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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I follow Ben all the way to a church at the edge of town. It’s the oldest building for a hundred miles, built in the eighteenth century and, according to local lore, it’s haunted with creepy ghosts. I’ve never been in there before, and I didn’t think Ben had, either. We don’t believe in ghosts, but we’re also not big on religion, so we’ve never had much reason to visit. But he walks into it like he’s familiar with this place. Which means he’s either started believing in God without me knowing it, or he’s here for something else.Something illicit. I hear his laugh a moment later, and the sound of muted, mostly male chatter. Creeping closer, I make my way around the back of the building and settle under one of the church’s windows, which someone has helpfully left open just enough that I can hear perfectly thanks to wolf senses.“Okay, thanks for coming, everyone. I know it’s a weird time to meet, but we have to do it while everyone else is asleep, so we don’t raise any eyebrows o
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Can you pass the milk?” Ben asks me the next morning. We both have off, which is a rarity, and while normally we’d spend a day like this together, he says he has plans. “Yeah, sure,” I say. I’m so angry at him I could scream. I barely slept last night, wondering why he went to that meeting of the rogues without telling me. He’s acting like everything is normal and I’m too much of a coward to rock the boat. “What’re you up to today?” he asks, leaning back against the kitchen counter and taking a bite of his cereal.“Uh…” I scramble, realizing that if he’s gone, I’ll be in the house alone. And while normally that would be a dream come true, today I don’t want to be by myself. If I’m alone, the thoughts in my head will overwhelm me. “Going shopping with Sharon,” I lie, another untruth to add to the pile steadily growing between us. There’s a barrier up that wasn’t there before, and I feel like I’m only seeing half of Ben. He’s hiding himself from me, and while it kills me, can I r
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER NINETEEN
“I’ll be right back. Need to go to the bathroom,” I tell Sharon, making a beeline for the doors at the back of the café that I pray actually do lead to the restrooms.I’m in luck and not only is it a bathroom, but an empty one, allowing me to lock the door and barricade myself in a stall while I work out what to do. What is the pack doing here, and why do they all look like they want to murder me?The only explanation I can come up with is that the other rogues said in that meeting last night was true: the pack are out to eliminate all the rogues in town. And somehow, they’ve figured out I’m one of them. Did James tell them?I want to immediately brush that thought away, but I don’t, because if I’ve learned anything from interacting with James over the last few weeks, it’s that he’s unpredictable. Easily swayed by the pack’s wants and needs, rather than his own. If they asked him, point-blank, if he was seeing a rogue, he wouldn’t have been able to deny it. His is not a face t
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER TWENTY
Explaining to Sharon why I disappeared from the café and then returned, ten minutes later, with a strange guy trailing behind me was difficult, but thankfully she got a phone call from her boyfriend just as I got back to the table, so I was saved from having to answer too many questions. If only Ben was as easily distracted, my life would be so much less complicated. Since I got home an hour and a half ago, he’s been hovering around me and asking incessant questions. My first-date nerves are already off the charts and his constant presence is only making it worse. I’m in the middle of applying lipstick in my bathroom when Ben pops up again, scaring me so much that I end up with a swipe of red going from the corner of my lips all the way across my cheek.“Ben! For god’s sake, leave me alone!” I say, whipping around to face him. I don’t use a particularly sisterly tone, but no hurt shows on his face. All I see is suspicion. “Where did you say you were going again?” he asks, c
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
My breath gets caught in my chest the moment I see James at the edge of the secluded street where he’s asking me to meet him. “Did you bring me here to murder me?” I ask, looking around. There is a disturbing lack of cars, or people, or lit windows, despite this being a residential neighborhood. James’ eyes go wide for a minute, and I want to laugh at how horrified he looks, but then the joke sinks in and he laughs. I guess I’m not the only one who was nervous about tonight. “No. There’s a really good Mexican restaurant nearby that I wanted to take you to nearby,” he says, nodding to twinkling lights that I can barely make out through the thick cluster of trees next to us.“A restaurant in the middle of nowhere?” I ask.“Just trust me,” he says, and the smile that was starting to pull my lips up falls.Trust him. Can he really expect me to do that, after all the shit he’s pulled with me? After the way his pack acts towards wolves like me? His alpha attacked me in public not
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
“You wish you were a rogue?” I whisper, leaning close to him because despite the chaos around us, I’m still worried someone will hear. “Why? Why would you wish that kind of hardship on yourself?”“Because I hate being tied to the pack. They dictate everything I do, everything I am. Ever since I became a beta, I feel like I’ve lost a huge piece of myself.”I feel for him, but I have to say my piece. “It’s still better than being a rogue. I’m always on high alert, waiting for an attack. Like the one today,” I say, and James flushes with embarrassment and guilt. “Sorry about that,” he says.“I didn’t bring it up to make you feel bad. I did it to prove a point. That people like me are vulnerable. I don’t have anyone other than Ben to look out for me, and our reliance on each other can make things…complicated. “Ben is your brother?” James asks. “Yeah. He’s great, but sometimes he gets so caught up in protecting me that I end up feeling suffocated. If we were part of a pack, we’d ha
