Jayden
"We're here."I raised my head to confirm our location as the driver announced our arrival. My best friend and beta, Lewis was with me, and we were both attending the party of the daughter of one of my favourite investors.The Graysons are known all around the East Blue as the third-richest family in the kingdom. They are revered by everyone in the East Blue because of the wealth they possess.Grayson's family only has one daughter, Elena and she has just come of age. A party was thrown in respect of this, and I was invited as the Alpha of the pack.I would have turned down the invitation if my uncle hadn't insisted that I accept the invitation.I mean, why should I attend the banquet?Elena is a spoiled brat who thinks the whole world evolves around her. I never wanted anything to do with her nor did I want her around me.However, the situation is such that I have to attend this party as her father is an important investor in my company and I wouldn't want him at loggerheads with me.Putting on the best smile I could muster. I stepped out of the car. I adjusted my bow tie and brushed my hand through my hair.When I was certain that I looked good, I stepped out of the car and headed towards the entrance.I chose to make an entrance into the party through the back door because I wanted to keep myself hidden.I was never a party freak.I like my space and enjoy my privacy, but in this case, I had no choice but to attend. I had to honour the invitation.Dressed in a black suit and white shirt, Lewis looked dashing as he stepped out beside me."You should smile a little more, Jayden, you don't want to go about announcing your lack of interest through your face. It's a party and you should look happy."He was right.I should look happy, but how?How do I look happy when I am displeased about my presence at this party?I nodded in response to his advice and adjusted my trousers before moving inside.I was dressed in a blue tuxedo paired with a white shirt and black shoes. My brown hair was styled as a Caesar cut.Even though I wasn't happy to attend the party, I had to look good."Hi, baby."I looked behind me to see Melissa Aubrey, my girlfriend and would-be-chosen Luna.Melissa is the daughter of an oil mogul. Her father is one of the richest men in East Blue and her immense beauty was proof of that."Hi," I replied, nonchalantly."You look dashing in that, Jay," she smiled as she pointed at my outfit."Be respectful. This is a public gathering," Lewis cautioned and she rolled her eyes."Alright."Melissa didn't seem to take that well, but she also didn't dwell on the topic.Lewis and Melissa never get along and I wonder why.Neither of them like the other."Let's get a place to sit," Melissa intertwined her hand with mine as she led me to a private seating space."Welcome Alpha Jayden," Lady Estrella appeared to greet me.She is Elena's mother. The wife of Felix Grayson, and the owner of Greyson Pharmaceuticals, the largest firm in the field.Here in East Blue, the Graysons owned the biggest pharmaceutical company."Thank you, Estrella," I smiled in response."I'm glad you made it," she flaunted her hair and swayed her hips as she stepped aside for me to see the figure lingering behind her."Elena says hi." She said, ushering her daughter forward."Welcome to my party, Alpha Jayden," Elena muttered in her strange guttural voice.The lady has strange, yet funny features. She was beautiful, no doubt, but her outlook was amusing.She had short hair with curls. Her brows were thick and full. With full lips that were as red as roses. However, for someone with such beautiful facial features, Elena had a masculine physique and guttural voice."Happy birthday, lady Elena," I muttered in a low voice, as I tried as much as I could to stop myself from laughing.I just can't help laughing every time I see her. She was like a combination of both genders. She was more like a man than a woman.Even though the makeup made her look beautiful and her heavily studded Red dress made her look like a princess, it couldn't change her manly figure."You look beautiful as always," I muttered as I checked her out."Thank you, Alpha," she curtsied."We'll be around, Alpha," Estrella led the way and Elena followed as they went to welcome the other guests."Was she that beautiful?" Melissa taunted as soon as they were gone. "You couldn't stop staring."Beautiful?Is she kidding me?I was only staring at Elena because I couldn't stop wondering how she ended up with such horrifying beauty, but it seemed to have made Melissa jealous.I can't speak out my reason for staring at Elena either, so I just pacify her."I wasn't staring you know. I was just....."Before I could complete whatever explanation I had for Melissa, I felt my heart