Mate's Pleasure

Scarlett

What’s the matter with me? Is there something about me that made them turn me away? Maybe they could sense my deepest desires and were repelled by them. Why? Why was I rejected for the second time?

I tried so hard to show my worth. To exude self-assuredness and independence, so that no matter what rank my mate was, he would accept me.

But I was so mistaken. It was all wrong! It’s because of my deepest desires that they sensed and rejected me.

I feel so low and desolate. I want to shut out the world and never leave my room again.

After a quick shower, I crawl under the covers. I grab my phone, hook it up to my bedroom stereo, and crank up the music until I fall asleep.

I confine myself to my room for a whole month. The most I do is bathe when I feel the need and share a quick meal with my family. I’m so embarrassed that I can’t even look them in the eye.

I’m the daughter who was rejected twice. My sisters are still here from the last rejection.

Every night, each family member takes turns knocking on my bedroom door. They try to persuade me to come out of my room and live a little. I respond by turning up my music.

I sit in my room, soaking in the gloom. Tears silently stream down my face.

***

Today is no different. I slowly pull the covers off my face and stare at the dark ceiling.

Suddenly, my door is blown off its hinges. I scream in terror, bolting upright in my bed. My bedroom door is in pieces. I can’t believe it.

Then my sister Sharlet’s mate, Alpha Donnie, peeks his head around the corner and gives me a timid smile. “She made me do it,” he says. I should have known that her hulking mate would do something like this.

He disappears, and my sisters, mom, and best friend come marching into my room.

“Intervention!” they all shout. I cover my ears, burrowing under my comforter.

“No! Leave me alone!” I yell at them. They yank my covers off. The next second, I’m drenched with cold water. I scream out, wiping the water off my face.

Sharlet and Skyler hold the now-empty bucket with one hand each and swing it back and forth. I glare at them. Sharline and Anita step forward with another bucket filled with water.

“It’s been a month, and we’ve let you wallow to get it out of your system. Clearly, it’s not working, so we have to help you move on,” my mother says.

I roll my eyes and flop down on my bed, covering my eyes with my left arm. Her words sound nice, but she doesn’t understand what I’m going through. None of them do.

They drench me with water again. It’s infuriating.

“Will you guys cut it out!” I yell. Sharien and my mother hold up another bucket.

“So what’s it going to be? Are you going to get up, or do you need another bucket of water?” my mom asks. Sharien grins at our mom’s words.

“I’m up!” I have no choice but to give in. I get out of bed and raise my hands in surrender. Mom nods her head, approving of my decision. She signals to Sharien to put the bucket down.

“Clean up this mess before you come down,” Mom says before she leaves my room. I gape at her. My room was spotless before they came in like a wrecking ball.

I sit on my bed, feeling defeated. Out of nowhere, I’m soaked with water. I gasp loudly.

“Are you kidding me?! Mom!”

“We thought she was going back to moping in bed all day. It was just a reminder of what will happen,” Sharlet yells after me.

“And there will be more. Just try us,” Skyler says.

I flip them off. They laugh as if I just told the funniest joke ever. They leave me alone to clean up the mess they made.

After cleaning my room and setting my bed outside to dry, I go to Donnie and give him a piece of my mind. I can only do this because of my sister. I would never normally disrespect an Alpha. Plus, I think he’s pretty cool.

Anyway, he promises to get me a new door by the end of the day. I offer Sharlet to him as payment. It’s a win-win.

Next, I go to the kitchen to find Anita eating my cornflakes. I glare at her as she shovels a spoonful into her mouth. I mind-link her, saying I hope she chokes on it.

My mom walks into the room, giving me her usual cheerful smile. She gives me a big hug and a kiss before telling me to get a job, and leaves for her own job.

My oldest sister Sharlet punches me for no reason before going to the fridge and grabbing an apple. My second oldest sister Sharline knocks the apple out of her hand, claiming it as hers and taking a bite.

Skyler, the third oldest, jumps on my back and showers me with kisses. I call for help, but no one comes to my rescue. Sharien, the one before me, joins Skyler in her kissing attack.

What’s worse is all their mates are here and choose to ignore their antics.

“Glad to see you’re finally done being pathetic,” Sharlet tells me. Such loving sisters.

Sharlet and Sharline are the same age. No, they’re not twins. My parents were just really into each other. Skyler and Sharien are a year and a half apart, and I’m the youngest.

When you hear our ages, you’ll realize my parents were truly passionate.

Sharlet and Sharline are 27, Skyler is 25, Sharien is 24, and I'm 22.

“Aren’t you guys supposed to be at work and living with your mates? Why are you guys still here?” I ask. Skyler is still clinging to me like a koala.

“Because we heard our little sister got dumped and wanted to be here for her,” Skyler says. I roll my eyes, finally managing to push Skyler off me.

“We’ve been here since the first dumping. We couldn’t leave you here without our love and support,” Sharlet says, punching me again.

“Okay, okay, I’m good now. Scram!” My sisters exchange a knowing glance, and I push myself up, sensing they’ve got something up their sleeves. I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for their mates!

I bolt from the house, sprinting down the street towards my dad’s workplace. Just as I’m nearing the building, they all pounce on me. Two of them are giving me wet willies, while the other two are licking my face. I holler for Dad.

He ambles over to us, his lack of urgency making his intentions clear. He’s not going to lift a finger to help me.

“Hey, stop that. Leave your sister be. Well, I tried. Catch you all at home,” Dad says, his voice lacking any real conviction, before he turns back to his work. That was hardly an attempt!

Finally, they release me, but now I’m drenched in their gross spit. Gross! They each sport a self-satisfied smirk.

Despite my outward grumpiness, I’m secretly thankful for my sisters. I love everything about them. But I’d sooner munch on bugs than admit that to them.

I rise, brushing myself off. As I glance up, I spot Anita standing off to the side, watching the whole spectacle while munching on her cornflakes. Correction, my cornflakes.

“You could’ve lent a hand, you know!” I yell at her, frustration seeping into my voice.

“I was occupied!” she retorts, her mouth full of cornflakes. A dribble of milk escapes her lips.

***

The following day, I wake up with renewed determination. Unfortunately, I’m once again ambushed by my rowdy sisters!

After the attack, I descend the stairs, laptop in hand, and head into the kitchen. Once again, Anita is devouring my damn cornflakes. I hid those! How on earth did she find them?

We exchange greetings, me grilling her about my cornflakes and her responding with a sheepish grin.

My sisters come down, luggage in tow, and tackle me one last time. We exchange our goodbyes. They’re heading back to their pack. I feel a mix of happiness and sadness as they leave.

I can’t help but feel a twinge of envy. They’ve found someone who accepts them, rambunctious behavior and all. I wave them off and head back home.