Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the Crown

reysto

at made my stomach twist. The river's roar was loud, like blood pumping through veins. A strip

. Her lips trembled. "Oh, that's Ember's dress!" she gas

er, his arms strong but his face pale with dread. She l

had jumped. What a foolish human, she couldn't bear to handle one rejection. I'd never

the cliff's edge. He didn't try to comfort his mother; she

a hint, pointing to me? In days, I would be Alpha. A leader who pushed a pack member to her demise? My father would have my h

g torrent. I heaved a sigh of relief. The mint green sash was the only sign she had been here. Without it, we would have doubted she ever

, staring at the water. I felt a pang in my stomach. I had done this. If I hadn't rejected her, hadn't hurt h

wolf would not be able to survive. Let alone someone like Ember. She didn't stand a chance. I shivered at the thought. Her scent had faded; she might probably

ed his shoulder, awkwardly, hating how heavy it felt. "We

before they saw us. His mother's eyes searched mine, then Klaus's, and her hope was crushed. She buried her fa

, called her worthless, spat on her, they would hate me. Klaus, my best friend, would never forgive me. The pack woul

se, heads down. My father met

ied the pack's safety on his shoulders, a burden I would so

r Ember. The full moon, meant for celebration, was cloaked in grief, all because of her. Part of me still thought sh

There might be a clue." I kept my voice calm, but my pulse raced

e said, eyes narrowing slightly

diary, no notes, nothing to implicate me. She had left no trace, as if she had planned to

ing. Even in death, she was stealing the pack's peace, turning a nigh

path, every clearing, but found nothing, no tracks, no scent, no sign. Hour

laus's mother's tears fell freely now, her husband's arm around her, his own face tight with pain. They ha

She had chosen this, hadn't she? One rejection shouldn't have broken her. But deep down, I knew better. My words, my cruelty, had driv

member whom they so much cherished. "We'll keep searching," he said, "She was

d her gone, but not this way. Not with Klaus's tears, his mother's cries, the pack's sorrow. I