REJECTED BY MY ALPHA, CLAIMED BY HIS ENEMY.

Chapter3

“Move.” His voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and low.

I didn’t argue and I couldn’t even argue because my body was still shaking from the rogues….from him.

He didn’t even wait to see if I would follow him, he just turned and started moving through the forest like he owned it.

I hesitated for a second and then I followed because I didn’t have a choice.

We were running not at full speed though, it was controlled like he was listening to something I couldn’t hear, adjusting our path without ever slowing down.

I stumbled more than once, my body still weak from everything I didn’t understand but everytime I almost fell, he caught me not gently though but enough to steady me.

It made my heart beat faster in a way that had nothing to do with fear though.

“Are they still following us?” I asked, breathless.

“No.” The answer came too quickly and that should have reassured me but it didn’t.

We didn’t stop until the forest began to change and the air felt different in a good way. Cleaner and safer.

He slowed down at first then he stopped completely and I nearly ran into him.

For a moment neither of us spoke.

I was still trying to catch my breath and understand out how my life has fallen apart….and somehow gotten even more complicated in the span of a few hours.

Finally, I forced out a question. What’s your name?”

“Kael.” Simple and short.

It felt intentional but I still nodded, repeating it in my head.

Kael. It fit him.

“Why did you save me?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

I really watched him carefully this time.

He didn’t hesitate but he didn’t answer me immediately and his gaze shifted slightly as if he was choosing his words.

“Full moon,” he finally said. “I hunt out there sometimes.”

That wasn’t strange because most Alphas did.

“I picked up your scent,” he continued. “Didn’t expect you find rogues that close to the border.”

His tone was too calm like it was practiced.

I narrowed my eyes slightly. “So you just….decided to save me

He looked at me again,this time more directly. “You would have died.”

That wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear but it was enough because the truth is, I didn’t have the luxury of doubt atleast not tonight especially not like this.0

I looked away first,wrapping my arms around myself as the reality of everything pressed in again. I was rejected, banished, almost killed and now… standing in the middle of the forest with a stranger who clearly knew more than he was saying.

I let out a slow breath. “Where are we going from here?”

“My pack.”

The words should have scared me but they didn’t and maybe that’s because I’m too tired and overwhelmed or maybe a part of me already knew that I was safer with him than anywhere else.

——

We started moving again, slower this time. The deeper we went, the more I felt it, the shift in the air.

“You’re far from your own land.” I said quietly. I didn’t know how I knew that, I just did.

“I go where I need to.” He responded.

Another answer that wasn’t really an answer and I almost smiled.

By the time we reached the edge of his packs territory, the tension in my body had changed. I was suddenly more aware of him, how close he walked, how he adjusted without looking at me everytime I slowed down like he was always aware of exactly where I was and that should have been unsettling instead it felt steady.

We stopped just before crossing in. “You’ll be safe here.” Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten, like it wasn’t a promise but a matter of fact.

I searched his face, trying to understand him but he was as closed off as ever. “Why?” I asked softly.

He held my gaze for a second longer than necessary then…”Because I said so.”

And that should have annoyed me but it didn’t because somehow I believed him.

—-

We crossed into the territory together and for the first time since the rejection I didn’t feel like I was falling apart.

I felt held together,barely but still standing.

I exhaled slowly, my shoulders finally dropping just a little and without thinking, I stepped closer to him, not much but just enough that our arms brushed and it sent a strange warmth through me, unexpected and unfamiliar.

I stiffened slightly, about to step back but he didn’t pull back or acknowledge it, he just stood there like he was letting me decide.

My chest tightened and for a moment I didn’t move either because for the first time in a while, I didn’t feel alone and that terrified me as much as it comforted me.