THE REJECTED MATE BECOMES THE QUEEN

Blackthorn ceremonial grounds, t

r the late autumn night. The wind cut through the fabric and raised goosebumps along her arms, but she kept her hands s

us. Most looked bored. A few already wore the small, mea

black from throat to boots. The moon caught the sharp line of his jaw and the col

ned twenty, quiet at first, then stronger every day. She had spent nights lying awake wondering what

ever imag

rried easily ac

pha of this pack, rejec

r chest twisted so hard she almost bent forw

gh the crowd. Someone la

as if he were r

rations. Mating her would weaken every pup born after

sed blood, weak line, something wrong in the family-but no one had e

finally dr

ne

ical force. Her body wanted to obey.

them to l

eyes na

id kn

hook. Around her, wolves shifted, some looking aw

n dress. She kept her back straight and her eyes fixed on the gr

e continued

his pack. She will leave the territory before da

ra's breath left her in a thin sound she could not stop. Tears blu

d said, loud enough

nswered, "Took

rd la

r bones. She counted her breaths the way she alway

ped in fro

d not

spoke. Lower. Ro

's en

ughter

sed her h

. Dark hair cut short. A thin scar cutting through his left eyebrow. H

oice tur

t your conc

look at the Alpha. He

you s

held when she pushed herself up. The white dress

htly, angling himself bet

ving," he

vel. The air around him

rget yo

reply w

he's free to go. I'm taking her past the border so n

atching crowd. No one stepped forward.

ered behind his eyes-anger, yes, but also the first thin crack o

past Hal

t come

nce the rejection began. Her voice came

won

ough the circle of wolves. They parted without a word. Some looked away. A few watched her with op

her chest was a raw, open wound. Every

The noise of the ceremonial grounds faded behind them. Only the win

ights of the pack were gone an

north," he said. "We can stop there un

throat still felt

r once, then fac

said. "In case y

la

kno

gh the branches. Elara's knees ached. The torn edges of the bon

n

u

blood would begin telling a different story than the

de her had been the first person in yea

ight, was enough

t. She put out a hand to catch herself against a tree. The ba

red at

e edges of the wou