Rejected, Abused, I Fall for the Forbidden Alpha (by Riley Scott) novel Chapter 263

Chapter 263

Aaron POV

The days blur together, and the nights are filled with nothing but hollow emptiness. Everywhere I look, I see her. The mate who had rejected me because I hadn’t been good enough in her eyes.

Because I couldn’t compare to him.

Alice. I’d never told anyone, too humiliated to confess I’d been rejected by a girl who only had eyes for Damien, myy alpha and who had turned out to be nothing but a malicious, conniving bitch.

It didn’t soothe my soul, though, or my wolf.

The pain of being rejected had felt like an arrow striking my heart. The feel of the mate bond severing had brought me to my knees.

I’d had too much pride to beg her to give me a chance, to reconsider the rejection.

Now I’m grateful I didn’t, but I still feel lost, like I’m missing something.

I’ve waited to find my mate for years. I see the way Damien looks at Marissa, and I want that. I want somebody to hold and protect. Somebody to make my nights less lonely. Somebody to care for me.

Maybe it’s selfish. Maybe I should be grateful for what I have. As Beta, I’m the second in command of the Shadow pack, a position most men would kill for. I have a best friend, Damien, and I’ve even gotten closer to Marissa.

But I want a family. I want pups. I want somebody to sleep with in my bed beside me and make the nights less miserable.

I want love. Real love and not just because of my status.

I’ve even considered a chosen mate, but I still hold hope that the moon goddess might grant me a second chance mate.

It’s rare, but it does happen.

“Aaron,” Marissa’s voice is low as she speaks, my eyes blinking as I turn to look at her. “Are you okay?”

I nod and smooth my expression, not wanting to worry her.

She looks unconvinced, perched on the sofa opposite me and studying me thoughtfully, her belly swollen from pregnancy.

Damien walks in and kisses her tenderly on the forehead and my heart aches.

They’re perfect for each other. The affection and adoration for one another is plain to see.

I’m envious.

“Aaron, there’s a pack that wants to ally with us about two days’ travel away,” Damien spoke casually, sitting beside Marissa and putting her feet on his knees so that he could massage them.

Marissa closed her eyes and moaned.

“Which pack?” I asked quietly.

A distraction would be useful right about now, and this seemed perfect. It would take my mind off things.

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“The Nightshade Pack,” he said calmly.

“Nightshade pack? They’re meant to be secretive and unpleasant to deal with,” I commented, eyeing Damien with concern. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to go?”

“About that. You’ll go in my stead and take some men with you,” Damien said casually as I gaped at him, “I don’t want to leave Marissa alone right now while she needs me.”

Marissa snorted and shoved his hands away, moving sideways and putting her feet back on the floor.

“I’m not that fragile, Damien. I think you should go. Both of you. I’ve heard the Nightshade Pack isn’t exactly the most pleasant of packs to go to. If they’re reaching out, then,” she frowned, “they may have ulterior motives.”

“I already prepared for that,” Damien admitted, “I had the same thoughts.”

“When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow. I don’t intend for us to stay long. The previous Alpha died and has been replaced by his son, Alpha Grayson. That’s who we’ll be in discussion with.”

“Sounds fun,” Marissa said sarcastically, getting up and placing a hand to her lower back, “I’m going to rest.”

Damien watched her go, a look of extreme tenderness on his face.

I sighed.

“So what’s going on with you, man? You’ve been,” Damien tried to frame the words delicately, “depressed lately. Not yourself. Is there something I can do to help?”

There was nothing to say. I knew Damien, and if he knew Alice was my mate, he would feel nothing but guilt for making me help kill her.

“No,” I exhaled, “I’m fine, Damien, just tired.”

Tired of watching everybody else find happiness while I remain alone. Tired of endless paperwork and training with no one to spend my downtime with. Tired of working for a future where I might be alone forever.

Tired.

“I don’t believe you,” Damien said bluntly, arching a brow at me, “but I also know that if you need me you’ll come to me. Whatever it is, Aaron, you don’t have to go through it alone.”

The irony of that statement hits me.

I nod, fighting back tears. I couldn’t afford to show weakness in front of him or he would push even further.

Men don’t cry, Aaron. It’s a weakness.

My father’s voice echoed inside my mind. He’d always reiterated that men were strong, brave and protective. He’d hated tears and any signs of weakness.

God, I hated him.

Damien had always been able to read me like an open book.

I guess that’s what best friends do.

The gesture was appreciated, but I was not about to burden him with my problems, which were minuscule in comparison to his. He was the one with a baby on the way and dealing with leading the Shadow Pack. I was just his

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sidekick, his helper.

“I’ll be fine. Let’s just focus on the Nightshade Pack and what they want. I’ll be ready bright and early tomorrow morning,” I rasped.

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