Page 43 of Claiming His Rejected Mate

And because of these wolves, I almost did. I run to her as fast as I can through dancing bodies and columns.

“You made it,” she squeals, pulling me into a quick hug. “And you look...better than I expected.”

“Courtesy of Kieran and his staff, I guess.” I roll my eyes as I say this, even though my cheeks warm up at the thought. “But forget about me, so do you!” I can’t help but smile.

“I know I’m broke, barely making it by, but I had to pull out my best dress.”

“What? You saved for months to get this. I thought you would wear it at your Mating ceremony!”

We both burst into laughter. It’s so good to see her. To laugh with her.

Her eyes flick to Ian, who stands a few feet away, his gaze scanning the room like a hawk. His presence is as subtle as a brick wall, and I know he won’t let me out of his sight for a second.

“Babysitter included, I see,” Ayana teases.

“Don’t remind me,” I mutter.

She grabs my hand, pulling me toward the dance floor. “Come on. Let’s make the most of it.”

The music vibrates through my chest as we weave through the crowd. The energy is infectious. Ayana starts moving to the beat, her body swaying effortlessly. It takes me a moment to loosen up, but soon I let the rhythm take over, my worries slipping away with each beat.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel alive.

Ayana leans in close, her voice barely audible over the music. “See? This isn’t so bad.”

I laugh, the sound surprising even me. “Don’t get used to it.”

She rolls her eyes but grins, her hand tightening on mine as the crowd surges around us.

I don’t notice him at first.

I’m too lost in the music, the heat of the crowd, and the rare sense of freedom that’s settled in my chest. I’m starting to feel like my arms and legs are mine again. Like the thumping in my chest is mine. Like my life is mine and yet not at the same time. Ayana gets me drink after drink after drink. I’ve never had this much in my life. But it feels so fucking good! I never want it to end.

“Someone’s having the time of their life.” Ayanna giggles as she pressed up against me with the next song.

“I feel so alive! Why haven’t I done this before?”

But then the air shifts, a presence cutting through the chaos like a blade. I know who it is, because even in a crowd of sex-driven,adrenaline-pumping, high, sweating bodies, his will stand out like the moon in the sky among the stars.

I turn, my gaze scanning the room until it lands on him. Kieran.

He stands near the entrance, his sharp blue eyes locked on me. The flashing lights cast shadows across his face, highlighting the tension in his jaw and the rigid set of his shoulders. But my Goddess, it’s like his face is carved from the finest porcelain. That’s the only way it would be fair to look as effortlessly hot as he does.

With the thumping music and the alcohol fermenting in my brain, I want to dance with him. I wonder what that would feel like. Grinding up against him. Feeling him get hard for me. Feeling his possessive arms encircle me because no other male dares sniff me without smelling him.

I notice other females looking in his direction and my wolf bares her fangs, ready to slash into them and tear them limb from limb.

For a moment, the crowd fades away, the music dulling to a low hum. My chest tightens, and my pulse quickens—not from fear, but from something far more infuriating.

He doesn’t belong here. Not in this chaos, this reprieve I’ve carved out for myself. And yet, he’s magnetic, impossible to ignore.

Ayana follows my gaze, her brows shooting up. “Well, well. Look who couldn’t stay away.”

I grit my teeth, my fists clenching at my sides. “What the hell is he doing here?”

Ian steps forward, his posture tense. “The Alpha doesn’t need permission to check in.”

I whirl on him, my voice low and sharp. “This was supposed to be my night.”

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