THE LAST REJECTION

ge

bleeding wound in my chest had kept me running all night. No farewells or second thoughts were spoken. With each s

ed the entrance to Crescent Hollow, the little community that abutted my mother's pack area, creaked

some solace in thinking about my mother. When I was a child, she left the Mooncrest Pack and joined her family's pack here. Even if I sh

d with her former pack. Holding back my anxieties, I paused. She had told me tales of this area when I was younger, a vibrant community ruled by a strong Alpha wh

t, his silhouette made an overwhelming impression. He walked with the

pect because of his deep, forceful voice and mild authori

ble above a whisper when

You might come," your mother said. "I said," she said. He hesitated, as if he was

, but I forced a nod, battling the memories that threatened

for me to follow him inside the mansion, he turned. "I believe Cr

Crescent Pack estate exceeded my expectations in size, with its expansive grounds including rows of member cotta

filled me in on various aspects of the pack. They were en

. "This will belong to you. We'll see to it that everything you need i

Because I didn't want him to know how weak I was, I made myself stand

grin. You're kin, Angela. You do

d and stared at the floor as the weight of everything finally overcame me as the thick,

ld sneak out early to run through the woods and let the cold morning air clear my head. I could only experience anything except numbn

the main hall one afternoon when

gel

ion as I turned, surprised. With black locks framing her face, she seemed to be aro

I've heard you just joined us

ness, I contrived a grin.

es. "I understand the experience of joining a new pack.

t her, I still wanted to. "Thank you. I'

, if you need a guide, present yourself t

had come that a genuine grin p

el less alienated, the void that had followed me from Mooncrest gradually disappearing. The thoughts o

the edge of the training field. With elegance and power, they executed every motion with prec

s on our Alpha?" Her tone

I blinked. "He seem

s that the best you have? Do

as my cheeks began to blush. "I h

ng. "He is among the most qu

at an Alpha ought to possess: compassion, strength, and deference. However, after Logan, I find it impossible to

n to her, I said,

g out with everyday duties and training with the warriors. In both body and soul, I could sense my strength inc

e evening, Alpha Marcus summoned me

to you about som

, so my heart skipped. I nodded

some time, and I've seen your commitment. How much you've

ith delight, I refrained out of

ly as he paused. "A Luna is needed for ou

aused my breath

I succeeded, speaking

s steady. "Angela, I would like to know if y

ition I once envisioned with someone else was destroyed by rejection. A second opportunity, from som

Were I prepared? Would I be willing to risk the hurt a

provided me with a lifeline, a haven of healing and acc

" he kin

s was a fresh start, another opportunity