The Rejected Mate-Jessie

rment by her pack, had subsided; however, the wounds emotionally ran deeper. Every day, she told herself the truth-that sh

cas, her second-chance mate. A strong Alpha who looke

mean her nightmares h

iven her when he chose Vanessa over her, marking her sister as his Luna; Vanessa with her smug smile, the way sh

he sink. She would not go back there-not to

o Lucas, one of the most powerful Alphas in the region. And Vanessa was furious. Here she was with everything Jes

r second mate, Lucas, jealou

d the reports from the scouts. It had barely been weeks since Jessie left afte

f the most formidable packs out there. The papers began

up with Lucas?" Vanessa sp

since the day of the rejection, but Vanessa knew that bond wasn't as severed as she'd l

sa said sharply, her eyes narrowing on Cade. "Even n

hands slapping down onto his desk. "You chose me. You made me your Luna

a dangerous growl rumbled

ning with fire. "I won't let her win, Cade-not after everythin

s. His movements were smooth, powerful, the sort of strength she could feel thro

it-she smiled back, and her heart lightened at just the sight of him. In him,

never la

were together when a messenger came to deliver a

r. Cade's pack. Vanessa is spreading word th

round him thickened with power. Jes

he say?" Lu

place being the mate of a powerful Alpha such as yourself. She's calling her weak a

nto the scars Jessie had worked so hard to heal-hit their mark. The memories of Cade'

his feet, his fists clenched at his sides, his pre

. "Tell Vanessa that Jessie is my mate, and any attack on

ded quickly, hurr

the room in three strides, pulling her into his arms. "Don't listen to her. She's j

ut even in his arms, part of her hurt-to hear Vanessa's words, to remember ho

events of her day replayed themselves in her brain, over and over, until she just co

se the storm of emotions that was inside her. But it was no use. Vanes

The night was quiet, the pack house still. But far awa

no matter how hard she tried to forget, the thought of Cade linger

you doing

nd him standing in the doorway, his eyes pegged with concern.

sleep, she

around her from behind. His chin lay on her shoulder,

h stronger than that, Jessie. What Vanessa said doesn't give

till sore. "I just. I don'

"You've survived things that would have broken most people.

e, something that made her feel like she finally could breathe again. She reach

d; the words slipped out b

s. At first, it was a soft kiss, tender and slow, but rapidly gre