Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the Beast
Alpha Kael looked at her fully now, his gaze sweeping over her small frame, her plain dress, her nervous expression.
The silence stretched.
The entire pack watched.
Elara’s heart began to race for a different reason.
Something was wrong.
The bond was still there, still pulling, still warm but his eyes held none of it.
No softness.
No recognition.
Only calculation.
Then he spoke.
“I, Alpha Kael Draven,” he said, his voice loud and clear across the clearing, “reject you as my mate.”
The words hit her like a physical blow.
For a moment, Elara didn’t understand.