Sounds like she wants to play ‘pin the she-wolf on the Alpha’.” Renz smirked as he walked up to me. “Should I ask one of the omegas to get your suit out?”

“Do you want to run patrols for the next week? I’m sure Lacy would love to have the floor to herself while I run you ragged.” I said giving him a menacing grin.

“So no to the omega pressing your suit then. Got it. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a beautiful mate waiting and begging to be teased by her loving mate.” He laughed. While I smirked at him. “Get out of here Renz. Say hi to Lacy for me.”

I turn to go to the pack house behind Renz who took off jogging ahead. I sigh and keep a steady pace. While I’m happy for Renz that he found his mate early on, I can’t help but feel a little envious. He has someone waiting for him at night and I go to my floor to an empty suite. My Gamma also found his mate early. They are both on their respective floors with their mates. I can’t help but feel a pang in my chest at the loneliness I feel each night. Sometimes I don’t even stay in my suite. I leave and go hunting just so I don’t feel alone in that big bed.

As I enter the pack house, I hear the equivalent of nails clawing down a chalkboard. I internally groan, not again. Ms. Pain In My Ass is approaching. She saunters over to me with her shapeless and bony figure. Seriously, does she ever eat? She thinks she is looking seductive, but in actuality, she looks like a scrawny teenage boy. “Hello Alpha”, she purrs. Trying and pathetically failing to get me to flirt with her. “I thought we could go out tonight. You and me, dinner?” She came close to me, trying to swing her non-existent hips.

“Ceraline” I sighed. “I don’t know how many times I need to say this, but we won’t be doing anything together. I just finished fighting with that bastard Cullen. I need to clean up and I’m exhausted. I will be going to bed. If you want to go out, then have a good time by yourself.” I finish as I turn and walk away.

“I could join you and help you clean up Alpha.” She calls behind me, with her voice husky. For fuck’s sake, she clearly isn’t getting the message. “Ceraline, whatever this is…it is NOT happening. I have said this enough times, I have zero interest in you. I am not playing hard to get. I don’t have a secret crush on you. I’m definitely not sending mixed signals. Have a good evening.” I said curtly and walked off. I could feel a little bad for being harsh, but there is only so many times I can say the same things and so much I will put up with tonight.

I finally get back to my suite and make my way to the on-suite bathroom. I strip and get in the shower. I turn on the water and let the cold water hit me while the hot water comes through. As I start cleaning my body with soap and water, I start thinking about where my fated mate could be and what she looks like. I certainly hope she is curvy. I love a lush woman. I’m a big man at 6’5″ and 280lbs of muscle. I might snap a small woman in half. I’d much rather prefer a woman with meat on her bones. I might be a wolf, but the bone is for the wolf, while the meat is for the man.

In terms of her personality. I really would love for her to have her own interests. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to share in all of her interests, but it would be nice if she isn’t dependent on me to make her days interesting. I would like to come home, and we both share our days with things that were exciting for both of us. I hope my mate is comfortable around me, enough to truly be herself. Plus, I wouldn’t mind if she had some sass. I think a Luna could be assertive and soft at the same time and still know when to lean into her attitude. I sigh and close my eyes, letting the water rinse away the dirt, grime and soap. I turn off the water, dry off and go to my walk-in closet. I’ve always kept one half open for my fated mate. I have the omegas make sure it stays clean and dust free. Waiting for the day that I bring her home.

I climb into my large bed, by myself, again. I look over to the empty space beside me. A pang in my chest hits once again, as I wonder if I will ever meet my mate. Closing my eyes, while I go into another night with a restless sleep.

Rebel POV

It’s a rare day off for me. I’m so excited that I make myself some brisket sandwiches, with the leftover brisket I made earlier in the week. I like smoking my own meats, but my family thinks it’s not refined enough for their social status. Being a Beta’s daughter, I have a very healthy appetite. I train privately with my dad, so I’m strong. I’m not allowed to go to the training grounds, because my family is embarrassed of me. Even though I am strong and I can fight and defend myself, I don’t look the part. While other she-wolves are thin and beautiful, with soft curves and still muscular, I am chubby. At 5’9″ and 180lbs, I’m not exactly fitting the mold. But that is okay with me. I like to work out, but I also like food. Both are essential, and while apparently, I don’t have the wolf gene that would keep me looking fit, I figure there is a reason why I am built this way, and no one has been smart enough to figure it out yet.

Aside from how I look, the main reason I’m not allowed to go to the training grounds and train with everyone else, is because I’m my father’s dirty little secret. He is embarrassed that I am a love child. The illegitimate daughter of the former beta of the Ironclaw pack. His reputation takes precedence over the life of his first daughter. Of course, he doesn’t treat my half-sister Rachel that way. She got to go to school and make friends, learn alongside classmates, go to outings with the groups and all other things pups get to do when they are young. My father taught me to read, write, and basic math. He gave me books to read and told me to learn what I could from them.

In any event, I want to play my guitar and have a solo picnic today. Roxie, my wolf, needs to be let out. I don’t get to let her out often because my family want to keep up appearances. It’s sad really, but I don’t let it get me down. I just have to fake it, til I make it. I pack up the brisket sandwiches, a couple of salted caramel brownies, some strawberries, a few bottles of water into my backpack, and make my way to the woods. Roxie wants to go to the lake today and I agree with her. It’s a beautiful day, and sunlight, fresh air and good food sounds like a perfect afternoon for us both.

