REJECTED BY THE ALPHA

Chapter Six

When Elena looked up, shock flashed across her face.

Logan.

Of all people, he was the last person she had expected to see standing there.

For a moment, she had already accepted her fate. The rogues had surrounded her, cutting off every possible escape route. Her body was weak from her heat, her legs trembling from exhaustion after running through the forest for what felt like hours.

But seeing Logan standing there made relief crash through her. At least he was here, At least it wasn't one of them Logan hated her enough not to take advantage of her vulnerability. The thought brought a strange comfort: the three rogues immediately turned their attention toward the newcomer.

A low growl vibrated through the clearing Logan's eyes glowed gold His wolf was close to the surface Morgan His wolf The beast was furious "These filthy rogues think they can touch our mate?" Morgan snarled inside his head. "Kill them all, Logan."

Logan clenched his jaw.

"Morgan, why are they acting like this?"

"When an unmated she-wolf is in heat, her scent attracts both mated and unmated wolves. Mated wolves can control themselves better. Rogues and unmated wolves rarely have that kind of discipline."

The explanation only made Logan's rage grow stronger.

His gaze shifted to Elena.

She was trembling,Terrified, Helpless. Something dark twisted inside his chest. Before he could process it, the rogues attacked. All three lunged at once Logan didn't even bother shifting Instead, sharp claws slid from his fingertips.

The first rogue reached him.

Too slow.

Logan sidestepped and drove his elbow into the rogue's jaw.

A sickening crack echoed through the forest The rogue flew sideways and crashed into a tree the second attack from the left Logan ducked beneath the snapping jaws and slashed upward.

Blood sprayed across the ground, The rogue yelped and stumbled backward the third rogue aimed straight for Logan's throat Logan caught the wolf by the neck. The impact barely moved him. With a roar, he lifted the massive animal and slammed it into the ground. The earth shook beneath them. The rogue let out a painful howl.

Elena stared in disbelief, she had heard stories about Logan's training in the borderlands, everyone knew he was strong but seeing it with her own eyes was something else entirely. He moved like a machine Precise, Fa st, Merciless. The three rogues recovered and attacked together again.

This time they coordinated one aimed for Logan's legs another for his back, the third charged from the front Logan's eyes narrowed, finally a challenge. The front rogue leaped Logan grabbed him midair using the wolf's body like a weapon, he swung him straight into the other two all three crashed together in a tangle of fur and limbs.

A frustrated growl escaped Logan.

"Pathetic."

The rogues struggled to rise, Their bodies were covered in cuts, blood stained their fur yet desperation drove them forward. They attacked again and again, each attempt ending worse than the last.

Logan fought with brutal efficiency.

A punch.

A s***h, A kick, A broken rib, A shattered jaw. The clearing became a battlefield, branches snapped, Trees splintered. The scent of blood filled the air. Within minutes the rogues could barely stand Logan rolled his shoulders.

"I didn't even use half my strength."

Disgust filled his voice

The rogues glared at him

Fear had replaced their earlier confidence. They finally understood. This wasn't a fight they could win. Logan turned away. He had already decided they weren't worth his time.

His focus shifted back to Elena.

The moment he started walking toward her, two of the rogues forced themselves up one final time. With desperate snarls, they charged from behind Logan and heard their paws pounding against the earth. Without looking back, he spun His fist connected with the first rogue's skull The wolf collapsed instantly.

The second rogue met Logan's claws

A deep gash opened across his chest

He fell screaming

But in the chaos, something happened

Something Logan didn't notice.

The third rogue. The one everyone thought was unconscious Slowly rose to his feet Unlike the others, he shifted into his human form, Then he looked toward Elena with a wicked and calculated smile spread across his face.

Elena's heart dropped.

No.

Please no.

She tried to move and tried to run but her body refused to cooperate.The heat and exhaustion had drained almost all her strength. Tears blurred her vision and she shook her head weakly.

"No..."The word barely escaped her lips. The rogue ignored her. He moved, quickly Before Elena could react, his hand covered her mouth.

A terrified cry died in her throat

He grabbed her and dragged her toward the waterfall.

The roar of rushing water drowned out every sound Logan remained locked in combat. He never saw her disappear.

Inside the Cave

The cave was cold and dark, water dripped steadily from the stone walls. The rogue shoved Elena forward, she hit the ground hard pain shot through her body Elena immediately tried to crawl away.

Even moving hurt "Lena... please help us," she whispered to her wolf. Her wolf's voice sounded weak "I'm sorry, Elena. The heat is affecting me too" Fear settled heavily in Elena's chest, The rogue slowly approached.

A disturbing grin stretched across his face

Every step made her heart pound harder

He crouched down in front of her.

"Hmm," he muttered. "You smell even better up close."Elena wanted to throw up. Everything about him made her skin crawl.

"Elena," Lena whispered, trying to lighten the tension despite their situation "Not only does his breath smell terrible, but he smells awful too" Under normal circumstances Elena might have laughed.

Now she could barely breathe.

The rogue grabbed her by the hair and dragged her toward a small pool inside the cave.

"Drink."

Elena struggled, the rogue forced her head toward the water. She fought against him kicked, scratched and twisted but nothing worked eventually he released her Elena coughed violently

Water dripped from her face. The rogue laughed, The sound echoed through the cave. It made her stomach twist.

Then Lena spoke again "Elena, we recovered a little strength. Listen carefully."

"What do we do?"

"When he gets close, keep some water in your mouth. Spit it at him. It won't stop him for long, but it might give us a chance to run."

It wasn't much but it was something."Okay." The rogue approached again Elena waited and waited, then she spat the water directly into his face. His expression darkened instantly.

"You ungrateful little—" He released her for a second.That was all she needed, Elena ran. Every muscle screamed in protest. She pushed through the pain.

The cave entrance appeared ahead and hope surged through her almost there—A hand grabbed her wrist. The rogue yanked her backward Elena cried out

She hit the ground hard. The impact stole the breath from her lungs.

"You think you can outsmart me?"

Fear consumed her.

"Please," she begged. "Please let me go."

The rogue crouched beside her.

A cruel smile crossed his face.

"I thought you were brave a moment ago."

"No... please."

He pulled her to her feet and dragged her deeper into the cave.

Elena's mind raced, Elena think….. think there had to be a way out, there had to be. As the rogue forced her forward, Elena shut her eyes tightly, ignoring the fear, the pain, and ignoring everything. She focused on one person, Logan.

PleaseIf you can hear me...Please find me. Her voice trembled through t

he mind-link.

Logan...

I'm in the cave behind the waterfall

Please help me.