Chapter 10

Ella's POV

When I turned around, I was surprised to see my two best friends, Lalea and Francine. They were Betas in our pack, and I thought they had moved away with their mates.

Asher excused himself, saying he had important matters to attend to, but I knew he was just giving me space to catch up with my friends. I hadn't told them, or even my family, the real reason I was home or about the loss of my unborn twin. It still hurt too much, and the thought of being vulnerable or breaking down in front of them made my chest tighten.

Lalea and Francine chatted excitedly about their mates, their voices filled with affection and pride. Francine announced she was three months pregnant, and the news hit me like a punch to the gut. A pang of envy twisted inside me, and I struggled to keep my smile in place, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat. I could only nod and listen, fighting back the painful memories of what I had lost.

Just then, my phone rang. I glanced down to see an unknown number flashing on the screen. I'd recently changed my number, so it was probably a wrong dial. I silenced the call, but curiosity gnawed at me. Who could it be?

It was nearly dark when I returned to the pack, and as I walked through the gates, something caught my eye. A familiar car. I stopped in my tracks, my heart sinking when I saw Alpha Carson stepping out of it.

What was he doing here? How did he find my family's pack? I hadn't told him anything about them, and he'd never seemed interested in my family life before.

He walked toward me, his long strides eating up the distance, dressed in a crisp, tailored coat and pants. As always, he looked striking, but this time, I felt nothing. No butterflies, no lingering attraction. Just an overwhelming desire to avoid him.

"Ella, honey," he called, his voice thick and gravelly. "Why didn't you pick up my call? And why did you change your number?"

He was almost upon me now, his presence suffocating.

"We're done, Alpha Carson," I replied coldly, not even sparing him a glance. "I rejected you as my mate, so what do you expect? Why would I keep my number when it's not necessary?"

At the mention of our breakup, his expression twisted into something that almost resembled amusement, like he'd just heard the most ridiculous joke. His fist clenched and then relaxed.

"We're done? You're rejecting me?" he repeated, his voice dripping with mockery. "When did we end things, Ella? I don't recall that happening, or even your rejection."

My first thought was that maybe the message I'd sent him hadn't gone through, but that didn't make sense. He was too smart for that, he wouldn't be CEO of Wayvere if he wasn't sharp. He knew exactly what my resignation meant.

So why was he standing here, acting like none of it had happened? Like I hadn't rejected him and broken up with him?

I didn't want to ask him. Maybe he just needed to hear it from me. I met his gaze with an icy indifference, my patience wearing thin.

"If you really didn't get it, let me make it clear for you," I said, my voice steady but firm.

"Alpha Carson, I, Ella Hansen, am rejecting you as my mate, and we are done. Did you hear me? Or do I need to repeat it until it sinks in? Surely, Alpha Carson can't be this dense."

His jaw clenched, and his face turned a shade paler. His cold, unwavering gaze never left me.

"No matter how many times you say it, my answer stays the same." His voice was low and menacing. "Ella, I won't be accepting your rejection. You will be my mate, and that's final. Besides, I haven't done anything wrong. What gives you the right to reject me?"

I stood there, stunned. Was he really this shameless? How could he be acting like this?

Before I could respond, I heard my father's voice calling from the pack gate.

"Ella, princess, who are you talking to? Why don't you come inside?" His tone was filled with concern and curiosity.

I glanced at Alpha Carson one last time, then turned toward my dad, grateful for the interruption.