Rejected Little Secret by Lisj

When we’re in public, Zeke has a way of pretending I don’t exist. 

Although his actions initially hurt me, their familiarity has gradually desensitized me after being together for so long. It wasn’t like he ever set aside time for me, even though most of the pack knew we hung out sometimes. Our relationship was a secret, and in the beginning, I was fine with that. But things are different now, especially after the pain he caused me. 

True to my expectations, Nadia was positioned right next to him. To be fair, Nadia’s father, who held the position of beta, was also present, alongside Alpha Gavvyn. With smiles on their faces, they chatted away, oblivious to Zeke’s intense glare and menacing growls aimed at us. 

Curious, I tilted my head and observed as Zeke’s eyes flickered, transitioning from a deep black to their usual color. He was always possessive and jealous, constantly forbidding me from interacting with any male members of our pack. It’s amusing, maybe he had been projecting all along, especially given that he was the one who ultimately cheated on 

ΠΕ 

Nadia had her arm tightly wrapped around Zeke’s bicep, giving occasional squeezes to grab his attention during their conversation. At the same time, Axton is snickering beside me, his amusement contagious. Even though he was still holding onto me, both of us couldn’t help but openly fix our stares on Zeke. It’s a miracle that tensions haven’t escalated into a fight yet. 

“Well?” Axton’s breath tickled my ear as he whispered, gently guiding me closer to him. I could feel the soft brush of his neck against my head. “So, what do they call you, Chestnut?” 

Torn between conflicting emotions, I roll my eyes and contemplate whether to push him away or bring him closer. Right now, my wolf is unusually silent, its piercing howls replaced by an eerie stillness. Usually, she would have protested vehemently at the mere sight of an unmated male approaching and touching me in Zeke’s presence. 

“Maya Dalton.” 

“Hm.” Axton boldly pulls away, his breath warm against my cheek as he leans his forehead against mine. “I’m thinking I’ll just call you Chestnut from now on. The nickname’s adorable, don’t you agree!” 

I stared at him, my expression completely blank. 

“I don’t really care. 

“Ah, you make my heart race with your words.” 

With his hand securely wrapped around the back of my neck, Axton gently guided me in a direction, showing no signs of wanting to let me go. Following him clumsily, I steal a quick glance at Zeke, whose intense glare remains fixed on us. Strangely enough, there’s a touch of hurt hidden behind the mask of anger on his face. 

– Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

There’s a bittersweet mix of emotions within me a part that wants to burst into laughter, but also a part that’s throbbing with pain. Does he think I actually want this? The only thing I longed for was his acceptance, for him to boldly announce to the entire pack that we were True Mates. 

Just as I was pondering that, I noticed Nadia staring at us as well. Her eyes revealed an unexpected mix of curiosity and a subtle flicker of surprise. Our eyes locked for a brief moment, and then she hastily averted her Axton, who seemed disinterested in her presence. Axton’s words buzzed in my car, but their meaning seemed to fade 

gaze towards away as I struggled to feign interest. 

From the moment I was adopted by the pack, Nadia has been a constant presence in my life. I know her face, the subtle changes in her expression when she’s upset, angry, or wants something. I can tell by the look on her face and the expression she’s wearing that she wants Axton to come closer. 

It’s impossible to deny that Nadia is stunningly beautiful, and I have no shame in admitting it. She’s the prized jewel of the Thornholde pack, her beauty unmatched by any other. Her allure is so strong that even those who are already Mated can’t resist her. Nadia wasn’t fortunate enough to have her mate among our pack members. With her father’s blessing, she had spent years venturing into various packs, hoping to find her mate, but her search had yielded no results. 

This could only signify one thing – her Mate, whoever that may be, is unmistakably human. 

Since that possibility emerged, Nadia has remained silent about finding a Mate. 

“Who’s that, and why does she have your scent?” 

Out of nowhere, a voice startled me, making me realize that I had suddenly become encircled by a group of people. I’ve always been the one to blend into the background during events, so when someone finally directs their attention towards me, I become paralyzed with uncertainty. 

There’s a young girl, seemingly five years younger than me, whose eyes are fixed on me. Standing next to her, I couldn’t help but notice her height, as she was noticeably shorter than me. Her brown hair, neatly tied into three braids, added a charming touch to her appearance. One braid rested in the middle, while the other two framed her face on either side. 

“Say hello to my good friend, Maya Dalton.” With a wink, Axton introduced me to the girl, his voice filled with excitement. “She gave me an amazing welcome when I got here.” 

Overwhelmed by embarrassment, I instinctively turned towards Axton and jabbed my elbow into his stomach. He groaned and folded in on himself, his exaggerated reaction not fooling me in the slightest. With a look of pure disdain, the little girl’s lips curl up in disgust as she gazes at him. And it wasn’t until much later that I finally noticed the striking resemblance between her and Axton. 

“Ugh, gross. You’re embarrassing” As her attention shifts towards me, her eyes scan over my entire body, from my head all the way down to my toes. “You’re not much to look at, but I suppose it’s better than nothing. Your personality is all you’ve got, so you better be nice.” 

I could feel a vein throbbing in my head, as if it were about to burst. Without thinking, I impulsively flicked her forehead before I could even realize what I was doing. I could see the disbelief in the girl’s eyes as she stared at me, as if she hadn’t anticipated my actions either. 

“Lemme guess, you’re his sister?” 

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