THE ALPHA'S UNWANTED MATE

y it. Say

like thunder. A sacred campfire is blazing behind us, its brilliance illuminating the serious

nse and his muscular form stiff. Tonight, his once-warm blue eyes have become chi

take my hands, admit that this was an error, and claim me as his

takes a st

rt, and her golden hair shines in the moonlight. My stepsister. My torme

and takes a long breath bef

on Pack, Jake Hunter, I refuse

ld fall

My chest collapses, my eyesight becomes blurry, and an unseen force tries to

carcely feeling the cold earth under me. It's worse than I thought it would be. The pain is more profound and so

ear with her well-groomed fingers. She coos, "Poor Lily," in a mockingly

through the fog of pain. She wants me to be destroyed. She's asking

. Jake's lips are squeezed into a thin line, but his face is inscrutable when I look him i

py voice, "You didn't just

he remains silent. H

"Get up, Lily," in an embarrassed

tant to me? However, I am familiar enough with my mother to know that vulnerability is not accepted. Inst

uggle to get up. The rupture of the relationship is still fresh

's. He doesn't retreat. My stomach turns at the sight

e," loud enough for everyone to hea

d ashamed. As the throng gradually starts to disperse, whispers of condemnation and sympathy permeate the atmosphere. Some tu

er where I can finally break without anybody seeing. With a last-minute hesit

ood, D

shade Pac

e has an unfathomable expression on his face as he look

ood, sweetheart," in a deep, rumb

and from his. "I don't

hes into a grin. "Sorry? No.

alters. "A

agrance wraps around me as he leans in sligh

the thought pushes beyond the humiliation, the sorrow, and the sadness. I was rejected by

hing left fo

arted, I feel anything other than hope

se fl

you thin

slow, rapt gri

is about

g, the air is pierced by a lo

ck members pause. Between the trees, shadows move quickly a

f preparing for what's about to happen, hi

o make up your mind, my love." "A lot more inter

leaps out of the shadows, his eye

h

y brea

e air, with growls, snarls, and the terrible crunch of bone, as more shadows appear from the woods. Wolves fight, their fur blen

f me with a firm and unwavering presence. His sneer has gone, replace

romise as he states, "Th

ws outstretched, teeth bared, be

h

kne

a

hought before

altered because