All Chapters of Too Late To Want Me: his reject, her rising: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Mara’s POV The first light of dawn crept over Crescent pack like a quiet whisper, painting the forest in soft gold and silver. The battle was over, the rogue defeated, the pack safe—but the echoes of the night’s chaos lingered, whispering in my mind like a distant storm. My wolf prowled beneath my skin, calm now, yet alert, sensing even the smallest ripple of tension in the forest. She had claimed her space fully, and I felt her strength weaving through my veins, tethering me to the raw power that had always been mine, waiting patiently for me to embrace it. Dresden’s hand found mine as we walked through the clearing, amber eyes scanning the horizon. He had remained vigilant through the night, guarding the pack, guiding me, tethering me to reality even as adrenaline coursed through my veins like wildfire. We had survived chaos together, faced death together, and emerged unbroken—bonded, fierce, and unyielding. “You held yourself well,” Dresden murmured, voice low, intimate, carryi

Mara’s POV The forest erupted around us in a frenzy of movement, shadows twisting and lunging from the edges of the Crescent pack’s borders. My wolf surged, muscles tensing, senses straining to catch every subtle sound, every flicker of motion, every scent that hinted at danger. My heart pounded in sync with the rhythm of the pack, a fierce drumbeat that carried determination, fear, and exhilaration all at once. Dresden’s hand gripped mine, grounding me even as the wind carried the scents of unknown adversaries into our nostrils. His amber eyes blazed with intensity, scanning the perimeter, commanding every pack member without a word. “Stay close,” he growled, voice low, vibrating through the space between us. “Trust your instincts. Trust me.” I nodded, wolf howling in response to the surge of adrenaline. Every fiber of my being vibrated with awareness—ears picking up the faintest rustle of leaves, eyes catching glimpses of shifting shadows, fingers brushing against the hilt of my

Mara’s POV The dawn was a cruel thief, sneaking in through the gaps in the trees, casting light over a world that felt far too fragile. My body ached from last night’s encounter, muscles sore, wolf restless, adrenaline still screaming through my veins. The shadow’s warning echoed in my mind like a relentless drumbeat: “This is only the beginning…” I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Could anyone—anyone at all—truly prepare for something that moved with darkness itself? And why had it targeted me? Me. Mara, the rogue girl who had spent years hiding in the shadows of her own life. The thought made my stomach knot, my wolf snarling, senses straining to detect even the faintest hint of danger. Dresden’s presence beside me was grounding, solid, unyielding. He hadn’t slept much, I could tell by the sharpness in his amber eyes and the tautness of his jaw. Yet, he was already moving, checking boundaries, scanning the forest, ensuring our perimeter was secure. He had never wavered, never fa

Mara’s POV The morning sun pierced through the thin curtains, casting streaks of gold across the room. My body ached from the confrontation with Kael the night before, yet my mind was alive with adrenaline, the thrill of survival, and a creeping unease. Every shadow in the Crescent pack house now seemed sharper, every whisper carried weight, every glance suspicious. I rose quietly, careful not to wake Dresden, who lay beside me, his chest rising and falling with steady, rhythmic breaths. Even in sleep, his aura radiated power, a shield that seemed to pulse outward, keeping danger at bay. My wolf stretched within me, vibrant and restless, sensing the tension I hadn’t yet dared to name. Kael’s warning echoed in my mind: “Shadows are everywhere. You’ve only seen the beginning.” I couldn’t shake it. The Crescent pack was not as secure as it appeared. Beneath the surface of loyalty and camaraderie, there were fissures, cracks where betrayal could seep in. And if Kael was part of somet

Mara’s POV The dawn was deceptively calm. The first light spilled over the Grey Hills forest, soft and golden, masking the danger that had already begun creeping closer to our doorstep. My wolf was restless beneath my skin, claws unsheathed, senses prickling with unease. Even with Derek secured in the council chambers, a chilling awareness gnawed at me: the network didn’t strike through one wolf alone. They were methodical, patient, and they thrived in the shadows. Dresden walked beside me, quiet, amber eyes scanning the treeline, lips tight, jaw set. His presence was solid, protective, and it fueled the fire in me. Even with the danger looming, there was an undeniable thrill in knowing we were together—bonded, unstoppable, and aware of the stakes. “We have to move fast,” he murmured, voice low, resonating with urgency. “They won’t hesitate to strike again. And this time, it won’t just be Derek.” I nodded, letting my wolf surge beneath my skin, alert, ready. My senses picked up e