Rejection Denied
Smoke and Cookies

Chaos

That was the scene I caused.

The other champions screeched and turned away.

“AVIRY!” Nix pulled me away from Derrick. The glass shard clattered on the ground as I was lifted into the air and thrown over his shoulder.

“AHHHH AHHHHH!” Derrick shouted in agony. Saliva ran from his mouth, and tears cascaded down his face.

Cay and Alpha Victor rushed to his side. They were trying to apply pressure to his new procedure.

“Holy shit!” Alpha Sam Shouted. He pulled off his cowboy hat and held it to his chest.

“YOU’RE THE DEVIL!” Alpha Kane roared as he clutched on to his crouch.

“I’M HIS FUCKING SUPERVISOR!” I spat viciously. Nix’s mint scent overwhelmed my violent mood and relaxed my mind. It was aggravating that he had this effect on me. So, I kicked and screamed to be released.

“LET ME GOOO!” I shouted. I pounded and scratched at Nix’s back.

Nix marched us to the SUV furthest away from Derrick’s operation. He opened the passenger side door and released me into the seat. After slamming the door, he ran over to the driver’s side. There was a pen in the cupholder. I grabbed it as he slid into the car.

I threw my arm forward and impaled Nix’s arms. He winced, and I pulled it out to strike again, this time aiming for his neck.

“Die fucker!” I snarled.

Nix caught my arm mid-way, trapping me with those blue eyes. “Be careful little devil. You could knick an artery and kill me.” He chuckled.

I grinned wickedly. “Then enjoy your stay in hell, you bastard—”

“I’m sure it will be a lovely place. Especially with you there beside me. But does Cay deserve that same fate?”

My body froze.

I dropped the pen and fell back into my seat. I crossed my arms and released a deep breath.

“Hmm, that’s what I thought.” He started the car ignition and put the car in reverse.

“Why are we leaving? Where’s Cay?”

“Cay has training in healing. So he’s assisting with Derrick. It’s nice to know who you value more in this relationship.” Nix scoffed.

“There is no relationship between any of us. I just don’t want to kill Cay. At least not yet. You on the other hand. Ha, I want to kill you very…very…VERY slowly.”

“Why are you this way, Aviry? Hate, castration, murder on your mind.” Nix shook his head. “That stunt you just pulled was reckless and unnecessary. Kasey would never—”

I rolled my eye’s “If you mention that robotic bitch—”

“I’m just saying she’s not impulsive and violent. She listens and thinks before she acts. Derrick lost his title. There are rules—”

“So why are you like that, Nix?” I wondered, but I really could care less. Nix was nothing more than chewed up piss gum on the bottom of my shoe.

“Like what, Aviry? Strong and respected? Smart and tactical?”

“No, why do you always preach about rules? Why can’t you make quick decisions without caring about other’s opinions? Why do you and the other alphas expect women to yield to your every command!?”

“I lived that life, and it didn’t end well for me. So now this is how I’m going to make up for it.” Nix turned the car on the highway. “Following the rules will keep my people safe. Having a smart luna will aid in keeping my people safe.”

I reached forward and changed the dial on the heat. “My people this. My pack this. Your people seem fine to me—”

“You have no idea what we’ve been through!” Nix shouted, slamming his foot down on the break. My head crashed into the dashboard. Cars honked and swerved, trying to avoid colliding with us.

“Nix, you motherfucker! What the hell!” I glared at him. I searched for the pen; a missing eye probably won’t affect Cay.

His teeth clenched. “I’m sorry. But you don’t know my history.” The car lurched forward, and I fell back in my seat.

I pushed my tongue against my cheek. “Yeah? Well, you don’t know much about mine either. But that—”

“I got my entire family killed.” Nix whispered.

I took in a sharp breath and looked over at Nix. He kept his attention forward as a lone tear fell from his eye.

“What—how did you—”

“I was a foolish teenager. I did whatever the hell I wanted; I threw every rule out the window. I thought I knew better than everyone.” He chuckled and shook his head. “ A badass with a horrible anger problem. Just like you, Aviry.”

Nixon (Thirteen years old)

“Nix, bro, get up. Mom wants us downstairs for breakfast.” Rye called from outside my bedroom door. “And hurry up if you want a ride to school.”