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
I’m still giddy from James’ kiss and the success of our date when I open the door to the house half an hour later. When I walk into the living room, I breathe a sigh of relief because there’s no evidence Ben is home. Most of the lights are off, as is the TV, and I can’t even smell him. But when I walk up the stairs to go to my room, Ben pops out from behind the wall at the top of the stairs, and I scream. “Ben! What the hell!” I say, a hand on my chest to steady my heart, which feels like it’s going to jump right out of my ribcage. “Why were you hiding? Were you trying to scare me to death on purpose?”I’m expecting him to laugh and say yes, because he used to pull pranks like this all the time when we were kids. He’d sneak up on me when I wasn’t looking and laugh his head off when I shouted in surprise.He’s not laughing now. He’s glaring at me, looking more intimidating than I’ve ever seen him.“Ben? Are you going to answer me?”“Are you going to tell me where you actually
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
I’m nearing the end of my patrol shift when I hear a noise behind me. My mind immediately jumps to Isabel. Actually, it doesn’t even need to jump. It’s been on her for the last forty-eight hours, ever since our date ended.But while the noise is coming from a girl, it isn’t Isabel.It’s Christina. My ex. I have to swallow a groan at the sight of her. “Hey James,” she says, sidling up to me and assaulting me with her sickeningly sweet vanilla perfume. It’s so overpowering that I have to stifle a cough, and I long for Isabel’s subtle, signature scent. “Hey Chris,” I grumble, stepping away and trying to put as much distance as possible between us. “Miss me?” she asks, twirling one of her long blonde curls around her pointer finger.She knows the answer is “no,” because I told her after we broke up that I never wanted to see her again. It was a pipe dream, considering we’re part of the same pack, and she’s Ryan’s half-sister, but I’ve managed to avoid her for the last few mo
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Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED
DAMIENYears pass slowly when eternity is no longer in sight.Standing on the edge of the balcony of the bedroom I’ve shared with Isabel for five hundred years, I watch the lush lands in the distance. The demon realm has never prospered like this before. I’ve never been this content before.In the distance, I hear laughter and I look over to see two of my older sons carrying their sisters in their arms while my other daughter run after them, Cerebus trailing after them.I’ve had children before. I’ve watched them pass on. I still watch over their families. But this is different. This is more precious. Isabel has given me so many children and for once, I will not have to watch them die before me. Twenty strong children, half of whom are now leading their own lives, coming back to visit us. I have never once regretted sharing my life span. Now I get to enjoy my beautiful mate for centuries to come before we move on from this world. Speaking of my mate, I hear her voice.“Junip
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE
I clutch on to Damien’s still body as I see Balin’s body dissolve into nothing within seconds. There is hush across the battlefield as everyone stares in shock at what has just taken place.‘Justice.’The words echoes in everyone’s ears and then I see the realization hit the elves about what is coming to them. The begin to flee.But only if it was that easy.One by one, they fall, their deaths painful and horrific sights.The battle which had come to a halt because of Damien’s sacrifice has now been ended by the interference of the Gods. There is no guilt within me.There is just dark and vicious satisfaction.Let them burn. Let them feel what it is like.The whole thing is over within a couple of minutes and the silence stretches across the field.Finally, the Gods face me, ‘What do you wish from us?’My eyes flicker towards Damien and when I look up, the field is gone. Both me and Damien are in this white space that has no end.“The elves are gone,” I say with great di
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY EIGHT
My heart is filled with a broken pain that I can’t breathe past.They showed up. But they showed up too late.I’ve lost everything.Damien isn’t breathing. I pull out the spears one by one, ignoring the presence of the beings, tears falling down my face, my chest so tight with pain that I think it will burst. I can’t feel our mating bond!Oh, God! I can’t feel him anymore!The wail that rips from my throat at the realization that he’s left me all alone is a terrifying sound. The earth begins to shake as my grief grows out of control. These powers, these abilities, they’re useless to me!My heart is tearing out of my chest in my madness, the ground shaking.Let it all burn!Let them all die!‘Child.’The voice echoes in my head again and this time I look at those beings, my face ravaged with the tears of a broken woman.‘You cannot destroy these realms.’“I cannot?” I snarl, “Just who do you think you are to tell me what I can or cannot do?!”The more upset I am, th
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY SEVEN
