Page 84 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
"All the more reason to keep training," she argued. "I need to be stronger when they find us."
"Not if it makes you sick." His hand touched her forehead. "You're pale. Have you eaten today?"
She swatted his hand away. "I'm fine. Just tired."
Dominic growled, the sound pure alpha wolf. "Stop lying to me. I can tell that something's off with you."
Still seeing through me.
Luna's eyes opened, regarding him then. "I don't need you watching me or sending others after me like I'm some fragile thing that needs protection. You know that I can take care of myself, I have since six years ago."
"That doesn’t mean we can’t help!" His voice rose. "You're part of this pack now. You belong here, Luna. With or without your magic."
She laughed bitterly. "Right. Because everyone was so welcoming when I was just the shiftless shifter. No one in this pack cared about me until I had something to offer them."
"That's not true."
"You sure about that? So you really believe the Elders and the rest of the pack would have taken me back without my protection spells or help with demons?" Dominic hesitated, all but confirming her fears. "That's what I thought."
Luna rose to leave, but he caught her arm, turning her around until she faced him.
"You belong here regardless of all that," he insisted. "You belong because you're compassionate, and braver than anyone I've ever known. Your magic doesn't define you."
"Easy for someone who’s always had power to say," she retorted. "You've never been the outcast, the one no one wanted."
The one rejected.
He didn’t say anything, and then his expression hardened. "Follow me, I have something to show you."
"What?"
"I said follow me," he repeated. "There's something I need to show you."
Luna hesitated, her stomach still unsettled and her head pounding. But the determination in Dominic's eyes suggested this was important.
"Fine," she conceded. "But this better not be some trick."
Then he gave her a small chuckle. "No tricks. Just the truth."
He held out his hand, and after a moment’s pause, Luna placed her smaller one in his.
Again.
Chapter 21 - Dominic
Dominic moved with a purpose as Luna followed him deeper into the Silverlight Valley territory. The stars were the only light on their path as they threaded through pine needles and fallen leaves, with his mate some paces behind.
My mate.
She hadn’t spoken since they left the pine clearing, and he could feel her reluctance to be on this trek in her silence and steps.
But he knew it would be worth it.
It had to be.
Dominic paused, so she could catch up.
"How much farther?" Luna asked, breaking the silence. Her voice lacked any of the warmth she gave the pack children—or him, for that matter, in rare moments.
