Rejected My Alpha Mate

Rachel POV

The Next Night – 8 PM

Tyler had been true to his word and never shown up at the garden for the rejection ceremony. I had sat there for the entire day until time for work. I kept thinking he might be testing me.

I should have known he would do exactly as he said.

Tyler Wright was a man of his word if nothing else.

Bella had tried to convince me to take several days off work. I was having dizzy spells if I stood too quickly and I often felt nauseated though I had yet to begin having any vomiting.

The obstetrician had suggested I eat small portions many times a day to keep my blood sugar up. He had also said to drink fluids regularly as well as to stay off my feet.

I knew I wasn't far enough along with my pregnancy to have swelling yet, but I did notice my feet more. I felt clumsy in a way I had never been in my life.

Oddly enough, I still found I wanted to dance throughout my day. I loved the idea of being a mother.

If I were to have this baby? I would love him or her with all my heart.

While waiting on Tyler to show up at the garden, I had composed more music to pass my time. I'd added lyrics to a song and found myself surprised I was writing about being in love.

I thought I had forgotten how it felt to be in love after three years of being despised by my mate, but my heart was warmed by memories of my first love, Nathan Lewis.

Nathan had called Bella's apartment again though I had been in the shower at the time. I wished I had gotten to speak with him. Bella had taken his number down for me.

Calling Nathan felt possible as I was humming my own love song while sorting the music on the stand. I wondered where the singer had gotten off to, but my boss showed up in a panic.

"Rachel," Roy asked, breathless for unknown reasons, "Can you sing? Please tell me you can sing as well as you play the piano."

"I can sing. I took vocal lessons as part of my studies to get my music degree. What's happened?"

"The singer is sick. She's been feeling off all through the set and she just totally lost it backstage. I need a love song. Do you know one?"

Love songs were the most common kind of music aside from

to play a piano ballad the audience would recognize. Those

love song? Does it

to make sure we played something romantic and sweet. He wants his girl to

I actually didn't

ever asked me

and I had been in love in high

joked about having a family together. A dozen children. A house with a white picket fence. Two dogs so they could play

him even though I knew he

original pieces? I put words to it today and I think it would work

I'm sure they're going to love it. Let me get the

fright. I often had to perform for entire concert halls as part of

never made me uncomfortable. Music was as natural as breathing to me. I enjoyed sharing my

the spotlight to shine down on me from above, illuminating me

was angled down to allow me to sing

in love and I want to share it with you tonight. The name

I closed my eyes to better feel the mood of the music. I poured all my love into

final bars trail off into silence for the span of several heartbeats before applause burst out from every

you, everyone. I'm glad you were all able to feel the love tonight. Speaking of love, I believe there's a gentleman at table six who would now

and the spotlight operator swung

was in a nice, crisp suit which he straightened before going down on one knee

I cried a few tears of joy alongside the bride-to-be as

The diamond solitaire was stunning

the kind of love they

difference from any other shift I'd had in the restaurant

bench as my final set finished only to have

had been a longer time than suggested since I last ate

"Are you alright?"

Turning to my right, I saw an older gentleman approaching me, "I just need a glass of water. I let the music take over tonight. One of the pitfalls of being the main

shared a chuckle as he waved one of the waitresses over. He whispered to her for a moment and she disappeared. I figured she was going to bring me the water I'd asked for and thanked him