His Rejected Mate, Their Secret Child

MINE

Dante’s POV



The pack needed a Luna, and that girl, Avelisse, was perfect for the role. She wasn’t just beautiful; there was something quietly disarming about her. The kind of softness that made people want to protect her. Innocent. Kind. Too good for this cruel world.

And yet, ever since she stepped into my life, I haven’t been able to focus on a damn thing. Her face keeps flashing in my mind… those wide, chocolate-brown eyes framed by waves of dark hair that look like they’d slip through my fingers like silk. And those lips… soft, tempting. My Lycan stirs restlessly every time I picture them.

The bond is driving me insane. My whole body reacts to her, burns for her. I want to grab her, taste her, strip away every piece of fabric between us and bury myself deep inside her until I forget who I am. Until nothing exists but her.

Fucking mate bond.

Before I can drown in the thought, the door bursts open. Brielle storms in, arms crossed, eyes flashing with fury. I let out a long breath and lean back in my chair. I was hoping she’d disappear if I ignored her long enough but no such luck.

“What’s this rumor about you having a Luna now?” she screeches.

“Yes,” I answer, keeping my tone flat. “The pack needs one.”

“What about me?” she snaps, voice trembling with anger and desperation.

I meet her gaze without emotion. “That girl was part of a deal and she’ll earn the pack’s respect, which you never could. Besides, Salvatore already brought her.” I wave my hand dismissively, signaling the conversation is over.

Her glare burns holes in my desk, but I don’t care. I have more important things to handle.

Salvatore later sends word that he’s hosting a party to introduce the new Luna. I decide to leave work early. When I arrive, the house is already full… pack members laughing, drinking, all of them eager to meet their future Luna.

Then I see her.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Salvatore announces, his voice carrying through the room, “I’d like to introduce you to the woman you’ve all been waiting to meet your new Luna, Avelisse Deveraux.”

My mate appears at the top of the staircase, descending slowly, every step stealing my breath. She’s radiant. The room fades around her. That smile… gentle, practiced doesn’t quite reach her eyes, but it still manages to light the space around her. I notice the small, nervous rhythm of her fingers tapping against her hip. She does that when she’s anxious. I’ve seen it before.

She’s trying so hard to look calm. So strong. And it makes something inside me twist painfully.

Avelisse.

‘That’s her name,’ my Lycan, Dan, murmurs in my mind.

‘I know,’ I answer.

‘Then say it,’ he pushes. ‘Say her name out loud.’

I clench my jaw. I don’t want to. I can’t afford to. I won’t fall for her… not again. Not like before.

‘Just once,’ Dan urges.

“Av… Avelisse Deveraux,” I whisper, barely audible. The sound of her name feels dangerous on my tongue, too good, too right. My chest tightens, and before I realize it, I’m whispering it again.

‘Avelisse Deveraux.’

‘Yes,’ Dan growls approvingly. ‘Ours.’

I scan the crowd until I find her again and instantly feel my blood boil. She’s talking to Brielle. I can see the smug tilt of Brielle’s chin, the cruel smile curling her lips. She’s taunting her.

But Avelisse doesn’t shrink. She doesn’t flinch. She just stands there, calm and steady, watching Brielle like she’s beneath her. Cold. Composed. Goddess, she’s beautiful like that… unyielding.

Before I know it, I’m already moving toward them.

“Brielle,” I snap, my voice low and sharp. “Is that any way to speak to your Luna?”

The women around her bow immediately. All except Avelisse. She looks straight at me, eyes wide, confused, hurt. And then, just as quickly, the warmth fades from her gaze. She bows her head slightly, murmurs an excuse, and walks away.

And just like that, she’s gone.

I stand there, unsure what the hell just happened. Did I say something wrong?

Before I can go after her, Brielle grabs my arm, stepping close enough for her perfume to choke me. “Dance with me, please?” she purrs.

“No,” I growl.

But she doesn’t stop. “I won’t leave you alone until you say yes, Papi.”

I sigh, glancing around. She’s making a scene, and I can already feel Salvatore’s glare from across the room. Reluctantly, I take her by the waist and lead her to the dance floor.

‘She’s embarrassing herself,’ I mutter through the mind link.

‘And you’re embarrassing your mate,’ Salvatore snaps back. ‘You’re dancing with another woman while your Luna watches.’

‘I told you, I don’t care about the Deveraux girl,’ I sneer. But even as I say it, the lie burns in my throat.

Salvatore cuts the link abruptly. Moments later, I see him approach Avelisse, asking her to dance. My chest tightens. They move together for barely a minute before the partners switch and she’s gone.

Vanished.

I stop dancing, my pulse pounding. My Lycan snarls restlessly, already tracking her scent. I follow it through the halls, out into the cool night air of the garden.

And there she is.

Talking to another man.

A low growl escapes my chest before I can stop it.

The sight of her standing there, laughing softly with someone else, sends a violent surge of possessiveness through me. The rational part of me fades, replaced by the roaring voice of my Lycan.

Mate.

And in that moment, all I know is that she’s mine.