The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella - Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Jordan POV
I spent the rest of the day in a daze and no matter how many times Jaxon tried to comfort me, I brushed him off, unable to bear hearing his reassurances that not having a wolf didn’t matter. It was alright for him, I thought bitterly, he was an Alpha and had one of the strongest wolves in the country. Not to mention had already turned eighteen and had his wolf. I spent the whole day close to tears, Sarah smirking at me from a distance, and other students openly pointed at me and laughed. The news had spread through the school like wildfire.
“Pathetic” sneered Sandra, one of the cheerleaders as I passed her, “no wonder you don’t have a wolf, you’re probably too fat to shift” she joked to her group of friends.
“Say that again” Jaxon growled, her eyes widening as she saw him come up behind me “I dare you” he hissed.
I glumly opened my locker and put my books inside, my heart aching. Tears swam across my vision. Jaxon gingerly patted my shoulder, at a complete loss on what to say or do. A shifter not having a wolf was rare, but it did happen.
“Look,” he said quietly, as I turned to him, my eyes widening as he handed me a small gift bag, a smile on his face “I know it’s not going to help but happy birthday Jordan,” he said quietly.
A lone tear trailed down my face. Even as I’d sulked and pouted all day over what had happened, acting like a petulant child, he’d still given me a gift. I felt like the world’s biggest asshole at that moment.
“Jaxon, I’m sorry” I whispered “I just…” I trailed off.
“It’s fine,” he said “I would probably act worse than you if it happened to me” he teased “And to be honest, I don’t blame you for being upset. I hope you like your present” he breathed as I tentatively pulled out the birthday card and opened it. “Happy birthday Jordan, love from Jaxon, Serena, and James” I read with a smile, curved on my face.
Jaxon grinned. “My mother insisted on helping me choose a gift. Something about the male species being hopeless when it comes to choosing something nice.”
I laughed, picturing his mother as she was saying it. I withdrew a small box and opened it, gasping at the gorgeous gold bangle that was inside of it. I plucked it out and saw that my name had been engraved on the inside.
“Oh, Jaxon” I whispered, “it’s gorgeous,” I said in a choked voice.
He grabbed it and put it on my wrist, drawing everybody’s attention in the hallway. Several girls pointed at it.
“Did you see that? Their relationship must be getting serious?”
“So lucky, I wish my guy would buy me something like that.”
“I still have no idea what he sees in her. Like he’s an Alpha for heaven’s sake and she’s just a nobody.”
I ignored the whispers, admiring the bracelet in the light. For the first time since that morning, I felt a rush of happiness wash over me. Jaxon gave me a wink and hooked his arm through mine.
“Now then, shall I give you a lift home,” he said gravely, grabbing my backpack as I nodded enthusiastically.
Naturally, Sarah was standing just outside the doors and before I could stop her, she grabbed my arm and looked at the bracelet, derision on her face.
“How cute” she sneered, “a bracelet from your lover” she spat out.
Jaxon stiffened. “Actually it’s a bracelet from a friend” I corrected her calmly “And you’re just jealous” I snapped, causing her to rear back and look at me askance.
“Jealous,” she said in disbelief “What do I have to be jealous of?” she laughed, but the sound was hollow. My words had had an impact on her.
I narrowed my eyes at her. “What has Grant ever given you?” I asked pointedly, my voice hushed, as she went pale.” Because I’ve never seen you wear a piece of jewelry, or receive flowers, or even a card from your so-called boyfriend” I snarled “And don’t try and tell me you aren’t seeing each other because I know he’s taking you to the ball on Saturday night.”
Silence. Her mouth flopped open and closed. It wasn’t often I got the better of her, or spoke out against her being a bully, but I’d had enough. Today had been a trying day and my temper had gotten the better of me. Jaxon pulled me in against his side and smirked at Sarah who looked completely taken aback, the color draining from her face.
It didn’t take her long to recover, as Grant unknowingly stepped outside the doors and into the fire.
“Grant” she shrilled and he looked a bit put out but calmly stepped to her side, before I stiffened, the smell of gingerbread and cinnamon coming my way. I sniffed, the scent intoxicating, my mouth watering. It was delicious. My eyes widened. Where was it coming from? Jaxon looked at me questioningly.
“Do you smell that?” I whispered confused.
“Smell what?” he asked puzzled “All I smell is the pine from the forest nearby and the dirt” he added with a frown.
Grant was looking a bit shell-shocked as he looked toward me, his own nose up in the air as he took long sniffs. Sarah was looking at him annoyed as he ignored her, the students dispersing into their cars and walking away from us, leaving us alone in front of the building.
