Page 25 of Rejected By The Alpha Heir

I slide behind the wheel and slam the door shut. I take a moment to breathe, resting my forehead against the steering wheel. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I force myself to take slow, deep breaths until it returns to normal.

With one last glance at the cottage that was supposed to be my home, I start the car and pull out of the driveway. The road through our pack lands stretches out in front of me and I drive slowly, knowing that this decision is going to open my life up to possibilities I can't even envision yet. Every mile that passes feels like a small victory, as if I’m claiming back parts of myself that had been lost.

The road winds through our lands and I drive slowly, careful not to draw attention to myself. I pass by the school and my heart hurts that I won’t be able to say goodbye to Hannah.

“Don’t forget me,” I whisper as I pass.

At the stop sign, I squint into the sun and nearly jump out of my skin when there’s a knock on the window. I turn, heart pounding, and see the smiling face of Callie, her silver-gray hair glowing under the midday sun.

Wordlessly, she gestures for me to roll down the window. Her eyes bore into mine with intensity.

“You are leaving?” she asks, but it feels more like a statement.

“Yes,” I admit, surprised at how firm my voice sounds. “I am.”

She offers a nod of understanding, her gaze softer now. The silent empathy in her eyes touches me more deeply than any words could. Of all the people in the pack, Callie is the closest thing I have to a confidant. She knows how hard I’ve tried, but I’m still surprised that she isn’t trying to convince me to stay. Perhaps this has been my destiny all along.

"You have a long journey ahead, Yelena," Callie says, her voice tender. "Remember that sometimes, our path leads us into the wilderness before it takes us home."

Her words are cryptic, as always. But there's a certain comfort in them, a subtle reassurance that this isn't the end of the world and I’m making the right choice. Even if it doesn’t feel like it. I need to know, in a time like this, that the Moon Goddess isn’t going to abandon me completely.

"I'll remember," I promise her. And I mean it.

"May the Moon Goddess guide your way," she says, placing a hand on mine and squeezing gently. It feels like a blessing. “And may you always know that our Goddess never gives her children more than they can bear. Your path is set and you must follow it.By doing so, you will find your happiness and bring happiness to others.”

"Thank you, Callie," is all I manage to say before she steps back and gives me a final nod.

“Go with peace, child,” she whispers before turning away.

I roll up the window and pull out, turning toward the highway that will take me toward the city.

I watch her in the rearview mirror until she's nothing more than a speck.

As my car leaves the pack's territories, the familiar landscape of forest, mountains, fields and small houses slowly start to fade away.

The empty road stretches on for miles in front of me, the calm inviting me to journey ahead. I take in a deep breath, exhale slowly, and hit the gas pedal.

My future awaits.

Chapter Ten

Austin

My motorcycle skids to a stop in the gravel and I step out, hurrying toward our house. I can’t believe I left my phone at home. It must have been the hug that Yelena gave me before I left, distracting me from my responsibilities. Ever since we slept together and had our disastrous falling out, she’s been distant.

I feel terribly guilty. I shouldn’t have slept with her, it’s only confused things. To make up for it, I’ve tried to make an effort, seeking her out and intentionally spending time with her, but we’ve barely touched. It just feels…awkward. The fact that she not only was willing to touch me this morning, but that she initiated it, soothes my wolf while also making me nervous.

Yelena’s blue Honda sedan is not in its spot out front, and I try to remember if she told me what she was up to today. It’s a Wednesday and I think that’s the day she goes to the store, but I can never remember.

I jog up the steps, the familiar creak of the wooden porch under my boots barely registering. When I look over, I freeze at the sight of a very familiar silver Mercedes parked on the side of our house.

Are my parents here?

I sniff the air and sure enough, the scent of my parents and Callie, our pack Seer, are overwhelming.

That’s unusual. A pit in my stomach opens. Something is wrong.

The front door swings open before I can even reach for the doorknob, revealing Callie.

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