Rejected by the Alpha, New Love Found

The eastern border of Silvermoon territory had always been vulnerable to rogue attacks. Tonight was no different—except that I was alone when they came.

"Vera! Behind you!" Ryan's voice crackled through the pack link as I patrolled the perimeter.

I spun around just as a massive rogue lunged from the shadows. His eyes glowed with feral hunger, teeth bared in a snarl that promised death.

"Pack link! All units to eastern border!" I screamed into the mental connection that bound our pack together.

Three more rogues emerged from the treeline. Four against one. My heart hammered against my ribs as I backed away, my hand fumbling for the silver dagger at my belt.

"Thaddeus!" I called desperately through our mate bond. "Rogues at eastern border! I need help!"

The silence that answered me stretched for one terrible moment before his voice finally came. "Nova needs me."

The words hit harder than any physical blow. I stumbled backward as the first rogue charged.

"I'm surrounded by four rogues!" I screamed into the link. "I need my Alpha!"

Through the pack bond, I felt Thaddeus's presence withdraw. He was moving away from me—toward the packhouse where Nova was.

"No!" I cried out loud as claws raked across my ribs.

Blood sprayed across the forest floor as I dodged another attack. My shoulder screamed in agony as I threw myself sideways, avoiding a killing blow but taking damage nonetheless.

"Please," I whispered to no one as I fought for my life.

Through the trees, I caught a glimpse of Thaddeus's massive black wolf form racing past—not toward me, but toward the packhouse where Nova had been targeted by a single rogue.

The betrayal burned worse than my wounds.

---

I don't remember how I made it back to the packhouse. My body moved on instinct while my mind remained frozen on the image of Thaddeus abandoning me to save Nova.

The pain hit when I staggered through the main entrance. Blood loss and shock finally overwhelmed me as I collapsed onto the polished wooden floor.

"Vera?" Someone's voice seemed distant. "Get the healer!"

I forced my eyes open to see Thaddeus kneeling beside Nova on the couch. Her sleeve was rolled up, revealing three scratches on her forearm. Minor wounds that wouldn't even scar.

"Thaddeus," I whispered.

He looked up briefly, his eyes cold. "The healer will see to you."

"But—"

"I said the healer will see to you." His Alpha tone left no room for argument.

I watched through a haze of pain as he gently bandaged Nova's arm, his fingers lingering on her skin. The tenderness in his touch made my chest ache more than my physical wounds.

"She could have died," Nova whispered, her eyes wide with practiced fear. "If you hadn't come when you did..."

"I'll always protect you," Thaddeus promised, his voice soft in a way it had never been with me.

The healer arrived—finally—and began examining my wounds. Claw marks across my ribs, a dislocated shoulder, blood