All Chapters of Rejected then Claimed by the Alpha: Chapter 71

Serena’s POV The rain did not let up. It was steady and endless, pouring from the skies as though the heavens themselves wanted to scrub the earth clean. Ari had already soaked himself through, his little body darting between puddles, his laughter ringing across the garden like bells. Kael followed him with patient strength, every move sharp but playful, as if this Alpha who could silence a room with a glance had been reduced to nothing more than a father splashing in puddles. I stood under the covered porch, arms crossed, hair dripping at the ends, refusing to step into the storm again. My dress clung to my body like a second skin, heavy with water, and my shoes squelched with every step. I told myself I hated this. Told myself I wanted to drag Ari back inside. But watching them Ari throwing his arms around Kael’s neck, Kael lifting him high above the puddles, their laughter weaving together my chest ached in a way that scared me. Because for the first time, we looked lik