tighten and I could barely breathe."Excuse me," I turned away from her before she could notice that something was wrong.I was a guest at the party and it wouldn't look good if I ruined Elena's party. Estrella definitely wouldn't go easy on me.I released my bowtie as I walked out of the party hall.I needed air.I gasped for air as soon as I got outside, but I became restless. It felt as if I wasn't in control of my body anymore.What is wrong with me? I wondered as I walked further outside.I have never felt that way before.My wolf seemed to want to jump out. He was restless as well and I was finding it difficult to hold it down.I tried to listen to the voice of my wolf and I was surprised to hear what it had to say.'Mate,' my wolf cried.Mate?Could my mate be among the guests here?I spent years waiting for my mate but she was nowhere to be found.Not that it mattered to me who my mate was, but I just wanted to see who the goddess had chosen for me.When I didn't get my mate, I took my relationship with Melissa further and even proposed to her.She was everything I wanted in a woman. Strong, beautiful, sexy and daredevil. My exact type of woman.Why did my mate have to show up now?I walked further to at least get a glimpse of this mate of mine as my wolf wouldn't rest until he saw her.So, I followed her scent and arrived at the entrance of the Grayson Mansion. I looked around in search of her and the scent brought me to a small house.I wouldn't say it's a house, it looks more like a pen...where dogs are kept.Could my mate be a vet?Or why am I being drawn to a pen? Could she be in there?Letting my wolf take the lead, I went towards the pen and noticed that a man was about to lock it. I hurried my steps and went towards the pen like I was possessed.I tossed the man aside and leaned forward to take a look inside the pen.I was shocked to see a pregnant dog and a young girl.... lady. Crouched on all fours like a dog.Her hair was unkempt and rough. Her tongue was out as she breathed through her mouth like a dog. Her eyes dilated warily as soon as she saw me. She opened her mouth and I expected her to speak but I was stunned by the sound she made.She barked.I flinched and stepped backwards, too surprised to speak.What the hell?How could she bark like that?My heart raced as she raised her limbs and continued barking.What is she? I watched in awe.Is she a human or a dog?Could she have been born to a dog? Is that even possible?My mind was filled with thoughts of all kinds as I watched her, and just when I thought I had gotten enough surprises for one day, my wolf jumped and screamed, 'Mate!'~~~~~~Note:This book is the continuation of the rejected series. Pregnant And Rejected; His Wolfless Mate. It can also be read as a stand-alone.Welcome.Zoraya"Who is that?"I sat in my room outside the gate and watched as the guests came in. It was Elena's birthday and a party had been thrown to celebrate her coming of age. Everyone kept looking at the cubicle where I had come to call my room. Even though there were several rooms in the house, that cubicle was the place I knew as my room. I spent my whole life sleeping in the cubicle alongside our dog, Zara. Even though, I always wondered why I was made to stay in the cubicle with Zara when I have the same qualities as everyone that stays in the main house. However, I couldn't dare ask. Besides, no one understands me in the house. Every time, I speak, they say that I'm barking. I always wonder why they say so. The only person who understands me is Zara. She does everything I say without hesitating and when she speaks, I understand too. I looked at the faces of the guests as they saw me feeding on my plate, the same one I shared with Zara. They wrinkled their nose in disgust
Jayden'Mate'My wolf screamed in my head, making me gasp in surprise. What in the goddess' name!I took several steps away from the Pen as I tried to process what just happened. How could that be possible? Of all the places in the world, I had to find my mate in Grayson's mansion. And of all the creatures in the world...I got a...human-dog as my mate. I was shocked beyond words. I didn't know what to say or how to react. It all felt like a joke. A big terrible joke. I stood upright and hurried away from the Pen. The man stared at me with fury as he struggled to get up. "Aren't you Alpha Jayden?" He asked as he finally locked the Pen. "What is that?" I found myself asking. Even though the answer was clear, I just needed a third-party opinion just in case everything was from my imagination."I am," I tried to sound bold. "Hello Alpha," he bowed. "What is this thing?" I pointed at the Pen. "It's the home for the Graysons' dogs." Well, it is a Pen indeed. "But that...that...
