Page 72 of The Forbidden Alpha

I couldn’t remember how long we were walking and how long Lucas was holding my hand. Damn it! It felt so awkward, but I did not complain. Because despite the maddening pounding of my heart, I still find comfort in his touch. I couldn’t explain what I was feeling. But it was quite embarrassing because everyone was quietly watching us, and Leila was observant. She kept on giving me those weird looks like she was teasing me.

That was what she did the whole time we talked with the leaders of the packs we went through. Thank God, it was just Lucas who did all the talking, although she introduced me to them and told them about my connection with my father. Our house-to-house visit also made me realize how my father has so many friends in the realm and how so many people respected him. That made me even more determined to avenge his death. He was standing for a cause, together with Lucas’ father. They were standing for justice, but those cunning werewolves from Crest Moon stepped on them because of their greed for power.

I took a deep breath to control the surge of anger surging within me.

We were already walking back to our pack. It was a successful endeavor, I guess. A lot of the packs expressed their willingness to be with us. They also agreed to communicate with us about everything that was going on. It was a fruitful day.

We were in the woods roaming around when I started tracing some odd scents from within the vicinity of the pack. I looked at the Alpha, and it seemed he smelled it too. We all stopped.

“Someone is with us,” he announced to everyone.

The warriors immediately barricaded us. The scent went stronger until a familiar figure of a man appeared in front of us. I felt like my whole world just collapsed when I saw who it was.

Michael.

“Long time no see, Lucas… Celine…” He smirked at me, making me gasp in horror.

I blinked multiple times when I felt something odd. I let out a small curse and tightened my grip on Lucas’s hand.

What is happening? What is this?! Why do I feel like a force is pulling me to Michael?

Is it the Mate’s pull?

But he rejected me already! And I accepted the rejection.

My breathing started to get labored as I fought the invisible force within me.

‘It was a forced rejection, Celine… That must be it.’

What Cinna said hit me. I have already heard stories from mates rejecting each other. Most of them were not successful, especially if the mate was just forced to accept the said rejection. Most of the time, when they meet each other again, the mate who was forced would still most likely feel the pull even though the one who rejected doesn’t feel it already.

I let out a curse in my brain. Fuck. That’s it? Damn it…

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Lucas’ voice thundered across the forest.

I saw Michael smirk, and I felt that pull again. Damn it.

I was trembling already. The force was getting stronger. I don’t know how much I could endure this.

“Hmm, I just want to check on my rejected mate,” Michael said meaningfully. That’s when I removed Lucas’ grip on my hand.

He looked at me, but I just slowly shook my head, and without saying anything, I sprinted away from the group. Fuck! Why does Michael have to ruin what I have now?! Fuck him! Fuck everyone in Crest Moon!

“Celine!”

Chapter Forty-Three

“Celine! Fuck!”

I could hear Lucas' curses and his frantic footsteps towards me. I didn’t stop and just kept on running until I could already feel my feet weakening. I stopped when I felt like I was out of breath already.

I had no choice but to stop and catch my breath first. That’s when Lucas was able to catch up to me. My hands were on my knees as I was calming myself. I almost jumped to my feet when I felt his hand on my shoulder.

My eyes darted toward him as I felt another batch of tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

“What’s wrong, Celine? Why did you run off?” he asked worriedly. I was still catching my breath and couldn’t even say a thing when he began caressing my back.

I could no longer control the tears from falling down my cheeks. He muttered a curse before slowly pulling me towards him so he could embrace me. I sobbed in his arms.

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