"Why must it be like this? Because my wolf is pale and vulnerable? Or because my eyes, one yellow and one green, marked me differently? You dismissed our unbreakable bond and rejected me, ultimately choosing this woman?" I gestured towards Casey, who was embracing my former mate Chase, causing a sharp pain in my heart as tears clouded my vision. "Watch your tongue," Casey spat, her voice laced with contempt as she slapped me hard, causing a jolt that sent my head reeling to the side. I expected Chase, who used to shield me, to step in, but to my shock, he moved closer and, instead of support, swatted away my reaching hand. "Your mate? With someone whose weak, cursed wolf defies the very essence of what we are? Werewolves are meant to grow stronger after their wolves awaken, but you? No alpha would choose a mere mutt like you." He draped an arm around Casey's shoulder, drawing her closer, and said, "She's the one who truly belongs. You're better off lost in the woods." His words pierced me more deeply than any other insult. The fact that they came from the one person I trusted made the rejection all the more unbearable. It felt as if our entire shared history had crumbled. To make matters worse, the one he now claimed as his mate was my own sister. If ever you come crawling back, begging for forgiveness, know that your former mate will not grant it."
