“Then explain,” Luna whispered, dread coiling in her chest.
Alex looked between them, his expression heavy. “There is only one remaining explanation.”
The Alpha’s eyes widened. “No,” he said immediately. “That can’t be—”
“He was rejected,” Alex said quietly. “By his fated mate.”
The words hit like thunder.
“What?!” the Alpha roared, the sound shaking the walls. “That’s impossible! It is impossible for us to recognise our fated mates by ourselves. If the Messenger,.. He would have felt the bond form—he would have known, and clearly a rejection would not happen! The fated mates are vital for the strength of our line, of our pack!”
Alex met his gaze, unflinching despite the Alpha’s fury. “Probably he did feel it. Even if he didn’t understand it. And when his fated mate accepted his reje
