Page 2 of Claiming His Rejected Mate

It’s like a jolt of electricity straight to my core. The magnetic pull I felt earlier intensifies, and the realization hits me with a blow.

Mate.

The word echoes in my mind, carrying a wave of hope with it that is so strong it nearly knocks me off balance. For the first time in years, I feel something other than emptiness. Is that my voice? It sounds different, like it’s coming from somewhere that isn’t quite…me.

The sound of my name being called jolts me back to the present.

“Callister! Get in the pit!”

My stomach churns, and the sight of Kieran still burns in my mind. My hands clench into fists as I force myself to step forward, my boots crunching against the gritty dirt path leading to the ring. My heartbeat pounds in my ears, and then—

Mate.

Again.

The word is a whisper, yet it crashes through my mind with the force of a thunderstorm.

The voice isn’t mine. It’s hers—my wolf.

I freeze for half a second, the realization hitting me square in the chest. My wolf has finally spoken, and her first word is a claim.

And it’s freaking Kieran? The Alpha of the Moonfang pack?

My wolf must be insane or delusional—or both.

Fear snakes its way up my spine, cold and paralyzing. I glance toward the Alpha booth, where Kieran sits like a carved statue of power and indifference. His gaze sweeps over me, cold and dismissive, as if I’m nothing more than another nameless fighter in the crowd.

My wolf growls inside me, furious at his disregard, but I shove thefeeling down. Not now, I plead silently. My wolf quiets, but I can feel her lingering, watching, waiting…like she’s just waiting for me to get this fight over with so she can go after what she awakened for.

Right. I’m not that important to anyone. Not even my wolf.

The air is heavy with the tang of sweat, metal, and grease. My opponent, Cain of the Moonfang, stands in the center of the ring, his hulking figure casting a long shadow.

He smirks as I step into the pit, his amber eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. “Ready to dance, Callister?”

I roll my shoulders, keeping my expression neutral despite the knot tightening in my stomach. “I’ve been ready.”

The crowd presses closer, their excitement buzzing in the air. The announcer’s voice fades into background noise as Cain and I take our positions, the pit’s edges marked by a rough circle of stones.

The signal to start comes, and Cain lunges, his movements fluid and precise.

He’s fast. Faster than I anticipated.

I duck under his first swing, feeling the rush of air as his fist passes inches from my head. My smaller build works to my advantage as I dart around him, keeping out of reach of his powerful strikes. The crowd roars, their cheers blending into a chaotic symphony of sound.

“That all you’ve got?” Cain taunts, his grin widening.

I don’t respond. My focus is razor-sharp as I analyze his movements. He’s strong, but he’s not invincible. Every swing is wide and powerful, but each one leaves his side open for a split second.

I seize the opportunity, twisting to the side and delivering a sharp kick to his ribs. The impact reverberates through my leg, and Cain stumbles, but he recovers quickly, his growl reverberating through the pit.

“Not bad,” he snarls, his voice tinged with amusement.

The next exchange is faster and more intense. Cain shifts partially, his claws elongating, his muscles bulging as his wolf strengthens him. I grit my teeth, dodging and parrying, but the strain is starting to wear on me.

The crowd is cheering for Cain now, their voices a tidal wave ofsupport. My breaths come in short gasps, sweat dripping down my temple. I can feel my strength waning, my limbs growing heavy.

And then, I feel a spark, a surge of energy that isn’t mine but what I now recognize as my wolf.