“Damn right it is!” Roxie snickers. She loves our days off. We only get one day a month. Otherwise, we are cooking, cleaning and training. My stepmother, Jules, well, she doesn’t like me at all. Before my father Harris met his fated mate, he had been in a relationship with my mother. She died giving birth to me and my dad wasn’t about to abandon me, so he brought me home. When I was two years old, my dad met his fated mate, my stepmother. She wanted me gone, but my father said no and said he was responsible for me. Not that he loved me or wanted me. He was just responsible for me. Of course, then my dad and Jules had my half-sister, Rachel. Both my dad and Jules dote on Rachel. My dad felt a sense of responsibility for me but didn’t really want me. Jules took complete advantage of my dad’s feelings towards me. She said I was unwanted, but her mate was obligated to take care of me, so she was going to allow me to stay in the attic and I would have to help the omegas with cooking and cleaning. In addition to that, I had to attend to my sister Rachel and be at her beck and call. At 10 years old, my room was giving to my sister to use as a walk-in closet. My dad spent thousands of dollars to have a custom designed closet installed for her. My things were chucked in boxes and sent to the attic. Since then, the attic became my space.

My father called me his ward instead of his daughter if anyone ever saw me, so he didn’t have to acknowledge me or provide me with the same benefits or privileges that my sister received. Over the years, my sister regarded me as the help instead of her sister. Jules would always treat me like garbage. She would insult and belittle me. She always made it a point to try and make me feel unwanted. As a result, Rachel started treating me the same way. I used to pray to the moon goddess to take me away from here, but my prayers fell on deaf ears, so I adapted. I stayed out of Jules and Rachel’s way. I stayed hidden, since I was my family’s disgrace. I trained with my dad every morning in private so he wouldn’t be embarrassed to show his chubby, illegitimate and unwanted daughter in public. I appealed to my dad to have one day off a month to get rest and fresh air, and he conceded, much to my stepmother’s displeasure. I took my day of solitude every month and it has helped to keep me balanced and find peace to continue for another month of working from morning until the late evenings.

So, here I am. At the lake, having lunch by myself, strumming my guitar, and enjoying my peace. ‘Rebel, I don’t think we are alone.’ Roxie said. She was fidgeting anxiously. ‘Do you sense danger Rox?’ I put my guitar down and start looking around and listening for any sounds. Suddenly, an amazing scent hits my nostrils. It smells like fresh cut grass and cedar. It’s a wonderful smell, and I turn around to see who the scent belongs to, and I see Alpha Cullen. Then Roxie says loudly, “MATE!”

A smile plays on my lips. It’s the first time I have felt excited with anticipation. My fated mate! The moon goddess made Alpha Cullen my fated mate. I used to hear Rachel say how handsome is he and that he is kind to everyone. She has pictures of him in her room. I know she daydreams all the time about him. Rachel has been vying for his attention, but she doesn’t turn 18 years old until next week. Meanwhile, I’m 23 years old, and because I’m never allowed out and my only day off is usually spent in solitude, I have never found my mate. I don’t think the pictures do him justice. He is very attractive.

I read in an old book my father gave me and heard from the Omegas that have mates, that fated mates are the moon goddess’ will and that they are the other half of our souls. Our mates are supposed to complete the other’s life and complement each other. It’s supposed to be an unconditional love. I can believe it too. My father may not love or want me, but I have seen how he looks at Jules. It’s unconditional. When I was younger, I used to dream about having that kind of love. To be cherished, WANTED. I never thought I would be either, so imagine my surprise that Alpha Cullen turns out to be my mate.

I stepped forward, but realized quickly, he doesn’t look as excited as I am. In fact, he looks like a mix between disgusted and angry. ‘Roxie? Are you sure he is our mate? He doesn’t look happy to see us.’

‘Yes! He’s our mate! Go to him Rebel! I want our mate!’ she yipped.

I move to walk towards him. Just as I take a step, he says, “Stop. This must be a mistake. I could never be mated to someone, like…you.”

My hope and brief moment of excitement and anticipation just crash landed on rocky terrain. He isn’t happy to be mated to us. He doesn’t want us. Roxie starts howling with sorrow. My eyes start to water. “Someone like me?” I ask.

“Yes, I mean, look at you. No Alpha wants a Luna that looks like you to be their mate. You don’t look refined, your clothes are old, not to mention you are not attractive. Maybe if you lost weight, then you could be passable. The moon goddess made a mistake. There is no way I can accept you as my mate. What is your name?” He sneers.

“Rebel Lawson” I reply. I know the rejection is coming. I’ve heard rejection is rare but painful. With my lips trembling and tears that sting my eyes, I brace for the impact that is coming.

“Let’s get this over with, I have things to do. Just so you understand, I need a strong and BEAUTIFUL Luna by my side. I, Alpha Cullen Niles, of the Ironclaw Pack, reject you, Rebel Lawson, as my mate and Luna.”

Instantly, my chest feels like it is ripped open and gutted. The pain is the worst I’ve ever felt. But I refuse to show pain in front of Alpha Cullen. I stay rigid and force my face not to react. Roxie is howling in desperation, because she wants her mate and he just rejected us, causing her immense pain too. The sooner I accept, the sooner we can move on. “I, Rebel Lawson, accept your rejection.” It was like a final death blow. I see Alpha Cullen grab his chest, taking deep breaths. Then after a couple of minutes he stood straight up. I still haven’t moved. Bearing all the pain until Roxie and I can be alone. “You will not mention this to anyone, do you understand?” As much pain as I was in, I couldn’t muster up the strength to say yes, so I just nodded. “Good, I can’t have people knowing I was mated to such a she-wolf.” With that, he turned and walked away.

I turned and went back to the lake, sat down next to my guitar and then the barriers crumbled. I held on to my chest and cried for hours. Roxie feeling weak from the rejection, retreated to the back of my mind. She was still talking to me, but it was much quieter. I felt so incredibly alone. Fated mates were supposed to love each other, no matter what. He was supposed to protect, cherish and love me. However, I never felt more unwanted and alone.

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