Page 81 of Claiming His Rejected Mate

Eldon.

“You need to get out of here,” she said, nodding toward where the rogues are streaming in from.

I nod, but before I run off, I pull her in and kiss her, the taste on her tongue filling me with the need to end this battle as soon as possible and take her as my Mate.

I find Eldon standing at the edge of the carnage, watching me with a knowing smirk. Unlike the others, he didn’t rush into battle. He’s been waiting. For me.

My grip tightens around my sword. My wolf snarls itching to drop the sword and shift into my wolf entirely.

This has been building for years.

And now?

Now, it ends.

I move fast, cutting through the battlefield with purpose, dodging attacks, countering strikes, but my focus never wavers. Eldon stands unmoving, his dark eyes gleaming with something close to amusement. “You kept me waiting, Alpha,” he taunts as I approach.

I don’t respond.

I strike.

Our swords clash, the impact sending a sharp vibration through my arms. Eldon counters effortlessly, his movements smooth, practiced. He fights like someone who has dreamed of this very moment—who has waited for it.

Blades whistle through the air, slicing, dodging, colliding. Each strike is brutal, unforgiving.

But he’s not as strong as me.

I drive him back, forcing him to retreat toward the trees.

His smirk never falters.

“You fight like your father,” he muses, parrying another blow. “All fire. All rage. No control.”

I snarl, shifting my weight before kicking him in the chest. He stumbles, barely managing to keep his balance.

I don’t let up.

I charge toward him. He does as well, our bodies colliding in a headlock.

“You think you’re different from him?” he continues, his breathcoming fast. “You think you’re better?”

I shove him back. “I am better.”

Eldon laughs, a hollow, bitter sound. “Then why did I know exactly how to break you?” His voice is low, taunting. “Why did you fall for everything I set in motion?”

My wolf roars, rage blinding me for a split second. Eldon takes that second. His claw slices across my side, sharp and deep.

I grunt, the pain white-hot, but I don’t let it slow me. I spin, slashing both my claws at his shoulder, cutting deep enough to draw blood.

Eldon hisses, staggering.

But his smirk remains.

“Did you ever wonder why I wanted you to suffer?” he asks, voice full of venom. “Why I took pleasure in tearing your pack apart? Why I wanted your mate?”

I bare my teeth, my fangs lengthening with thirst for his blood. “Because you’re a coward who couldn’t build something of his own.”

His expression darkens.