Page 15 of Rejected Bullied Mate

Well, if I had to be caught, I'd rather it had been Kit than Kiera. At least he was happy to see me.

Chapter 7 - Kiera

The night air smelled of salt, and the scent of dozens of wolves all in the same place, and it made my nose itch. I had zero reason to want to be at the red moon ceremony tonight, but Samson wasn't taking no for an answer regarding my attendance. Hoping to go unnoticed, I pulled my cardigan tighter around me and hung towards the back of the crowd.

Everyone was centered around the bonfire, mingling and eating as they prepared for their moonlight run.

This was always one of the biggest pack traditions, but it wasn't one I cared much for. When the moon turned red, the shift would be stronger, but since I was an Omega and weak in my shift, there wasn't any bonus for me. All the moon did was emphasize the fact that I was different from everyone else and that my place in the pack was right down at the very bottom.

Bonfire notwithstanding, I'd almost been convinced that maybe, just maybe, the arrangement I'd been forced into would be bearable. Samson seemed both drawn to me and repelled all at the same time, but he always made time to have breakfast with Kit and me before leaving for pack business. He hadn't said a single word to me about the job that I'd picked up, and I liked it better that way. I enjoyed work, even if it was mundane. It helped me feel like I had a purpose.

Of course, Kit adored having his father around. The two of them almost always played outside before Samson left for the day and seemed to have found their rhythm together. I enjoyed watching them, but at the same time, it made me feel hollow. I still didn’t want Kit in the pack, but Samson treated him kindly at least.

On the other hand, I saw a million reasons every day to make me want to leave again. The misogynistic, heavy-handed way the men of the pack treated the women was just as bad as ever. And Samson might not have been outright cruel to me, but he hadn't shown any warmth since our mating. It was almost worse. It made me wish that things could have been different. It made me think of that night I'd spent in his arms all the more often.

If Samson were different, I could imagine enjoying living with him. But he was the way he was, and that wouldn't change. And that made it impossible to forget why I'd run from the pack in the first place.

Samson and I weren't going to fall in love or get along. The only thing that would make him happy would be me bearing his children to increase his status within the pack as a whole. I refused to give him that power over me. I would never let myself be used. I'd already given him that once before, and while I’d gotten my wonderful Kit out of the deal, Samson hadn’t proven to be a good partner in any way, shape, or form.

It was easier not to think of Samson that way, no matter how much my body seemed to think I was denying it the prize of the delicious Alpha.

The pack continued to gather as the red moon rose above the trees, keeping together with the friends and family groups, which meant I was ignored, as usual. Tonight, that was just fine for me. The less attention I drew, the quicker I could leave. I hated ceremonies like this, and I also hated doing nothing. If I were back at Samson's home, at least there would be tasks to keep me occupied.

It was beautiful, if nothing else. All the dark silhouettes of the pack roamed around the fire while the towering pines swayed in the cool night air. The bonfire had reached gigantic proportions, crackling while sparks shot up into the air like tiny stars. Meat was being cooked over the flames, smelling of rendered fat and smoke, but I ignored my growling stomach. There was no way in hell I was wading into the group to get a bite to eat.

The energy in the air was changing, becoming charged with a feeling as primal and ancient as the world itself. Change was near.

I didn't belong here. I never did.

I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, the warmth of the high-rising fire unable to penetrate the cold that was building in my stomach. The memories of what these ceremonies used to be like for me fought their way to the surface of my thoughts. Taunts from my peers, looks of pity from the older wolves, and disdain from the highest members of the pack. I was sure that everyone was only being more cautious with me because of the claim that Samson had put on me, but I still imagined I could feel their eyes on me as they thought.What is she even doing here?

Actually....yeah, what the hell was I doing here? I hadn't seen Samson all night, and not a single other person had made an effort to talk to me. I didn't have to stand around and feel like shit. I could leave if I wanted.

I turned on my heel to leave. I didn't need to stand there and let the past dig its claws into me. I couldn't shift like the rest of them, even if my wolf felt closer than ever being back around the pack, and because of that, I couldn't run wild under the blood moon with the rest of the Saltfangs. What was the point of pretending?

I took one step, and then another, slipping away from the warm glow of the fire and into the darkness. I didn't have far to go before the darkness would swallow me entirely, and I'd be free, just a few more feet...

Two heavy hands landed on my shoulders, pulling me backward against a hard, muscled frame. My eyes flew wide. I didn't have to wonder who it was. I would know his touch anywhere, especially with the way my entire body went hot in an instant.

Samson's lips grazed my ear. "Leaving without your mate?" he rumbled in that voice that seemed to be all growl and all heat.

My core tightened with a desire that I wanted nothing to do with. The mating bond between us, even dormant, wanted him. "You aren't my mate."

Samson's hands slid from my shoulders to my waist, and it was all I could do to keep breathing. I spun in his grasp, not quite shaking off his hands, but at least I could see him. No more surprises.

"We both know that's not true," Samson was in good humor tonight, the red moon bringing out something new in him, "And I need my mate here for the ceremony. Your place is at my side."

I raised my chin, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "For the sake of appearances. Of course, you'd want to parade me around your little pack so everyone knows I belong to you."

"You have a smart mouth," he snapped, his grin tight. "I didn't expect it out of you, Omega. Don't worry. I like a little fight in my women."

What the hell had gotten into him? It had to be the red moon, the pack magic almost glowing with how powerful it was tonight. "Whatever. Can I go now? You can't force me to enjoy this."

His grip on my waist tightened, fingers flexing before they fell away. Samson crossed his arms and looked down at me. "No, but I can make you stay."

"I managed to forget a lot about you over the years, Samson Jones," I took my chance, stepping back a foot, "But I never forgot how bossy you were. You still think ordering people around is going to make them listen all the time?"

His lips twitched. "It worked on you."

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