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Chapter 28: A Return to Herself - continued

Author: S.Bharuth
last update Last Updated: 2025-04-06 18:30:01

The first time back in the bakery was both a relief and a bittersweet experience. The familiar scent of flour and sugar greeted her as she stepped through the door, Ryker lingering out of sight near the shadows of a nearby alley. Sarai rolled up her sleeves, her hands remembering the motions as though no time had passed. Dough was kneaded, trays filled, and the oven hummed its usual tune.

As the morning progressed, her usual customers began to filter in, their faces lighting up with surprise and joy at seeing her behind the counter again. "Sarai! It’s so good to see you back," called out Mr. Donnelly, the retired schoolteacher who always ordered a cinnamon roll and a black coffee. "The place hasn’t been the same without you."

Others chimed in as well, each greeting filling the bakery with a warmth Sarai hadn’t realized she missed so deeply. Mrs. Hargrove was particularly animated, her hands fluttering as she shared updates about her grandchildren, while young Amy from

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  • Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection   Chapter 29: A Watchful Shadow

    From the shadows of a nearby alley, Bruce watched the bakery, his eyes narrowing as he observed Sarai laughing with customers. Each burst of her laughter was like a dagger twisting in his chest, igniting a firestorm of rage and bitterness that he couldn’t extinguish. The sight of her radiant smile, once something he cherished, now mocked him, reminding him of everything he had lost—and everything she had taken away. The sight of her radiant smile, so genuine and unguarded, sent a pang of something bitter and twisted through his chest. She had returned to her world, her sanctuary, surrounded by her cheerful customers and the sweet scent of pastries. But it wasn’t her joy that stoked the fire of his anger—it was the presence of others.Bruce’s gaze shifted to Ryker, who stood near the coffee shop, sipping from a steaming mug while keeping a watchful eye on Sarai. The soldier’s relaxed demeanor felt like an insult. How dare Ryker stand so casually in a role that should have been

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    Bruce stormed through the dilapidated gates of the rogue pack’s estate, his chest heaving with anger that simmered just beneath the surface. The building loomed before him, its crumbling walls and shattered windows a stark reflection of the chaos brewing within him. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides, and his claws threatened to extend with every step he took.Malrik, perched on a broken throne in the estate’s grand hall, noticed Bruce’s arrival immediately. The rogue Alpha’s amber eyes glinted with predatory interest as he took in Bruce’s seething form. "Ah, you’re back," Malrik drawled, his tone laced with mockery. "I take it your little field trip wasn’t as fulfilling as you’d hoped."Bruce didn’t respond, his jaw tightening as he stood before Malrik. The memories of Sarai’s laughter, her closeness with Hugo, and Ryker’s constant presence replayed in his mind like a tormenting loop. His bitt

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  • Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection   Copyright

    CopyrightThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or used in a fictional manner. Any resemblance to any person/s living or dead or event is purely coincidental.All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or any means, including photocopying or recording without written permission by the author except for the use of quotations in book reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.Cover Photo: For more on S. BharuthInstagram: @s. bharuth_writes_official© S.Bharuth 2019

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Latest chapter

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    Bruce stormed through the dilapidated gates of the rogue pack’s estate, his chest heaving with anger that simmered just beneath the surface. The building loomed before him, its crumbling walls and shattered windows a stark reflection of the chaos brewing within him. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides, and his claws threatened to extend with every step he took.Malrik, perched on a broken throne in the estate’s grand hall, noticed Bruce’s arrival immediately. The rogue Alpha’s amber eyes glinted with predatory interest as he took in Bruce’s seething form. "Ah, you’re back," Malrik drawled, his tone laced with mockery. "I take it your little field trip wasn’t as fulfilling as you’d hoped."Bruce didn’t respond, his jaw tightening as he stood before Malrik. The memories of Sarai’s laughter, her closeness with Hugo, and Ryker’s constant presence replayed in his mind like a tormenting loop. His bitt

  • Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection   Chapter 29: A Watchful Shadow

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  • Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection   Chapter 28: A Return to Herself - continued

    The first time back in the bakery was both a relief and a bittersweet experience. The familiar scent of flour and sugar greeted her as she stepped through the door, Ryker lingering out of sight near the shadows of a nearby alley. Sarai rolled up her sleeves, her hands remembering the motions as though no time had passed. Dough was kneaded, trays filled, and the oven hummed its usual tune.As the morning progressed, her usual customers began to filter in, their faces lighting up with surprise and joy at seeing her behind the counter again. "Sarai! It’s so good to see you back," called out Mr. Donnelly, the retired schoolteacher who always ordered a cinnamon roll and a black coffee. "The place hasn’t been the same without you."Others chimed in as well, each greeting filling the bakery with a warmth Sarai hadn’t realized she missed so deeply. Mrs. Hargrove was particularly animated, her hands fluttering as she shared updates about her grandchildren, while young Amy from

  • Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection   Chapter 27: A Return to Herself

