Chasing back his Rejected Mate

I had the impression that an electric storm was building beneath the surface of the charged air surrounding me.

Every cell of my body was on high alert as I stood there, my hands shaking at my sides. 

The surrounding woodland was unnaturally silent, as though even the animals were aware that a significant event was about to take place. 

The man who had kept me in the dark and saved me, Alpha Neon Wayne, was staring at me with a stifling intensity. I was having trouble breathing.

For a moment, everything else vanished as his eyes, those unnaturally stormy and dark eyes, met mine.

A strange feeling swept over me, and the anguish, the bewilderment, the anger-all of it vanished into the background. It wasn't welcome, and it wasn't rational either.

But it was there, powerful and unquestionable.

"What were you saying?" My voice could hardly be heard over the roar of blood in my ears as I whispered.

With slow, almost predatory movements, Alpha Neon took a step closer. His gravelly, low voice sank into my skin like a brand when he continued, "You heard me, Nixie." 

"Don't you sense it? The connection.

Bond? No. That isn't possible. As my heart struck my ribs, I staggered back, attempting to put distance between us. Despite my body's betrayal, I managed to say, "That's impossible." 

I sensed the connection, the pull. It didn't make sense, though. A flicker of something I couldn't quite read passed over Neon's face as his jaw tightened. Was it remorse? Fury? Or something else?

With a gentler, almost painful voice, he said, "I didn't ask for this either." "However, we cannot deny reality."

I had flashbacks to the previous days as my mind raced. Even though he had just lightly touched my flesh, his presence had a profound impact on me and ignited my soul. 

However, no. I was unable to accept this. Not after everything, not now.

"Are you implying that we are mates?" The word was incorrect in every aspect, and I felt strange on my tongue.

The Moon Goddess was thought to have blessed the union, making it sacred. But here I was, up against a rogue alpha who had caused me to doubt my existence. 

He answered, "Yes," in a voice full of conviction, as though that one word were the weight of the entire world. "And everything changes as a result."

Shaking my head, I felt panic rising within me. 

"No. You're telling lies. This must be a deception of some sort. 

Neon's face became stern. "I hope it is. 

However, you are as aware as I am that the bond is truthful. The connection. My inner wolf awoke uneasily, seemingly in agreement with him and aware of what I was yet unable to accept. 

My stomach turned at the thought. That aspect of myself that still yearns for something genuine and unadulterated was something I had grown to despise. However, this link was not intended to occur. Not with someone like him, in particular.

I forced myself not to scream, and my breaths came out shallow. 

"Why now?" With a hint of urgency in my voice, I asked. "Why me?" 

His displeasure was evident as he ran a hand through his hair. "Nixie, I don't know all the answers. However, destiny doesn't wait for us to be prepared. 

"Destiny?, That was a word I had always detested. It suggested that I lacked self-control and was like a puppet being dragged by an invisible power. Even so, I couldn't deny that something more significant was going on as I stood here sensing the draw between us.

With wrath simmering beneath the surface, I clenched my fists. I spit out, looking directly into his eyes, "I refuse to be shackled to anyone." "Not even you." For a moment, I feared that he could lose his fury and lash out. Instead, the harsh lines on his face loosened and his eyes softened.

He responded softly, "I'm not asking you to be," and I was surprised by how earnest his voice sounded. "But this bond won't go away if you deny it."

The wind blowing through the trees was the only sound to break the profound quiet that had fallen between us. All I wanted to do was stand here and accept the reality, but I also wanted to argue and run. However, the ground beneath our feet began to tremble before I could figure out what to do next. 

The rustle of leaves in the distance was followed by a warning cry that broke the silence. Both of us became extremely vigilant about our intuition. With a stiff posture, Neon's hand shot to the dagger at his waist. With a deadly edge to his voice, he murmured, "They've found us."

"Who?" With my own heart pounding frantically, I asked.

Before he could respond, I saw the glitter of eyes-eyes full of malice-as shadows appeared from the treeline.

However, these rogues weren't just typical ones. Their actions were too planned, and the energy they emitted was different and more threatening. Neon gripped his weapon more tightly. There was no room for debate in his voice as he said, "Stay behind me." 

However, I no longer wanted to be pampered or shielded. I had endured too much and endured too much. I yelled, "I can fight," as my terror turned into a fierce resolve.

He gave me a look that was equal parts admiration and frustration. He answered, "I don't doubt it, but at this moment, your safety is non-negotiable."

I was about to complain when the rogues lunged. Neon's body was a whirl of deadly accuracy, moving like lightning. The conflict exploded around us before I could even recognize his ferocity.

As I struggled to defend myself, my heart pounded, but one rogue got past Neon's barriers and stared at me. As I prepared myself, I heard a snarl-a sound so wild and savage that it caused my wolf to whimper-instead of the hit.

In a flash, Neon was there, ripping the outlaw away from me with such brutality that there was no question of his strength.

But as soon as he was done, a bigger and more crafty rogue materialized behind him. When I realized Neon wouldn't see it in time, my heart stopped.

"Neon!" The word tore from my throat as I yelled. It was already too late when he turned around. Neon hardly had time to brace for contact as the rogue attacked. 

I felt a rush of panic and adrenaline, and I instinctively grabbed the closest weapon-a fallen branch-and charged. As I swung, a violent, unknown power erupted within me and poured out in a way I couldn't control, blurring my eyes with the rage of the moment. 

The rogue was flung backwards and landed disoriented a few feet away.

I stood there looking at my hands while breathing heavily. What was that? Slowly, Neon stood up, his eyes wide with astonishment and something else I couldn't identify. 

"Nixie," he muttered, his tone full of incredulity. "What did you do?"

I just heard the echo of a strength that shouldn't have been mine, and I had no response. And I realized that nothing would ever be the same as the truth of what I had just done.