How to Survive Your Mate's Rejection

 

Noah Cheong is an orphan from a small village in Daeseong-dong, South Korea. He came as a refugee to the United States at the age of 18 as he fled from his pack. The pack despised him, due to the sin of his parents, and wanted him dead.

 

As a Korean American, Noah lived safely and happily with his American grandmother in California. She was his mother’s mother. She gave Noah all the love and the attention he needed. She hoped that Noah could be a normal human filled with love and joy.

 

She also taught him how to speak English properly, American culture, western table manners, even her family secret recipes, which were mostly cakes and pies.

 

As he grew, he became interested in cooking and trained to be a great cook. Thanks to his werewolf‘s smelling ability, he could choose and mix spices and ingredients precisely. His grandmother admired his gift and advised him to enroll in the culinary academy, and he did.

 

After three years of study, he graduated from the California Culinary Institute of America with honor. Soon after that, his beloved grandmother passed away.

 

The 21-year-old Noah felt sad and broken and decided to move to New York City to pursue a culinary career. He became a pastry chef at the Silverplate restaurant, a 5-star restaurant owned by the Silvermoon family, the richest and the most powerful family in the city. 

 

***

 

It was Monday morning in New York City, and a young man was ascending the stairs of the Park Avenue subway entrance. When he arrived at the top, he smiled a little, welcoming the fresh air and sunlight that caught on his fair skin. He had silky black hair, matching to his black suit jacket. He was about 5’4, and his name was Noah Cheong.

 

He saw his watch then hurried his steps; he only had 45 minutes left not to be late for work. In fact, it only took 15 minutes to arrive at his workplace, but he had a habit to come 30 minutes early.

 

Some young women, who were just passing by, looked at Noah with awe. “Wow, he looks so cute,” whispered the woman in a red formal dress to her friends, and they seemed to approve. They giggled and walked away.

 

‘They seem charmed by your look, Noah,’ his inner wolf Ruiz spoke into Noah’s mind. Ruiz was prideful, elegant, and wise. He had snow-white fur with beautiful blue eyes.

 ‘They are not my mate, Ruiz,’ Noah replied. ‘We're supposed to mate with a werewolf, remember? I want to see you be happy.’

 

 ‘I actually don't mind,’ Ruiz answered with a teasing tone. ‘Our mate is probably still in Korea and happily mated with someone else. You should pursue your own happiness, Noah. You are already 21 years old and single. Are you not ready to mingle?’

Noah didn’t reply; he just gave Ruiz a bitter smile. He only wanted the best for Ruiz because he cared so much for him. Ruiz's happiness was his happiness. He wouldn’t have survived the pursuit of his pack in Korea if not for Ruiz's guidance. 

 

He clenched his fist when he remembered the tragedy. It was his eighteenth birthday, the day he was supposed to be crowned as the Alpha of the future Cheong pack, the day when Ruiz was born, and the day when his uncle became a traitor. He assassinated Noah’s parents and was planning to kill Noah next. Fortunately for Noah, Ruiz saved him as he transformed Noah to be a werewolf for the first time and ran.

 

Since then, his uncle became the new Alpha of the Cheong pack, and Noah became a rogue. The new alpha ordered his pack to hunt him down; he even put a bounty on Noah’s head. 

 

Noah was lonely, and his only hope for happiness right now was to find his mate and live happily ever after. He always prayed to the Moon Goddess to meet his mate soon…

 

And the Moon Goddess granted his wish.

 

In the middle of the crowd, with large LCD screens advertising various products, street vendors serving the customers, and people walking like there was no tomorrow, Noah accidentally stumbled with the most handsome man he had ever seen. He had a Greek god’s muscular body at 6’7”, long wavy dirty blond hair, and blue piercing eyes. He wore a black T-shirt and dark jeans. Even though it was a common outfit for New Yorkers, Noah could recognize the way it flowed and shaped on his body. It was an expansive brand, but he couldn't point out which one. Noah was clueless about the lavish lifestyle since he was an orphan and lived on a tight budget. 

 

The man's scent was sweet and musky, an ecstasy on his mind, and made his thoughts perverted. 