Zoraya 'Zara!' I cried as I watched her bleed. I ran around our space in search of something, anything that could help stop the bleeding but there was nothing. I tried to call for help but no one was listening. Everyone was busy at the party and Julius was gone after doing his bit. Zara was battered by Julius, yet he returned to the party as if nothing happened. He didn't care to help her. 'Zara,' I ran back to her as I noticed that she was looking weak. 'Don't close your eyes," I held her tight. 'Don't cry Zoraya,' She spoke in a low voice. I could barely hear her. 'I can't make it.'No. I shook my head disapprovingly. How could she say that? 'Don't speak, Zara, just save your strength. I'll get help." I returned to the door of the cubicle and shook it as I called for help, this time making my voice as loud as I could. However, even after making as much noise as my throat could fathom, no one came out. I was tired from jumping around, so I took a break. I sat down, defeat
Zoraya “I, Jayden Cole, reject you as my mate!”I wondered what he meant by what he said, but I was hit by a strange surge of pain as soon as his words landed. I could barely breathe, and my heart raced like I had been running.What is happening?I wondered as I stared at the man who I had come to realize from his words that his name was Jayden. Why do I feel so affected by what he said? As soon as he was done saying whatever he had to say, he turned to leave, but I couldn’t let him leave while I was in no condition to help Zara. She needed me now more than ever, but the pain in my chest made me feel so weak that I could barely move.'Zo..ra..ya!' Zara's sudden call pulled me out of my thoughts and every pain I felt seemed to have vanished as I rushed to her and held her.'Down!' she screamed and l looked down to see the pup was halfway. I helped her lay on her back and placed my hands on the floor as she groaned loudly. Suddenly, a blood-stained little puppy... The puppy landed
JaydenI don’t know why I felt so sorry for her. Seeing her run around, the dead dog pulled a string in my heart. I could somehow feel her agony. She barked so loudly that I couldn’t help my irritation. She kept shaking and pulling the dead dog.Even though it was obvious that the dog was dead and cold, she didn’t let go. She kept screaming and barking as if that could wake the dead dog.I knew that I shouldn’t be seen around her, but I just couldn’t bear to leave. At first, it was because I wanted to see how she helped the dog deliver the pups, and I was fascinated at how well she did, but this time I couldn’t leave because I felt pity for her.When I finally decided to leave, I remembered that she had nowhere to go. Since the Grayson mansion has probably burnt down to ashes. There would be no one to watch over them, and if they went back there, so, I decided to take her back to the pack. They’ll return to the Grayson mansion in the morning when things get sorted out. “This is the
Jayden"Ow," I groaned as I opened my eyes. I touched my forehead as I was hit by a sharp surge of pain in my head.I looked around and found myself in the cottage.Well, that seems okay. I was about to sigh in relief when I heard a soft whimpering from beside me.I looked beside me to see a lady curled up. She was wearing nothing and she was on the bed.Oh shit! I jumped as realization hit me.What the hell did I do?I brushed my hand through my forehead as the images from the previous night flashed through my mind.No. I definitely didn't do that! I yelled to myself as it dawned on me that I had spent the night with doggy.My loud voice only made it worse as she flinched and jumped out of the bed, her body fell with a loud thud.I was about to catch her, but the red stain on the bed made me freeze in place. I just couldn't believe what I had done."I'm sorry," I muttered, but she only moved further away, shifting on her butt.I stood up and grabbed my hair, hoping to pull it out of
Zoraya"I'll call you Blue because of your eyes," his voice travelled to my ears and I raised my head in amazement. Are my eyes blue? What is blue, by the way? I didn't know what he was talking about, but it felt nice to hear his voice. Every time he speaks, I never want him to stop, but he isn't much of a talker. "Do you like your new name?" He asked and I immediately nodded. I didn't want him to stop talking, and even though my whole body still ached from whatever he did to me, I felt the need to smile even though I was in pain. "That's great," he clapped. "Now, let's name them," he went towards the basket where Zara's pups were laid. He picked one and raised it up, taking a good look at it as if in search of something. "I think.... Bobby suits him," he muttered before putting it back in the basket. ".... We'll call him Bobby."Bobby? What is that? I looked at him and back at the pup in the basket and soon realized that he had just named the puppy. So, that's how naming is
