I nodded in agreement and smiled at her. We parted ways, and I headed back toward the pack house. I had lived knowing that Ace would finally accept me but after he rejected me, I felt alone and pitiful. The cool breeze blows against my legs.

I was thankful that Merry let me borrow her jacket to hide my face as I made my way through the pack members. I am hoping not to see Ace again. Luckily, our paths did not cross. He was probably screwing that Olivia who was full of herself. My heart ached at the thought of them being so close.

I shook my head, taking a deep breath before I knocked on Steven's door. I prepared myself so he wouldn't see me as pathetic. Hopefully, he would never find out about Alpha and me.

"Sophia? I am so happy to see you again, please enter!" The kindest Alpha welcomed me with open arms as he opened the door.

Despite his lofty rank, Steven was exceedingly humble. His parents had raised him to be courteous of all pack members and to treat them as though they were family. He never treated me or anybody else in Omega like crap. He paid close attention to all of the wolves in our pack, studying their preferences in order to bring out the best in each of them.

At 26 years old, he had an amazing reputation. Steven pulled out the chair for me, letting me sit down before he took his own place behind the carved table. He ran his hands through his black hair and his unique crimson eyes locked on me.

"You wanted to see me, Alpha?" I asked in wonder.

"Indeed! I'm sorry to disturb you on your special day!" He smiled, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I really appreciate that." I was perplexed as to why he had summoned me here, but I thought it was impolite to inquire.

"I don't want to waste your time, so I'll get right to the point," Steven grumbled. "I've heard the widespread chatter about what Ace did, and I'd like to apologize on his behalf."

Inside my thoughts, I was freaking out. Although it is impossible to conceal such embarrassment. After all, he is still the Alpha.

I scowled slightly, pushing back tears once again. "I'm not sure what's up with Ace; I used to know him as a brilliant and dedicated guy, and then he suddenly changed out of the blue moon!"

He paused for a while, staring at me. "Why am I telling you that? You already know. You used to be friends, after all!"

"It's okay, Alpha!" I reassured him, that I was not interested anymore in talking about what happened earlier as I was still in pain.

"Stop lying to your teeth," Steven frowned. "Believe me, I would not hesitate to kick his ass for rejecting you in front of everyone. Only if I was there, I could somehow manage to deescalate the situation, this would never have happened." His statement left me amazed.

"Anyway, this is no longer about him. I know it's common for rejected mates to run away from their pack. I hope you won't leave me, Sophia. We badly need you here, especially since you will soon work to me!"

Steven kissed my forehead as a sign that I was an important part of his life. 

"I swear not to leave, Alpha. Even if there are so many reasons to do so, this is my home." I let a sigh. "However, are you certain about making me work for you? I just don't think I'm capable of doing that... it's too much if you ask me!"

I intended to do that, I had enough pain in my heart and there is no way I could lift my heads up this time.

"Oh common! We've been through this, Sophia. You're the best fit for the role. You're smart and followed every instruction. It's very wrong to waste your potential. Have you remembered what my father used to say? If you judge a wolf by its capability to hide..."

"It'll live believing it's an idiot." Finally, someone other than Merry cheered me up. "Well, then, I'd like to accept your kind offer and pledge to try my best!"

He gave me a sneaky grin. "That's what you're supposed to say; please enjoy your special day; I'm sure you'll find a way to celebrate it no matter what happened," he remarked as he handed me a key.

I knitted my forehead in confusion. "Why did you give me a key?"

"You can take whatever you want from my liquor cabinet, including the red wine; you're my favorite."

I hesitated for him being too kind to me. "I think it's too much to ask!"

"Please do not be shy. You are close to me and that help is fine by me. Although, don't let the alcohol get into your head as your first day as my assistant will begin tomorrow."

He opened the door for me and gave me way. I nodded my head. "Thank you, Steven!"

"By the way, I prefer you to call me by my name once you become my assistant, see you in a bit!"

I went inside after putting the key in my pocket. The sadness visited my face again. Shit! I think I am not in the mood to party anymore and I could not think of anything else but to drink alcohol so I can forget what happened earlier even though deep inside, I wanted to talk to Ace and beg him to prove myself worthy of becoming his mate. But the fact of the matter is, that forcing him to notice me is not what I wanted to happen.

After talking to Steven, I finally decided to return to where I and my mom were peacefully living together. I was thankful to Marry because her coat helped me against the cold wind. Although, my legs were still shaking as hell. The moment I stepped inside the house, I remembered that I had to eat with my mom as a way to celebrate my birthday, and having lunch at home with her is what I always look forward to every time I celebrate my birthday.

The aroma of her special Montreal-style Smoked Meat reached my nose and I realized that she did not forget my favorite. This time, I had almost forgotten that I was being rejected by my Alpha mate.

She was already looking at me as I walked into the kitchen, expecting me to arrive.

"I recognize your footsteps and am relieved to see you come home; I thought you had forgotten about me!"

I disagreed by nodding my head. "There's no way that's going to happen; I always look forward to enjoying my favorite Montreal-style Smoked Meat you cook on my birthday!"

She just gave me a wide smile. "Lunch will be ready in a bit, come on and sit down. Let's have some chit chats while waiting for the lunch to be ready!"

I tried to sound happy but for some reason, the moment I was rejected by my Alpha mate is returning to my head and I suddenly frowned. My mother recognized my behavior and became unhappy when she noticed my gloomy expression.

"What is wrong honey? Did your Alpha reject you?"

Damn! There is really nothing that my mom could not notice, especially when it's about me. Since I was a kid, I literally shared all of my stories and she knew exactly if I was hiding something from her. For some reason, I was swallowed by sadness and my feet were trembling in fear.

She pulled her feet towards me and offered me a nice hug, which I desperately needed right now as I felt bad for myself.

"Rejection is a part of life, Honey, but it does not imply you are unworthy; it is fine if you are furious with him; just don't try to push yourself to be happy right now!"

My mom's advice is such powerful and I am so grateful that she sympathizes with me as I go through this difficult part of my life.

"I am so grateful to have a mom like you. But don't worry, I went through a lot before so this is way too easy for me to handle!"

I really went through a lot before and I am used to being lonely. I don't have many friends and that is just fine by me. What is important for me is I have my Mom, Marry, and Steven who I look up to. They are my family and it does not matter if I want a small circle of social life.