Rejected By The Alpha

Callah

face again. Not after what he

oulders slumped in exhaustion, and the unmistakable pull of the bond humming low in

little cub let out a weak cry, hot with fever, even under the wet cloth I did put

to explain what the h

Weathered and harsh. The dark stubble shadowing his jaw matched the wariness in his eyes. But it was

said, his voice low and rough, like thunder ach

er and sharp. "

ettled be

ons," Kael said, emotionless. "Not

oice quieter, colder. "Th

weat off his burning forehead, and added a few drops of moonleaf oil to the cloth. His skin sizzled under

ce, casting shadows below his eyes. He looked like a man unraveli

came to say,

weeks. The healers can't identify it. Selene believes

row. "And you th

ow yo

eration. It was belief. Unshakable. It frig

" I said. "Not after what you did.

"One month. Just one. Come back.

s. At the alpha whose pack had stood silently while I was cast out.

t the familiar sting in my palm, the ache of

g back for you. I'm going back for

hat look in his eyes that told

Towering spires swallowed in fog. Moonlight filtered th

he SUV, I felt it, wards. Str

er. Lean, silver hair swept back in that effortl

ave," she said.

," I answered flatly

curled. "

like a ghost. Always watching. Never touching. The bond thrumm

hildren. All of them fevered, muscles twitching under their skin like something i

you used?" I aske

rethorn," she said, bewi

. Her eyes move slightly open, then her body seized

bed he

, I felt

hing old. Something warped.

rned sharply. "This is not

"What kind

d have died out

, I dreame

ing like fire. A scroll burned in my hands. Kael stood behind me, wounded and reaching. Whe

choking

ng call

uiet corridors. Past locked doors. Until I stood

ield g

not res

e wood, and th

ed herbs no longer grown. And at the center, a black

pped

e you do

. Low and sh

ask you the same.

ely. Just stared at the a

he finally said. "He dabbled

lood bi

mine. "You think

better start tell

the far shelf flared. The flame roared

s awak

he fla

my fists. My

" I said, brushing past

othing, mixed potions under the moon. Kael watched me from the corners. Selen

ond pulsed. Stro

found t

vered and silen

rbs w

. I let it rise

y scar. The pup gasped, and took

d been

ed it,"

had

ve done that. Not e

just a

e did never trul

han I ever underst

w me away," I said,

e shelf beside his desk, a

the s

othe

ight fell, until

ke th

echoed in my mind

ed. By the ones who walk in shadow. By t

parchment, hea

ws were n

re alre

ere to sav

o survive wh

my hands, and under the flak

y mot

el