Rejected by her mate

place. The cold of the forest and the terror of the ambush began to wear off, replaced by this foreign warmth seeping from her heart. She loo

an of mystery who'd saved her life without hesitation. There was something about him, a strength, a presenc

d to her, and said, his voice softening, "You'll be safe here, Amelia. I give

n a whisper. "Thank you. I don't

," he replied. "You've

e warmth from inside-from the fireplace and also the friendly hum of pack members greeting her-made Amelia

life, Amelia felt as thoug

on her, make sure she had all she needed, while the members of the pack treated her like one of their own. They would share meals and laugh so ea

untroubled woodlands that lay around the packhouse and occasionally sparring with Lila and Ethan to strengthen herself. The

, though, was them-the bond between them, a pair of magnets each time they talked or even passed by each other. That was a silent u

gue stood before her with his head hung low. "You had one job," s

oo strong. The Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pac

you kill him, too? I paid you to get rid of Amelia,

ew better than to defend himself. "He was t

under the protection of such a powerful and influential Alpha, like Kaelan, made her blood boil. Caroline had thought she'd crushed

w she could recover from this. So Amelia thought she could es

face dark with anger. "So, the rumors are true? Ameli

eems like Kaelan was some sort of savior a

runs away from my pack, and now she's trying to make a life with another Alpha?" The words s

rming in her mind. "Then why don't

ose. "What do yo

and naive. All it will take is a well-placed lie or a few rumors to shatter her new happiness. And

d of that. She's dared to defy us, to think she might get aw

, plotting something that wou

d find her regularly training first with Lila, then Ethan, while afternoon quiet and long walks in the forest

is, the accidental touches-that she emerged from breathless, her cheeks flushed. Kaelan was there

an stopped and fixed his gaze on her. "Amelia," he began at once in a soft tone of voice. "You needn't say a word if

ng down. "Thank you, Kaelan. I... I don't know if I'll ever be able to tell you everything. But jus

melia, you're so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Whatever you

as though her past had finally melted away, the weight falling from her shoulders, along with the

now, shadows

rd via informants they knew would make sure the lies reached Kaelan's ears. Whispers of Amelia's alleged "betrayal," her "hi

they could be swayed-especially if the right kind of manipulation was applied. She resolved