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

en light. Astra blinked the sleep from her eyes, the chill of the forest floor clinging to her fur. T

something within her-a mixture of curiosity and unease. His words had lingered in

n as she searched for prey. The underbrush crackled faintly under her paws, the sounds swallowed by the vastn

ched, oblivious to her presence. She crouched low, her muscles coiled like springs as she prepared to s

iberate slowness. Astra's heart jumped. It was Kael. His dark fur seemed to dri

a move, the deer bolted, vanishing into the trees with a burst of speed. Astra let out an annoyed

s you think," he said, his

tail flicking in irritation. "Do you always ruin o

r tone. "I didn't ruin anything

e the energy to argue, especially not with her stomach growling louder by the minut

her shoulder to find him watching her with an expression that was

e asked, he

uely to the forest around them. "Living on yo

led. "What's

d. "My point is, you won't last long out here if you

one to give it?" she shot

ds, their dangers, their secrets. You? You're fresh out of a pa

rong. She had been raised in the safety of a pack, where food was hunted collectively, and dangers

?" she asked, her voice tinged

ng. "Call it a favor. You remind

turned and began walking away. He stopped a few paces ahead

side of her-the part that wanted to survive-knew she couldn't afford to be stubborn. Not yet.

signs in the environment-a broken branch here, a faint trail there-that indicated the presence of prey

ed for Astra to stay back as he crept toward the edge, his movements silent and deliberate. She wa

et, his expression neutral. "E

ut the rumbling in her stomach won out, and she lowere

at back, licking her lips

d an eyebro

mething for nothing," Astra said, her tone

er intently. "I told you already. You remind me of som

intrigued despit

tightening. "My sister," he said quietly. "She was exiled from our pack years ago

at the pain in his voice

he didn't make it. The wilds claimed her before she had

nspoken. Astra didn't know what to say,

e. "I'm sorry," she said, her

I'm helping you. Because if I can keep you a

ust. She still didn't know much about him, but for the first t

y. "But I'm not just going to rely on y

ed into a faint sm