Mara’s anticlimactic death has me reeling. But now is not the time to worry about that. I shift into my wolf form, attacking the enemy with a ruthlessness. It’s true what the witch said. My mating bond has increased my strength. I feel lighter on my feet as I wade through the elves like they’re ants. My speed is faster, although not to the level of that of Damien’s.I can feel some of my abilities leaking through but I’ve still not been able to access my abilities. I’m a little disappointed. I thought weakening the seal would have more of an impact but aside from this soft leakage of warm sensation, there is nothing else.I feel frustrated but I can’t do anything.Damien, though.Damien is stronger than I have ever seen. He’s cutting down the elves with speed, his focus sharp. His laughter is vicious and despite that, my heart flutters in my chest at how glorious he looks. I look at him and that is my mistake.You never allow yourself to get distracted on the battlefield.A
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY SIX
The troops are already waiting in their battle positions when we arrive.Damien brings me with him to the battlefield. He’s wearing a suit of dark armor and I feel tense, “The Rubab Stone-”“I’ll have to be more careful,” his voice is calm. “Last time I wasn’t as aware. This time I know I am not invincible.”“Damien,” my heart is twisting in my chest. “I-”He cups my cheek, his voice gentle, “I’ll be fine, little wolf. Just don’t leave your guards.”I know he would have preferred to stash me somewhere but it’s clear that he wants me close by. After so many traitors popping up after the first battle, it only makes sense.“Don’t let anybody catch you off guard,” he thrusts a sword into my hand. “Trust your instinct when you fight. They’re going to try and separate us. Let’s make sure that, that doesn’t happen.”I give him a small smile, feeling a sliver of hope on seeing his confidence.“Okay.”I get on my toes and press a sweet kiss to his mouth.We don’t get more time togethe
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY FIVE
“What is it?” “Something has happened in the demon realm,” he says, grimly, before looking down at my hand.I shake my head, “The pain is gone.”“Good, let’s go.”“Thank you,” I give the witch a weak smile, not knowing whether to actually be grateful or blame her for the wrong that has happened in my life. But it’s always a good idea to be graceful.She waves us off and I’m in Damien’s arms as he runs out of the cave, past the trees, towards the temple.“The portal-”“Caleb will open it when I give the signal,” he’s not even out of breath as he rushes down the temple where the shrine gates are.As we move towards the town, I grab his shoulder, “Wait! What is that?!”The sky is orange.“How long were we inside?” I mutter. “Is the sun rising?”“No,” Damien says after a long moment. “It’s fire. The town has been set on fire.”“We have to help-”But Damien holds me back, “Look.”For a moment, I don’t understand what he is saying. And then I see the arrows shooting within the
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY FOUR
“There has to be something someone can do,” I ask, forcing my voice to stay calm, despite the roiling fear inside of me.The witch’s voice is kind now, “I’m afraid not. You’re not the first who has tried to seek a way to undo the curse.”It’s hard to keep my tears at bay. The tears are not of sadness but rather of the crippling fear of the unknown future that awaits me. At this point, I am already aware of the nature of the painful deaths a majority of the Righs faced. It was just physical pain they had to go through, that would have been fine. Horrifying as it may be, one can tolerate that to an extent. But seeing your loved ones be tortured? The mental anguish is not something I will be able to take any longer. My suffering may be different from that of the previous Righs. It may not even compare. But for me, it is enough. I am reaching my breaking point. There are so many people in my life that I now care about, so many people who can be used against me. It frightens me to th
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY THREE
The witch studies me, “There have been numerous prophecies recorded about the Righs over time but there was one that was recorded by a Righ who was born to a Seer and a witch. You can call it a curse or a prophecy.”I instantly remember what I saw. The memory of the battlefield. The woman who was held down, screaming.My blood turns to ice as I recall that memory. It still gives me nightmares. “The downfall of the elves. From the hands of the weakest of the Righs. And right now,” the witch looks at me, “no offence, but you are the weakest Righ there is.”I’m being hit by so many curveballs that getting my feelings hurt is at the bottom of the list right now.“It’s funny that you think I’m going to bring about the downfall of the elves when I can’t even protect myself or use my abilities.”My voice is tight with barely restrained anger.“The stars have aligned and the stars have never lied before,” the witch says, easily. “The time is drawing nearer for the final battle.”I don
Rejected by the Beta CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY TWO
I feel my knees turn weak, “What?”“But you created the seal!” Damien snaps. “You should be able to break it!”“Logically, yes,” the witch says, calmly. “But this seal is special. It draws its power through sacrifice of fate. Those spells are impossible to break.”A shutter falls over Damien’s face, “What have you done?”I look between the two feeling like I’m in the dark, “What does she mean? What do you mean by a sacrifice of fate?”The witch studies me and for the first time, I see a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes for me, “I don’t think you want to know the answer to that.”I push past Damien, “I do. What do you mean a sacrifice of fate?! Whose fate?!”She looks at Damien before meeting my gaze, “The Righ is a powerful entity. You think it was easy for even somebody like me to be able to contain your powers? No. If I had used a normal spell, as strong as I might have tried to make it, it would have broken against your powers. I needed something stronger. Something that woul
