Rejected by the Alpha, Desired by the Beast

st was t

earing. Silver light danced across the ancient stones of the Ceremonial Ring, whe

r fingers trembling as she clutched the ceremonial white shawl

would meet he

g, a touch of skin, a meeting of eyes. It was supposed to be

never felt

the mate bond-but beca

bore the faint scars of past punishments from her strict training. Her wolf had not yet shown itself. Ma

e whispers-al

qui

str

e cause of her parents

ritual bowl beside her, its heat soothing. She had waited her whole life for thi

stir. A new presence entered the circl

han Bla

d, carved like a warrior god, he radiated power and authority. Wolves parted as he walked

breath

reamed and t

into place with a

oul surged toward his, and her body responded like a magnet pulled to

w immed

as the full weight of t

roze m

tur

across the ring. The air thickene

in the pa

bond had

s ec

he Alpha

at can't

The Moon Goddess has finally deemed her worthy. Sh

arrowed. His

move to

owly-deliberat

N

h. It sucked the ai

choed, bare

voice rising like a wh

not make imperfect matches-but this is not fate. This

ed sile

d forward.

off witho

ang, reject this bond. I

The bond screamed in protest. She could feel

rned to

ecti

ront of e

never

icked up her spine. It wasn't just emotional. The rejection burned throu

ame whispered.

e Alpha woul

breathe. She

e heard som

vo

f. Not her

. Deeper. A rum

ed enough for me to b

thered into her mind, wrapping aroun

ne now, lit

orld tilting a

f, Khan turned t

ial flame t

as her body convulsed on the stone floor. Her skin darkened

rth tr

ame ex

outward in jagged waves. Wolves staggered back, s

nto the air-levitati

upted from her in a roar

remember wh

he screams. The t

apsing. Warriors turned to pulp

e echoing in two different t

ember the

cold stone beneath he

r eyes to the

l curled i

up-and

round her. D

ith blood. Elders. Warriors. Even

de

ared in

ls, stained with blood and bits of flesh.

rangled sob. Her

. no,

pproaching. She turne

by warriors, eyes shadowed

did t

.. I don't

Raya." His voice was ice. "

I didn't

shed from the Bloodfang Pack. If you are sighte

racked, she

riors c

the border. Leave

rned hi

, a voice in her head pur