Return of the Alpha's Rejected Mate

t from morning drills. Arya wiped sweat from her brow, the ache in her

na," Lucas teased, walking over

mina. I didn't say I was stupid enoug

ing her a flask of

. There were no awkward silences, no pressure to pretend. Just easy conversation, sh

you," Arya said after a be

cuse me? You could bar

plied with a straight face. "D

an. "Alright then, soldier. Le

ircling each other. Arya moved first-quick, fluid, like the training was second na

It wasn't even about skil

nec

l hard into the dirt, groaning a

to test me

p, eyes twinkl

. "You can't

shoulder as he stood. "Guess I'll

or the first time in a while..

her while she was cleanin

see you," Mir

oked up

ae

rt thudded

ful to hide the

-

walls, high ceilings, too much space for too few people. Ka

she entered. "You're on

kept her posture perfect, head slightly lowered-just e

ally t

nt, he jus

as confused, almost uncertain. His eyes flicked over

amiliar," he

breath

idn't

r a second. As if something buried deep insi

storm passing

gain. "You've been perf

you,

duty during the council me

er head. "Y

her without a

-

by th

utside the barracks, both of them

meet him?"

itated.

. Up

dded. "

over. "What

ack. "He's... not

"He lost a lot. I think that's why he'

idn't

she alre

she had been par

-

ion came

am. Minimal risk, they said. In and out. But Arya knew better-s

something heavier. He hadn't said much since Kael

lent when they ar

patrol leader mutt

se she recognized this stretch of forest. She knew the broken stump near the stream, the jagg

roke the

n c

ws. The cla

fight, not as a soldier, but as an alpha's daughter. Her strength showed too easi

s when sh

ne wa

the

ca

e finished off the last rogue. Bloodied. Breathing

eld for a se

e look

omething in her

-

ached, but her mind was louder. She found herself walking, boots crunching

here

ca

r, elbows on his kn

ut when she stepped closer, s

. Just silent

ide him wit

. Just kept staring at the wat

ong time,

to have

at him but di

nger than me. Everyone thought I was just the i

ice cr

s. Rogue ambush. I

chest t

d never get close to anyone a

. "And now here I a

d down at

moment. A t

ld say

ld give hi

a l

said softly. "Not to death

o her, eyes gl

mat

d. "Somethin

tween them, heavy bu

ever want to talk ab

he soldier or the charming one-liner guy. But the pai

ust maybe...

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