The Alpha's Rejected Mate!

broken twigs, but I didn't slow down. Every tree that scratched my arms, every

e. Hungry. They w

her little gang were just having one of their games. It didn't matter. If t

art beat like a trapped bird inside my ribs. Every step felt like fire

ch me crying. Not again. "G

eleste. Sweet and cruel. Her voice always so

left of something ancient, something lost, and ducked behind the wet sto

p. My heart raced in my

didn't scream. I wouldn't give her that. This was nor

idn't get to eat at first. I didn't

but I wasn't

al fire. Burning. Wild. Dangerous. I remember it every tim

of fear and rage, with golden eyes glowi

family. The fire started with me, and it ended everything, and

oo. The pack took me in-but not out of kindness. Out

skin. My fingers dug into the moss behin

My whole body was shaking. My wolf... weak as s

I jumped over roots, bushes, and fallen sto

trong and solid. I stumbled back, dazed, but warm

ap. It was pine. Smoke. Somethi

t for so long, stirred in my chest

. Before I could move, he spoke

up. He was tall, broader than anyone I'd ever seen, with ey

e me knew him. Before I could s

faster. He stepped in front of me, o

perfect blonde hair was still beautiful, as if

omega made a friend." Her eyes flicked t

," she said, her voice tightening. "No,"

even know who she is. "She's not

"She's mine." My heart skipped a beat.

you're saying." He didn't move. "Try me." For

d sharp. "She's cursed. Sh

llowe

s eyes searched mine. "D

t them fall. "I don't know," I said in a very calm voice

breathless. He didn't answer. He turned, pulling me

k. He didn't speak again until we were far from the ruins. Finally,

For scaring you. For being late. For ever

e's Kael. "I wasn't supposed to

were hidden. I've been

e words landed like stones in my stomach. "But I'm

turned away. My hands shook. M

eard him step closer. "I'll prove it," he said. Befor

d. It glowed the same way I remembered from the f

aid. I found it at the edge of the

r my feet. "I don't understand," I s

n his eyes. No pity. Not fear. Hope. "It

you to know." Suddenly, I heard

" he said. I turned. Shadows moved between the

. He stepped in front of me again. Hi

ur grew along his arms. A huge black wolf stood where he had been. He snarled... and launched

ad started, and I had no idea what I was trul

ven if I had to burn the tr