Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

Chapter 8: Found

# Chapter 8: Found

---

I ran until I couldn't feel my legs.

The forest blurred past me—trees and snow and more trees, all of it bleeding together. I didn't know where I was going. Just *away*. Away from Blood Moon. Away from the warriors. Away from everything I'd ever known.

I was done being their punching bag.

I was done being nothing.

But the power was fading. The silver light under my skin was dimming, and the warmth that had filled me was seeping out like water through a cracked cup. My legs buckled. My lungs burned.

I collapsed at the base of a frozen stream.

*Too much,* I gasped. *I used too much.*

*Rest,* my wolf said. *You're not ready yet.*

*I don't have time to rest. They'll find me.*

*Not if he finds you first.*

*He?*

I didn't get an answer.

The snow was falling harder now. I could barely see three feet in front of me. My body was shaking uncontrollably, the cold sinking back into my bones now that the moonlight had faded.

I curled into a ball and closed my eyes.

*Just for a minute,* I told myself. *Just one minute.*

I don't know how long I lay there.

Long enough for the snow to cover my legs. Long enough for my fingers to go numb. Long enough to forget what warmth felt like.

And then—

Footsteps.

Heavy. Steady. Moving through the storm with purpose.

I tried to open my eyes. Couldn't. My lashes were frozen together.

"I'm here."

The voice was low. Rough. Desperate.

"And you're alive. Thank the goddess—you're *alive*."

I felt hands on me. Gentle. Careful. Lifting me off the frozen ground, cradling me against something warm.

"It's alright," the voice said. "I've got you. You're safe now."

Through the haze of cold and exhaustion, I forced my eyes open.

The face above me was beautiful. Sharp jaw. Dark hair. Eyes like liquid gold that burned with a ferocity I'd never seen before. He was holding me like I was the most precious thing in the world.

"Who—"

"I'm your mate," he said. "Your real mate."

I stared at him.

"You're the one," I whispered. "The bond—"

"I felt it the moment you woke. I've been running for hours."

A tear slid down my cheek. I didn't have the strength to wipe it away.

"Why?" I asked. "Why would you come for me? You don't even know me."

He pulled me closer, and I felt his lips press against my forehead.

"Because you're mine. And I've been looking for you my whole life."

---

**End of Chapter 8**