Page 31 of Rejected and Regretted

She wasn’t theirs to be worshiped.

My eyes burned a more vivid shade of green, my tone changing as I asked, “What is it the three of you are doing?”

“I don’t know. Just hanging out.” She shrugged, not once looking back at me as she hurriedly marched away.

Columbus was already growling as I continued, “In their room?”

“Yeah, probably,” she casually replied, a hint of annoyance tainting her voice.

“Are you sure you’re just friends?” The accusation spilled out of my mouth before I had a chance to realize I had said it out loud.

That finally caught Avril’s attention. When she stopped a few feet ahead, her back to me, I stiffened, both regretting the question and fearing her answer. The atmosphere changed, and I could feel her anger expanding like a powerful aura.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but they’re mates,” she snarled, to my utmost embarrassment. Instant shame washed over me at her revelation. “And for the record, I was never given a second chance.”

With those final words, she left me behind, too ashamed to chase her.

20

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A V R I L

I was so pissedafter leaving Koen, I stormed past Theo and Elijah’s room without a second glance. Not that it mattered, anyway; our hangout session was merely an excuse I had made up to avoid my insistent ex-mate. Obviously, it didn’t work. I had underestimated just how annoying he could be.

His audacity to make insinuations about me sleeping with either my second- or third-in-command - or both of them - was infuriating. How could he dare to ask such an absurd question? And moreover, what right did he have to pry into my personal affairs? Whomever I chose to involve myself with was entirely my own business.

Still, I couldn't deny that it wouldn't have bothered me nearly as much if anyone else had asked the same thing. I needed to walk off this rage.

I had almost reached the borders when a familiar voice echoed in my head, snapping me out of my aimless furious march.“Alpha, is everything alright?”

It was Theo, though I could also sense Elijah’s connection, letting me know he was listening too. They must have been able to sense an extent of my anger through the pack bond. The bond between a leader and their followers wasn’t nearly as strong as that between mates, which meant I had to be fuming withrage for my beta and gamma to actually perceive it when I was nowhere near them.

“Yes. Koen’s just pestering me, that’s all,”I replied sharply.

“Do you need us to intervene?”Although there was confusion in Theo’s tone, it lacked any concern. I couldn’t sense the slightest hint of the worry he usually exhibited when my emotions were strong enough to reach him. Did that mean he thought Koen wasn’t a threat to me?

“No, it’s fine. I’ll come find you before-”My thoughts trailed off the second I spun on my heel to find the devil himself standing in front of me.

There was something different about him. He didn’t carry himself with poise and grace like he usually did. It seemed as though he was letting his true emotions show, just for me. And I could see all of it clearly - his regret, his shame, his desperation.

As I froze in place, my gaze intertwining with Koen’s, Theo’s voice was a distant echo in my mind.“Alpha?”

His question was followed by a chuckle.“I think she was found before she could find us.”Entranced, I barely registered Elijah’s lighthearted joke, or his mate’s‘ahh’ of realization as they ended the mindlink, leaving me alone withhim.

Once the initial surprise was gone, rage filled me again, overflowing in the form of an unhidable vexed expression. I was about to walk right past the alpha just like I had done moments ago. He must have comprehended my intentions, because he opened his mouth before I had the chance to take my first step.

“Avril, just listen to me,” Koen begged, his hands raised in a sign of peace.

“You mean listen to your insane accusations?” I scoffed, failing to remember for an instant that I was supposed to be an omega who would never speak to an alpha like that. “I’m afraid I don’t have time for this.”

“I’m sorry!” he exclaimed immediately. “I’m sorry for what I said. It was extremely inappropriate. I…I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

I have no idea why, but his confession convinced me to give him the time of day. “What do you want, Koen?”

“To clear things between us,” he vaguely answered.

I arched an eyebrow at him. “What do you mean?”

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