Thoughts of rejection

Denzel got home to find Nira cladded in her nightwear. She hugged him tightly and kissed him all over his face, knowing how difficult the whole day must've been for him.

He shuddered under her embrace as she whispered her famous five words, "It's going to be okay."

When Denzel had woken up that morning, he never would've guessed that he would learn of this most trusted friend's betrayal, and neither would he have seen that the day would end with their friendship. They pulled out of the hug, and Denzel flopped onto a sofa.

"I went after him," Denzel blurted out. "Though, I hesitated for some time. I guess some part of me wanted him to escape."

"Aww, you've always had a huge heart." Nira sat next to him, taking his hands into hers. "Don't regret your actions tonight. You made the right call at every point. If Denzel is foolish enough to come back, I'm pretty sure you would be able to defeat him. And then you won't feel bad about killing him because you gave him a chance."

Denzel's lips curled up in a thin smile. "I don't know how I should thank you, Nira. Seriously, my affection for him blindsided me to all the signs. If you hadn't opened up my eyes when you did, I just-"

"It's fine." Nira giggled. "You said you don't know how to thank me, right?"

Denzel nodded. "Yeah."

Nira moaned softly. "Mhm, perhaps you could take me to the beach tomorrow."

"Is that all? I'd have taken you to the moon if you had requested."

Nira laughed. "Earlier, I overheard Reid remind you about the mating season, and I can't help but imagine how I'll lose you to her should you find her."

"You won't ever lose me," Reid affirmed, but Nira shook her head.

"I will. One of us will have to go."

"Then I'll choose you, Nira. I will reject her with every ounce of my blood."

"You say that now, but don't forget it's difficult. You are destined to end up together one way or another. And I can't help but shake the feeling that something will tear us apart for you both to be together. There's something about this mating season. I can't see who it is, but you'll find your mate."

"Stop talking like that, Nira," Denzel said. "I'll stay indoors with you if I have to."

Well, Nira thought she shouldn't push him too hard. Having been through a long day, Denzel shouldn't have to be burdened with feeling bothered about losing another loved one. She leaned into him more, resting her head on his chest as he brushed the tip of her hair with his fingers.

"So, I guess Deere is next in line as beta, huh?" Nira said after a while.

"I haven't given it a better thought yet," Denzel admitted as Nira adjusted to lie on the couch and placed her head on his lap.

"No problem," Nira said, and Denzel bent over to kiss her lips.

"Who do you think will be a better replacement, Deere or Moss?"

"Ha! I love both of them! It's a tough choice even for me."

"Well then, I guess they should fight for it as the law demands."

"That's fair!" cried Nira, beaming up. "I would love to witness their brawl."

"Then we have a match to look forward to, don't we?"

"Mhm, yeah."

They kept on discussing until Nira abruptly stopped talking. "Oh, wow, you must be pretty tired."

Denzel took her up to their bedroom and dropped her on the bed. He lay next to her but couldn't sleep. His mind was thinking about what she had said about him finding his mate during the mating season, which happened to be in a fortnight. He had meant it when he had said he would reject his mate for her. He wanted her to be his Luna. The pack already treated her accordingly. It was only Reid, for selfish reasons, who chose to be disloyal to her, and now he was banished eternally. Also, he was thinking about Reid, wondering if he would ever return. He scoffed and told himself not to be too concerned about that. He had to feel confident he could handle the Bluefur should they ever rear their ugly heads in his territory again.

As his mind went on thinking different things, he thought of siring more werewolves in case he eventually had to go to war with the Bluefur pack. He wouldn't want his pack losing to being outnumbered. Then again, as usual, he turned to face Nira. He would have to confer with her first. It wasn't like he couldn't make decisions of his own. He just loved running everything he was going to do through her.

Meanwhile, as Nira slept, she had that same suspicion she'd had for close to a week. She saw Ezriana, the witch girl Denzel had allowed to live in their territory, in a cabin. Nira saw a shadow looming over Ezriana, and she woke up. Waking up, she realized it was morning, and she was alone in bed.

"Denzel? Denzel?" she called, but there was no response.

Nira slipped on her footwear and skidded down the stairs, filled with concern. She was relieved when she saw him sitting, legs crossed, and watching TV in the living room.

"Oh, hey dear," Denzel said with a charming smile.

Nira paused, leaning on the railings, and said, "Let me guess, you didn't sleep?"

"I tried, but uh, I guess I was too worried to find sleep."

Nira descended the last flight of stairs. "Sorry about that. You should try to get some rest so you can be fully alert for the day."

"I will," Denzel said.

Nira, joining him on the couch, said, "What's up with Ezriana?"

Denzel took a moment to remember who Ezriana was, and he shrugged. "She's okay, I guess. You know Ezriana, she never leaves the cabin much."

Nira exhaled. "I have been having disturbing suspicions about her. I think she's going to get hurt or something."