Grant took a step towards me, his eyes darkening. I felt my heart skip a beat. He was eyeing me carefully now, his eyes narrowed, an expression on his face that I couldn’t quite decipher. Jaxon’s arm tightened even more around me, in a protective manner, a fierce expression on his face. He didn’t like Grant and it showed. Sarah was looking panicked now, trying to grab Grant by the arm, but he shrugged her off with an impatient grunt.
“Grant” she hissed “stop, what are you doing. Come here now” she snapped.
He c****d his head, his eyes almost black now. Never in a million years, could I have anticipated what came out of his mouth next.
“Mate” he growled, and my mouth fell open in shock, while Sarah let out a groan in disbelief, and Jaxon just watched intently.
Mate. The word repeated itself in my mind. I had forgotten I was eighteen now and that the mate bond would be felt, apparently regardless of if I had my wolf or not. I wanted to scream in frustration. Why him? Why Grant? He’d been nothing but cruel and a bully the last few years. He was the last person I wanted as a mate. I couldn’t believe my luck.
“Grant” Sarah whined “What are you doing? You don’t want this, whale as your mate. You told me that you wanted to be chosen mates” she complained.
“Shut up” Grant growled.
Her mouth fell open. I took deep shuddering breaths, my eyes meeting Jaxon’s. “Don’t let go” I pleaded with him as Grant growled, a ferocious sound, that made my body tremble.
“Let go of my mate” he snarled as Jaxon shook his head.
“Mate” I snapped, suddenly angry at the whole world, stepping forward and poking a bemused Grant in the chest “How dare you. You want to suddenly forget the last few years as though nothing happened? Like you haven’t been a bastard to me and cruel? You turned your back on me like everybody else did. There is no way I would want to be mates with somebody like you” I hissed, my nails digging into the palms of my hands and drawing blood.
“You don’t mean that,” Grant said shakily as I nodded, my heart feeling like it was being torn in two “You’re just angry. I swear that I’ll change, just give us a chance Jordan” he pleaded as Sarah began to sob loudly behind him.
“He’s been sleeping with me” Sarah shrieked, losing control “so it’s not as if he’s saved himself for you.” “Sarah” Grant snarled, whirling around and facing her “Shut your mouth before I rip your tongue out” he threatened her.
“I already knew you were sleeping together” I shot back as Grant looked at me fearfully “I would have to be an i***t not to know. You didn’t even have the decency to save yourself for your mate” I told him angrily “Whereas I have, because I was hoping to have a mate that cared for me, loved me, cherished me.”
“Don’t pretend to be so innocent, you’ve been dating Jaxon” Grant snapped and Jaxon coughed.
“Actually we’re just friends,” Jaxon said calmly as Grant’s shoulders slumped “If you came to any other conclusions then that’s on you mate.”
I refused to listen to it anymore. I had to do this now before I let this go any further. My mind was made up. I couldn’t let this Alpha be my mate. Not after everything he’d put me through. I didn’t believe he’d changed, and I didn’t want someone who’d slept with my sister. I would forever think they’d be comparing me to her. I didn’t deserve that. I deserved better than that. I closed my eyes, feeling resigned. I had thought that today couldn’t get any worse, but I had been so wrong on so many counts.
I grabbed Jaxon’s hand. I took a deep breath, inhaling sharply, and fixed my eyes on Grant’s face. He’d gone pale, suspecting what I was about to do. “I, Jordan Black of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you Alpha Grant Knox of the Blood Moon Pack as my mate, now and forevermore” I blurted out and felt the most excruciating pain in my chest, which had me double over, as Jaxon supported me with strong arms, Grant crying out in pain. Something felt like it snapped inside of me and then the pain faded away. I stood up shakily, noting that Sarah looked triumphant. Grant was pissed. This surprised me because I thought by now he’d have come to his senses and realized that I wasn’t Luna material or what he was looking for in a mate. I waited for him to accept the rejection. Until he did, he was going to feel the pain on his side.
“I refuse to accept your rejection” Grant groaned, holding a hand to his chest. “I’ll show you, that I’m willing to change Jordan” he grunted.
I shook my head. “You would have been better off accepting the rejection,” I said coldly “Because I’m not going to change my mind Grant” I added bitterly, turning and walking away, Jaxon hurrying to catch up with me, the sounds of Sarah and Grant arguing between themselves in the background.
I tried not to dwell on what I had just done, but the pain in my heart intensified as Jaxon silently started the car. Had I done the right thing? Or had I just made the biggest mistake in my life? Would standing up for myself, cost me the one thing I had dreamed of since I’d been a child or would the moon goddess show mercy and bestow me with a second chance mate who loved me for myself? I prayed she would, even as I felt dread rise inside of me. Who would accept a wolfless shifter for a mate? Oh god, have I just resigned myself to a life of loneliness with my decision?
“You did the right thing” Jaxon’s voice cut into my musings.
I glanced sideways at him “Have I?” I asked grimly “I’m not so sure of that.”