Thanks for reminding me. I’m grounded, which means I won’t be playing my game system for a while. Or living my fucking life.

I got caught, which is rare, but there’s no one to blame but myself. Hell, I’m young and entitled to have a few screw-ups. We can’t all have a gold medal like Rye. Someone has to get bronze.

I sat up from bed, standing and stretching. I got ready for the day and left my room to head down.

“Heads up Nix, dad’s back,” Gia said. My older sister, Rye's twin, was sitting on the bottom stair, tying her shoe. “And he’s pissed. So, just let him vent, don’t fight back.” She stood up and punched my shoulder lightly. “Do you need a ride to school today?” Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Rye is taking me after breakfast.” She looped her arm around mine and ushered me to toward the kitchen. “I fucked up Gia, I can’t control myself sometimes.” I sighed. “I don’t know why I get angry so easily, but fighting helps me feel better.”

“I know little dude. Just know that I love you.” She reached up high, ruffling my hair. We reached the double doors that lead to the kitchen.

“BOY, GET IN HERE!” My dad shouted. He was sitting at the table, stuffing a mouthful of eggs in his mouth. “What excuse do you have this time?” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Do you know how fucking embarrassing you are?”

I held my head down, afraid to look up.

“SIT DOWN!!” he shouted, slamming his fist on the table.

I pulled a chair out across from Rye, Gia sat beside me. My mother fixed our plates and passed them out. All four of us continued listening as my father ranted.

“As the Alpha family, what do we represent?” He looked around the table. He pointed his fork at my brother. “Rye, answer the question.”

“We all represent leadership. The pack members look to us to guide the way—” My dad held his hand up.

“Gia, finish.” He bit into his toast, glaring at me.

“We guide the way by being role models. When one fails to lead, we all fail.” Gia finished. She’s the silver medal in my father’s eye. The next to take over as Beta when she turns eighteen.

“Do I look like a failure, BOY?” My dad asked me, dusting his hands off. I shook my head, pushing my food around.

“ANSWER ME!” My dad flipped the table over, we all shot up from our chairs, my mother rushing over to calm my father.

“No sir—”

“So why the fuck did you fail me!? Do you know how weak it makes us look when you go around flaunting your strength on humans!? What if a hunter caught on to you? Then our whole pack could be in jeopardy.” He shook his head. My mother was hugging his waist.

“He’s just a human from my school dad—”

“You sent a boy to the hospital, NIXON! He’s in a coma, NIXON!” My dad pointed to the back door. “Get out!”

I looked around the room. Rye slowly shook his head; Gia smiled gently. I marched to the back door, ready to leave, when I heard my mother.

“Marshal, let’s talk about this. He is still our son. Maybe we can get him counseling and more training.”

“The boy is useless Sharon. He can’t be an alpha. I won’t allow him to be a gamma, so what good is he?”

I was getting angry; my dad has never cared to understand me. I’m not a photocopy of Rye, the next Alpha. I don’t want to be a leader; I want to live. When I turn eighteen, I’m leaving this pack to see the world outside of the werewolf lifestyle. I don’t want to be stuck in one place just because of a title I didn’t ask for.

I slammed the back door and walked off into the woods. I wanted some fresh air. I needed to calm down before I blew the fuck up.

Did I want to hurt that kid? A little, yes, but I didn’t want to send him to the hospital. I just wanted to teach him a lesson. I can’t control my anger. When it wants to be released, I must abide.

It’s the classic case of “Flop that Jock.” Erin Locke, the popular football star. Yada yada yada. You know the movie or book. Yeah, that guy was the bully. And me being the buff, handsome, bad boy of the school. I felt obligated to flop him on his ass. He just landed on his head instead.

“Nixon, wait up man.” Rye ran up to me. “You still want a ride?”

“No, I’m skipping. If I go, I might end up killing someone next time.” I stopped walking. “Actually, maybe he’ll disown me. Then I can leave this shitty place and start an actual life.”

“Don’t be like that dude. Dad just cares deeply about how your future—”

“MY FUTURE RYE!” I pointed at my chest, facing my older brother. “His glory days are over. It’s my turn to live!”

