All Chapters of Alpha Hugo - The Forced Rejection: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Sarai couldn’t shake the memory of Hugo—the way his intense gaze had pierced through her, and the soft yet commanding tone in his voice when he’d said her name. Even as she busied herself in the bakery the next morning, her thoughts drifted back to the forest. Who was he, really? And why had his presence felt both threatening and protective?She kneaded dough with a practiced rhythm, her hands moving automatically while her mind wandered. Hugo’s eyes had held a strange contradiction—wild and untamed yet filled with a depth that unsettled her. She thought of the way he’d asked her name, as if it meant something to him, as if she wasn’t just some stranger trespassing on his territory.More than that, there was something unexplainable—an ache that stirred within her when their eyes met. It wasn’t fear, though it tingled at the edges, nor was it comfort. It was... connection. Like some invisible thread had tied her to him, and with each step she took away from that forest, it only grew tau

The bakery was quiet as the last customer left for the evening. Sarai moved through the space, tidying up the countertops and sweeping the floor. The warm, buttery scent of baked goods still lingered in the air, mingling with the faint coolness seeping through the windows. She hummed softly to herself, a rare moment of peace settling over her.Outside, the streetlights cast long shadows across the cobblestones. Unbeknownst to Sarai, those shadows concealed a figure watching her every move. Hugo stood at the edge of the forest, his heightened senses fixed on her. He couldn’t explain why he was here, only that the pull toward her was impossible to ignore. The glow of the bakery windows framed her figure as she moved gracefully, unaware of his presence.As Sarai turned the lock on the front door, a movement in the periphery of her vision made her pause. She frowned, peering into the dimly lit street. “Hello?” she called, her voice steady despite the unease creeping up her spine.No answer

The drive back to the Ocean Crest pack house was heavy with unspoken words. Sarai sat in the passenger seat of Hugo’s Jeep, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as though trying to ward off the icy tendrils of fear clinging to her. Outside, the dark forest blurred into a sea of shadows, but her focus was inward—on the turmoil of her racing thoughts.Though the vehicle’s heater hummed softly, enveloping the cabin in warmth, Sarai couldn’t shake the chill that had settled deep within her chest. It wasn’t just fear; it was the echo of something primal, something awakened when Hugo had stood between her and Bruce, his power unfurling like a storm.Hugo’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white, the tension in his frame radiating through the vehicle. He hadn’t said much since they’d left the bakery, but his presence filled the space—an overwhelming mixture of protectiveness and barely restrained anger.His sea-green eyes flicked toward her briefly, assessing,

Hugo climbed the stairs from his study, his footsteps heavy as the conversation with Zeke replayed in his mind. His thoughts, clouded by uncertainty and a lingering ache he couldn’t name, settled on Sarai. He needed to check on her—to see for himself that she was okay.When he reached her room, the door was ajar. A cold gust of air swept into the hallway, raising the hair on the back of his neck. Panic gripped him as he stepped inside, his sea-green eyes scanning the empty space. The bed was untouched, her belongings gone.“Sarai?” he called, his voice echoing in the silence.The house seemed unnaturally quiet. Hugo turned sharply, his mind racing. Where would she have gone? Why?“Alpha,” a young voice broke through his frantic thoughts. Hugo turned to see a young wolf standing at the end of the hall, his expression anxious. “I saw her outside.”“Where?” Hugo demanded, his tone sharper than he intended.The young wolf flinched but answered quickly. “She’s getting into a cab. She’s leav

The door slammed shut, muffling the sound of the rain as it pounded against the windows of Hugo’s room. The dim light from a single bedside lamp cast a warm glow over the space, illuminating the deep mahogany furniture, the soft, inviting bed draped in dark gray linens, and the shelves lined with well-worn books. The scent of cedarwood lingered faintly in the air, mingling with the storm’s crispness that had followed them inside. The room felt like an extension of Hugo himself—strong, warm, and full of hidden depths—creating an intimacy that made the moment even more charged. The warm glow caressed their faces, highlighting the tension and urgency between Hugo and Sarai.Hugo set her down slowly, his hands lingering at her waist as he gazed into her sapphire-blue eyes. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breath mingling with his as they stood so close, their bodies still brushing from the intensity of their embrace.Neither spoke. Words felt unnecessary, even intrusive, in the moment.