 

‘It is him, Noah! He is our mate!’ his inner wolf Ruiz was screaming in Noah’s mind joyfully. 

 

‘I know…’ Noah replied. ‘Finally, Ruiz…we can find our happiness.’

 

***

 

The handsome stranger seemed to acknowledge Noah’s scent, and he saw Noah with anger and disgust. He mumbled, “The fuck…”

As the stranger walked closer to him, his heart beat faster and faster.

Thump… Thump… Thump… it was on beat with his steps.

Noah looked the man on the eye and gave him a smile, a genuine one that he almost never shared.

As the man stood close to Noah, he grabbed Noah’s collar by his strong hand and snapped, “You! Chinese dude, what’s your fucking name?”

The stranger’s grip was so strong, making Noah gasp to breathe. “My name is Noah,” Noah gulped. “Noah Cheong, rogue of Cheong pack.”

The big stranger glared at him when he mentioned the word rogue. “A rouge in my territory!” The stranger observed him carefully. “You’re a fag, an omega, and a weakling, damn! Can you even fight?” he snapped again, making everyone on the street stare at them curiously. Then he glared at everyone that passed. “What the fuck are you looking at? Scram!” he yelled.

Noah felt scared and tense. A cold sweat broke out on his neck. “I-I don't like to fight,” he replied while he stared into the man’s beautiful blue eyes. “But I can defend myself when I have to,” he whispered to himself.

The stranger released his grip, took Noah’s chin, and whispered in his ear, “Listen, little guy. I want this to be quick for both of us, okay! I, Drake Silvermoon, the future Alpha of Silvermoon pack reject you, Noah Cheong, as my mate.” He paused. “I am not a faggot like you, so I hope you just fuck yourself and rot in hell.” He released Noah‘s chin and intentionally bumped into his shoulder as he walked away.

Noah’s POV:

Due to Drake’s hard shoulder bump. I felt some pain, but what was more painful was my heart. It felt like dozens of daggers stabbed my heart, over and over. It hurt so much I wanted to cry, but I wouldn’t!

I must strong. This was just another misfortune that I must endure and survive!

‘Noah, he shamed us! He SHAMED US! He BETRAYED US!’ Ruiz growled angrily inside my mind. ‘The pain, make it go away!’

‘I am sorry, Ruiz. I’m hurt too, but there’s nothing I can do…’

‘Go after him!’ he demanded. ‘You must reply to his rejection. That way, he will feel the pain we feel.’

That bastard could harm me to his heart’s content, but I wouldn’t let him hurt Ruiz! He was the most important thing to me. I was alive because of him!

He saved me from the chase, from those traitors, from those I used to call family, my own pack!

I will avenge Ruiz’s pain! I decided to after him.

I was bursting with anger as I ran in the crowd, not caring if I bumped into someone by mistake. I didn't even care to apologize. My focus was only on making him pay for what he did. He couldn't have gotten that far.

There he was! He could be easily discovered amongst the sea of men. His tall figure and heavenly musky smell were very obvious to me.

“Wait!” I screamed to a tall blond who was just about to across the street. He seemed to be surprised and turned his head to me. I quickly grabbed his left hand and said, “I, Noah Cheong, a rouge of Cheong pack, reject you Drake Silvermoon as my mate.” I paused and stared at the devilishly handsome face in front of me. “And good riddance, bitch!” I yelled, releasing my anger and resentment toward him.

“That's for hurting Ruiz,” I said to myself. I usually didn’t swear, but he deserved it.

After my rejection, I saw his facial expression change as he held his chest with both hands. He glared at me and mumbled, “What the fuck is this?” I couldn’t hear him clearly because his beard muffled his voice.

‘It hurts, doesn’t it.’ I smirked at him.

He responded with angry glare as our minds link, and we can hear each other.

He was about to grab my hand, but I was too fast for him. I dodged and started running for my live.

He tried to follow me, but I was the superior runner. My build was not buff like his; I am petite and frail, but I am agile and fast. I inherited it from my wolf features. Thanks, Ruiz!

“Come here, you motherfucker!” he screamed from behind.

