The Alpha's Rejected Vessel

oke u

emy marks. Blood that wouldn't clot. A scent screaming Silve

em? She was st

every nerve raw and screaming. She forced her eyes open. One bare

grimy window, gray and sickly

vasive. Enemy wolf scent coating her ski

er C

claims scratched deep into flesh. She could feel the raised welt

copper-split lip bleeding again. In the cracked mirror across the room, a stranger star

urs. Her half-human blood meant t

. Something warm coiled deep in her chest, pulsing fa

he warmth flared, just for a heartbe

r Morna burst in, silver-streaked hair pulled tight. Pac

Morna's lip curled as she tossed a

ch step sent jolts of pain up her leg, but she forced hersel

before she reac

of Silve

like a comm

blood finall

e. Five years of swallowing their contempt, beli

lt on one man

so

. Strong. The Alpha's son who'd found her half-dead at the bo

hispered just last week, arms tig

believ

his back to her,

he murmurs. "You were found unconscious beyond our

d. "I don't remember. I was gathering herbs, and t

nous. She turned to Jason. "As her intend

ring wen

ally turn

e promised sanctuary

agement

ds. Simpl

Mark caught her elb

nt for everyone. "I need someone pure for my bloodline. Not..." His gaze

shattered. Her chest

strange warmth flared. Hott

ing. He moved toward her with deliberate steps. Their fingers intertwined.

sharpened.

owd er

owing her t

ood attract

been exiled

er chest pulsed

orman, your blood was already impure. Now marked by enemy wolves, you

ai

across the clea

crowd parted, and Dere

de grown wolves bare their throats. Black wolf pelt draped

swept the clearing,

never shown mercy, was looking at her l

see scars across his jaw and throat-b

held a warning. "This

carried. His nostrils flared slightly. "Something val

a-pine and steel, sharp as winter wind. But b

suddenly flared hot, re

to her sternum for a split second, as if he could

. That flash of rec

my marks," an

th mine." Derek's gaze never left

aring e

ce contorting. Aileen's triumph

stated. "The marking ceremony will take

in this?" The wor

kered-as if furniture had suddenly spoken. H

s from her shoulder. Close enough s

ething h

d into a fist, tendons standing out sharp. His eyes widened, and for j

bl

o

d utterly

intensified-that wild edge sharpening int

g frantically. His lips parted slightly, revealin

expression shuttered. But his hand-the one

into a fist,

rough. "Winter comes. Silver Creek wolves hunt these woods. How lo

ainst her ear. "At least with

Accept this ca

sion coiled through his frame. Whatever he'd sensed in

dl

th visible effort. Controlled again,

d as stated," he announce

away, hands clenched at

a whispered. As

Shoulders stiffened. For

udible: "Don't

e crowd dispersed, whispers following.

until the

red, Lia caught one l

d against a tree-no, not braced. Clawing. Five deep

est, fingers spread wide, as if trying to

before he vanished into

ey

o

and utterly inhuman, locked

bleeding sap. She could smell i

her own blood had been,

on

ing higher. That strange warmth in her chest had settl

chain her to a man who looked

ystallized. Cold. Sharp

e only one w

pain anymore. With something else. Something th

, he'd c

ds, Jason h

y wanted. Let them believe

ears in this pack by

urvive seve

them exactly what da

the clearing, chin hi

, Derek watched. Hand still pressed

ut the marking ceremony in sev

be a de