red to the shock of his lips against mine. It wasn't just a kiss. it was a claim, an unapologetic assertion of his dominance over me. My b

want to. The kiss deepened, stirring emotions I didn't want to acknowledge like something dark that

etched on his face that I couldn't pinpoint. Regret? Anger? He was al

ak as I thought, Harlyn." My heart dropped and landed somewhere around my kneecaps. The connection I had fo

down as if I were less than a thing. "You are nothing, Harlyn.

ing of his rejection crept into me once more, as raw as the night it happened. I bit down on the inside of my cheek. The metallic taste of b

continued, his tone now icy and detached. "You are mine. So

my back slouch as if they had physically crushed me. I let out a whimper as hot tears streamed down m

roaching. I looked up to see Becca walking tow

my voice hoarse fr

Harlyn," she said, her tone sharp, cutting through the air like

, and though she avoided being seen with me at school or anywhere else, she was the only one who didn't treat me like a complete pariah. I ch

?" I asked, trying to under

dy?" Her voice was cold, devoid of the warmth I so desperately needed. How could I forget? No woman could forget the day she wa

he face. "I didn't throw-" I st

d? To pretend that he might actually care about you?" She shook her head, her expression hardenin

friend, but her words felt like they were coming from an

her forehead creasing. "Why didn't you push him

ut I quickly blinked them away. "It's not that simple,

e over a year ago, handling the situation with a strength I hadn't been able to muster. But she needed to understand that I wasn't her. Becca sighed and stepped clos

if her words were harsh. I knew she was right, but how could I fight back against my Alpha? Before I could finish gathering my thoughts, the scent

iosity. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with slight concern. But before I could answ

ghting her sharp cheekbones and pale skin. Her jet-black hair flowed behind h

oice quivering slightly. I couldn't blame her. I would have

e never leaving mine. "You must be Harlyn," she said as if confirming a long-held suspicion. Her

face who for some reason knew my name, I nodded slowl

. "I'm a friend of Ethan Starr

recognized the name. The news had spread quickl

nothing to do with Ethan or any of his friends for person

en you and your... Alpha," she said, ignoring my question. Her tone

tween Higan and me. "Did Ethan send you here to spy on me?" I asked,

ht at first." She sighed, inspecting her nails as if discussing something trivial. "High school dr

nd nonchalant, but my voice betrayed me. "What

her gaze sharpening, meeting mine aga

first ever to be rejected. "And?" I sassed, prepar

inctively stepped back. "Has he ever t

ayer on my lips like it just revealed a secret I didn't know existed. Was there something I shoul

lf than to me. "Coward. I prefer the old ways. She paused, a faint smile touching her lips

my frustration growing. "If there's s

ything. Sometimes, rejection isn't about weakness or strength, nor is it about hierarchy

no clear answers. "What hasn't come to the sur

ting to hear what she

swift moment, Becca took a step forward, her face stern. "Cut

if she were nothing more than a minor nuisance. "Like I

came from, her words clouded my thoughts,

d her leave, our e

e said made any sense?

admitted, "But I'l