All Chapters of The Rejected Omega's Bastard Heir: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

POV: The PackSaturday morning hit, and by the time the sun burned all the way into the sky, Richard's birthday prep was already a circus. Party started at dusk, which meant there was a shitload to do, and Richard had zero trouble rounding up a pack of single she-wolves eager to help. They showed up one after another, tossing out suggestions nobody asked for, dragging their feet on tasks that should've taken ten minutes tops. Every single one of them wanted him to look up and notice her.Normally he'd be tearing up some club or dive bar for his birthday, chasing loud music and strange bodies and a night that dissolved into blur by sunrise. Throwing the party at home instead had tongues wagging all over the pack. People whispered he was finally sick of the chase, maybe even ready to settle. Whether that was true or complete bullshit, it bought him serious goodwill with the females, who eyed him now like he was some kind of riddle worth cracking open.Let them wonder, he thought. Keeps

POV: JamesI let myself watch her for half a second, just her hair whipping behind her like she owned the damn wind. Then it hit me, that gut-punch feeling, when she blew right past me without even a glance. Not one. I'd been so sure she saw me. So sure tonight was going to be different.She saw me. She had to have seen me.I spun around and there she was, wrapped up tight in some guy's arms. Some guy I didn't know, didn't recognize, didn't like the smell of. Her face was tucked into the stranger's shoulder like she'd done it a hundred times before, like she belonged there.A growl ripped out of me before I could catch it. My claws pricked under my skin, sharp and hungry, and heat rolled through me, ugly and possessive and completely wrong for a crowd this size. Mine. The thought slammed through me hard and fast, animal and unreasonable. If a pack of kids hadn't picked that second to crash into my legs, screaming and laughing, high on cake and chaos, I might have done something stupid

POV: JamesI yanked Steve away from his family with zero ceremony, dragging him behind one of the trees at the edge of the yard. A low growl already built in my throat, and I barely noticed how tight my fingers had curled into the fabric of Steve's sleeve."Steve. Who the hell is that?"Steve blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden edge in my voice. "Who are you talking about, Alpha?""That punk. Standing there, grinning at Trishelle like he owns the place."Steve turned to follow my line of sight just as the two figures disappeared toward the pack house. Recognition dawned on his face, easing into something between amusement and reassurance. "Oh, that's Sammy. Samuel Parker. I took him on a few years back, trained him up for business work. Good worker, sharp mind. Hasn't been back in two years though.""He's an orphan too, isn't he?" My frown deepened. Jealousy still simmered under my skin even with the explanation. If Sammy grew up orphaned like Trishelle, that would at leas

POV: JamesRichard leaned in close, voice dropping low. "Relax, Alpha. The plan's already in motion. Trust me, before tonight's over, you're getting exactly what you want."I didn't answer. My jaw locked tight, eyes cutting through the crowd like I could speed up time through sheer will. Every second dragged like wet cement, thick with an impatience I didn't want to look at too hard.An hour had passed since the pups went down. It took even longer for the parents to filter back once the little ones were finally settled. The DJ eased the crowd into the evening with slow R&B while helpers cleared tables to make room for dancing, and the bar staff used the break to restock. Sammy pitched in, sleeves shoved up, that easy grin plastered on his face. Trishelle counted rental utensils nearby, making sure nothing had wandered off into the grass. She worked with quiet focus, murmuring numbers under her breath, glad for something to keep her hands busy.Still feels unreal. Everyone treating me

POV: SammyWhile Trishelle showered, I tore through her drawers, hunting for anything that wasn't a rag. I yanked out everything she owned and dumped it across the bed, then stood there raking a hand through my hair, staring at the sorry pile like it might rearrange itself into something better.If I'd known I was coming back tonight, I'd have hit the mall first.Nothing here was worth a damn. Every piece looked like a hand-me-down that had been handed down one too many times, fabric gone limp and see-through from years of wear. I picked up a faded shirt, turned it over, and dropped it back on the pile with a sigh that came from somewhere deep. It stung more than I expected, seeing how little had changed while I'd been gone. I'd pictured her doing better. Hell, I'd pictured a lot of things going better, if I let myself be honest.I shoved everything back into the drawers, trying to hide the fact I'd gone digging in the first place, then spun around and kicked the dresser leg hard enou