My Rejected Mate

Chapter 7

SERENA’S POV

Damon started walking. He didn't look back. The words hit somewhere deeper than I could explain. My mouth opened but nothing came out. I couldn't move. He stopped a few steps away. Then, without turning around, he said, “I'm sorry for wasting your time.” And he left. Just like that. I watched him disappear between the trees.

I stood there for a long time. Then I laughed. Once. It sounded strange. I laughed again. I didn't know why. Maybe because if I didn't laugh, I would cry.

Maybe because the whole thing was ridiculous. A man I met in a human town had made me feel like I was enough.He hadn't cared that I couldn't shift. He hadn't asked what pack I belonged to. He hadn't looked at me like there was something wrong with me. And now he was using the exact thing I had spent my whole life being ashamed of to send me away. I looked down at my hands.

“Yeah.” My voice sounded unfamiliar. “You're right.” I swallowed. “I'm not even a wolf.”

I laughed again. This time, there was no humor in it.

Of course.

Why had I expected anything different? My father had been disappointed in me for years. The pack never let me forget it. Even strangers who didn't know me could see that I was different.

And Damon...

Damon had just needed a little more time.

That was all. A little more time to realize what everyone else already knew. I wiped at my eyes angrily. “Stupid.” I wasn't sure if I meant him or myself.

Probably both. I turned toward the path. I needed to go home. I took three steps. Then stopped. Something felt wrong. I looked around.

The garden was quiet. Too quiet. I listened. Nothing. I started walking again then I heard a branch snap behind me.

I turned. There was no one there. My heartbeat quickened. “Who's there?” No answer. I kept walking. Another sound came from somewhere behind the trees. This time, I saw movement. A man stepped onto the path. Then another. I stopped.

They were wearing dark clothing. One of them had the Cross Pack emblem on his sleeve. My stomach dropped. “What do you want?”

They didn't answer. Another man stepped out behind me. I turned. There were more. Four. No. Five. I took a step backward. “I'm not looking for trouble.” One of them smiled. It wasn't friendly. I turned and ran but I didn't make it far before something slammed into my back. I hit the ground hard.

Pain shot through my shoulder. I rolled over and tried to get up. A fist connected with my face and my head snapped sideways. I tasted blood.

I pushed myself up. “What the hell–” Another blow caught me in the stomach. I doubled over. My injured ribs screamed. I tried to swing. My fist connected with someone's jaw. He barely moved.

Another man grabbed me from behind. I elbowed him. He released me. I stumbled forward. Run. I didn't think. I couldn’t think.

I ran. My legs were already tired from yesterday's competition. My shoulder still hurt. My ribs hurt even more. But I kept going. Behind me, I heard footsteps. Then something strange. A sound I knew too well. Bones shifting.

I looked over my shoulder. One of the men was changing. His body twisted. His clothes tore. And within seconds, a wolf was racing toward me. My breath caught.

I ran faster. Another wolf joined him. Then another. They were gaining on me. I tried to change direction but a wolf slammed into my side. I flew through the air and crashed onto the grass.

Before I could get up, something clamped down on my arm.

I screamed.

Teeth sank into my skin. I kicked wildly. The wolf released me. I crawled backward. “Get away from me!” Another one lunged. I rolled aside. Its teeth snapped shut inches from my face. I scrambled to my feet, my vision blurred. I ran again. I didn't know where I was going, I just knew I had to get away. But they were faster, much faster. One caught me from behind. I fell. A kick struck my side. Then another.

I tried to cover my head. Someone grabbed my hair and pulled me up. I fought. I scratched. I kicked. It didn't matter. There were too many of them. Another wolf shifted back into human form.

He grabbed my arm. “Hold her.” I struggled harder. “Let me go!” A fist hit my stomach. I couldn't breathe. I dropped to my knees. Someone kicked me in the back. I collapsed. The ground felt cold against my cheek.

I tried to move, but my body wouldn't cooperate. Then I heard growling. I looked up. A wolf stood over me. Its teeth were stained with blood. My blood. For the first time, I understood. They weren't trying to scare me, they weren't trying to send a message, they were trying to kill me.

My heart pounded.

Why?

Why would the Cross Pack want me dead?

Then the thought came.

Damon.

My eyes burned. Was this him? Had he sent them to finish the damage he already planted? Had he rejected me and then decided that wasn't enough? Another wolf lunged and I closed my eyes.

And the last thing I thought was, Did Damon send them?