Page 78 of The Romance Rivalry

And then I remember it, burning a hole in my bag.

I reach down into my backpack and pull out the manila envelope with the precious pages inside. I pull the manuscript out slowly, almost reverently.

And so I begin.

Page 1.

Welcome to my happy place.

Epigraph

This is possibly one of the most romantic stories I’ve ever come across, and somehow I’m certain I will never be the same.

—Irene

Eighteen

fated mates

BORN TO RULE

By Aiden Jeon

Chapter One

Rion had no idea why he was back here again.

As a Sigma, a loner without a pack, it wasn’t a good idea to be sniffing around where others were gathered. They might get the wrong idea. Rion had no interest in attacking them; he’d be a fool to do so this outnumbered. And neither had he any interest in joining them.

He was here for one reason alone: her.

He’d heard of female Alphas leading on their own, though they were rare. He wondered why she hadn’t mated. If there was something wrongwith her or if it was by choice. If the latter, she had chosen a difficult path. She wasn’t safe alone, neither from outside dangers nor possibly even within.

He first stumbled upon her while she was caring for an injured hunter in her group. She spoke kind words, telling the wolf he’d lived a brave and full life as she stayed by his side until he passed. Her senses were probably distracted, as she hadn’t even noticed Rion’s approach. She’d need to be more careful. Rion stayed close enough to her to keep any and all dangers at bay that day.

Since that day, everything about her had fascinated Rion. He felt oddly drawn to her. Being a loner for most his life, this pull was new to him, and he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.

“We’ll start plans to move north in the next few weeks,” she said, standing in front of her pack. “Joriah, keep close track of the stars to help us decide the right time to begin the journey. Simna, you’re assigned to help prepare the younger cubs for their first trek. Please advise the mothers if there are any special needs. Our scouts have sent word thatit will be an especially dangerous road for us this year.” Her voice grew louder, stronger. “I will take on anyone who dares attack our pack. But it’s best if we stay on guard as much as possible and let nothing take us by surprise.”

She sounded tired. And though her head was held high and her voice radiated authority, Rion had watched her enough times to notice the small signs. Her hind legs bent slightly, her coat not as radiant as he’d seen it before. She carried the weight of the entire pack on her shoulders. She did not want to let them down in any way. Even if it took everything out of her. It wasn’t just that she had more to prove to others as a single female Alpha. It was to prove to herself and her pack that she could take care of them all. She wouldn’t show them any weakness.

Rion felt a burst of pride within him.

He should leave before anyone noticed him. But he wanted just one more look at the stunning wolf, her jet-black fur taking on a blue undertone in the moonlight. She was a sight to behold. She took his breath away.

“You, what are you doing there?”

Shit, looks like Rion had outstayed his welcome.

He looked over his flank, and there stood three patrol wolves. They weren’t small. But Rion was massive and could take down three fairly easily if attacked. But these were her wolves. Hurting them meant hurting her. He wouldn’t, couldn’t do that.

“I’m, I’m looking for a pack to join,” he said. What the fuck just came out of his mouth? This had not been his plan when he arrived here tonight. Shit, even coming this way wasn’t part of his plan. He just couldn’t help himself. Damn her.

One of the wolves narrowed his yellow eyes, sniffing the air to sense any danger coming from Rion. He wouldn’t smell any. Rion meant them no harm.

“Come with us. We’re taking you to see the Alpha,” the other said.

Rion’s mouth was suddenly dry, his paws stuck to the ground where he stood. They were taking him to meet her. What should he say? Should he tell her that her fur was pretty and that he liked her smile?You idiot, she’s notone to be wooed by lame compliments. Should he confess his kill count and try to impress her with his warrior skills?You don’t want to be recruited to her army, you want to be recruited to her den.Rion felt a sensation where his knot would form and he needed to be careful to not totally embarrass himself with an audience.

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