THE ALPHA'S REJECTED BLIND MATE

AN

med through the small window of my tiny room. The golden rays hit my closed

arp pain stabbed at my waist like a blade

ee days, but apparently, the celebration started early this year. He'd invited friends from other packs, an

ndry, and polishing the endless silverware, there hadn't been time for even a sip of water. I t

grab a bite before they find me," I mu

came a shrill voice, followed by a rapid series of bangs.

my movements stiff and sluggish. The sec

ress pot," she snapped witho

t of my voice. "Can't it wait until morning? I'v

ting me off. "All you do is sit in the dark al

d out and rapped her knuckles hard against my forehead. T

ed, slamming the

rehead, the sting of her insult deeper than the physical pa

packhouse was alive with chatter and laughter, but I didn't stop to listen

tting the ache of my life pour out into the quiet night. Blindness had been my burden

fter her death. If only she knew. There was no safety here, just endle

mother, but even she wasn't allowed to

my hand. Self-pity wouldn't get me through tonight. I

ped my stick tighter, the memory of a snake bite I'd gotten as a child flashing through my

s I froze in place. Was it an animal? A predator? My fingers trembled as I crouc

and clamped o

ough palm pressed against me. My body went rig

close I could feel his breath on my skin. It was low

bled against his han

stead, his grip loosened, and h

" he said, his ton

irling in my head. "I think you

firm, almost like he beli

ond, he leaned in c

ds hung in the air between

thoughts a tangled mess

were on mine. The kiss was fierce and possess

do something. But my body didn't move. There was an

hands gripped my waist, steadying me as his lips c

ing. Every brush of his skin against mine sent sparks racing through

and trembling. My heart pounded as I tried to catch my b

e was gone, disappearing into the

emory of him. I didn't even know his name, yet he'd left an indelible m

had nothing to do with the cool air. Something had changed

n, my life would nev