Rejected by Blood

Chapter 6: Growing Bonds

The cabin was still when I woke up, sunlight slanting through the wooden blinds like gentle fingers brushing the floor.

A part of me wanted to stay buried under the blankets, safe in the warmth and the silence. But that version of me — the one who hid — she was fading.

I got up, breathing in the crisp morning air through the cracked window. My hands moved on instinct — green sweater, black skinny jeans, black biker boots.

I ran my fingers through my curls, letting them fall naturally over my shoulders. A little concealer under my eyes, some mascara, and blush to keep me from looking as tired as I felt.

I looked into the mirror and paused. The gold streak in my brown eyes shimmered faintly, catching the light. My wolf stirred.

“I see you,” I whispered.

And maybe for the first time… I didn’t mean it in fear.

Downstairs, the smell of fresh pine and something sweet met me halfway. Axel was in the kitchen, flipping pancakes, of all things. He looked like something out of a rugged mountain man calendar — sleeves rolled, hair tousled, eyes half-lidded from sleep.

“Morning,” he said, glancing at me over his shoulder. “You look… confident.”

I chuckled under my breath. “That’s new.”

He handed me a mug of coffee, our fingers brushing just slightly — a spark I chose not to acknowledge aloud.

“I’ve got school today,” I added, sipping slowly. “Not that it matters. I’m finishing early.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Early graduation?”

“Yep. Straight-A record. Principal Hayes already signed the papers. I’ll be out before spring.”

“Impressive,” he said, and something in his tone made my heart thud louder. “You should be proud of that.”

“I am,” I whispered, surprised to realize it was true.

At School

“I still say you should’ve let me braid your hair,” Keri said, nudging me as we walked through the parking lot. “Something lowkey intimidating. Warrior-princess vibes.”

“I’m not trying to pick a fight, Keri.”

“You’re not,” she agreed, “but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look like you could end someone.”

I chuckled, then fell into step beside her. Despite the ache in my chest that never fully left, I felt steadier.

“Axel texted,” she added casually.

“Oh?”

“He said to let you know he found something last night. Trafficking records. Tied to your father.”

The weight in my gut returned.

“That’s not even the worst part,” she went on. “Dakota says Sierra’s recruiting people. She's calling it Operation Eclipse.”

I stopped walking.

“What the hell is she planning?”

“No idea. But she’s talking to some of the more aggressive pack members. Whispering poison.”

Sierra’s Secret Meeting – Earlier That Morning

In a dark clearing beyond the training grounds, Sierra stood surrounded by five students — all from high-ranking families.

Her golden hair was braided neatly, and her smile held no warmth.

“She’s a threat to everything we’ve built,” Sierra said coolly.

“If she’s allowed to rise again, she’ll bring chaos. Look at her — living in Jeremy’s old shack like some cursed wolf princess.”

One of the boys, Carson, crossed his arms. “What do you want from us?”

“I want her gone. And I don’t mean dead — I mean discredited, humiliated, and broken.” Her voice lowered. “We do this right, and we take back control.”

She smiled then — sharp, triumphant. “Operation Eclipse begins today.”

Lunchtime Confrontation

I felt her before I saw her. That bitter scent of lavender and venom always preceded Sierra.

We were in the quad, Keri and I laughing over something stupid when her voice rang out.

“Oh look, the pack’s favorite pity project.”

I froze.

Keri tensed beside me. “Ignore her, Isla.”

But Sierra wasn’t going to let it go. “Is that Uncle Jeremy’s sweater you’re wearing? How touching. Wearing the dead to stay warm.”

Gasps rippled around the group of students nearby. My heart pounded.

My wolf growled inside me — low, dangerous. I could feel the burn in my limbs, the twitch of my fingers ready to shift.

“Don’t,” I whispered to myself.

Sierra stepped closer. “What, nothing to say? No clever comeback? Just like when you begged your daddy not to toss you out like the mistake you are.”

I clenched my fists. The gold in my eyes flared — I felt it. My wolf pushed against my skin, furious, primal.

“You think you’re strong now,” Sierra hissed, “but you’ll never be more than a disgrace.”

“I’m still here,” I said evenly. “And that’s more than you can handle.”

Sierra’s lips curled in frustration. But she stepped back, aware of the shift in the crowd. They weren’t laughing this time.

After School – Axel and Dakota

Back at the cabin, I recounted the confrontation to Axel while Dakota leaned against the doorway, arms folded.

“I almost shifted in front of everyone,” I admitted. “I wanted to. I wanted to tear her apart.”

“But you didn’t,” Axel said. “You stayed in control. That’s power.”

Dakota’s voice was quiet. “She’s escalating. She’s not going to stop.”

I looked at him. “Then we don’t stop either.”

His eyes softened, the conflict inside him visible. “I’m still with you, Isla… even if I’m still figuring out how.”

I gave him a nod. “Then start by feeding me intel. I want to know everything about Operation Eclipse.”

He straightened, lips pressed in a firm line. “You got it.”

That night, I sat on the porch, moonlight brushing my skin.

My fingers traced the edge of the letter Uncle Jeremy left for me years ago — the first of many.

He believed in me. So did Keri. And Axel. And maybe even Dakota now.

They weren’t just growing bonds.

They were becoming my pack.