ZorayaJayden didn't come back for a few days after he left. I was starting to think that we would die of hunger when he suddenly showed up one evening.He squatted before me and rubbed the back of his hand on my cheek."I'm sorry," he muttered in his bass voice, making me realize how much I'd missed him.I was so excited to hear his voice again that I didn't realize that I had made a sound until I saw the raise of his brow and the lines on his forehead."I wish I didn't....."He paused and turned away from me as if the words were heavy and wouldn't come out of his mouth."I'll go get you something to eat," he went out of my sight as soon as he said that, leaving me confused about his unspoken words.The look on his face told a different meaning to his words, like he was only taking care of me because he owes me something.I have nothing, so I wonder what it could be."You should clean yourself up and get ....."He paused again like he was afraid of completing the sentence.I don't kn
MelodyMinutes stretched into hours, yet Zoraya remained asleep. I stayed by her side, unwilling to leave her even for a moment. Her breathing was steady, her face peaceful, but I knew the storm of emotions that would rage within her when she awoke.I gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, my heart swelling with both love and sorrow. This child—my child—had suffered far too much. Even in sleep, her delicate features held the remnants of past pain, the shadows of a life filled with cruelty.But she was safe now.I wouldn’t let Elena steal her away, not like Estrella had stolen her from me all those years ago. The past would not repeat itself, not if I had anything to do with it.I had already failed once.I had lost my daughter to lies, deception, and the bitter hands of fate.Never again.The thought of Elena roaming the palace sent a fresh wave of unease through me. She was cunning, just like her mother. Estrella had spent her life trying to take everything that belonged to m
MelodyThe air in the chamber was heavy with silence. Derek sat across from me, his fingers laced together, his sharp eyes scrutinizing every word I had just spoken. The weight of my revelation hung between us like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury. I could see the thoughts racing through his mind, the pieces of the puzzle shifting into place.Zoraya was my daughter.Elena was Estrella’s.And Mallory stood on the brink of war.Derek leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. “This changes everything.”“I know,” I said quietly.His jaw clenched as he processed the information, his grip tightening on the arms of his chair. “If Zoraya is your daughter, she is the rightful princess of both Mallory and Dark Flame.” His gaze met mine, unreadable yet heavy with unspoken thoughts. “Does she know?”I shook my head. “No. She doesn’t even know who she is. She was raised in captivity, Derek. She cannot speak, cannot write. The torment she endured…” My voice faltered, and I had to take a ste
MelodyThe tension in the royal chambers was thick enough to cut with a blade. Derek sat across from me, his hands folded on the table, his gaze sharp and calculating. He had just finished explaining his plan to dismantle Worden’s influence and drive the rogues into chaos. It was a good plan—bold, strategic, and exactly what we needed.I smiled slightly, leaning back in my chair. “It will work.”Derek raised an eyebrow. “You sound so sure.”I nodded. “Because I am. Aaron and Giovanni are known as Mallory's back bone and they're worth the hype," I smiled proudly. "They are the best warriors I’ve ever known." Derek nodded in agreement. Worden may have played his game well, but he underestimated who he was up against. He thinks he’s dealing with the same Mallory from years ago, but he has no idea the strength we’ve built.”Derek exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples. “Even with that, war is never predictable. The moment we go after his spies and disrupt his plans, he’ll retaliate. We need
DerekThe council chamber emptied slowly, the weight of my words still lingering in the air like a heavy storm cloud. My mind raced as I paced the room, Giovanni standing beside me, his presence a silent pillar of support.King Worden had betrayed us. Not only had he conspired with rogues, but he had also directly ordered the execution of my nephew.A man I once called an ally.A man who knew the inner workings of Mallory’s defenses.I clenched my fists, barely restraining the anger simmering beneath my skin.“Giovanni,” I said, my voice low but filled with authority. “We cannot delay. If Worden has already made his move, we must act before he does.”Giovanni nodded. “Agreed. The rogues will be emboldened by his support. If we wait too long, they’ll strike when we least expect it.”I exhaled sharply, my mind sorting through all the possible avenues. There was no room for mistakes.“We need to root out every single one of his spies within our borders,” I said, turning toward him. “He’s
