After Rejection, My Ex-Alpha Wants Me Back.

PTE

NO

ly, eyes that are supposed to be sparkling and rosy? Yeah,

, Nova.

ting day of my life. I'm no longer going to be that girl everyone whispers about. The "wolfless wonder." A

? We're going to miss the entire event if you do

and, by the moon goddess, she looks exactly like the Disney princess we've been dreaming about becoming

our Alpha. My best frien

ses. "I can't wait for you to turn nineteen, Nova... Mate or not.

cupping my face, thumb brushing across my

Girl, you're doing that dreamy thing again. The one where yo

" I protest, turning away fro

ebrow. "You literally just sighed.

d n

d t

His words, not mine. Though I'll admit, when I slip it on and check myself in the mirror one last time, I don't look half bad.

," Candace sa

going to lo

I hate how ho

in the eye. "That man has been obsessed with you since we were eleven. He's

re late bloomers. Maybe mine is just taking her sw

e to

her arm through mine. "Let's go m

ecades of ceremonies just like this one. Lanterns hang from the branches, casting everything in warm, golden light. There's a bonfire already

nies of the year. It's when newly-of-age wolves are officially recogniz

her grip on my arm tightening. "Do I look okay? Is my

h I'm barely paying attention. My eyes are s

er

ushed back, and even from here I can see the strong line of his jaw, the broad set o

something. Or someone. My heart does t

ntle push. "I'll catch up with you

immediately notices her and grins. Lucky

of pack members. A few people glance at me, some curious, some pitying, some openly j

ur eyes meet, and for a second, everything else fades away. He smiles, that sl

ast me, focusing on something behind me, and I watch in real-time a

onging. Ice fl

wing his gaze, and t

ir that catches the firelight. Flawless golden skin. A white dress that hugs every curve and makes her look

l. She's every

her like she's the only p

isper. "No

nd people part for her automatically, drawn in by whatever supernatural magnetism she's radiating. Sh

're saying. I'm too far away, and there's too m

she tilts her head and smiles. The way his hand r

ze at the contact, eye

oddess, oh Godde

learing, and the crowd falls silent. He's standing on the rais

ecial announcement

lease

gether. He helps her up the steps, his hand on the small

ime now. And tonight, the Moon Goddess has blessed us." He gestures to the woman beside Damien. "This is

cheers and applaus

eryone to see, and the smile on his face is so r

's still holding Seraphina's hand, still looking at her like she hung the moon. B

sn't m

ingle person is turning to look at me

ember climbing the steps, but suddenly I'm standing there in front of everyone

dressing the pack but keeping his gaze on me. "And I made h

d. Past

continues. "And I have to honor the bond Sh

d tilts

Silvercrest Pack, hereby reject you, Nova

Each one landing with precision, cra

so

ears of friendship. After all those promises.

yes on me, pitying, curious, some even satisfied. This is what they've been wa

e rejection gracefully. Walk away

tricted. I just stand there, staring at Damien, at the boy I've loved since I was elev

hispers something that make

ment I shatte

ng into the forest beyond the clearing. I just run, my stupid emerald dress catching on br

desperate, broken sounds

of everyone. After everyt

lf, echoing my earlier pep talk. "Today's go

having your heart ripped out and sto

nough for the sounds of the gathering to fade to distant musi

I thought I knew, everything I hoped fo

cause in our world, fated mates are ev

was stupid enough to believe