The Alpha's Mate id an outcast; Return of the Rejected Wolf

elter of the ancient tree roots, her muscles stiff from the cold. She stretched cautiously, the events of the previous day still fresh in her mind. Rejected by her pa

a sniffed the air, searching for the scent of prey. The forest seemed quieter than usual, but a faint breeze carried the

there was no one to flank the prey, no one to drive it toward her waiting jaws. She had to rely solely on her own instincts, her own skills.

f the forest, once a comfort, now felt oppressive. She couldn't help but think of Kael, the lone wolf who had appeared so suddenly

t seemed, ha

ars swiveling to catch the faintest hint of movement. Someone-or something-was

liar voice, deep and

dark fur blending almost seamlessly with the forest around him. He carri

raightening but keeping her

meal. "Looks like you managed to survive another night.

but didn't rise to the bai

but his eyes watchful. "I could ask you the same th

hot back, her voice firm

there was no malice in it. "Because from w

tting too close to home. "What do you

eadable. "I'm not following you. I

eyes. "You expect

I did notice something interesting while I was out scouting. There's

d up, her body tens

ers this part of the forest. You're

t she was far enough from any pack lands to avoid trouble

y've been expanding their borders for years. If they catch you wander

mplication. "I don't need your

I'm not saying you can't. But you're new to this l

back, her voice sharp. "Wh

"I've seen what happens to wolves who wander too close to packs like th

is words, a pain that hinted at a story he wasn't telling. Sh

instead, her voice quieter now. "That I s

ere you go. This forest is full of wolves like them-wolves who

everything she had been through. But Kael's warning was impossible to ignore. She had seen firsthand

, then?" she asked, f

ker of something that looked like concern. "Stay close to me,

by the offer. "Why would you h

self in you. Or maybe I'm just tired of watching wolves like us get to

didn't know why she trusted him-maybe it was the pain in his eyes, or the way he spoke as

"But only until I

"Whatever you s

helter of the ancient tree roots, her muscles stiff from the cold. She stretched cautiously, the events of the previous day still fresh in her mind. Rejected by her p

a sniffed the air, searching for the scent of prey. The forest seemed quieter than usual, but a faint breeze carried the

there was no one to flank the prey, no one to drive it toward her waiting jaws. She had to rely solely on her own instincts, her own skills.

f the forest, once a comfort, now felt oppressive. She couldn't help but think of Kael, the lone wolf who had appeared so suddenly

t seemed, ha

ars swiveling to catch the faintest hint of movement. Someone-or something-was

liar voice, deep and

dark fur blending almost seamlessly with the forest around him. He carri

raightening but keeping her

meal. "Looks like you managed to survive another night.

but didn't rise to the bai

but his eyes watchful. "I could ask you the same th

hot back, her voice firm

there was no malice in it. "Because from w

tting too close to home. "What do you

eadable. "I'm not following you. I

eyes. "You expect

I did notice something interesting while I was out scouting. There's

d up, her body tens

ers this part of the forest. You're

t she was far enough from any pack lands to avoid trouble

y've been expanding their borders for years. If they catch you wander

mplication. "I don't need your

I'm not saying you can't. But you're new to this l

back, her voice sharp. "Wh

"I've seen what happens to wolves who wander too close to packs like th

is words, a pain that hinted at a story he wasn't telling. Sh

instead, her voice quieter now. "That I s

ere you go. This forest is full of wolves like them-wolves who

everything she had been through. But Kael's warning was impossible to ignore. She had seen firsthand

, then?" she asked, f

ker of something that looked like concern. "Stay close to me,

by the offer. "Why would you h

self in you. Or maybe I'm just tired of watching wolves like us get to

didn't know why she trusted him-maybe it was the pain in his eyes, or the way he spoke as

"But only until I

"Whatever you s