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CHAPTER THIRTY

Author: Bella Lore
last update Last Updated: 2023-01-07 17:31:27
I sprint as fast as I can, but their growls are so close that I can feel their hot breath on my fur. Teeth nip at my heels as I make a harsh right turn. It doesn’t work like I’d hoped; I don’t run away from the wolves, I run into them.

Seven of them, all crowded in a circle and ready to pounce on me the second my fur touches theirs.

Mouths grab my paws and I’m flipped onto my back, the starry night barely visible above me. My heart is racing and I can’t breathe, can’t think.

All I feel, all I am is fear.

I whine as they drag me across the dead leaves and fallen branches. I try to lift my snout to smell for James, but one of the wolves whacks me on the nose.

Tears form in my eyes from the sharp hurt, and I hate that they’ve reduced me to a whimpering animal

Someone must have slipped something into the water they gave me when we arrived at their compound, because when I wake up, it’s morning.

I’m lying on a thin mattress in a cold white room without windows. My clothes are to
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  • Rejected by the Beta   CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

    “You know, I wish you weren’t my mate,” I say, once we’re out of earshot of the others. I’d like to say it in front of everyone. I want everyone to know my true feelings about him. I want everyone to know what a coward James is. But I still won’t stoop that low.For James, it’s not just his pride on the line. It’s also his place in the pack that’s at risk. And though I resent him for not choosing me, I still begrudgingly respect what he chose. I won’t take that from him. “I wish I never met you,” I continue.The words sound wrong. They feel clunky and awful on my lips. They feel like flimsy lies I’m saying to try to make myself feel better, but it’s true. James has caused me nothing but hurt and trouble.I can see the hurt on his face as I fling these words at him. But he deserves it. He deserves to feel the intense pain he has put me through.“You let me down every single time you get the chance to,” I say. “And I’m so done with dealing with you. Don’t you ever try to tell me

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  • Rejected by the Beta   CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

    “I’ll be back to talk with you again later,” Ryan says as he leaves the room. I try not to show my fear, but I do feel it. I wish I didn’t. I hate this sick feeling in my stomach that tells me something is wrong, that begs me to find a way out of this impossible situation.I am afraid though. I don’t know what they do to rogues. If the treatment I received on my way here was anything to base my future on, I’m in big trouble. Still, I remain strong.I don’t respond as Ryan walks away. James follows him without a response as well. And I’m left alone again.It’s not torture, of course. Not in the literal sense and I’m grateful for that. But the boredom, the sameness is a certain kind of torment. There’s nothing here to do except think about what’s going to come next and what has happened.There’s nothing to do but think of James for hours upon end. To think of how much I love him and hate him. He betrayed me and yet I still feel drawn to him and I hate myself for it.I resume exerc

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  • Rejected by the Beta   CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

    I’m led through familiar hallways, back into the Alpha’s office. I suspect he’s going to interrogate me further and that the claim there was a guest here to see me was a lie to get me to come here without fighting. Once I enter the office though, I see my brother at Ryan’s desk. He stands and he doesn’t seem concerned or upset at all. Has our relationship fallen apart so much that he doesn’t even care that I’m a prisoner?As he looks at me, I realize something though. He is upset. But he’s mostly upset with me, and the concern is hidden in an attempt to make this seem much simpler than it is. I’m in for a lecture when I get home.“Getting yourself in trouble again, I see,” Ben says, with the smile I’ve known since we were children. He shakes his head. “I knew you were up to something, Isabel. You can’t fool me, you know. We know each other too well for that.”“I know you’ve been up to something too,” I counter. Maybe now’s not the time, but I won’t let him get away with putting

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  • Rejected by the Beta   CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

