Page 3 of Rejected Moons (Rejected Moons 3)

Jess squeezes my hand, then lets go and steps forward.

I’ve seen this play out so many times, but it’s different this time. It’s my best friend.

Bruce takes her hand in his. “Jessica, our pack honors your kind heart and gentle nature,” he says. “Your mate will be the man whose kindness is equal to your own—Harley, son of Peter.”

A smile breaks across Jess’s face as Harley steps forward to meet her. I’m happy too. Harley is a great match for my tender-hearted friend. He’s a total sweetheart. But he isn’t someone I would have wanted for myself.

Bruce leads them through their vows to one another. When the words have been exchanged, they kiss briefly, then go over and start another line—the mated pairs.

There are scowls on some of the men’s faces now. One woman is gone, and they haven’t been chosen yet. Victor doesn’t look upset, though. His expression is one of extreme confidence.

He should be confident. I can’t imagine he won’t be chosen.

One by one, the women around me are called forward and assigned their mates. Finally, I’m the only one left in the line.

There are six men still standing across from me. Some of them are looking at me like their predicament is my fault. I raise my eyebrows at them.As if I can help the fact that there are more men than women in this pack!

“Emlyn, daughter of Elizabeth,” Bruce says. “Come forward.”

I’m the only one to be called by my mother’s name instead of my father’s, of course. I’m the only one here who never knew my father. He wasn’t from our pack; my mother told me when I asked, and refused to say another word about it. I learned pretty quickly to stop asking questions.

I step forward, and Bruce takes my hand.

“Emlyn,” Bruce said, “our pack honors your warrior spirit and the fighting skills you’ve honed throughout your life. One day, you’ll no doubt be one of the best female hunters our pack has ever known. Your mate will be the man who can hunt by your side, our greatest warrior.”

I know then. I know I’m going to get my wish.

He knows it too. I can tell because he starts to move forward a moment before Bruce says his name. “Victor, son of Thomas.”

Yes!Inside, I feel triumphant, but I don’t allow anything to show on my face besides a smile.

Bruce takes Victor’s hand and places it in mind. As soon as we touch, I feel hot all over. I want him immediately.

He looks at me hungrily. I’m pretty sure he feels the same way. I bet he was hoping for this outcome just as much as I was.

“Victor,” Bruce says. “Do you accept Emlyn as your alpha mate?”

“Hell yeah, I do,” Victor says.

Fuck, even the sound of his voice feels like foreplay. I had no idea the moment of my alpha mating would be this powerful.

“And Emlyn,” Bruce says. “Do you accept Victor as your alpha mate?”

“Yes,” I say. I’m staring into his blue eyes, feeling the heat coming off his hand, and I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything so badly in all my life.

“As the alpha of the Moon Hunters, I bind you,” Bruce said. “You have accepted one another of your own free will. Now I order you to do all you can to produce children for this pack, beginning tonight and continuing throughout your lives.”

I feel the weight of his order settle around me. More than ever, my body is hungry for Victor’s. I’m being drawn toward him magnetically, almost gravitationally. It’s not just about what I want anymore. Ineedhim. I’m starving for him. I didn’t think it was possible for me to want him more than I did, but here we are.

It’s not required to kiss at the end of this part of the ceremony, but most new mates do, and I can tell already that we’re going to be no exception. If I could, I’d tear his clothes off and throw him down right here and now.

But that’s not how the ceremony goes. We have more to do before I can finally enjoy my prize.

He pulls me to him, though, and kisses me fiercely, crushing his lips to mine. I can feel him everywhere at once, his lips bruising mine, his teeth sharp and eager, his tongue hot and reckless and hard. I lose myself in the intensity of it, and the heat inside me begins to build.

Then, grinning, he lets me go. “Let’s hunt!”

Chapter Three: EMLYN

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