All Chapters of The Mate He Rejected: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The realization hit me like a splash of freezing water."Bronson wants power," I breathed out."Exactly," Cullen agreed, his grip on my hand tightening slightly. "A strong Luna is a threat to a greedy Beta. Bronson couldn't control you. So, he found a girl he could control. Dreda is vain, insecure, and desperate for status. If she became the Luna, Bronson knew she would rely entirely on him to manage the pack. He traded you for a puppet."A fierce, burning heat ignited in the center of my chest. The sadness and heartbreak I had carried for half a decade instantly evaporated. In its place, a pure, raging fire roared to life.My dormant wolf scrambled to her feet, her teeth bared, snarling loudly in my mind. She wanted blood. She wanted to rip Bronson’s throat out and watch him choke on his own ambition.Caomh didn't orchestrate my downfall. He was too blind, too proud, and too foolish to see the knife his best friend was holding right against his back. Caomh was a victim of his own pac

The interior of the SUV was a stark contrast to the stifling, high-pressure atmosphere of the dining hall. The air inside smelled of cool leather, expensive cologne, and the sharp, clean ozone of the approaching storm. Outside, the rain drummed a frantic, rhythmic beat against the tinted glass, turning the world into a blur of gray shadows and distorted streetlights.I didn't give him a chance to settle. I pulled him down until he was hovering over me, his hands bracing against the plush leather seat on either side of my head. His silver-gray eyes were dark, burning with a hunger that matched the wild, uncontrolled pulsing in my own veins."You were perfect tonight," Cullen growled, his voice a low, rough vibration that rattled against my ribcage."I was just getting started," I whispered.I reached up and yanked his tie free, tossing it onto the floor. My fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, my movements frantic and uncoordinated. I needed him skin to skin. I needed to drow

The bright midday sun poured through the massive glass ceiling of the neutral compound’s grand pavilion. The air inside smelled intensely of sweet spun sugar, blooming hydrangeas, and the sharp, sour tang of hidden anxiety.I sat near the center of the room on a plush, cream-colored sofa. I wore a simple, elegant high-necked dress in a deep forest green. The fabric fell smoothly to my ankles, devoid of the flashy sequins or heavy lace that many of the other women favored. Resting perfectly centered on my collarbone was the white gold Arden crest.I held a delicate porcelain teacup, the steam carrying the bright scent of lemon and ginger to my nose."The agricultural yields from your western river lands were quite impressive this quarter, Luna Meghann," Luna Epiphany Tracey said. She sat in the armchair across from me, her crisp white suit impeccably pressed. She leaned forward, genuine interest shining in her dark eyes. "My pack struggles with the frost early in the season. Do you use

The grand auction hall of the neutral compound was a cavernous space bathed in the warm, flickering glow of hundreds of beeswax candles. Rows of plush, dark green velvet seats curved around a raised wooden stage. The air was thick, smelling heavily of roasting wax, expensive floral perfumes, and the sharp, sour tang of nervous sweat leaking from the delegates.I sat in the front row, holding a smooth wooden bidding paddle in my lap.To my right, Cullen sat relaxed in his tailored black suit. His massive frame took up more than his share of the velvet seat, his thigh pressing firmly against mine. The steady, burning heat of his body soaked through the dark green silk of my dress, anchoring me to the present moment.Across the center aisle, the Silver Moon delegation occupied the opposite front row.Caomh stared blankly at the stage, his jaw clenched so tightly the muscles jumped beneath his pale skin. He looked entirely hollowed out. Next to him, Dreda shifted constantly in her seat. T

The hard stone floor rushed up to meet me, but the impact never came.Cullen moved with terrifying speed. His strong arms wrapped tightly around my waist, catching my weight before my knees even grazed the polished marble of the lobby. He hauled me flush against his broad chest, his grip incredibly firm, grounding me instantly.My breath came in short, jagged gasps. The fierce, untouchable energy that had kept my spine straight during the auction simply evaporated. In its place, a hollow, trembling exhaustion settled deep into my bones."I have you," Cullen murmured, his voice a low, rough vibration against my ear.He didn't ask if I could walk. He just scooped me up, lifting me into his arms as easily as if I weighed nothing at all. I buried my face in the curve of his neck, breathing in the rich, clean scent of winter pine and rain. It was the only thing keeping the room from spinning.He carried me down the long, quiet corridors of the neutral compound. His long strides ate up the