    Weeks passed at the pack house, and Sarai found herself adapting to the new rhythms of life among the wolves. Her bond with Hugo deepened with each passing day, their moments together filled with quiet understanding and a growing love. Yet, a restless ache lingered beneath the surface. She missed her bakery—the warmth of her oven, the gentle hum of her chirpy customers, and the comforting routine of her craft. It wasn’t just a job; it was her sanctuary.That morning, as the sunlight streamed through the windows of Hugo’s study, Sarai turned to him, her hands clasped in determination. "Hugo, I need to go back to the bakery. Just for a day," she pleaded. "I need to bake, to see Mrs. Hargrove and hear about her grandchildren. It’s been weeks, and it feels like I’ve lost a part of myself."Hugo looked up from the papers he was reviewing, his sea-green eyes narrowing slightly. "Sarai, you know how dangerous it is out there right now. Malrik is pushing at our borders. I can’t let you go unpr

  • Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection   Chapter 26: The First Soldier's Rise

    The shadows in Malrik’s secluded training grounds stretched long under the dim glow of an overcast sky. Bruce stood at the center of the clearing, his light brown hair damp with sweat and his chest heaving from the relentless drills. Malrik circled him like a predator assessing his prey, his amber eyes sharp with calculated scrutiny.“You’re improving,” Malrik said coldly, his voice devoid of praise. “But improvement isn’t enough. I need a soldier, not a pup pretending to be strong.”Bruce clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as his body tensed in response. The bite mark on his wrist still glowed faintly, a constant reminder of the power tethering him to Malrik. He refused to let the rogue wolf’s condescension break him.“Again,” Malrik barked. His tone was merciless as he pointed toward a row of wooden dummies set along the edge of the clearing. “Destroy them all. Shift if you must, but show me you’ve learned to blend your forms seamlessly.”Bruce didn’t hesitate. He charged at the

  • Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection   Chapter 25: The Rising Challenge

    The dawn of a new day broke over the Ocean Crest pack grounds, casting a golden light over the dew-covered grass. The air was thick with tension, an undercurrent of unease rippling through the ranks as the wolves assembled for their morning training. The usual camaraderie had been replaced by murmurs and sideways glances, whispers of dissent that grew louder as Hugo stepped onto the training grounds.Hugo’s imposing presence silenced the immediate chatter, but not the murmurs that followed. The sea-green eyes that surveyed his pack were sharp, taking in every subtle shift in posture, every flicker of doubt etched into their faces. Sarai stood nearby, her presence steadying him, though even she could feel the tension crackling like static in the air.Zeke approached, his expression grim. "It’s spreading," he said under his breath. "The murmurs about challenging your leadership. They think they can take you on, Hugo."Hugo let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening. "Let them talk," he re

  • Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection   Chapter 24: Origins of the Alpha

    Sarai reached out, taking Hugo’s hand in hers. The simple touch grounded him, her soft fingers brushing against his calloused ones. "Why do they doubt you?" she asked quietly, her sapphire eyes searching his. "The pack—they look at you like they’re unsure if you can lead them. Why?"Hugo hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. He sighed deeply before meeting her eyes again, the flicker of vulnerability in his expression catching her off guard. "Because I’m not like them," he said, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. "I wasn’t born a werewolf. I’m not one of their own."Sarai frowned, her grip on his hand tightening slightly. "What do you mean?"Hugo took a step closer to her, the warmth of the fire reflecting in his sea-green eyes. "I was human, Sarai. A man with no family, no home. I had nothing." His voice softened as he continued. "The former Alpha of this pack... he found me one night. It was dark, cold. I was wandering aimlessly, lost in every sense of the word. He promise

  • Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection   Chapter 23: A Storm Within

    Hugo stormed into his library, the heavy oak doors slamming against the walls as he pushed them open. The tension in his shoulders was palpable, and the flicker of red in his eyes betrayed the storm brewing inside him. Sarai was close at his side, her expression a mix of concern and determination, while Zeke followed behind them, his presence steady and grounding.The room was as Hugo had left it: shelves lined with books chronicling centuries of pack history and lore, the scent of aged wood mingling with the faint hint of cedar. But tonight, the space felt smaller, constricted by the weight of the situation.“This is escalating faster than I anticipated,” Hugo growled, pacing in front of the desk. He ran a hand through his dark hair, the frustration evident in every movement. “That creature isn’t just a threat—it’s a declaration of war. And it’s not just that beast. Malrik is training another wolf for combat—shaping him into a weapon. He’s raising an army.”Zeke leaned against one of

  • Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection   Chapter 22: Disturbing Revelations

    The soft glow of the television bathed Hugo’s room in muted colors as the credits of the movie rolled. Empty containers of takeout and crumpled candy wrappers littered the small table beside the bed. Sarai nestled against Hugo’s chest, her head resting just beneath his chin as his arm draped protectively around her. The warmth of his embrace was a comfort she hadn’t known she needed, and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat was lulling her into a state of contentment.“You have terrible taste in movies,” she teased softly, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. The playful glint in her sapphire eyes made him chuckle.“You’re the one who picked it,” Hugo countered, his sea-green eyes crinkling with amusement. He leaned down to place a soft kiss on her forehead, savoring the peacefulness of the moment.For the first time in weeks, the weight of his responsibilities seemed to ease, and Sarai felt her own worries melt away in the warmth of his presence. The intimacy between them had grown ste

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