“Listen, go calm down. When you get back, we can hang out and catch up. We can go play basketball like we use to.”

Rye has been so busy with the alpha training. I miss my bro, so I agreed. “I Love you, Nix. Remember you have Gia and me to talk to.”

“Thanks, Rye. Yeah let's do that. I’ll be back before dinner. I’m going to head into town.” I started walking away.

“That’s like a four-hour walk, Nix.”

“I know, maybe I’ll have an epiphany that pleases dad.” I took off in a jog running through the dense forest.

I had been walking for hours, finally reaching the town. I stopped by a small Cafe. I purchased a soda and pastry first. Then I took advantage of the computers available.

I researched some travel spots, but I needed to get a job first because of these damn prices. I’ll be able to fly out, just to fly back.

I walked out of the café just as three black vans, sped past heading down the road. Probably some undercover police sting. Maybe I should join the military, that way I can travel and have a job.

I went to the movies and the arcade, enjoying my time as an average teen. Hours passed, and I was finally able to enjoy the rest of my day. I passed Gia’s favorite bakery and bought her a bag of chocolate cookies, her favorite, and I started on my way home.

I walked through the forest approaching the barrier to our territory, but something was off. The guards weren’t there to check me like they’re required to do. I continued walking, and then I started to smell smoke. A fire was nearby. I ran, jumping over logs and stumbling over roots. The smoke from the fire wafted through the air as I got closer to the tree line.

I was confused; what’s going on? The smoke was thicker now, causing my eyes to tear up. I broke through the tree line, coughing and dropping the bag of cookies on the ground. I looked up to see my house….my home was ablaze from top to bottom.

“MOM!!” I shouted, running toward the house.

BOOM!!!!

I flew back, landing on the ground, disoriented. I moved my hands along the grass when I touched another hand. I looked up, coughing, trying to see who was there. I moved closer to the figure lying beside me and focused…

“GIA!!” I ran my hand along her face. “Wake up! WAKE UP!” I moved my hand to sit up when it slipped on something wet. I pulled my hand to my face; the coppery scent filled my nose. Blood, but where is it coming from…

I sat up and looked at my sister. Her eyes were shut, she looked like she was sleeping, but the large blood spot on her chest brought me to reality.

“NOOO!!” I pulled her limp body into my chest. “HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!!” I shouted. I was trembling and crying. My heart was shattering as I held my dead sister. “HELP!” I screamed again.

“Ni—Nixon.” I looked over to my left.

Rye.

He was pulling his body across the grass, blood falling from his mouth.

I laid Gia’s body down carefully and ran over to my brother, who was now lying still.

“RYE!RYE!” I rolled him over on his back. “Rye, what happened! What the fuck happened.” Blood was pooling from his stomach and trickling down his mouth. He tried to speak, but nothing came out

“P-please…please stay Rye.” I stroked my brother’s hair as I held him to my body. His breath slowed down, and I knew this was it. “Rye. Rye, I love you bro...” His chest inflated once more and released.

“DAD!” I looked around. “MOM!” I shouted. My mouth was dry; the smoke was affecting my breathing.

I laid my brother on the ground next to his twin. My brother and sister were gone. And mom and dad are missing. I have no idea what’s going on. I walked to the front of the house and covered my mouth. I’m sure my eyes went as wide as saucers.

My pack members were all scattered across the yard. The heavy scent of blood tainted the air. Everyone was dead.

This is a nightmare; this isn’t happening. I stepped over the bodies of men, women, and children. Warriors, and healers all of them dead. I was moving closer to the front of the property. The gates were blown open, black scorch marks and tire tracks on the ground. I passed through the gates and fell to my knees.

My breath picked up, and my heart was pounding and breaking from the sight in front of me.

“Mom…. Dad?” I crawled over to their bodies. Both of their necks slit wide open. I closed my eyes and screamed. “MOM!!! DAD!!! HELP!!!!” I shouted out, but no one was there to answer my cry.

I felt dizzy; my whole world was crumbling away. I fell on the ground next to my father. I reached for his hand and held it.

My throat was dry, and my eyes burned. “I’m…sorry…”

I let my eyes close and welcomed the darkness. My family is gone, and I wanted to go with them.

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