Page 35 of Betrayed By the Alpha Wolf

Forrest nodded with a shrug. “Potentially, yeah. This says that it was recorded several times in the ancient packs that a rejection burn could be healed if the mates worked out their differences and repaired it.”

“Wait, that suggests that mates don’t have to end up together. That it’s not guaranteed.”

He nodded again, and when I looked over at Willow, she just shrugged.

“Don’t look at me. I’m the scientist. I look for precedence regarding physical evidence and documented accounts. Not legends.”

“No, Kenzie. I don’t believe that mates are guaranteed. I think it’s like every other relationship. This same source text also suggests that mates can be developed over time. Like it might not be clear for years, but then suddenly someone just knows because the affection and connection has grown.”

I thought about Grayson, the way we’d been around each other for years before I knew he was my mate. I’d always just assumed it was because we were both so young, which Isupposed could still be part of it. Still, this new information suggested that Grayson and I hadbecomeeach other’s mates.

Because we wanted it that way.

And if it was rekindling…

“Does the book say how the bond is strengthened again after a rejection?”

“Yeah,” Forrest pointed to a section of the page, reading off the words he’d apparently already memorized, “it says,

The burn of rejection—our worst pain among V?lva and shifters alike—can travel with a wounded mate for the rest of their days, but it need not be a permanent fate. Rekindling the spark of connection can develop when one or both of the mates recognize the other as theirs once more. Continued time and intercourse with one another brighten the dim light. Experiencing a flux together—the giving and receiving of sacred aid—together with the mating bite will eradicate it.”

My jaw dropped, and that swelling nausea kicked up again. Still, even as I felt like everything was crumbling around me, I couldn’t help but notice that the pain I’d been feeling since Grayson’s rejection was all but gone, the barest hint remaining.

“The ceremony,” I mumbled, sliding the book back into Forrest’s hands.

“The ceremony? What do you mean?”

“I was revealed as Grayson’s mate during that ceremony. I saw something. A…light. It was impossible to ignore, and even for just a second…I admitted to myself again that Grayson was mine. That started this.”

“And it looks like,” Willow added, “that being around a mate can pull out a wolf’s heat, particularly if emotions are running strong.”

A sharp bite of laughter left me—humorless and exhausted.

“Well, fucking great. I was staying in his room because of the Alpha trials. And my heat started. Great. Amazing. Fantastic.”

My sarcasm wasn’t lost on either of the other wolves, and Forrest put the book back on the table and took the now-warm ice pack from me. Willow stood up, walking across the room to her medical equipment.

“We’ll keep looking into things for you, but I think it’s pretty clear by now how all this happened. If you don’t want to go through with—”

“Whoa,” I held up my hands to stop her words, “I’m not there yet. I’m still processing, thank you.”

“Sure. Whatever you need, MacKenzie.”

It was still a bit tight, but I knew this was Willow’s attempt to be supportive. I did like her, and I’d been glad that these two had been around for Kit’s pregnancy.

“Thank you. I…Fuck, I think for now, I just need tothinkabout everything. Just…don’t tell Grayson. I’ll do it myself. When the time is right.”

Willow walked over from busying herself with her devices, and Forrest came up along my other side.

“Of course. Doctor-patient confidentiality.”

Forrest eyed Willow before rolling his eyes. “Gods, you’re like a robot, Willow. We won’t say anything, hon. This is your news. Just promise to keep all my juicy secrets when I start spilling them.”

I laughed, shaking my head. Forrest was something else, but damn, he was a good healer—a goodfriend. And it had been a minute since I let anyone be that for me, even Kit.

“Thank you both. I, umm, I guess I’m going to try and eat. I still haven’t, and I’ve heard from Senna that if you don’t, the nausea just gets worse, so…”

“Small bites like crackers. And water.” Willow nodded, helping me out of the chair.

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