The Rejected daughter chosen by the Alpha (Maya and Atila) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

-ÁTILA

I cracked my neck as I stepped into the office, more exhausted than I’d been in years. I’d just finished combing another stretch of forest, running myself to the edge, tracking scents that led nowhere. My muscles were still hot from the effort, but something inside me slipped. A strange weight settled across my shoulders, my legs buckled for a second, and I had to brace

hand on the desk to keep from showing weakness-especially to myself.

What if she’s dead?

shoved the thought away with a low growl. No. I wouldn’t accept that. I crossed the room, pulled an old leather-bound ournal from the shelf. The cover was worn, darkened by time. I opened it without thinking, straight to the marked pages.

My notes from years ago. Short entries. Angry strokes. Times when my strength vanished. Days when the hunt felt too heavy. Mentions of my instincts misfiring, breath coming up short, irritation without cause. I remembered that period too vell. Remembered thinking I was losing my mind. Believing the curse had finally beaten me.

dragged my fingers over the rough paper. If she’d been alive all this time, why had I still been losing strength back then?

The answer tasted bitter. Her family. They’d blocked Maya’s presence. Some object. Some ancient artifact. Witchcraft rinkets, charms meant to fool a wolf’s instincts. Something designed to sever the bond and keep me blind.

But what was it?

shut the journal and slid it back onto the shelf. The weakness came back now and then. Always fast. Always infuriating. Still, it made no sense. Minutes earlier I’d been tearing through the forest at full strength. And now this. Was it possible she vas handling that object? Putting it on. Taking it off. Unaware of what it did to me?

The sensation of being watched crawled up my spine. I started to turn toward the window-but the office door opened first.

The blonde walked in without invitation, invading my space like she owned it.

Back here again?” I asked, my patience already gone.

She didn’t answer. Just closed the distance between us and said, low and certain,

‘It doesn’t matter if there’s someone between us. I’m not giving up on you. Not this time.”

Before I could react, she surged forward and crushed her mouth to mine, catching me completely off guard.

Instinct took over.

I grabbed her shoulders and shoved her back hard. Victoria flew across the room and slammed into the couch with a heavy thud, letting out a sharp moan.

“Fuck! Don’t ever do that again, Victoria,” I snarled, stalking toward her. “Did I hurt you?”

She braced herself against the backrest, breathing hard, then slowly lifted her face. The smile she gave me was crooked, filthy-far too provocative for someone who’d just been thrown.

“You know I’m not the kind of wolf who breaks easily, love,” she said, voice thick. “Actually… when you get rough with me, it

turns me on.”

My jaw tightened.

1/4

6.17 pm

Chapter 51

“I’m not in the mood for games.”

She ignored that. Shifted on the couch, spread her legs openly, eyes locked on mine.

“Come on,” she taunted. “Don’t feel sorry for me. Fuck me like you used to. Hard. Dirty.”

The air went tight.

040

E55 Vouchers

My body reacted instantly. Blood surged. Instinct roared. I forced myself to breathe-slow, controlled-until reason clawed its way back. I stepped forward, grabbed both her legs, and snapped them shut. Not violent. Not gentle either. I crouched until my face was level with hers.

“Please,” I said quietly, restrained. “Don’t make me hurt you more than I already have.”

She tried to laugh, but it faltered.

“You always liked me like this.”

“I did. I corrected. “I don’t anymore. I don’t want you that way. I don’t desire you as a woman.”

“This is because of her.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It does,” she shot back. “You’ve changed.”

“I changed because I had to.”

She sat up slowly, the challenge still there-but weaker now.

“You’re telling me it’s really over?”

“I’m telling you I have no interest in you anymore, Victoria.”

“After everything?”

“After everything. Now leave my house. And don’t come back.”

She crossed her arms.

“You’re throwing me out?”

“I’m asking for one thing,” I said. “Out of respect-for you and your family-don’t come here again.”

“Atila…” She stepped toward me.

“Leave. Now.”

There was no room to argue.

She froze. Silence stretched between us. I saw the exact moment her bravado cracked. Tears welled in her eyes, too fast to be fake.

“You didn’t have to treat me like this.”

“I had to be clear.”

2/4

6:17 pm P LWMM.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify