Rejected and Claimed by his Best Friend, Book 1

Chapter 3

Alice

The warmth of the pack house hit me like a wave as Remi stepped inside, carrying me with ease. I had barely registered the journey from the woods to the pack's stronghold—my body was heavy with exhaustion, and everything felt hazy. But there was something else, something deep inside me that had shifted. Winter. My wolf. I could still feel her presence—strong, like a pulse in the back of my mind—but I wasn’t sure how to process it yet.

I felt safe, even though my entire world had just shattered. Remi’s scent was comforting, a solid anchor in the sea of chaos. My heart should have been racing from the stress, from the shock, but for some reason, his proximity calmed me, almost like a quiet reassurance that I wasn’t alone anymore.

"Rest," Remi’s deep voice broke through the haze of my thoughts. "You’re safe now."

He gently set me down on a plush couch in what appeared to be the living room, a place that felt warm and welcoming. The walls were lined with family portraits, and there was a fire crackling in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the room. A few pack members, young and old, glanced at me curiously, but none of them came closer. They understood the gravity of the situation without needing to be told.

Remi crouched in front of me, his gaze intense and unwavering as he examined me. His eyes softened slightly, the warmth in them making my heart flutter unexpectedly. I tried to push the feeling down—after everything that had happened, I didn’t have time to focus on the way his presence affected me. I had too many questions, too many emotions swirling inside me to think clearly.

“What happened to you?” His voice was gentle, but his tone held a note of concern.

I wanted to tell him everything—the rejection, the broken heart, the pain of losing my mate, and the overwhelming feeling of being left behind. But instead, all I could do was shake my head. The words wouldn’t come out, not when the pain was still so raw. All I could do was stare at the floor, fighting the tears that threatened to fall.

Remi seemed to sense my struggle. He gave me space, but his presence never wavered. He sat beside me on the couch, close enough that I could feel the heat from his body radiating toward me. There was something about him, something strong, protective, and unwavering. And yet, there was kindness in his eyes. He wasn’t just a leader—he was someone who cared, deeply.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked softly, though I could tell he wasn’t pushing me.

I didn’t know what to say. What could I say? That I had been rejected by my mate? That my heart was broken? That I wasn’t sure where I belonged anymore?

“No,” I whispered, the word escaping before I could stop it. “I don’t know how to talk about it.”

He nodded, understanding. “That’s okay. You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.”

I couldn’t look at him anymore. His words were kind, but they only made everything feel worse. I wanted to be strong, to be someone who could handle the hurt, but in that moment, I was nothing but broken.

Winter—my wolf—was silent, too. She had been with me when I shifted, but now she seemed distant, lost somewhere deep inside me. I wanted to call out to her, to ask her what was happening, but I didn’t know how. All I could feel was the emptiness inside, as if something important was missing.

The silence between us stretched on for what felt like hours. Eventually, Remi stood up, pacing around the room. I watched him, my mind still reeling, and noticed how easily he commanded the space. There was a power in him, a quiet strength that I couldn’t deny. It was no wonder he was an Alpha.

Finally, he stopped and looked at me with those intense, searching eyes. “You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to. But I won’t let you go back to Silvermoon. Not after what they did to you.”

His words hit me like a thunderclap. “I can’t go back there. I don’t want to.” The words felt hollow, but they were true. I couldn’t go back to the pack that had rejected me, that had made me feel worthless. They had cast me aside, and in return, I had no loyalty left for them.

But where would I go? The thought of staying here in the Crescent Moon Pack made me feel both safe and terrified. I didn’t belong here. Not yet.

“You don’t have to decide right now,” Remi continued. “Take the time you need. We’ll figure this out together.”

The weight of his words sunk in slowly. I didn’t know what the future held, but one thing was clear—Remi had taken me in, and he wasn’t going to let me go. For the first time in my life, I felt like someone actually cared about me, like I had a place where I wasn’t just a burden.

A few minutes later, a woman—who I assumed was part of Remi’s pack—entered the room with a tray of food. She had a kind, welcoming smile, and her scent was familiar—like the earthy, comforting smell of the pack. She placed the tray on the coffee table in front of me and gave me a gentle nod.

“I’m Mara,” she said softly. “I’m here to make sure you’re comfortable. If you need anything, just let me know.”

I managed a small nod, though I wasn’t sure how to respond. Food was the last thing on my mind, but I knew I needed to eat. My body was still weak from everything that had happened, and I couldn’t ignore the hunger gnawing at my stomach.

Mara left the room quietly, and I was left alone with Remi once more. The silence between us was no longer uncomfortable. He didn’t pressure me, didn’t ask me to open up. He simply waited.

I reached out for the food, picking at it absently, not really tasting it. Remi’s eyes never left me, but he didn’t speak again. Instead, we sat there in quiet companionship, neither of us knowing exactly what to say.

I was no longer alone.

I didn’t know where this journey would lead, but for the first time in my life, I felt like I had someone I could rely on.

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