A pack of mulcasts and rejects, led by an Alpha with delusions of grandeur,” Leon continued, his Mae eyes fixed on me with ufortable Intensity. To that truly where you belong, <b>Skye</b>?”
“Alpha Leon.” Ethon began, ‘I was just—”
“I heard.” Leon rut him off. “And let me make something perfectly clear. Frustshadow would never ept a traitor back into its ranks. No matter what.”
Before I could respond, a curvaceous woman in a dress that left little to the imagination sidled up to Leon. Her red lips curved into a seductive smile as she ced a hand on his chest.
“Ive been noticing you for a while<b>, </b>Alpha,” she purred, leaning closer. “Buy a girl a drink?”
To my surprise, <b>Leon </b>didn’t rebuff her. Instead, his aim slipped around her <b>waist</b>, pulling her against his side. Without another word to us, he led her toward the bar, her gigglingughter trailing behind them.
“What was that?” I demanded, turning back to Ethan. “Leon’s acting like he doesn’t e picking <b>up </b>random women in bars<b>?</b>”
even <b>have </b>a mate. He rejected me for shooting him, but he’s okay with
Ethan’s expression grew serious. That’s just it, Skye. Lean hasn’t found another mate <b>since </b>you left. There’s been no one.”
“What? But its b
But it’s been four years I protested, watching Leon whisper something <b>in </b><b>the </b>woman’s ear that <b>made </b>herugh. “He acts like he doesn’t care at all.”
“Thats just it–he acts,” Ethan replied quietly. “Leon hasn’t been the <b>same </b>since you left. He’s harder, colder. Throws himself into training and pack duties.”
<b>I </b><b>decided </b>to change the subject. “Tell me more about Mom and Dad. Hose are they really doing? You said Moms
s been gardening?
As Ethan began sharing <b>more </b>details about our parents‘ lives, I <b>nced </b>toward the har. Leon <b>and </b>the woman were already gone.
I tried to <b>focus </b>on Ethan’s stories <b>about </b><b>Dad’s </b>new fishing boat and Mom’s prizewinning roses, but a part of my mind kept wandering.<fna2a6> Original content can be found at find?novel</fna2a6>
After a while, a sudden, sharp painnced through my chest. I gasped, pressing my hand <b>against </b>my sternum<b>. </b>
<b>“</b><b>Skye</b>? What’s wrong?” Ethan’s concerned voice reached me <b>as </b>another wave of pain washed over me, stealing my breath.
Something was wrong
I clutched at my sternum, feeling as though invisible ws were bearing at something deep <b>inside </b>me.
“Skyet Ethan’s voice sounded distant despite his proximity. His hands gripped my shoulders as I <b>doubled </b>over. “What’s happening?”
“I don’t know,” I gasped, the words barely escaping through gritted teeth.
I’m taking you to our room. We brought our pack dorter with us thepetition–be can examine you.”
I shook my head, trying to straighten despite the waves of pain crashing through my body. “No, I should go <b>back </b>to my own hotel. I’m not part of Frostshadow anymore.”
“<b>This </b>isn’t the time to worry about pack loyalties/ Ethan insisted<b>, </b><b>his </b>voice firm but gentle. “The first trial starts tomorrow. You might not bepeting, but Alpha Adrian will <b>need </b>his Beta at full strength. <b>You </b>can’t let him face the Guardian Beast while worrying about <b>you</b>.“
The mention of Adrian made me hesitate. I couldn’t let personal difort interfere with our purpose here. After a moment’s consideration, I nodded reluctantly
Fine. But just a quick eumination.”
Without wring, Ethan scooped sta
bil back a cay.
“Sorry<b>,</b>” he marmured, adjusting his hold to support me morefortably.
When we reached Ethan’s rem, he carefully deposited me on the bed. The moment I crossed the threshold, something strange happened–the pan <b>in </b>Toy chest intensified dramatically.
<b>“</b><b>Its </b>worse I gasped, curling ento my side. “Why is it worse?”
Ethan’s brow furrowed with concern. The doctor will be here any minute,” he promised, sitting beside me and taking my hand. “Tott hold on.”
True to his word, a sharp knock sounded at the door less than five minutester. Ellian admitted a middle–aged man with salt and pepper hair <b>and </b>intelligent eyes behind wire–rimmed sses.
“This is Dr. Kingsley.” Ethan introduced. “Do you still remember him?”
I nodded
The doctor approached with a professional smile, setting his <b>medical </b>bag on the nightstand. “Ms. Anderson, I understand you’re experiencing some chest pain. Can you describe the sensation for me<b>?</b><b>” </b>
I did my best to exin the tearing, burning feeling centered directly behind my sternum. Dr. Kingsley listened attentively, asionally nodding as he checked my pulse and examined my eyes.
“No <b>fever</b><b>,</b>” he noted, removing the <b>stethoscope </b>from my chest. Heart rate is elevated but not dangerously <b>so</b><b>. </b>Breathing sounds clear.” He continued <b>his </b>examination methodically<b>, </b>testing my reflexes and palpating gently around the painful area.
After several minutes of careful assessment, <b>he </b><b>sat </b>back with a puzzled expression. Physically, everything seems normal. No signs of poisoning or injury that I can detect
“<b>But </b>the pain is real.” I insisted. “It feels like something’s breaking inside me.
Dr. Kingsley’s expression shifted to one of careful consideration. “M. Anderson, where is your mate at the moment?”
The question caught me off guard. “I don’t have one,” I replied automatically. “Well, I mean, I’m seeing someone currently, but <b>he’s </b>not my <b>mate</b>.”
The doctor’s eyebrows rose significantly. “Not your mate? Are you <b>certain</b>?”
<b>“</b><b>Of </b>course I’m certain,” I said, what defensively. “Leon rejected me years ago, you know”
Dr. Kingsley frowned, rubbing h
his chin thoughtfully. “This is most unusual. The symptoms you’re describing are ssic signs of mate–hond distress, typically triggered when one’s mate is being unfaithful or forming an intimate connection with another.
“That’s impossible,” I insisted. “Like <b>I </b><b>said</b>, I don’t have a mate.”
“Could <b>your </b>partner be
<b>be </b><b>your </b><b>true </b>
<b>true </b>mate
te without your knowledge?” the doctor pressed. “Sometimes the bond forms gradually, especially in cases where there s been previous trauma to the mating instinct.”
I shook my <b>head </b>firmly. “No, <b>Adrian </b>and I both know were not mates. We’ve discussed it explicitly.
Dr. Kingsley’s frown deepened. <b>Then </b>I’m at a loss to exin your symptoms. There’s nothing <b>physically </b>wrong with you–no poison, no injury, no illness. Yet your body is reacting exactly as if your mate bond is bring vited.
A troubling thought suddenly urred to me. ” it could it be possible to have a second mate?” I asked hesitantly. “A second chance after rejection?”
The doctor’s eyes widened slightly. “It’s rare, but not unheard of. The Moon Goddess asionally grants a second <b>mate </b>to those who have suffered rejection.“ He studied me with renewed interest: “Ms. Anderson, is it possible your second chance mate is here, at the Alpha King election?”
The possibility hat me like a physical blow. In all our preparations for thepetition, I had worried about Adrian potentially meeting his true <b>mate </b><b>among </b>the gathered packs.
Chapter <b>107 </b>
Not once had I considered that I might find my nun second chance mate here.
Chapter Comments
Jamie DeWitt
yeah… but you didn’t ept it.. soooo…