REJECTED WEAK MATE-LILA

nd, every shadow seemed to mock her as she walked alone past the bonfire where the pack celebrated. She kept her eyes averted to the ground, as she was supposed to, and ignored the sidewa

lf-sister Aria strutted around with a knowing smirk, swinging her dark hair over her shoulder. "You look nervous, Li

e satisfaction she so badly craved. All her life, Lila had been cast into the shadows of Aria's charm, beauty, and even her parent

call for attention; the power in his aura sent ripples through the assembly. Lila felt the pound of her heart in her chest, fear mixed wit

e within her-an invisible thread tugging her to Jac

inching gaze. "Lila?" He sounded almost amused, as if the very notion of them being bound by fate was some kind

crowd. "This runt as my mate? I don't think so." He let out a harsh, bitter laugh, and those around him joined in, jeering an

er; her eyes were pleading, but he cut her off

w her close. "But your sister, now... she is a true Luna." And with that, he bent down and plunged his

ward, clutching at her chest, as mirth and whispers buzzed around her-the sounds of her own pack, her o

Still coddling the flawless daughter Aria, Lila was no more than an afterthought.

tumbled over roots, her lungs burning with the effort, but she didn't stop. The laughter and sneers of her pack still echoed in

etched with pain and despair. She couldn't go back. Not to them, not after everything. Her soul was bruised, heart shat

mbled through the woods. Every step away from her pack-her so-called family-was like a weight being lifted

Memories of Jackson and Aria together plagued her mind, and with every recollection, when she would try to p

e soil. She felt empty and hollow, her chest on fire with both her grief and betrayal. It was without

ddess mate me with him? What

g her so helpless, they circle around her, taunting and advancing on her. They moc

ues are closing in for an attack, there comes a strong presence-an Alpha with an authoritative aura, a silence tha

expression. He's like no man she has ever met. Dominant in every sense, there is something in

odd, otherworldly pull toward him, though she is too raw in heart and brain to apprecia

w. Come with me, and no

ing-"Why would you help me

unted like that. Besides, I

rself some rest and recuperation. Xander is friendly yet not intrusive, providing a care service respectful of the shutt

t erratically at first but soon expands into much longer conversations with him learning about h

ning attraction-afraid of allowing herself to be vulnerable again to a heartbreak. Yet, in e

k's territory with Xander. They speak of their respective scars and painful histories, and

nder listens with a nonjudgmental ear, his eyes brimming with empathy and fierce protectiveness. It i

hrough her body, one not felt since her mate bond was severed. The intimacy of the moment almost

you to believe, you are s

why do I fee

se they didn't

iss that brought back her hope and started heal

e respectively and mutually based on understanding. She comes to understand that he is her second c

r that Jackson is after her and wants to "sort out" the unfinished matters. At the mention of Jackson, Xander's eye

-day by day, like a balm on her wounded soul. News of her being with Xander soon reaches Aria, her half-sister, who is vindictive to the core. She is inf

close. This turns Aria's blood to venom. All this time, she had loved watching Lila miserable, under her thumb and spurned by Jackson. An

appiness of her sister. She, therefore, starts thinking of ways

can escape me? She thinks a new Alpha mate wi

ctive, giving her space while also making it very clear he cherished her. She feels safe and loved-new and frightening. While the bond wi

the still of the night, they share a quiet moment under the stars. Xander reassures Lila th

ys or believes, Lila. All I know is that

e that. They just see a r

ivocal. "Then let them watc

r as through Xander's eyes, L

on a show of concern-the "worried sister"-lying about Lila's past. She describes Lila as weak and

s trying to ruin her life again. Xander himself feels that Aria is consumed by jealousy and spite, s

lways struggled, always needed someone to protect her. I jus

ies, Aria! You don't care

ed fears of rejection and abandonment force her to face herself, showing Xa

out the rejection from her first mate, and some of them heed Aria's claims about Lila-that she is unstable, weak. Then there ar

move on with her life, free from the shackles of her past. In these desperate moments, Xander reassures her that he

al and prying eyes. They went to a quiet lake and spent some time together-quiet time he used to open u

tarts to get a shot at trusting Xander. They share an embrace under the silvery moonlight, an

ou feel like you don't belong, Lila.

nk you, Xander. For s

a few allies who share her resentment at Lila's new found happiness, she starts sowing discord into Xander's pack. Man