The Alpha’s Rejected Mate

3

CASPIAN

I had always believed pain was something that could be controlled. Anger could be controlled. Fear could be buried. Even grief could be locked away if I tried hard enough. But this was different.

For two days, my wolf refused to obey me. I sat behind my desk in the Blackwood estate, staring at the documents spread across the polished wood.

My fingers tightened around the edge of the desk as a sharp pressure tore through my chest.

Mate. The word filled my mind again. I clenched my jaw.

“No. I rejected her.”

My head vibrated and I pushed back from the desk and stood. The movement sent a wave of dizziness through me, but I ignored it.

I walked to the windows overlooking the estate. It was two days since I had stood in front of the entire Silver Moon Pack and rejected Eleanor Vale.

I should have felt relieved. Instead, every hour without her since I met her had been worse than the last. I hadn't slept properly. Food had become difficult to stomach. I had attacked three guards, nearly broken through the training arena doors, and refused to settle unless I forced every part of my body into submission.

None of it made sense. I had met many wolves over the years. I had formed alliances, negotiated treaties, fought battles. I had never lost control because of a woman, and certainly not because of an omega.

I stared at my reflection in the window. My face looked sharper than usual. Dark circles had settled beneath my eyes, and the normally steady line of my mouth had become tense. I hated what she had done to me without even trying.

At the ceremony, I had looked at Eleanor and seen something I hadn't expected. Not weakness, not even fear, but hope. That had been the problem. She had looked at me as though I could change everything. I had wanted to look away. Instead, I'd imagined what would happen if I accepted her. An omega as my Luna. A woman my enemies would immediately see as a weakness.

A knock came at the door.

“Come in.”

Ethan entered. He took one look at me and stopped.

“You look terrible.”

I gave him a warning stare. Ethan pulled out a chair and sat anyway.

“You look even worse than yesterday. Won't you get checked?”

“I don't need to.”

“Okay.”

I looked back toward the window. “Did you find out where she is?”

“She went home, but she's going to leave.”

I turned sharply. “When?”

“Tonight.”

Something inside me tightened. “She can't leave.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Interesting.”

My eyes narrowed. “Don't.”

“I haven't said anything.”

“You were thinking it.”

Ethan leaned back.

“You rejected your mate in front of her entire pack, told her she wasn't good enough to be your Luna, and now you're upset because she's leaving.”

My jaw clenched. “I know what I did.”

“Do you?”

For a moment, I considered throwing Ethan out. But Ethan was right, I knew it, and that didn't mean I had to like it.

“I need her here.”

Ethan's expression changed. “You need her?”

I hated how the words sounded. “Yes.”

“And what exactly do you plan to tell her?”

I didn't answer because I didn't know. I couldn't walk into her home and tell her I had changed my mind. I hadn't. But I couldn't let her go right now.

I grabbed my keys.

“Where are you going?” Ethan asked as he sat straight.

“To get her.”

Ethan stood. “What? You're going yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

I looked at him. “Because I need to know why I feel this way. Look at me!”

Ethan's expression hardened. “And if she refuses?”

I paused. I could order her, it would be simple, but the memory of her face after the rejection flashed through my mind.

“Then I'll ask.”

Ethan stared at me. “Ask?”

I ignored him. “Bring the car around.”

The drive to the Silver Moon Pack was agonising, Ethan drove ahead of me, we had settled that it would be best if Ethan tried talking to her first.

I spent most of it staring through the window, and I was still restless.

“She isn't right.” I groaned.

A low growl answered from me and my hands tightened around my thighs.

When the car finally stopped outside the Vale house, I remained seated as I watched Ethan knock at the front door and was let in. Time passed, and they still didn't come out.

I opened the door and cold air hit my face. My body swayed slightly, and I steadied myself against the vehicle. My skin felt too hot and my muscles ached.

The second-floor window from where Eleanor watched me was illuminated, her dark hair fell around her shoulders.

A strange panic moved through me as I remembered she was leaving. I moved toward the house. I had never been good at apologizing, I had never needed to be, and I wasn't going to now.

Eleanor disappeared from the window as I climbed the front steps. I raised my hand toward the door but before I could knock, it opened.

Daniel Vale stood there. The older man's expression hardened when he saw me.

“You.”

I looked past him. “Where is Eleanor?”

“She doesn't want to see you.”

My jaw tightened. “I need to speak with her.”

“You rejected and humiliated her.”

“I know.”

Daniel's face twisted before he stepped outside and closed the door behind him.

“Then why are you here?”

I stared at him. Because my wolf is tearing me apart and something about your daughter calms me down. None of the words came out.

Instead, I said, “She needs to come with me.”

Daniel gave a humorless laugh. “You've got some nerve.”

I felt my temper rising, but before I could respond, the front door opened again and Eleanor stepped outside, Ethan was right behind her.

She wore a green dress with little yellow flowers on them, and she was carrying two backpacks.

She looked at me for a long moment. “You look very sick.”

I forced myself to stand straighter. “I need to talk to you.”

“You already said everything you needed to say.” Her father answered.

“Eleanor…” I tried again.

“You told me I wasn't worthy of standing beside you. You made sure everyone heard it.”

I looked away for a moment. Why did everyone keep pointing out the obvious? I clearly knew what I did. I looked back at her.

“I meant it when I said it,” I admitted.

Her expression tightened and Ethan slowly shook his head in warning.

“But something has changed.” I added.

“What?”

I stopped myself before getting too close to her. “My wolf…” She frowned. “hasn't accepted the rejection.”

Eleanor's arms folded across her chest. “That sounds like your problem.”

“It is.”

“Then solve it.”

I stared at her. She was telling me to deal with the consequences of my decision.

My gaze moved over her face. “Come to Blackwood Estate.” I said.

Ethan slowly ran a hand down his face. Eleanor let out a disbelieving laugh.

“Are you being serious right now?”

“Yes.”

“Why would I do that?”

I held her gaze. “Because I don't think either of us understands what is happening.”

She stared at me. “And you think taking me to your house will fix it?”

“No, but I think you being there would make it easier to figure out and fix.” I answered as I looked at her father who had gone silent.

Eleanor's expression changed slightly. She was contemplating, and I silently hoped that she agreed to come with me.