Rejected By One, Claimed By Another

Chapter One

Cara'S POV

"You fucking bitch!" Mateo snarled, shoving me hard against the wooden counter. His eyes were afire, his lips twisted in a mean snarl.

"You're nothing but a fucking burden! If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be stuck in this goddamn mess!"

I gritted my teeth and said nothing. It wasn't new.

For months, ever since I came to Shadow wood pack, Mateo had been spewing this same bullshit. But today, his anger was worse. More venomous.

"Say something, bitch" he spat, grabbing my arm so hard I knew it would bruise. "Or are you gonna keep standing there like a fucking mute?"

Before I could respond, a loud crash echoed from outside.

We both turned toward the entrance just in time to see my uncle, his hands shaking, staring at a pile of fallen boxes. The truck that had whizzed past was now parked a few feet away, sending up clouds of dust.

And then, a man stepped out.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dangerous:

He’s the Alpha’s eldest son. Richard.

His face contorted in anger, he bullied his way toward my uncle, his hands reaching out to grab him by the collar, yanking him forward. "You dumb bastard!" he roared. "You don't have a single idea how much that shit costs?"

"I-I'm sorry," my uncle stammered, bowing in submission. "It was an accident-"

"An accident?" The man scoffed, shaking him. "Do I look like I give a fuck about your excuses?

I took a step forward. "Uncle-"

He gave a look

I know what that means…. Don’t….

I clenched my fists. After the previous alpha, Caleb's father, was defeated, my father went with him as his warrior to build the new pack, but my uncle.

He surrendered instead of following them. From a respected beta to nothing. Just a man running a cafeteria to make his living. And three months ago, I came to him, dragging my own load of problems with me.

So no, we couldn't afford trouble.

Then another car door opened.

And everything around me disappeared.

The pull hit me so hard it was like getting slammed in the chest.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw him. His eyes locked on mine, and I felt my soul wake up. It was like we were meant to be together. Our hearts beat as one, connected by a special bond.

Liam Wilson , Alpha's favorite son. We faced each other many times in battle before I was 18. But by the time I turned to an adult, something had changed with Cornell,my wolf. And Liam's never seen "Alec" in human form. He shouldn't recognize me as Alec, I thought

The moment he stepped out, my body went rigid. His presence was fucking suffocating-dark hair slightly tousled, sharp jawline, piercing eyes-a predator locked on its prey.

His whole aura screamed dominance, like the freaking world owed him something.

And, damn, his scent.

It wrapped around me like a noose, suffocating, intoxicating.

Mate.

I bit my tongue, forcing Cornell down. Not now. Not now.

Liam's eyes latched onto mine.

Did he feel it too? Or worse—did he recognize me?

Mateo murmured "This wasn't even our fault," he whispered, like a coward.

My uncle sighed heavily, turning to his son. "Enough,Mateo. Apologize."

Mateo bristled but complied, his tone oozing reluctance. Richard snorted, too, but he stepped back.

“Alpha doesn't like to wait, even if we are his sons” Richard said.

Liam didn't say a word. His eyes remained with mine, like weight and fire searing my skin alive. Then he finally turned to one of his men.

"Pay them," he said. "Let's go.

The car drove away. Everyone went back to what they were doing, except Mateo.

The moment we were alone, he spun on me, his face contorted in anger.

"This is all your fault!" he snarled, pushing me so hard my back hit the counter. "You're a fucking curse! If you weren't here, none of this shit would have happened!"

I didn't bat an eye. I'd heard worse.

His lip curled. "One of these days, I swear, I'll skin you alive."

Then, as if to prove his point, he slammed his fist into my shoulder before stalking off.

"Rip his fucking throat out!" Cornell murmured

"No, Cornell, calm down. No one needs to know I'm a warrior. The wound will heal."

"But what about ? How is this possible? Liam's our enemy, and now... he's your mate?"

"I don't know, Cornell. But even if he knew, he'd never accept me. I've already prepared myself for rejection."