The clearing had gone completely silent.
Every wolf present could feel the overwhelming aura radiating from Alpha Kael. Even the strongest warriors in the Nightfall Pack avoided meeting his eyes.
My former Alpha clenched his fists.
"You think you can just walk into my territory and take what belongs to me?" he growled.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"What belongs to you?" he repeated calmly.
His gaze slowly moved toward me again.
"You rejected her," he said coldly. "The moment you did that, your claim disappeared."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Everyone knew he was right.
Once a mate was rejected, the bond was broken forever.
But that didn't stop the fury burning in my former Alpha's eyes.
"She's still a member of my pack," he snapped.
Kael stepped forward.
The ground beneath his boots crunched softly.
"Not for long."
My heart raced.
Everything was happening too fast.
Just minutes ago I was a rejected omega standing alone before my entire pack.
Now the most powerful Alpha in the region was standing beside me.
Why?
What did he want from me?
Kael suddenly turned to me.
"Do you want to stay here?" he asked quietly.
I looked around the clearing.
At the pack members who had laughed at me.
At the Alpha who had humiliated me in front of everyone.
At the place that was supposed to be my home.
Tears stung my eyes again.
"No," I whispered.
A small smile appeared on Kael's lips.
"Good," he said.
Then he turned back toward the furious Alpha.
"I'll take her with me."
The tension in the clearing instantly exploded.
"You dare!" my former Alpha shouted.
But Kael's silver eyes flashed dangerously.
"Careful," he warned softly.
Even the wind seemed to freeze.
"I didn't come here to fight," Kael continued.
"But if you force me to…"
His aura surged suddenly.
Several wolves staggered backward.
"…your entire pack will regret it."