All Chapters of Rejected Not Forsaken: The Alpha King's Beloved: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Out in the cool evening air, I took in a shaky breath, trying to shake off the lingering dread.Kane’s words haunted me, each one sinking like claws into my mind.The way he’d looked at me, as if I were nothing more than an asset, something to be transferred in a transaction. It left me feeling more trapped than ever.Just then, a hand caught my arm, and I turned, my heart racing. But it was only James, his eyes filled with worry.“I heard everything,” he murmured, his voice rough. “Are you alright?”I managed a weak nod, though I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze. “I just… I don’t understand any of this. I’m not supposed to be something to trade. I shouldn’t even be here, caught in the middle of this mess.”James’s expression softened, and he pulled me into a tight embrace. “You’re not a pawn, Layla,” he whispered fiercely. “And I won’t let anyone treat you like one. Not Kane, not Zara, not anyone.”I felt the tension in my chest ease just a bit as I buried my face against his s

As soon as Kane disappeared from sight, I felt a mix of relief and lingering anger twisting in my chest.James turned to me, his face a mirror of my frustration.“Are you alright?” he asked softly, his hand resting protectively on my shoulder.I nodded, but the feeling of dread remained. “He’s determined to get what he wants, James. This isn’t just an alliance to him, it’s a power move. And Aiden…” I hesitated, the painful truth gnawing at me. “Aiden’s considering it.”James’s expression hardened. “Aiden’s blinded by his duty to the pack, but he’s not seeing the full picture. Kane’s alliance is a trap, he’d exploit every weakness he could find here.”I looked away, hating the turmoil in my heart. For all his faults, Aiden wasn’t heartless, he was bound by the weight of his responsibilities as Alpha. But he didn’t see what Kane was capable of, and I couldn’t rely on him to protect me from the very alliance he thought would save the pack.“What if he does choose the pack?” I murmured, t

The next few days in the forest were challenging but strangely exhilarating.Each morning brought new paths to explore, and for the first time, I felt in control of my own life.James and I moved quickly, finding shelter wherever we could and relying on his knowledge of the wilderness to avoid detection.But there was always the lingering threat of the rogues. We’d hear whispers of movement in the trees, catch glimpses of shadows slinking between branches.James kept reassuring me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that they were growing bolder, as if they knew exactly who we were, and that we were far from safe.One evening, as we were setting up camp by a quiet stream, James’s face grew serious. He kept glancing over his shoulder, his usual easy confidence replaced by a tense, watchful stance.“Layla, I don’t like the feeling out here tonight. Something’s close,” he murmured, gripping my hand.I nodded, feeling a prickle of dread. We decided to stay on the move, hoping to shake off a

“I’ll be strong,” I said, more to myself than to him.Kane’s gaze softened for a moment, a flicker of something almost like respect passing over his face. “And that’s what I need.” he said.We shared a long, silent look, a new kind of understanding settling between us. As we returned to the main hall, I felt a pair of eyes on me, Aiden’s. He was standing with Zara, her hand linked possessively through his arm, but his gaze was locked on me, a flicker of something dark and simmering in his eyes. Jealousy? Regret? A mixture of emotions I couldn’t place, but they burned into me like a brand.Kane noticed Aiden’s stare and didn’t hesitate to place a hand on the small of my back, guiding me forward with a touch that was both possessive and protective. I felt a thrill of defiance rise within me, my chin lifting slightly as I met Aiden’s gaze. He had made his choice. He had rejected me, chosen Zara, turned his back on whatever bond we once shared. And yet, here he was, watching me wit

The days following the battle were filled with a strange mixture of camaraderie and tension.I had taken a stand, and while it had earned me a measure of respect, it had also shifted the dynamics between Kane, Aiden, and myself in ways I was still grappling to understand.I found myself spending more time with Kane.He was an exceptional leader, and his determination to protect the pack was infectious.I also often caught myself glancing at Aiden during meetings, his eyes clouded with conflicting emotions as he navigated his role as Alpha while still grappling with the fallout from our past.I could see the weight of his choices pressing down on him, and a part of me felt sympathy for the position he found himself in, caught between duty to his pack and the bond that still lingered for me.One afternoon, as I practiced in the training yard, I felt a familiar gaze on me. I turned to find Aiden standing at the edge of the clearing, watching me with an intensity that made my heart race.