All Chapters of The Mate He Rejected: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

CULLEN'S POVTalbot's chest heaved. His wolf pushed against his human skin, desperate to retaliate against the strike. His golden eyes flashed brightly.My grip on the stone railing cracked the top layer of masonry. If he raised a single finger toward her, I would jump down and snap his neck in front of the entire pack.Meghann held her ground, staring directly into his glowing eyes. She did not leak a single drop of fear scent. She smelled of confidence, lavender, and total control. She was asserting her dominance, completely unafraid of the beast standing before her.Slowly, the golden light faded from Talbot's eyes. The fight drained out of his massive frame. He swallowed hard, tasting the copper blood on his lip.He lowered his head, exposing the thick column of his throat in a clear, undeniable display of submission."I understand, Luna," Talbot muttered, his voice rough and defeated. "Forgive me.""Take your warriors to the northern clearing," Meghann instructed, her tone return

The cold mist of the afternoon rain settled over my bare shoulders the moment I stepped out of the warm SUV. Above me, an Arden guard held a wide black umbrella, shielding my midnight-blue silk gown from the downpour. My silver heels met the wet gravel with a sharp, crisp crunch.I kept my spine perfectly straight, guided by the tight laces of my corset, and lifted my chin.The silence that rolled across the courtyard was deafening. It started at the base of the grand stone steps and spread outward, hushing the chatter of the gathered packs. Delegates in red, white, and gray turned their heads, their conversations dying in their throats.My eyes locked directly onto the Silver Moon delegation standing near the heavy iron doors of the neutral compound.Caomh stood at the center of his elders. Five years had passed, but time had not been kind to the Alpha who threw me away. His broad shoulders were tense under a dark suit. Dark circles shadowed his golden eyes, and the arrogant, bright

Caomh knelt on the polished black floor, his broad shoulders shaking. He buried his face in the crook of the little girl’s neck, his dark suit wrinkling as he wrapped his arms tightly around her small frame. The terrified, frantic scent of his cedar aura filled the corridor, masking the smell of the damp rain we had just escaped."I thought I lost you in the crowd," Caomh breathed, his voice thick and rough.Esme patted his back with a tiny, pale hand. "I'm okay, Daddy. I was just running. The pretty lady caught me."Caomh froze.Slowly, he lifted his head. His golden eyes, bright with unshed tears and lingering panic, found my face. I stood just three feet away, the midnight-blue silk of my gown pooling quietly around my silver heels. Cullen stood right behind my right shoulder, a silent, towering shadow of protection.For five years, I had pictured this exact child in my nightmares. I had imagined a twisted, ugly creature that represented the destruction of my future. I had spent co

The welcome gala was a sensory overload of crystal, silk, and raw predator energy.Hundreds of wolves packed the grand ballroom of the neutral compound. The air was thick and hot, heavily perfumed with blooming jasmine arrangements, roasted meats, and the sharp, fizzy tang of spilled champagne. A string quartet played in the far corner, their bright notes struggling to cut through the low roar of overlapping conversations.I stood near a towering ice sculpture, holding a fragile flute of champagne. The bubbles popped faintly against my nose. I wore a backless emerald-green gown that clung tightly to my hips and flared out around my ankles. The white gold Arden crest rested heavily against my collarbone, catching the light from the chandeliers above."Three o'clock," Cullen murmured. His breath brushed my bare shoulder, sending a sudden flush of heat across my skin. "By the champagne fountain."I took a slow sip from my glass and let my gaze drift casually to the right.Standing in the

Caomh stood entirely frozen in the center of the brightly lit corridor. His face lacked all color, his skin pulled tight over his cheekbones. His golden eyes dragged away from my swollen, bruised lips and dropped down to the wrinkled collar of Cullen’s crisp white shirt. The silence in the hallway was thick and heavy. I could hear the ragged, uneven pull of Caomh’s breathing. I could smell the sharp, bitter tang of his devastation. He was taking in the flushed heat of my skin, the messy strands of my hair, and the dark, musky scent of arousal clinging to both of us. It painted a vivid, unmistakable picture. Cullen did not stop walking. His hand rested firmly against the bare curve of my lower back. The heat from his palm burned through my skin, a branding iron claiming me in front of the man who threw me away. I kept my chin high. I didn't look away from Caomh as we closed the distance. I