Page 44 of Rejected By The Alpha Heir

I can't help but feel a little smug. Clearly, she didn't expect me to stand up for myself.

With a huff, she turns back toward the mirror, trying to regain her lost composure. But the power dynamic has already shifted.

Taking advantage of her temporary speechlessness, I step past her and make my way toward the door.

“Just because you’ve got Austin wrapped around your little finger doesn’t mean it’ll stay that way,” she retorts as I rest my hand on the door. “I mean, what is it about you? You’re washed up, ugly, and you can’t even dress yourself."

I shrug, refusing to let her see the hurt that her comments have caused.

"Perhaps," I call out over my shoulder, "You should worry less about who's allowed in Nightwing Pack and more about being appropriate Luna material. After all, you aren’t mated yet. Things can change."

Her eyes meet mine again in the mirror. This time, they are wide with shock rather than narrowed with disdain. I shoot her a final hard look before exiting the bathroom and rejoin the throng outside.

My heart is still beating wildly from our confrontation. I don’t know what possessed me to talk to her like that. It’s so unlike me. Fighting with the future Luna is dangerous, especially when I’m contemplating coming back here with Cleo.

But I don’t regret it. She’s been nothing but vile to me since she saw me. Putting her in her place, however ill-advised, feels good.

I just hope I don’t live to regret it.

I look around the crowd of people, automatically looking for Austin. I don’t see him, but that’s not a surprise.

A part of me wants to go find him and warn him that I pissed off his intended mate, but ever since our moment in the woods, I’ve been avoiding him.

He has to know what she’s like. Maybe he’s used to it.

“Just get through tonight and tomorrow,” I whisper to myself, looking around at the crowds. A bonfire is burning in the clearing, and music is playing.

Callie’s life has been well and fully celebrated tonight.

“You have every right to be here,” I remind myself, walking over to the table and grabbing a drink. “No matter whatshesays.”

Still, I can feel her hateful eyes on me as I move around the crowd. Her whispered comments filter back to me as she does her best to spread rumors about me among the pack.

Hideous bitch.

Delusional.

Left us for humans. Traitor.

Talking to herself in the bathroom. Probably crazy.

I force a smile and move to talk to the small knot of healers gathered in the corner. They greet me with enthusiasm, and I quickly fall into conversation, comparing the different treatments I have learned with the apothecary treatments they are more familiar with. Our conversation continues, and I find myself relaxing. No matter what, this is my pack. My people. I’ve grown up around them, and they are like family. Sylvie can gossip all she wants or try to spread rumors. It doesn’t matter. I’m proud of the life I’ve built and the choices I’ve made. If she wants to be petty and rude, that’s on her. The people who matter will see right through her.

Tomorrow is the Alpha Ascension ceremony, and after that, I can go home and figure out what on Earth I’m going to do about Cleo…and what I’m going to tell Austin when I have to come back.

One day at a time. I can do this.

Chapter Eighteen

Austin

“The day is here, son. How do you feel?”

I glance up as my father approaches, his heavy hand clapping me on the shoulder. I adjust the collar of my shirt. My face is stoic as I gaze at my reflection in the mirror.

“I’m ready to do my duty to our pack, sir,” I answer automatically.

“You and Sylvie will represent the new way, the way of peace among our packs. I’m proud of you,” he continues.

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