    “Please,” Ben says, with a certain pleading in his voice that I’ve never heard before, “we’re all each other has left. Don’t blame us for what our parents did. They aren’t influences in our life anymore. We aren’t them.”I almost come out of my seat to attack him for that comment. How dare he say something like that about our parents? He’s making it sound like they did something wrong. When I know they haven’t done anything wrong. How could he sell them out like that?The tone of his voice stops me though. Ben is truly worried. He’s vulnerable right now. It wasn’t easy for him to say that. And it’s not easy for me to see my brother like this.So, I don’t say anything. We all sit there and wait for Ryan’s decision. Because this is my fault. I have to trust Ben and what he’s deciding to do to fix this. I’m thankful he’s even here.“Okay,” Ryan says finally. “I’ll let her go with you. I won’t keep her here. But I better not see her around here again.”Ryan turns to me in that command

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  • Rejected by the Beta   CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

    “I can’t stay here,” I say. “I need to get out of this house.”Ben’s face pales. “I’m sorry,” I continue. “I love you, but I need a break from all of this. It’s too much. I can’t stay here. I need to get away for a little bit.”I run upstairs because I can’t keep looking at this brother I don’t recognize. It hurts being so close to someone only to have things change like that. He’s here, but I’ve lost him. I’ve lost James. I lost my parents and now I realize I didn’t know them fully either.So, where do I go from here? I keep losing people. It seems like I don’t have a place to fit.Then, I realize there’s still someone left, of course. My best friend is the only person who I’m not having so much drama with. And I know she’ll be willing to listen to everything and give me advice.I don’t even know that I need advice right now though. I’m not sure advice could really help me. There’s not much I can do about everything, but the listening part would be nice. And I really do need

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  • Rejected by the Beta   CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

    “Why don’t you guys eat together and I’ll go up to my room?” Sharon suggests. “There’s plenty there for an extra person. Are you hungry, James?”“Starving,” he admits.“I don’t want to do that to you in your own house though,” I protest.“No need to worry about that,” Sharon says, as she goes into the dining room and grabs her food. “There’s a show I’ve been meaning to catch up on anyway. Don’t mind me.”Sharon grabs her food and leaves while James goes into the kitchen and fixes himself a plate. We sit at the table and face each other as if we aren’t nearly as closely bonded as we are.“Food is a good idea, I guess,” I say. “Better to discuss things while we’re not hangry. But I’m still not sure what needs to be discussed.“I feel like you made yourself clear when you didn’t stand up for me, when you acted like you didn’t even know me when we were in front of your pack.“And I get it’s tough with you being a Beta. That’s why I haven’t pushed it as much before. But when my freed

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  • Rejected by the Beta   CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

    Ryan’s warning sticks in my mind for the rest of my shift.Stay away from James.There is something about that threat though that sticks to me even deeper than most would. Because there was feeling behind those woods. He truly means it.He knows there’s something between James and I. He knows and he hates it. And it’d be so stupid and dangerous to meet with James tonight, even though I already agreed to.Ryan has shown his loyalties of course lie with James. If we’re caught, I’m the one who’s going to pay the highest price. Yet, I still take extra time getting ready that night. I pick out a simple, light blue dress that I hope will catch the moonlight. I do my hair. I apply light makeup.“You’re really going to meet with him after everything?” Sharon asks, as she looks me over.“I have to,” I say. “Despite everything, he is my mate. I have to go to him. I’m drawn to him. It feels like fate. And I did already agree to meet with him.”She shakes her head in disapproval but she d

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  • Rejected by the Beta   CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

    “It’s them,” I say. “I recognize that howl from when they captured me before. It’s them. It’s their pack.”I panic. Did James set me up? Is that why they’re coming? Did I put myself and Ben in danger because I was blinded to the kind of person James really is?“Maybe they’re not after us,” Ben says, though his voice is hitched in worry. He scans the trees around us.It’s all too clear they’re coming though. The howls are getting closer. They’re going to find us and who knows what they’re going to do to us this time.“Hide,” Ben orders in a low voice. “I’ll distract them. You hide.”“I can’t let you do that,” I protest. “This is happening because of me. I can’t…”“I mean it, Isabel,” he interrupts me. “You need to listen. I’m dead serious about this and I’m not going to fight you on it.“I’m faster. I’m stronger. I’m your older brother and I’ve already done so much to protect and take care of you. Don’t let that be in vain now. I need you to hide.”I think of everything he’s tol

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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

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