THE AGONY OF REJECTION

ie's

watching that exchange with Ryan in my head, dissecting every word, glance, and touch. I was

of the pack. as his Luna, maybe. Perhaps even as much as... I could not

red the last time I had trusted in love. My wounds from Tyler's rejection were so deep that I could still feel the pain t

yler nor destiny had any sway ove

like a storm gathering on the horizon, something I could feel in the air. Everything seemed to be building toward something,

and a few other senior wolves. His stance was tight and his expression solemn. It was obvious that

dvising me to keep out of it, I could not help but edge closer to the gathering. Ryan

tting bolder." They'll attempt to encroach further on our domain

close to the northern border have already been reported

nsuring everyone's safety and preventing any injuries was more important than jus

ed to set up more patrols." "If

at once, with all due respect. The pack is full

ogues threaten our boundaries, even if I know my wolves ar

t there, battling deadly outlaws. I felt uneasy at the idea of him being in

could stop myself. "Ple

look of astonishment o

prepared for this, you know. I can fight since I've been training

looked away, but he remained silent.

fore whispering, "It's not your responsibil

efused to back down. Furthermore, Ryan, it's not only your duty. W

tween his desire to protect me and his recognition of my correctness was evi

t." However, you remain near me.

and resolve constricting

soft light from the moon. Ryan was in the lead on the patrol, closely followed by Lucas and a few of other

r skin crawl. My inner wolf roused, restless, feeling my own un

te contact made me feel warm within. It served as a reminder that despite all of the

truck initially by the aroma, which was distinct, strong, and metallic. As I surveyed t

quiet, controlled v

ld sense them. The renegades were there, observ

as I was startled by a noise in the bushes to our left. My instincts se

hey engaged in combat with the outlaws who had come out of the forest. The noi

e and commanding wolf form. Even though my inner wolf was rising to the surfac

ntion. I refused t

my wolf charged forward as I instantly changed. As our teeth met, I

throughout the grueling combat. Their victory would not

et the better of him, I heard

ion. I knew I wouldn't be able to sidestep in time as my heart pounded in my chest

ge blur of fur struck him and sent

e

ade. He struck the outlaw without thinking twice, killing him with a single, p

and rage in his gaze. We only remained there for a while, st

was impossible to discern as he grad

s searching for any injuri

eathe as I shook my head. "I'

ned into fists at his sides, his jaw tight

hakier than I meant to, I

ver his hair. Carrie, you shouldn't have be

'm not a helpless victim that needs saving. My purpose

, or deeper emotion in his eyes. Silently, he whisp

. It seemed like we were the only two people in the w

wasn't simply the fight that he was discu

want to lose

cond, I had the impression he may say somethin