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Home / Werewolf / The Alpha’s Obsession with the Rejected Mate / Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

All Chapters of The Alpha’s Obsession with the Rejected Mate: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

45 Chapters

Chapter 11

AspynI slam my door shut behind me, harder than I originally intended and a vase on a small table next to my door woobles but doesn’t fall.Nothing about today has played into any of my memorized scripts for how to react in a situation such as this, of the rules I’ve been instructed to adhere to and enforce."Ah, my lady," Kira says softly, stepping back enough from my tantrum to avoid getting too close. Her bow was impeccable. "My lady, you must calm yourself."I ignore her, my hands ripping through the complicated pins holding my hair in place. They fall to the stone floor as I pull them free, sending my heavy gold and pearl headpiece flying off to one side. My braid falls free in one fluid motion, skittering across my shoulders and down my back like a shadow of the dignity I’ve clung to all morning long.I watch as Kira tries to gather my scattered pins, then turn away.My dress, weaved with the multiple layers of silk and velvet that I’d hoped would showcase my beauty and power w

Chapter 12

SeraThe gates of Nightbane open for us without resistance.Aeron is walks half a step ahead leading me through each step and there is something calculated in his movement. His hand rests on the small of my back once— firmly enough to claim ownership, softly enough to suggest choice.Wolves line the path in the courtyard and to my surprise, they do not bow, instead, they stare.Some of them take a step back as if being close to me is somehow contagious. Others whisper behind raised hands. I can hear my name in the midst of all the other voices."Unmarked.""Common blood.""Aspyn—"Aeron stops walking and the silence that follows is like a snapped thread.Aeron turns to a group of soldiers nearby the training ring. They hadn’t intended to be heard or seen but they’d misjudged the situation."Repeat it," Aeron says.No one responds.The soldier who originally spoke fidgets uncomfortably. "Alpha, we didn’t mean to offend."Aeron takes a step closer to them and the air seems to bend to a

Chapter 13

AeronThe courtyard empties with military precision, soldiers flowing in practiced tides rather than panicked ones. I stand at the center of it, listening beneath the noise. The change in breathing, the spark of nerves, the way wolves look west when they think no one is watching.The Grimwards did not cross the ridge but they wanted to be seen."Arm the western unit, silent rotation. No torches beyond the second marker," I command.Kael bows and goes.Corvin watches me closely. "You will lead it yourself?""Yes.""You are newly seated. IIf this is provocation—""It is and they are expecting hesitation," I cut in.From across the courtyard, I see Sera standing near the arch of the stairwell. She is calm but her hands are clenched too tightly in front of her. She is hiding fear well.Our eyes meet for only an instant but I give her nothing soft, an Alpha who shows weakness before a fight shows the pack how to break.I turn away first. "Kellan."He steps forward from the second rank of s

Chapter 14

SeraThe estate does not rest in response to the Grimwards, guards change twice as frequently, torches stay lit later in the evening, the western balcony is occupied at all times and even the servants move with a heightened awareness, their voices quieter, their looks more intent.Grimward did not attack and this very fact is the source of the unease in everyone.They observed us and so we return the favor but fear, I am quickly coming to understand, is not loud in the halls of the nobility. It is polite, it smiles, it even pours drinks.Aspyn returns three days after the patrol but he does not return to her wing of the estate, instead, she enters the estate through the front courtyard in pale silver, her hair adorned with tiny moonstones that sparkle in the light like ice.As she walks, wolves bow for her... They actually bow. Although not low enough to explicitly show servitude but it is noticeable.I stand atop the inner steps as Aspyn looks up at me.Her smile is warm. "Sera," she

Chapter 15

SeraThe hall is full of people when I step inside. I see there are security personnel standing guard along the outer walls and from the expression people make on noticing their presence, I could tell that the tension caused by Grimward has not been desolved, instead it simmers beneath conversations.Aeron stands near the central dais talking to Corvin.Aspyn glides from group to group of nobles, laughter flowing from her like silk.Helena stands near the wine table, exchanging short conversations with anyone that goes to greet her.When I fully step into the hall, the conversations change.I raise my head slightly and begin walking forward, every step deliberate as I repeat to myself over and over "you also belong here." These were my mother's words to me.She taught me to never walk into a room apologizing for your very existence.Aspyn sees me first and her smile flows easily."Sera," she says warmly, her voice filled with what was supposed to look like genuine welcome."You came..

