Rejected Little Secret by Lisj

While we hurriedly packed Sammy’s belongings, a serene and joyful feeling settled in my heart, helping me stay focused on the task. As Sammy and I gathered her things in a tote bag, there was a sense of ease in the air, as if the tension had completely dissipated. The air c**d with excitement, both.. hers and mine, as we made the final preparations to leave Thomholde.

When we finally reached the perimeter of Thomholde and joined up with the Blackacre pack, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and eagemess to move on. Just before leaving, Axton made sure to do a final sweep, his comforting smile providing a momentary break as he inquired about any belongings we may have left behind.

No sooner had we started talking than Zeke’s voice shattered the silence, freezing us in our tracks.

“STOPI”

The sound of Zeke’s voice reverberated through the clearing, instantly capturing everyone’s attention with its authority.

“Do not move.”

my eyes narrowing with a

My body froze in place, the pounding of my heart reverberating through my chest, as I mustered the courage to face Zeke, my eyes defiant glare, Beneath the surface, anger bubbled within me, strengthening my determination as I locked eyes with him.

“What do you want now, Zeke?” I snapped, my voice tinged with frustration. “I’m leaving, in case you haven’t noticed.”

Zeke’s unreadable expression grew more pronounced as he drew nearer, his eyes darting with a combination of regret and determination. Anger was the emotion that could be clearly seen on his face. Completely disregarding my presence, his intense glare was directed solely at Arton, as if he held him responsible for our shared decision to leave.

“Hunt, you f**g know that you can’t just take off with my people like that?

“Excuse you, I’m right here!” I retorted, my voice laced with defiance “I’m done with-Thornholde. I’m done with you!”

With a clenched jaw and a fiery gaze, Zeke’s frustration became unmistakable as he closed the distance between us with each determined step

“You can’t just walk away, Maya,” he insisted, his voice tinged with anger. “These things must be carried out with a sense of formality. Despite my clear refusal and explicit denial, you went ahead without my permission. The Blackacre pack will be seen as kidnappers if you choose to leave with them now, as they would have taken a member of my pack. Maya, I hope to avoid any confrontation, but if you continue down this path, I will be left with no other

option.”

“Are you threatening me, Zeke?”

Regret flickered in Zeke’s eyes, his expression softening ever so slightly

“Let me make myself clear then: you have to stay, and there’s no other option.”

don’t belong here, Zeke,” I retorted, my voice carrying a bitter undertone. Determined, I shake my head and clench the strap of my backpack behind me, willing myself to speak without any sign of nervousness. Beside me, I can see Axton’s body tense up, his brows furrowing in agitation. He’s no longer speaking, his eyes are fixed on Zeke, filled with an intense glare, signaling his readiness to strike. “Not anymore. I asked the beta for permission to leave, and he said yes. I didn’t break any rules.”

“That beta is an idiot,” Zeke spat, his voice dripping with disdain. “He had no right to overstep his boundaries.”

What

Just as Zeke was about to reply, the sound of approaching footsteps reverberated through the clearing, diverting my focus from our intense argument. I turned around and saw the other members of Thomholde approaching, their furrowed brows and worried eyes revealing their frustration and concern.

Nadia and her father, the Beta, along with Uncle Gavvyn, stood behind Zeke

0NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Seeing them made my heart sink as I became aware that my departure was becoming a spectacle, observed by everyone. Like a sharp blade, Uncle Gavvyn’s authoritative voice shattered the tense atmosphere.

“Enough, Zeker” Gripping his nephew’s shoulder, he admonished him with a firm and unwavering tone. “This is not the way to handle the situation.”

Zeke’s shoulders tensed up in response to the reprimand, but Uncle Gavyn paid him no attention. Instead, he walked towards me, his eyes locked onto mine, filled with a blend of worry and empathy.

“Maya,” he said gently, his voice a soothing balm amidst the chaos. “What’s going on here?”

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage for the words that were about to escape my lips.

Tim finally leaving Thornholde,” My voice remained calm and composed as I replied, despite the chaos brewing within me. At first, Uncle Gavyn’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but a few seconds later, a look of relief spread across his face. There was a sense of mutual understanding as he met my gaze and nodded. “I’ve been given permission by the Bota to join the Blackacre pack.”

My words made Uncle Gavyn furrow his brows, lost in deep contemplation. He turned to the Bota, his eyes filled with uncertainty, and asked for confirmation.

“Is this true?”

With a solemn nod, the Beta’s smile took on a calculating edge.

“Yes,” he confirmed, his voice carrying the weight of authority. “I granted the girl permission to leave. It’s within her right to seek her own path”

Zeke’s face contorted in rage, his fists clenched tightly by his sides, a physical manifestation of his internal battle against his emotions. With a sudden

al battle a burst of anger, he turned towards his Beta and forcefully yanked him up by the collar, his feet dangling inches above the ground. Shell shocked, I stood there with my mouth hanging wide open, watching in disbelief as the Beta’s face transformed into a deep shade of blue and purple. With a scream of terror, Nadia grabbed onto Zeke’s arm, desperately attempting to free her father from his grip.

Stop!”

Nadia’s scream echoed through the air, her tear-streaked face filled with anguish. It had been so long since I last saw her true self, but in that moment, it was as if time had reversed and I was seeing her as I remembered. The version of Nadia that wasn’t an awful b**h.

“You’re going to kill him! Put him down!”

But Zeke’s grip around the Beta’s neck only became more constricting.

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