DerekThe council chamber was silent, the air thick with tension. I sat at the head of the long, ornate table, my fingers curled tightly against the armrests of my throne. Across from me, Giovanni stood with his shoulders squared, his expression grim and unwavering.I had always known Giovanni to be sharp, a warrior in his own right, but today, there was something else in his eyes—something darker. A weight that came from witnessing something truly vile.He had returned only days ago, yet I had summoned him to court so that he could address the court about his findings along with Aaron. Too many questions swirled in my mind, and I wouldn’t rest until I had answers.“Speak, Giovanni,” I commanded, my voice calm but firm. “Tell me everything.”Giovanni took a slow breath, then met my gaze. “I saw the rogue’s den with my own eyes, Your Majesty. I saw their numbers, their strategies. But worst of all, I saw the truth behind King Worden’s betrayal.”A murmur ran through the few nobles pre
ElenaThe palace had grown quieter tonight, the usual distant chatter of servants and the rhythmic steps of patrolling guards seeming more muted than usual. The air carried a weight, an unspoken tension that sent a prickle of unease down my spine.Something had shifted.I walked with my usual measured steps, careful not to let my thoughts show on my face. I had spent too many years perfecting my composure to let suspicion slip through now. And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched more closely than before.Had the Queen figured something out?That thought alone made my stomach tighten.She had been different at dinner tonight. I had caught her watching me more than once, her gaze sharp, assessing. There had been no outright hostility, but her presence had carried a weight that hadn’t been there before.Queen Melody was a woman of power—one did not rule a kingdom like Mallory without possessing an acute sense of awareness. If she had begun to suspect me, I needed t
MelodyThe night air was crisp as I stepped onto the balcony of my chambers, the scent of jasmine and damp earth filling my lungs. The world outside was calm, bathed in the soft glow of the moon, but inside me, a storm raged.I had been restless ever since Zoraya arrived. Something about her had called to me in a way I couldn’t explain—an ache deep in my soul, a pull stronger than logic. And tonight, that truth had finally been laid bare.She is ours.The voice of my wolf echoed in my mind, unwavering.I stilled, my fingers gripping the cold stone railing.Zoraya is My daughter.My lost child. My Darya.I squeezed my eyes shut, my breath coming in sharp, uneven pulls. A wave of emotions crashed into me all at once—relief, sorrow, fury. How had I not seen it sooner?Her scent, her presence, the way my heart clenched every time I looked at her—it had always been there. My wolf had suspected it from the very beginning, but I had been afraid to hope, afraid to be wrong.But I wasn’t wron
MelodyZoraya’s hands trembled in mine, her dark eyes wide with unshed tears. I could feel the fear radiating from her, pressing against my senses like a whisper of the past she was too afraid to recall.But I needed her to.Her breathing was uneven, her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t. And, of course, she couldn’t—not in the way most people did. The only sound that left her was a broken, strangled whimper, a noise so haunting it sent fury rippling through me.I already knew what she was trying to tell me.Elena.The name alone was enough to make my wolf stir restlessly beneath my skin. She had been watching, waiting, ever since the first moment I saw how Zoraya had reacted to her presence. The sheer terror in her body language had told me enough.I should have known sooner.The pieces had been right there before me—the way Zoraya recoiled, the way her entire body went rigid at the mere sight of Elena. It was more than fear. It was deep, ingrained t
ZorayaThe palace was quiet tonight.I curled up on the plush rug beside my bed, knees drawn to my chest, arms wrapped tightly around myself. Ronnie was nestled against my side, his small body warm and comforting. His breathing was steady, rhythmic, and for a moment, I focused on it, matching my own breaths to his.But no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t shake off the weight pressing down on my chest. The memories clawed at the edges of my mind, restless, demanding to be acknowledged.Elena was here.She had been here for days, watching, scheming, and worst of all, smiling. A smile that hid sharp edges, a smile I had learned to fear. No one else saw what lay beneath it. No one else knew.Except for Queen Melody.My fingers dug into my arms as I thought of her. The Queen had been… kind. Far kinder than anyone had ever been to me. She gave me food, soft clothes, warmth. She spoke to me in a way that made me feel seen. Heard. Even though I could not speak like the others, she understo