How to Handle Rejection - Maybe

Chapter 16

A week filled with suspense and paranoia passed by slowly, yet quickly at the same time. The butcher and his family treated Maka and me kindly. By the time the second week of freedom started, I was off my heat. Maka had a bit of trouble focusing on our conversations, but he made no move towards me. He was so much nicer than Crone, who I constantly felt prying at my mind.

One night, I decided to tell him off. I made sure to block out anything that could give him my whereabouts while I talked to him. Once I opened my mind a bit, his thoughts flooded my head. Tillian, get your ass back here right now! Crone ordered, but it had no affect on me. No. I replied smoothly. I have finally found my alpha side, so I will no longer be pushed around by you.

Crone snarled. Tillian... he warned, but I ignored him. You need to stop trying to access my mind. It is useless and it will only frustrate you further. Goodbye, Crone. I shut off my mind to him and rested my head on my paws. I hadn't told him about the pups. I didn't know if he would accept them or kill them. I couldn't take the chance; they were mine. They shouldn't suffer from his mistakes.

Maka and I found out I was pregnant three weeks after Crone had his way. We had been sitting there, watching people and cars pass by, when my wolf spoke to us. We will be expecting in three months. she said simply, looking at her paws with a sense of emptiness. My head shot up, and a long, high pitched whine escaped my throat. I looked over at Maka guiltily, and saw his stunned look.

It only lasted for a second, and he stood up from under the table where we were laying. He turned and faced me confidently. I will help you take care of those pups. It is the least I can do for you, since you got me out. he declared. I rolled my eyes at him. You don't have to. You would've gotten out by now. I sighed, but was glad he was here. Maka shook his head quickly. No, Tilly, I will be here for you and the pups.

Maka slipped back under the table, his tail wagging crazily. When he laid back down, a thought came to my mind. Maka, don't you want to find your mate though? I asked him. His tail froze and he looked at me sadly. She rejected me as well. She was already in love with a human. he admitted. I bumped his nose with my own. We can be mateless together. I vowed. He chuckled. Sure.

On my birthday, we didn't do much. We sat under the table, wide eyed, and watched for any of Crone's members running at us. Although, Maka did wish me a happy birthday, and I wished that we could be left alone by the Crow Pack. My wish had lasted for a month before Jasper showed up at the butcher shop in his police uniform. "Hello, Tilly. I thought I had seen you here so long ago." he said with a smile.

Maka bristled beside me, baring his teeth. What do you want, Beta? If you're here to drag me back- Jasper shaking his head interrupted me. "No, that's not why. Crone has gone mad. He's out attacking random packs nearby and killing their alpha lines. He's taken over three whole packs, who can't do anything about it." Jasper shook his head sadly. Maka gasped beside me.

That's horrible! he cried. Jasper nodded. "Yes, things have been rough back home. You seemed to be able to distract people, so I came to hang out." Jasper explained. I glanced at Maka, then shrugged. Alright. You should get some of the sausages. They're devine. I told him, my stomach growling at the thought. The noise brought Jasper's brown eyes to my stomach. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Maka.

"I'm guessing those are yours?" he asked, referring to my small bulge of pups. I nodded. Yes, we both lost our mates, and he had been very kind to me. I eyed Maka, who looked at me, surprised as well. Uh... yeah. he agreed finally. Jasper didn't look like he believed us, but he also didn't know that Crone was my mate, so I had to lie for the sake of my pups' lives. If he was going to tell Crone about me, he might as well think they're Maka's.

"Well, good luck to you two. Maybe if you start your own pack, I'll join." Jasper teased. I rolled my eyes in amusement and made a joke about how he wouldn't have much of a change. The three of us continued joking and laughing, the topic of Crow Pack locked away so it wouldn't be brought up and ruin the moment. When the sun began to set, Jasper looked off to the distance and went silent.

"Gotta go. Crone's getting antsy." he grumbled and stood. I wagged my tail at him and blinked happily. Come by whenever, and don't forget the sausages! I reminded. Jasper paused and thought for a moment. "Why not? Maybe it'll cheer the alpha up a little. I'll keep my link open for you." he said and walked inside. I heard him order a couple pounds of meat and pay. He walked back out, gave a farewell salute, and went off.

We watched through his eyes as he maneuvered his way through the woods onto a hidden path toward the pack territory. Once he passed the boundary, he was pressured with Crone's snarls. It's about time, Jasper. Hurry up, I've got plans to talk about. Jasper sighed quietly. Yes, Alpha. he murmured. I shivered at the harshness of Crone's voice. It brought up memories I fought so hard to suppress.

Jasper arrived at Crone's house and went inside. He held up the sausages. "A good source tells me these are the best. Let's try it before you start ranting about gaining another pack." Jasper said boldly. Crone frowned, sniffed, then thought for a long moment. "Fine. I'll try them." he grumbled and shambled angrily into the kitchen. Jasper got out some plates and dumped some sausages on each.

Crone took a displeased bite from one, and his eyes widened for a moment. "This is delicious." he murmured and took another large bite. Jasper chuckled, and they ate in silence for a while. "Alpha," Jasper started cautiously, "I think you should start looking for your Luna. She'll help out a lot in your pack decisions." Jasper's words made me snort. That will never happen. I told Maka in a private link.

Crone's reaction was not one that I've ever seen before. His expression went from shock, to disgust, then to pure rage. "Don't ever bring up the Luna again." he ordered in his alpha voice, making Jasper shrink back. "Of course, Alpha, I just thought... Wait, have you already found her?" Jasper asked in surprised delight. Crone scowled. "I might have, but that is none of your concern." he snarled darkly. I shook my head sadly.

Don't feel sorry. He did this to himself, Jasper. He rejected me. I warned when he began to feel pity towards Crone. When Jasper jumped at my words, Crone looked at him with eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What?" he asked, and Jasper began to feel afraid. "Nothing, Alpha, just what you said, that's all." he murmured quickly, looking at his food. Crone still stared at him, then slowly started eating again.

Luna?! Jasper asked me in bewilderment. Technically, I guess. But I don't have that rank. I stammered. Jasper frowned. Crone used to be so kind, I don't understand what happened with him... he said softly. I looked over at Maka, who seemed confused as well. Well, we don't know either. he said grimly. This is all so weird and stupid. I huffed like a child.

Jasper nodded mentally, and finished his food. Crone watched him as Jasper rinsed their empty plates off and threw the trash into the bin in the cabinet. Crone sat in silence for several minutes. Eventually, he moved and dismissed Jasper. "We will talk in the morning. I'm very tired at the moment." he said calmly, making all three of us suspicious. Jasper nodded and walked out of Crone's house towards his own.

Don't worry, I told Jasper, I'll tap in and see what he's thinking.

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OMG I POSTED! *gasp* I know it's been a long time, and I'm sorry :( I just haven't been getting much feedback, so I focused on writing things on another account... Tell me what you think! it's been a while so it might have a different style than usual...