Rejected Little Secret by Lisj

My eyes were locked on the stage where Zeke and Alpha Gavvyn stood side by side, as I stood on the outskirts of the bustling crowd. Axton stood by my side, his hand no longer intertwined with mine but still providing quiet comfort as he gently massaged my back. In an effort to regain composure, I inhaled deeply, fighting back the tears that threatened to resurface. The touch of Axton’s hand against my back felt like a balm, slowly mending the pieces of my shattered heart. 

Steadying my breathing. I watched as Alpha Gavvyn took a step forward, his weathered face conveying a somberness that matched the gravity of the situation. A silver blade, shining brightly in the sunlight, was held aloft by his raised forearm. With precision, he made a small cut on his skin, causing a single drop of blood to pool and stain the ground 

beneath him. 

At the sight, my heart tightened with a mix of emotions, fully aware of the symbolism behind the act. 

The Alpha Ascension ritual is starting- 

Alpha Gavvyn gracefully stepped aside, allowing Zeke to seamlessly step into his position. With determination etched on his face, he mirrored his uncle’s actions and carefully cut his forearm, his jaw clenched. My eyes fixated on Zeke, his skin turning crimson as the blood pooled silently. Even as my heart ached for him, I couldn’t escape the bitter taste that lingered in my mouth. 

A ceremonial vessel, crafted from ancient silver, was brought forth to collect the blood of both Alphas after they had made their cuts. The vessel’s surface was a testament to the craftsmanship of the past, with intricate carvings that held the secrets of generations. 

Once the blood was mixed, a symbolic concoction took shape, capturing the essence of both the old and new Alpha in a powerful blend. It was a powerful reminder of the ancestral bloodline flowing through their veins, a heritage that would serve as a compass and shield for future generations of the pack. 

With a solemn nod, Alpha Gavvyn carefully anointed Zeke’s forehead with the blended blood, a symbol of their sacred connection. The crowd exploded with applause, chants, and howls, their voices blending together in a symphony of celebration and support. 

While I watched from the sidelines, a sharp, acrid taste lingered on my tongue. This was not the future I had envisioned for Zeke, for us. With each passing moment, the weight of betrayal grew heavier, leaving me wondering about the uncertain future that awaited us.. 

“Zeke,” As Alpha Gavvyn invited Zeke back to the center of the stage, the atmosphere in the town square became charged with anticipation. Zeke stood tall and the crowd grew silent, their eyes fixated on him. “As the newly appointed Alpha of our pack, it is now your responsibility to address your fellow pack members.” 

Zeke nodded in acknowledgment, his jaw clenched tight with unwavering determination. Stepping forward, he cast a sweeping gaze over the crowd, until his eyes met mine. For a brief moment, our eyes locked, and I saw a flicker of sadness in his gaze. Then, in the blink of an eye, it vanished, replaced by an unyielding resolve that made my spine tingle with uncase. 

“My felle 

fellow pack members,” Zeke began, his voice taking on a commanding tone that was quite different from his usual demeanor. “I stand before you today as your new Alpha, ready to lead our pack into a new era of prosperity and strength.” 

As the crowd murmured in agreement, the sound of their voices blended together, creating a harmonious chorus of support for their new leader. With a single gesture, Zeke held up his hand, effectively silencing everyone around him. “I know that there have been rumors of Rogues lurking around the Six Packs of our nation,” Zeke continued, the mischievousness in his eyes replaced by a sudden seriousness. This is an unfamiliar side of him that I’m seeing. “But I want to assure you that there is no cause for alarm. With my ascension comes a renewed dedication to our safety and security.” 

The crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement spreading like a ripple as Zeke’s words resonated. Promising to keep them safe, he vowed to protect them from the hidden perils that awaited beyond our borders. 

“I vow to hunt down every single Rogue that dares to threaten our peace,” Zeke declared, his voice ringing with conviction. “I will not rest until our pack is free from the shadow of danger, until every last one of our enemies lies defeated at our feet!” 

Zeke’s words were filled with bravery and confidence, yet a lingering sense of unease made my stomach churn. As I turned my head to face Axton, I found him wearing a similar pensive look on his face. He reassured me last night, saying that there was nothing to worry about. The conflicting statements from Zeke and Axton have left me feeling incredibly anxious. 

As the echoes of the cheers dissipated, Zeke’s resolute expression remained, and he cast one final glance over the crowd. “Together, we will build a future filled with peace and prosperity. And as your Alpha, I promise to lead our pack with honor and integrity, always putting the needs of our people above all else.” 

As Zeke uttered those last words, he retreated from the stage’s edge, his body language radiating confidence and resoluteness. In a cacophony of applause, the crowd showered their new leader with admiration and respect, their voices blending together in a chorus of support. 

But as I watched Zeke stand tall and proud, a pang of sadness pierced my heart. 

Throughout the entire ceremony, there wasn’t a single moment where he cracked a smile. 

