THE AGONY OF REJECTION

ie's

't loo

as more to it than that. It was the realization that everything I had taken for granted about fate, love, and dedication had turned out to be un

How could she not do that? I couldn't take my eyes

It seemed strange coming back here after all these years. Silver Creek had

dn't have to know my motivation for returning. I think she saw it in my eyes

rms around me. "You are safe and prote

embrace. "Mom, thank you." Despite the little volume of my

ng with the other wolves, helping out when required, and carrying on as if everything was OK. That eased my min

neasiness in my wolf. She wanted to run, cry, and find someone to go with. However, I was u

. And everything in Si

ecome hard and brief on her feet, and he or she failed to pull punches. It become simply what

ah sidestepped my punch with ease. Her wide grin belied her challenge-fill

ust grazing her shoulder. Leah chuckled and stepp

ped the sweat o

oice said, and it i

ning field. People were forced to stop what they were doing and pay attention by his powerful presence. He had brow

d, "I can tell." "Despite having strength, yo

Silver Creek, but also one of the most powerful alphas in the region. He was known for b

" however even I wasn't positive w

ce how my wolf stirred at the sight of him; his presence was very powerful. I felt protected, but not in the sa

" he urged, maintaini

ed. Leah moved aside to give us room, and

you*?" Sickened, I questi

back, a little smirk curving his

o sparring with Leah, this was different. It was an experiment. And

moved more quickly. He moved with control and precision as he ducked with ease. With little any time

us moved as his face lingered just over mine. His very black eyes w

've got power, Carrie." But the reason you're holding back

nly in this battle, but in every encounter I've had since getting to Silver Creek. I'd walled

and extended his hand to me. I accepted

ng back to give me room. "An

op to consider before I attacked this time. I recently

rcising. For a moment, everything seemed to be calm as the sun was sinking and co

hanged from being domineering to more relaxed. H

murmured, "You've been through a

ck by how kind his voice was. Ind

t the stillness envelop us. It felt unsettling but reassuring. It was surprising to me how mu

continued. "Carrie, you are welcom

pact on me. I did not sense like I needed to run for the primary time

" I said, my voic

arely noticeable as he grin

one of their own, and I began to recover gradually. I trained more diligently than before, challenging myself to become s

d gently pushing me when necessary without ever going too far. He

lationship eluded me. Although it wasn't the mate bond, it was a

nd a location where I could br

ther this was just the start. Was ther

much my life would