The Rejected daughter chosen by the Alpha (Maya and Atila) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

– ATILA

I was running

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The forest swallowed me whole as I pushed through tight trunk and broken shadows. Rain fell in a thin, relentless veil, filtering the light and turning the ground into a slick trap Brane es clawed at my arms without mercy, soaked and heavy, while roots rose treacherously beneath my feet, hidden by mud–but none of it slowed me down. I’d already wasted too much time

That territory had never been entirely mine. There were things ut there that answered to no one-ancient, twisted creatures that recognized no hierarchy, feared no authority, respected neither bond nor pack. If she’d crossed paths with one of them if she’d been seen as easy prey.. I shoved the thought away and forced my body to keep moving.

I could have shifted. In theory, it would’ve been faster, more efficient, more lethal if it came to that. Still, I didn’t risk it. The bond between us was too new, too fragile-glass under pressure She was scared, hurt, vulnerable. If she saw a massive wolf charging toward her, she might not recognize me. She could run hurt herself even more-or worse. I refused to be another threat to her So I stayed human, rain streaming down my face and neck, lungs burning, heart hammering against my ribs.

Then something broke the dark green pattern around me.

Yellow

I stopped short. Rain plastered fabric against a branch-a scrap of cloth snagged on a low limb, swaying lightly in the wind. I took two steps forward, reached out, and felt the torn material between my fingers, cold and wet.

The dress

The canary-yellow dress she’d been wearing a few days ago.

A curse shipped from my mouth before I could stop it. My gaze followed the jagged line of fabric to the embankment ahead. The earth was waterlogged, giving way abruptly, marked by fresh grooves-as if someone had slipped or been dragged. I didn’t think I ran and slid down after it, mud giving way benead my boots, my body fighting to stay upright until I reached the bottom.

When I did, everything slowed.

The forest sounds faded, muffled by the steady drumming of rain, as if I were underwater. My eyes swept the area, searching for any sign, any movement. And then I saw it.

A black wolf.

Far too large to be mistaken for anything ordinary. Motionless, dark fur soaked through, curled in a strange way-almost like a living cocoon-its body arched in absolute protection.

His name left my lips in an incredulous whisper. “Cassian. What are you doing here?”

Blue eyes snapped open instantly, sharp and fixed on me. He recognized me. His body shifted carefully, just enough to reveal what he’d been shielding-and that small movement was nough to wake her.

Maya

She stirred slowly, rain-plastered hair clinging to her face, lash trembling before her eyes opened. There was something worn. fragile, in the way she breathed. I was already moving when she tried to stand, Too fast-like someone refusing to look weak She wobbled, sucked in a breath, and put all her weight on one leg.

That’s when I saw her other foot.

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Comptes 25

Swollen Bruised purple Caked in mud Clearly injured

I reached her in two strides my body ready to catch her before he fell

“I’m fine,” she murmured softly, her voice nearly swallowed by e rain-as if she were trying to convince herself

1 ignored it Slipping an arm

around her waist, I pulled her again me, struck by how little she weighed, her cold, soaked

told you not to cause trouble.”

clothes pressed to my body

“I didn’t she shot back, weak but stubborn. “I got lost.”

“In this forest, that’s the same thing My voice came out low and rough. “What the hell were you thinking, jumping out a window and wandering alone into the woods of Moonville? Have you completely lost your mind?”

I drew a sharp breath through my nose, the scent of wet earth flooding my senses, jaw tight. “You’ve never heard that omegas don’t enter this forest alone?”

She lifted her chun, defiant

“Don’t talk to me like that”

“And how would you like me to talk to someone this stubborn?”

I took another breath, fighting the urge to argue until she truly understood the danger she’d been in.

She went quiet. Her gaze dropped for a moment, rain sliding down her lashes-and that irritated me even more than the argument. Before she could say anything else. I simply scooped per up. There was no room for debate. Cassian moved closer, alert, and 1 dipped my head toward him.

“Thank you. I’ll take her home now, my friend.”

We left the cave and faced the embankment above. The rain made the climb nearly impossible-even with all my strength, I wouldn’t have made it up with her in my arms without risking a fall. Cassian stopped beside me, as if he’d read my thoughts. and lowered himself, offering his broad back.

I placed Maya on first, carefully settling her between the wolf’s shoulders. Then I climbed up behind her, bracing myself to keep her steady My hands stayed exactly where they needed to e-nothing more-despite the water running between us, even when the contact sparked something unsettling beneath my skin. The faint scent of her hair drifted up, carrying barely-there traces of pheromones-still enough to test every thead of my self-control.

It was a silent battle Her body pressed to mine, the curve of her back far too obvious, her vulnerability laid bare in a way that surred something primitive. I resisted Stayed rigid. Focused. All the way to the end. This was not the moment to falter.

We moved through the forest toward the clearing. The rain began to ease as the house came into view, and when I finally saw it, I noticed movement in the garden. I climbed down first, en helped Maya oll Cassian’s back. I thanked him with a firm slap to the flank before setting her on her feet.

Langford was there with several alphas. She’d clearly mobilized part of the pack while I was gone. She rushed to Maya and wrapped her in a tight embrace, heedless of the wet clothes, reli written all over her face.

“Heavens, are you all right?”

“I am. Maya answered, surprise evident in her voice. “I just hurt myself a little.”

“Where did you get hurt? Where? And why did you run off, girl: Do you have any idea how worried Iwas?”

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