When he was far behind, I made a turn into a small alley and hid behind a trash bin. I quickly sprayed the anti-wolf tracking perfume that can hide my body odor from a wolf tracking nose. My mother taught me this formula, as she was a werewolf huntress.

She was a smart, pretty, and skillful werewolf huntress. She taught me how to fight. I could easily use silver bullet guns and twin silver daggers thanks to her.

I usually kept my gun in my small studio apartment because it was illegal to carry it on subway, but I always carried the daggers whenever I go. I could easily hide them in the hidden pocket in my backpack.

‘Noah, he seems to have lost us,’ Ruiz suddenly spoke again to me.

‘Yeah, are you happy now?’ I smirked.

‘A little…‘ he replied and went back to sleep. I knew that he was still trying to cope with the pain, but I could not do much to help. What we must do now was face the reality that our mate rejected us and move on.

Ruiz was a prideful wolf. He must really be hurt that his pride had been destroyed by the betrayal. I will try lessening his pain. ‘Sleep well, friend… I will go to work now.’

He replied to me only with a blink.

When the boy felt safe, he came out from the alley, looking to his right and left. He sighed happily when there was no sign of Drake. But something was bothering him. He seemed to miss a really important clue that could threaten his life. But at the moment, he couldn’t remember it.

Regardless, he ignored the feeling and hurried as he already late for work.

***

Drake tried to follow Noah, but he failed. He was far gone. He couldn't see him or smell his presence. ‘That fag couldn't run that far,’ Drake thought.

As he caught his breath, he tried to communicate with his inner wolf.

Drake’s POV:

‘Where the hell did he go?’ I snapped to Duncan, my inner wolf. He seemed to be angry with me.

He snapped back at me. ‘You foolish child! Go after him and apologize. Do you know how long I have been waiting to meet my mate?’

‘Are you a fag, Duncan? There is no way in hell I will mate with that homo omega,’ I hissed. ‘My inner wolf is a fag; why is moon goddess is so cruel to me? Why?’

‘Ignorant fool, our mate is the only one who can satisfy us, who can strengthen us. Without him, we are forever incomplete, and you can't be stronger than your beta. Did you hear me, child!’ the silver black wolf growled angrily at me. ‘After him! Ask for his forgiveness, so this pain will go away’.

‘Don’t worry, old man. I will catch him for sure… and beat the crap out of him for causing me this pain,’ I replied as I kept running and searching for him.

‘Damn! I’ve been beaten by my dad, my enemies, and my beta during our sparring, but I’ve never felt as bad as this,’ I muttered as the pains worsened. My chest felt like it was being stabbed repeatedly.

“Argh! I will catch that fag and make him pay 100 times!” I screamed in pain like a crazy man.

‘Foolish child! This pain was caused because he accepted your rejection. And since you will be an alpha, you feel more pain than him. The pain is punishment from the moon goddess herself to those who are ungrateful!’

‘You must be kidding me, old man!’ I said disbelievingly. ‘The moon goddess is an unfair bitch!’

‘He is an omega. Soon after rejection, he can find another werewolf mate,’ Duncan paused. ‘Unlike us who only have one mate for the rest of our lives…’

I couldn’t care less about Duncan’s rambling. I blocked him. I cared more about punching something than listening to his lecture.

I saw no sign of him. ‘Where did he go? I need him to take this pain away!’ I sighed. ‘I give up!’

‘Damn, I need to fuck right now. This heartache makes me horny.’ My hand goes to my pocket to pull out my phone.

‘Hmm, who should I call? How about that underwear model? I met her at the party last night; she seems fun.’ I smirk, but then the pain throbbed in my heart again. ‘Damn this pain! It hurts like fuck!’

“Hey, Cynthia. It’s Drake. Meet me in 30 minutes at my house? I want to fuck you.”

Cynthia giggled and replied, “Sure, Drake. Wait for me; I am going to freshen up now. Meet you in 30 minutes, okay?”

“Good,” I said and hung up.

‘Good sex will probably lessen this pain,’ I thought.

‘What are you doing, fool,’ Duncan whimpered in Drake’s mind. He was in agony. ‘If you mate with another, our mate will suffer.’

I smirked and replied, ‘Good.’

***