Chapter 16

KellanThe estate looks like it has not slept well in days… and neither have I.The western patrol came back before dawn, and while no Grimward has cross the boundary, their trail remains in the trees like a challenge. Soldiers are rotated twice as often and the young wolves pretend to be thrilled about it but the older ones know better.I am at the edge of the lower training grounds as the first light of dawn breaks over Nightbane's walls. The recruits practice defensive patterns, their rhythm better than usual.From here, I can see the eastern balcony. Sera stands there some mornings now, watching.It was not always like this.There was a time when we were both in school that she would stand beside me on this very ground, disputing tactics, pushing back when I dismissed her ideas too readily. She had passion then, a confidence that did not need practice.I was meant to reject her, that was the plan. Power first, rank first and emotion later.I chose pride and now she stands on the L

Chapter 17

SeraThe noble families leave in groups, whispers trail behind silk-clad backs, calculated glances exchanged behind carefully maintained masks of indifference.A brief meeting had been held that morning on pack safety and Aeron handled it so well.I stand at the edge of the grand hall, my back remains straight, my head held high, my face a mask of composure, as my mother taught me."Never let them see you strain. Even when you're struggling to stay that way," I remember my mother telling me.Aeron stands a few steps behind me, talking quietly to Corvin. He sends him away with a nod before moving towards me and his presence precedes his words."You stood your ground."I let out a small breath, allowing a small measure of truth to escape. "Just barely."A faint curve appears at the corner of his mouth. "They know you stood your ground—""That I was barely holding my ground?" I interrupted."That you were not afraid to speak."I look towards the large windows. The light coming from the w

Chapter 18

HelenaTonight, the council chambers torches are lowered, their flames steady, but not bold. Shadows stretch long across the stone walls, dancing across the ancestral crests, the sigil of Nightbane.I stand at the head of the crescent table, my fingers resting lightly on the polished surface, waiting for the Elders to arrive.One by one, the Elders enter the council chamber.Elder Rowan, bent but still with keen eyes shining through the brows, then Elder Maris, followed by Elder Corvin and the usually quiet Elder Solace. They only begin when Aspyn finds her seat."Helena, you asked us to come quickly," Elder Rowan says, taking his seat. "We assumed the Alpha would have been informed.""Yes, I assume he would," I say in assurance as I take my seat. "The issue is about the stability of the pack.""The western border, the tension, all still unresolved," I say, my voice smooth, my face calm, my hands still resting lightly on the table's surface. "Grimward scouts challenged our position,

Chapter 19

AeronThe sounds of a peaceful night are different within the estate.Torches burn lower against the western wall, guards moving in doubled silence, their steel glinting dully in the moonlight.I stand at the balcony of the east wing hallway, looking out over the tree line darkly defined against the sky.Footsteps come quietly behind me and I already know whose they are before I see her.Sera does not make an announcement of her presence. She has learned to stand at my side without asking permission and I rather prefer it that way."You think too loudly," she says quietly.I do not immediately turn to her. "Is that a complaint?""It’s an observation."Her words were close enough to forming a smile across my face but somehow, i don't give in to it, maybe she is right, I'm probably thinking too loudly.I finally turn to face her.She isn't in any of the Luna finery tonight. No silks, no structured layers designed to draw the eye and demand respect. Just a nightgown draped over her shoul

Chapter 20

Sera When I wake up the next morning, Aeron’s arm is heavy on my waist, his breathing slow and steady against my back. We talked until the candles burned down to nothing last night, talked about the council, power, fear, restraint, respect and us.He never attempted to claim me, he could have but didn't.He was so close to losing himself to his desire for me last night. I could feel it in the way his fingers gripped the sheets instead of my hips, in the way his jaw clenched when I got too close but still he did not act on his desire for me, he respected me.Kellan would never have done that, but even thinking of him makes me feel bitter now.I move quietly so as not to wake Aeron as I slide out of bed, smoothing out my nightgown. It’s a bit wrinkled from our night’s sleep, but I don’t bother to change it or even to fix my hair, which is a mess down my back.There’s something almost rebellious about leaving his room exactly as I am and I don't notice it till I step out.The hallway ou

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