All Chapters of Once Rejected Then Desired : Chapter 41 - Chapter 48

I was just about to roll down my sleeve and take my leave when Little Riven noticed. His expression instantly shifted to one of heartbreaking disappointment, which caught me completely off guard. It put me in a difficult spot. Against my better judgment, I softened and told him gently, “I just have a few things to take care of. We’ll see each other again tomorrow, I promise.”He didn’t say anything, but his silence spoke volumes. Even though he clearly wasn’t thrilled, there was something in his eyes that said he understood. Pressing his lips together, he held up his tiny pinkie finger toward me, his way of sealing a promise. I smiled and hooked mine with his.Ronan, who had been observing the exchange with mild amusement, gave a half-smile. “Seliene, don’t tell me you’re nervous about showing up to the banquet with us. Are you afraid of the whispers? What others might say?”Hearing that name, Seliene sent an involuntary shiver racing down my spine. I turned my head slowly to look at

His eyes returned to mine, still glinting with amusement as he tried and failed to hold back a laugh.Alpha Ronan. What the hell was he doing?I dropped my gaze, hoping to escape the rising heat in my cheeks. I didn’t have the patience for whatever game he was playing now. I stepped to the side, trying to move past him without a word, but before I could get away, his fingers curled around my wrist.It wasn’t rough. It wasn’t aggressive. Just firm enough to stop me.Then, with a suddenness that sent my heart racing, he guided me back, pressing me gently but deliberately against the wall. My back hit the surface, and I froze.His body wasn’t touching mine, but the air between us was electric. My breath caught in my throat, and I hated how aware I was of him—his closeness, the heat radiating off him, the way his eyes bore into me like they could peel back everything I tried to hide.And the worst part? My wolf didn’t fight it.No growl, no warning, no resistance. She was quiet, unnerving

“Is there anything to eat at your place?” Riven asked, looking up at me with hopeful eyes.Ellie, still holding his little hand, shook her head. “No... no, there isn’t,” she replied, her gaze flicking nervously between me and the boy. “I’d just finished eating when his father dropped him off.”“Ah,” I murmured, nodding in understanding, though concern tugged at my chest.I glanced down at Riven, silently praying he wouldn’t cry again. From the short time I’d known him, barely a day or two, I was already learning his moods. He didn’t cry like most kids. Instead, he wore his sadness in silence. His big, watery eyes would glisten, lips trembling just enough to twist something deep inside me. But no tears ever fell.It was that quiet sorrow that got to me the most. Seeing the mist of tears clouding his eyes made my chest ache. It was like a tiny claw scratched behind my ribs. I’d never considered myself someone who melted easily, but this boy… he was undoing all of my defenses one glance

“Ronan,” he said suddenly.I blinked. “What?”“We’ve been together for a whole day. Is it really that hard to call me by my name?”“I—I’ll just go check the food,” I mumbled, turning quickly toward the kitchen.He gave me a strange look as I placed the bowls on the table. “She was just like you,” he said softly, helping arrange the dishes.I froze.He turned away and ladled soup into a bowl. His quiet sigh lingered in the air like smoke.I’d stepped on old grief again and I didn’t know how to make it right.He gently shook little Riven awake and began feeding him. Riven rubbed his sleepy cheeks and grumbled, “If Father Alpha keeps feeding Riven this much, Riven’s going to turn into a big rubber ball.”Ronan raised his cup of cold tea with a smirk. “That’s a fantastic idea. Then I won’t have to carry you anymore, I could just roll you around.”Riven let out a dramatic groan and collapsed in my lap, faking tears. “Boo-boo-boo. Father is so mean.”I chuckled and patted his back, watching