Page 36 of Rejected By The Alpha Heir

I let the silence take over and simply sit with her. One last time.

After what feels like an eternity, as the candle burns low, casting flickering shadows across the wall, I stand and make my way toward the door. My foot catches on a wooden box sticking partially out from under the bed. I fall forward, catching myself on my knees.

The lid to the box is partially open and I recognize it. It’s Callie’s memento box. When I was a child, she used to show this to me whenever I was sad, telling me great, fantastical stories about the items.

I trace my finger along the edge, feeling grief ride me hard.

Her old tarot deck. A pressed fern leaf. Old photographs and trinkets from days past, they are all in this box.

Carefully, I put the lid back on and go to slide it back under the bed, when I see a pale green envelope on the ground. I pull it out and freeze.

It’s addressed to me. In Callie’s familiar, elegant handwriting.

Slowly, I look around the room. My hands tremble as I open it.

My dearest Yelena,

Our time together was one of the greatest joys of my life. If you are reading this, it is because I have returned to the embrace of our Mother Moon Goddess. Please, do not grieve me too hard, child. I have lived a wonderful life.

Of my meager belongings, I have left you the cornflower blue vase on the kitchen counter. When you were small, you used to bring me the most beautiful wildflowers to place in that vase.It is my hope that your own child will do the same for you. The moonstone ring that I wore during ceremonies is also yours.

May it bring you peace and joy in the difficult days to come. You, my dearest girl, have been honored by the Moon Goddess. She has blessed your house with a Gift.

Your daughter has been chosen as the next Seer. You must protect her, guide her in our ways. My journals will help you teach her to master her Gift. But know that among the humans, she is in danger. Her abilities are only just beginning. Once they manifest, even casual touches between her friends could wreak havoc. She will be a strong Seer. She must learn how to control her powers at the earliest opportunity. Life in the city will be hard, if not impossible, for her. If she were to accidentally reveal her abilities, the consequences could be deadly.

Take heed, my dearest. You must keep her safe, above all.

With love,

Callie.

I read the letter twice, trying to make sense of the words I see on the paper. Cleo is the next Seer?

She can’t be. That can’t be right.

But Callie had no reason to lie and she wouldn’t, anyway. Not to me. Not about something like this.

My heart starts to pound, and icy fear churns in my gut. Her warnings are clear.

She’s in danger. Her abilities are only beginning. The consequences could be deadly.

A shiver runs through me, and I set the letter aside. The room suddenly feels colder. The stories that Callie used to tell me come flooding back. Powerful Seers, gifted with visions and foresight by the Moon Goddess herself, are highly respected, and highly coveted. To have a Seer is a great honor…and an advantage.

Tears prick my eyes and I start to panic. How can it be that Cleo, my sweet, innocent child, has this Gift? It seems much too heavy of a burden to place on a child. All I ever wanted for her was a simple, happy life. One where she could be safe and free. This burden is not what I would have chosen for her. I know all too well the burden a blessing like this can have on a child.

“Callie, what will I do?” I whisper, my breath shaky.

If she can’t live among the humans, I’ll have to leave my job to keep her safe. But where will I go? What will I do?

You’ll have to come back home. Raise her in the pack. For her own protection.

The thought makes me shiver again. Raising her here means I’ll have to tell Austin. I can’t do that, not when he’s about to ascend to Alpha and take Sylvie as his Luna. The timing is all wrong.

Why have you chosen her, Moon Goddess? Why would you put this burden on her?

All I have is questions, and it’s making my chest feel too tight. My wolf is pacing too, her anxiety feeding my own.

What if a rival pack learns about her? The Highland Pack—would they try to steal her? Would they try to use her Gift?

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