Page 60 of Claiming His Rejected Mate

“Her light shone. But she was in too much pain from her relentless heat and the cursed seal to truly be herself.”

My chest tightens at her words. I still see that version of Hazel in glimpses—the fire in her eyes when she challenges me, the sharp wit she wields like a blade. But it’s buried now, dulled by the weight of everything I’ve caused and done.

“She wasn’t perfect, though,” Ayana continues, a small smile tugging at her lips. She goes to the shelves and thumbed through the books. She pulls one out and she looks up, her eyes sparkling with memory. I want to touch it, see it. I want to know Hazel the way she does.

“She could be stubborn as hell. Once she made up her mind about something, good luck changing it. And she hated feeling powerless.” She closed the book. “If there was a problem, she needed to solve it. If someone needed help, she was the first to step in. She thrived on being useful, on being…valued.”

Ayana shakes her head and scoffs.

“Maybe a little too much even.”

This was a different Hazel than the one I know now. The only person she would do that for now is Ayana, and something breaks inside me at the realization that it isn’t me. And it’s all my fault.

I swallow hard, the knot in my throat tightening. “And now?”

Ayana’s smile fades, replaced by a look of quiet sadness. “Now, she’s a shell of that person. You broke something in her, Kieran. She doesn’t trust anyone—not even me sometimes. And she hides behind this wall of anger because it’s the only thing keeping her from falling apart.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I don’t look away. I can’t. I brought this upon myself. Upon her. I have to take responsibility.

Ayana straightens, her eyes narrowing. “Why are you asking me about Hazel this way? What’s changed?” She isn’t asking like she doesn’t know why. She just wants me to tell her. She wants to see how much of myself I’m willing to give.

I hesitate, my wolf urging me forward even as my mind struggles to catch up. “I want to fix this,” I admit, my voice low. “I want to make things right with her. She’s the only thing that matters.”

The ache for her settles in my chest, cold as lead, heavy as a stone. She’s all I’ve ever wanted. She’s all I still want. And I don’t know what life without her looks like. I don’t want to know.

“I don’t have a life without her. And I don’t want to.” I exhale.

Ayana snorts, crossing her arms again. “And what does ‘making things right’ look like to you? Forcing her into the Mating bond shedidn’t choose? Offering her gifts she doesn’t want? Imposing your desires and will on her? Using her as a means to an end for your pack…again? Because if that’s your plan, let me save you the trouble—it won’t work.”

My jaw clenches with embarrassment at each word. I force myself to stay calm. “I regret the ways I forced her into situations that have nearly cost her life. I can’t even deny my part if I tried. But she’s my Mate, Ayana. That’s not something I can just walk away from. That would kill her.” The lump in my throat grows bigger, making it harder to swallow.

I’ve been slowly killing my Mate by turning away from her.

“Why not?” she challenges, her eyes blazing. “You did it before. You rejected her, humiliated her in front of everyone. Not once, Kieran. Not even just twice.”

My wolf snarls softly, his agitation mirroring my own as I search for an answer.

“I didn’t know her then,” I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t know how to trust the vulnerability she came into my life with. Having a Mate changes you. I was too caught up in my pain and the weight of the responsibilities I owe my pack to understand that.”

Ayana’s expression softens slightly, but her gaze remains sharp. “And you do now?”

“I’m trying to,” I admit, running a hand through my hair. “I see her now for who she is, not just who I assumed she was. And I—”

I stop, the weight of the words catching in my throat. She’s the most intriguing person I’ve met. Her resilience impresses me. Like, how did she train Omegas to be that skilled that fast?

How did she survive in Broadstone?

Ayana steps closer, her voice quieter but no less firm. “You what, Kieran?”

“I love her,” I say, the truth slipping out before I can stop it. The admission feels like a release and a burden all at once, my chest tightening as I let the words hang in the air. The last time I’d said it was to my mother as I cleaned her wounds.

And now I’ve said it about Hazel. But this time, her injuries are my fault. What right do I even have to say those words?

Despite my guilt, I know it’s the truth. There’s no running away from it.

Ayana studies me for a moment, her sharp gaze softening. “If you mean that, then you need to show her. Not with gifts or grand gestures, but with actions. Consistency. Patience. And for God’s sake, don’t push her into this Luna business unless you’re absolutely sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.”

“I am sure,” I say, my voice steady. There’s no other motive for me other than to be as the Goddess intended us. I’ve wasted too much time. I have to make up for it, treat her the way she deserves to be treated. Love her like my own heart.

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