Rejected by Blood

Chapter 2: A Knock at the Door

4 month later

I woke to the sound of firm knocking echoing through the cabin. Groaning, I rolled over and glanced at the clock: 7:38 AM. Who the hell knocks this early on a Saturday?

Dragging myself out of bed, I pulled a hoodie over my head and padded barefoot to the front door. When I opened it, a rush of cool mountain air hit me, along with the sight of my best friend, Keri Coleman, standing on the porch holding two large iced coffees.

“You’re a literal angel,” I mumbled, gratefully taking one.

She laughed, brushing a stray curl from her face. “I know. Figured you’d need caffeine before we start the purge-and-pack party.”

I stepped aside to let her in. “You’re the only reason I haven’t completely lost it.”

“Of course. That’s what best friends are for,” she said, slipping off her boots by the door.

The cabin felt safe, familiar—the perfect refuge. Passed down from my grandmother, it was a blend of rustic charm and subtle luxury. Upstairs, a vaulted ceiling and massive windows bathed the loft in sunlight. The king-sized bed framed in dark oak stood proud, flanked by antique nightstands. The bathroom boasted a clawfoot tub with gold faucets and marble counters. Downstairs, sun-drenched rooms filled with plush furniture, a hand-carved dining table, and a library of old leather-bound books promised quiet comfort. Outside, the forest stretched endlessly, with mountains looming beyond, the patio’s shimmering pool and outdoor bar waiting for warmer nights.

Keri and I had been inseparable since kindergarten, when Sierra Thompson shoved me off the merry-go-round because she wanted the attention of a boy I’d caught looking at me. I’d scraped my knee badly, but Keri had marched right up to Sierra, shoved her back, and helped me clean the wound. She shared her sparkly unicorn Band-Aid with me that day, and we hadn’t looked back since.

“I also may have invited Liam to come help,” Keri said, sipping her coffee. “And his best friend, Axel.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Axel? Like Alpha Axel?”

She nodded, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Yeah. He’s been staying with us since… well, you know. Since everything happened. I figured some work and fresh mountain air might help him—and you.”

I gave her a look but sighed. “Fine. Just don’t try to matchmake me, okay?”

Keri grinned. “I would never…”

“I said, Keri.”

“Okay, okay. No matchmaking… unless the sparks are already there.”

I snorted, turning away to start sorting boxes. Clothes and keepsakes into piles—what to keep, what to store, what to toss.

As I worked, another knock came at the door.

I heard Keri’s warm, teasing voice, followed by a deeper, unfamiliar one.

Then it hit me.

A scent.

Clean rain on pine, a hint of nutmeg and firewood.

So sudden, so potent, it nearly brought me to my knees.

My wolf stirred and howled inside me.

Mate.

I stumbled toward the staircase, gripping the banister for balance. My heart pounded, hands trembling. One step… then another… until I reached the bottom.

And then I saw him.

Leaning against the doorway with effortless confidence, wearing dark jeans and a fitted black T-shirt that hugged his muscular frame. His hair was tousled and damp from the misty morning air. His hazel eyes locked onto mine, and everything else fell away.

I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think.

Keri’s eyes flicked between us, wide, then slowly she backed out, mouthing, I knew it.

“Can we speak in another room, please?” His voice was deep, warm, tinged with nerves and authority.

My stomach dropped.

The last time someone said those words to me, it ended in rejection, humiliation, and heartbreak. My wolf whimpered.

“Yeah… follow me,” I said quietly, turning on shaky legs and leading him to the sunroom. Soft light filtered through windows, wrapping the room in a calm glow. I sat on the couch, curling my fingers into the cushion for something solid.

Before he spoke, I looked up and said, “If you’re going to reject me, just get it over with. So I can move on.”

His brows knit together, stepping closer like approaching a wild animal that might bolt.

“I’m not going to reject you,” he said gently. “I just want to be honest so you can decide.”

I blinked, startled. “What?”

He sat across from me, elbows on knees. “My name is Axel. I’m Alpha of the Silver Lake Pack. I had a mate—Lila. She died four months ago in a car accident visiting her parents’ pack.”

Pain flickered in his eyes, and I felt it like a blow to my chest.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

He nodded. “I didn’t think I’d find another mate or feel anything. Then I saw you.”

I looked down, fingers twisting the hem of my hoodie. “My name’s Isla May Black. I’m the disowned daughter of Alpha Donnavan of Blue Moon Pack. My first mate rejected me for someone else—Amber. My family cast me out, said I was cursed.”

His gaze sharpened. “Why?”

“When I was four, I made a mistake,” I whispered. “A mistake that got my uncle killed. They never forgave me. Said I was bad luck, that I’d bring more death.”

Axel was silent a long moment. Then slowly, he placed his hand over mine.

“You were a child, Isla.”

I looked up, surprised by the fire in his voice. “You were four. That wasn’t your fault.”

Tears pricked my eyes, but I blinked them back. “You say that now…”

“I mean it,” he said firmly. “I’m not rejecting you. But I don’t want to rush. I just lost someone I cared about. I’m learning to breathe again. But you… you make me feel something I haven’t in a long time.”

My heart fluttered.

“I understand,” I said softly. “I think we could take it slow. Get to know each other.”

He smiled—small, a little broken, but real.

“I’d like that.”

Later that day

Axel and Liam moved furniture while Keri cornered me in the kitchen, smirking.

“So…” she leaned on the counter, raising an eyebrow. “Axel, huh?”

I tried to play cool. “What about him?”

“Don’t ‘what about him,’ Isla. You looked at him like he hung the moon. He looked at you like he finally found the missing piece of his soul.”

I groaned. “You promised. No matchmaking.”

“I did. But I also promised I’d support you if something real showed up—and girl, this is real.” She poked my arm.

I sighed. “It’s complicated. He had a mate. She died. He’s still grieving. And me? I’m the messed-up, rejected daughter of a pack that wishes I didn’t exist.”

“Isla,” Keri’s voice softened. “You are more than what happened. You’re brave, loyal, and stronger than anyone I know. If he’s smart, he’ll see that. If he doesn’t? He’s not worthy.”

I swallowed hard. “Thank you.”

“Now go flirt awkwardly while pretending to sort boxes,” she said with a wink. “I’ll supervise.”