THE ONE WHO REJECTED ME
The name hung in the air like a dark cloud.
Rowan frowned immediately.
“Kael?”
But the Alpha King’s eyes had already hardened.
Aria felt her chest tighten as the scent grew stronger.
There was no mistake.
She would recognize that scent anywhere.
Kael.
Her former mate.
The one who rejected her.
Her wolf stirred uneasily.
Why is he here?
Aria wished she knew.
Her heart began beating faster, but this time it wasn’t fear.
It was anger.
Old wounds she thought she had buried began to open again.
The night he rejected her flashed through her mind.
His cold eyes.
His cruel words.
The way the entire pack had watched her humiliation.
Her fists slowly clenched.
Rowan glanced between them.
“You know this Alpha?”
Aria let out a quiet breath.
“Yes.”
The Alpha King’s voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge beneath it.
“He’s the one who rejected you.”
It wasn’t a question.
Aria nodded slowly.
Rowan’s eyebrows lifted in surprise.
“That idiot rejected a Shadow Bloodline heir?”
Aria gave a dry laugh.
“He didn’t know.”
Rowan shook his head.
“Well… he’ll regret that.”
A low growl suddenly echoed from the forest behind them.
Footsteps approached through the trees.
Heavy.
Confident.
Unafraid.
Aria’s wolf growled softly inside her mind.
He’s coming.
The Alpha King stepped slightly closer to Aria, placing himself between her and the forest.
His protective stance didn’t go unnoticed.
Within seconds, a tall figure stepped out from between the trees.
Kael.
He looked exactly the same.
Tall.
Strong.
Dark hair falling slightly across his forehead.
But his expression was very different from the last time Aria saw him.
Shock filled his face.
His eyes locked onto her immediately.
“Aria…”
Her stomach twisted.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Kael took a slow step forward.
“You’re alive.”
Aria raised an eyebrow.
“Were you expecting me not to be?”
Kael ignored the sarcasm.
His eyes searched her face like he was seeing her for the first time.
“You disappeared.”
She crossed her arms.
“You rejected me.”
His jaw tightened slightly.
“I had my reasons.”
Aria laughed softly.
“Oh, I remember your reasons.”
Her voice turned cold.
“You said I was weak.”
Kael looked away briefly.
“You didn’t have a wolf.”
“And that made me worthless?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
The silence between them grew tense.
Rowan shifted slightly but stayed quiet.
The Alpha King hadn’t moved at all.
His golden eyes remained fixed on Kael.
Finally, Kael noticed him.
His gaze sharpened instantly.
“And you are?”
The Alpha King’s voice was calm but firm.
“That’s not important.”
Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Standing that close to her makes it very important.”
Aria sighed.
“Kael, stop.”
But the tension between the two Alphas had already started building.
Kael stepped forward again.
“Why are you with him?”
Aria stared at him.
“Why do you care?”
His voice lowered.
“Because you’re my—”
He stopped himself.
The Alpha King’s eyes flashed dangerously.
“Finish that sentence.”
Kael’s jaw clenched.
But he didn’t speak.
Aria’s wolf growled quietly.
He doesn’t get to claim you now.
Aria agreed.
Slowly, she stepped forward until she was standing beside the Alpha King.
Her shoulder brushed lightly against his arm.
Kael noticed immediately.
His eyes darkened.
“What is this?”
Aria lifted her chin slightly.
“You rejected me, remember?”
“Yes.”
“So you don’t get to question my life anymore.”
Kael’s voice hardened.
“You don’t understand what’s happening.”
Aria let out a tired breath.
“Oh, I understand perfectly.”
Her eyes turned cold.
“You made your choice.”
The forest became silent again.
Kael looked between them both.
Then his gaze slowly dropped to their hands.
The Alpha King’s hand was resting lightly on Aria’s wrist.
Protective.
Possessive.
Kael’s wolf stirred violently beneath his skin.
“I can smell it,” he said quietly.
Aria frowned.
“Smell what?”
His eyes burned as he looked at the Alpha King.
“The bond.”
Aria’s breath caught.
Kael’s voice turned sharp.
“You found your mate.”
The Alpha King didn’t deny it.
Instead, he simply said—
“Yes.”
Kael’s expression darkened instantly.
Then his gaze snapped back to Aria.
“You can’t accept that.”
Her eyebrows rose.
“And why not?”
His voice lowered dangerously.
“Because you’re already mine.” ????