As I watched the ceremony come to an end, the weight of sorrow settled upon me, and a wave of memories crashed into my mind, overwhelming me. I couldn’t help but remember the Zeke I had known, the Zeke who was playful and carefree, his laughter filling the air like music. He had always been so vibrant, his infectious smile capable of brightening even the gloomiest of days. 

But as I looked at him now, standing tall and proud on the stage, a sense of sadness washed over me like a tidal wave. The Zeke I remembered was nothing like this. The man standing on the stage was a stranger, not the one I had fallen in love with. 

As the ceremony unfolded, I searched for any sign of the Zeke I knew and loved, but he seemed to have vanished, leaving behind only an empty shell. Instead, he had been cold and distant, his eyes filled with determination and resolve. He had spoken of hunting down Rogues and killing them without hesitation, his words ringing with a sense of finality that sent shivers down my spine. 

As I looked at this new Zeke, I struggled to make sense of how he had transformed from the boy I used to know. The boy who had laughed and played with me under the stars, who had held me close and whispered sweet nothings in 

my car. 

Where had he gone? 

What had become of the man I loved? 

I can’t stand the fact that I’m completely ignorant about the answer. 

Watching the crowd disperse, I could feel the weight of my emotions as tears welled up in my eyes, and the distant sound of their voices added to my sense of loneliness. It felt like he was slipping through my fingers, disappearing a little more with each passing moment. I watched as the Zeke I once knew slowly transformed into a hardened, unrecognizable figure. 

I yearned to embrace him tightly, whispering reassurances that everything would turn out fine. But deep down, I knew that it was too late. It was a painful realization that he had made his choice, and it wasn’t me the weight of it pressed down on my heart. 

Just as I turned to leave, a powerful voice resonated through the air, pulling me back towards the stage. It was Zeke, clapping his hands together to get the crowd’s attention. As I watched hike 

Leaning close to Axton, I whispered softly into his ear. 

“What’s he doing?” 

“Attention, everyone!” Zeke called, his voice echoing through the air as he cupped his hands around his mouth. “I have something important to discuss with the Alphas of the other five packs. Please, join me on stage.” 

Confused, Axton furrowed his brow, then let go of my hand and excused himself, playfully teasing me. Flashing a playful smirk, he uttered some words before melting into the sea of people. 

“Looks like your ex is calling me, Chesnut.” 

As I watched him go, a rush of heat flooded my cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and gratitude for his teasing and presence. As I shifted my focus back to the stage, my eyes landed on Zeke, who’s already encircled by the other Alphas of the neighboring packs. As they gathered around him, their expressions varied from curiosity to suspicion, their eyes locked onto him with anticipation. Alongside them, Nadia engaged in a conversation with her father and the esteemed Alpha Gavvyn. 

A gentle pull on my arm made me stop in my tracks and look behind me. 

“Hey, are we going back to the house now?” 

her ever 

I turned to face her, and as I looked into I couldn’t help but notice the sadness that lingered behind her forced blank expression. 

“Yeah, Sammy, we can go back.” 

In a quiet, almost inaudible voice, she suddenly spoke, her words barely reaching the air. 

“He saw me. 

“Huh?” 

“My True Mate,” Sammy replied, her voice dripping with bitterness. With her gaze averted, she crossed her arms protectively over her chest. “He spat at my face and told me to spend the money he gave me on clothes, so I wouldn’t embarrass him any further. 

“Oh,” I whispered, my hand extending towards her shoulder, but ultimately retracting before making contact. “That’s awful. 

With a shrug, Sammy tried to shake off the hurt, but her forced chuckle betrayed the pain he was feeling. Her words came out strained, her voice revealing the pain she struggled to keep hidden. 

“Oh, it’s fine. Just another day in the life of Sammy, right?” 

But I could see through her facade, the heaviness in her sighs exposing the deep wounds she carried. I knew it wasn’t fine as soon as I felt the tension in the air. It was unimaginable that someone could be treated with such cruelty, especially by the one person who was supposed to be their True Mate. I would know, and it frustrates me that I would. 

“Attention, everyone!” With a grave and authoritative tone, Zeke called out again, demanding everyone’s attention. As Sammy and I exchanged a quick glance, we instinctively shifted our attention towards the stage. “In order to prioritize the safety of all six packs, we have made the decision to provide training for each pack. The Thornholde pack has been selected as the venue for the training. And the initial phase will involve the Blackacre Pack. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Speculative whispers rippled through the air, making the tension feel thick and palpable. 

The warmth of the evening air couldn’t ward off the chilling sensation that sent shivers down my spine. I could feel the intensity of Zeke’s stare as his cold, unwavering eyes locked onto mine. A sickening sense of realization washed 

over me, causing a knot to form in the pit of my stomach. 

Despite the suffocating sense of dread, 1 summoned all my strength to maintain composure. I couldn’t let Zeke see 

the way my hands were shaking, a clear sign of how deeply his announcement had affected me. I couldn’t let him see the flicker of annoyance that danced in my eyes, giving him the satisfaction he craved. 

He was glaring at me because he knew. 

Blackacre Pack. Axton’s pack. 

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