Page 91 of Claiming His Rejected Mate

The courtyard is silent.

Moonfang warriors stand at attention when we step back outside, their gazes flicking between me, Kieran, and Magnus.

Magnus stands before me, his broad shoulders squared, but there’s something different about him now. The arrogance is gone, replaced by a weight I recognize—defeat.

Mom goes to stand next to him, her hands before her, but this time, her head held high.

I let the silence stretch, making sure everyone feels it, making sure he feels it.

Then I speak.

“If Nightclaw wants an alliance, if you want my support,” I say, my voice steady but cold, “then you’ll have to earn it.”

A flicker of something crosses Magnus’ face—shame, perhaps? He swallows hard, his gaze locked onto mine. I feel the humiliation he made me feel like I’ve gone back in time to that day. And something in me revels in the fact that roles were reversed. He could have beenmerciful, but he didn’t choose that option. To him, I had fallen short in every way a daughter could. And now, he has come back with a request. If I didn’t care about Mom, I would have sent them back. But I do.

And now, I can have my revenge.

“You want me to fight for your pack,” I continue, stepping closer, letting every warrior in the courtyard hear me. “You want me to stand beside you after what you did to me?” I shake my head. “That doesn’t come without a price.”

Magnus nods slowly, as if expecting this. “Name it.”

My lips press into a thin line. “I want an apology. And I want you to step down as Gamma.”

A murmur ripples through the gathered warriors.

Magnus stiffens. “Hazel—”

“No.” My voice is sharp, unwavering. “You don’t get to negotiate. You humiliated me. You stripped me of my rank, my dignity, my wolf. And now, you want to walk back in here like none of that ever happened?” I take another step forward, my pulse pounding. “If you want redemption, prove it.”

His jaw clenches. I see the war inside him, the battle between pride and regret.

Then he drops to one knee.

The murmurs grow louder. Even Kieran stiffens beside me.

“I was wrong,” Magnus says, his voice steady but thick with something heavy. “I was blind to my own arrogance, to my own failures. I should have protected you. I should have stood by you. And for that, I ask for your forgiveness.”

My throat tightens.

I wasn’t expecting it to feel…real.

I swallow, my fingers twitching at my sides. “And your position?” I have to follow through despite the surge of emotions that bubble in my chest.

Magnus inhales deeply. “I will relinquish my title as Gamma.”

A shocked gasp spreads through the crowd.

I nod, forcing my voice to remain calm. “Good.”

I turn to Kieran, expecting him to end this, to move on, but instead, he steps forward.

“She has every right to demand this,” Kieran says, his deep voice cutting through the crowd’s murmurs. “But I also know that Magnus is one of the best strategists Nightclaw has ever had.” His gaze flicks to mine, careful, measured. “Let him lead the Nightclaw warriors in battle. We can use his familiarity and tactical skill.”

I narrow my eyes. “And if he fails?”

Kieran’s lips curve slightly. “Then he remains nothing.”

Magnus exhales, nodding once. “I accept.”