All Chapters of Return of The Rejected Omega : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

My steps slowed as we approached the heavy oak doors. Memories flooded back—standing before the council at sixteen, being told I was a disgrace for failing to shift; my father's cold eyes as he suggested selling me to an allied pack to "at least get some use" out of me.Silas noticed my hesitation. "You don't have to do this," he said quietly. "I can postpone—""No," I cut him off, squaring my shoulders. "I'm not that scared girl anymore. Let's get this over with."I strode forward and pushed open the doors before he could say another word.The council chamber was much as I remembered it—a large circular room with a vaulted ceiling, a round table at its center where the council members sat, and a single chair facing them for whoever was being questioned. The walls were lined with pack history—tapestries depicting great battles, shelves holding ancient texts, ancestral weapons mounted in display cases.Eight people sat at the table, all of whom I recognized. The three elders—Clara, Vin

I made my way outside, needing fresh air after the confrontation. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees as I walked the grounds, deliberately avoiding the more populated areas. Eventually, I found myself at the edge of the forest, staring at the path that led to the old clearing where Bella and I used to meet.A sudden wave of nostalgia hit me, followed closely by bitter anger. Bella. My supposed best friend who had betrayed me when I needed her most. Who had lied to protect the boys who attacked me.Without consciously deciding to, I found myself walking the familiar path into the woods. The trail was overgrown now, less used than it had been in years past, but I could have found my way blindfolded.The clearing looked smaller than I remembered—a roughly circular space surrounded by tall pines, with a fallen log serving as a bench on one side. How many afternoons had Bella and I spent here, trading secrets and dreams? How many times had I confided in her about my feelings for

I took a step closer, studying her more carefully now. Her sleeves were long despite the warm evening, and now that I was looking for them, I could see the edge of a bruise peeking out at her wrist. The concealer around her left eye was slightly heavier than the right, covering what was likely another bruise.Something in me shifted—not forgiveness, not yet, but the first small crack in the wall of hatred I'd built around memories of Bella."Why tell me this now?" I asked, my voice softer than before. "Why risk angering him by coming to me?"She met my eyes directly for the first time. "Because I think I know why you're connected to the curse. And I think I know why Silver Claw took Angela."That got my full attention. "How would you know anything about that?""I'm the pack historian now," she explained. "Have been for three years. I have access to the oldest records, texts most members never see. And I've been researching since the curse began.""And?" I prompted when she paused.Bel

I made it back to my room on autopilot, barely registering the pack members I passed in the halls. Once inside, I locked the door and leaned against it, trying to steady my breathing.Silas's confession played on repeat in my mind. Not just his admission of cowardice in rejecting me, but the raw vulnerability in his voice when he'd spoken of not being able to bear a world without me in it.'He speaks truth,' Rona observed. 'His scent was clean. No deception.'"That doesn't mean I forgive him," I whispered.'No,' she agreed. 'But truth is rare. We should acknowledge it when we find it.'I pushed away from the door and moved to the window, drawing back the curtains to look out at the night. The moon was waxing, nearly full, its silver light bathing the territory in an ethereal glow.In three nights, it would be full. The pull was already stronger than usual, Rona more present, more aware. The wolfsbane I'd been taking for years to suppress her was wearing off faster here, in pack territ

I knocked softly on the door, straining my enhanced senses for any sign of danger. Nothing seemed amiss—just the normal sounds of a forest morning and Bella's light footsteps approaching the door.It opened a crack, and her surprised face appeared in the gap. "Stella? What are you doing here? We said noon.""We need to talk. Now," I said urgently. "Can I come in?"She glanced past me, spotting Silas at the edge of the clearing. Her eyes widened, but she stepped back, opening the door fully. "Yes, of course."I entered quickly, Silas following moments later. The cabin's interior was simple but cozy—a small living area with worn but clean furniture, a kitchen to one side, and doors leading to what I assumed were a bedroom and bathroom."What's happening?" Bella asked, her hand moving protectively to her swollen belly. "Is something wrong?"I surveyed the cabin, checking for any signs of intrusion or surveillance. "Is there somewhere we can talk privately? Somewhere that can't be overhea