Page 7 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

“May I?” he asked, tugging at her top, and she nodded her head, giving him permission.

He uncovered her upper body until her nipples gleamed, exposed to the sparkles of the fireflies that surrounded them.

Shy, she raised one of her hands to cover herself, but he grabbed her arm to stop her. “Don’t. Don’t cover yourself, Athena. You are beautiful. Too beautiful.”

His body hovered over hers, and she felt his cock, hard, pressing against her.

“I’ll be gentle,” he said softly, assuring her.

He pushed in slowly, thrusting his hips in rhythm as his other hand held onto her as he moved. Gradually, he eased into her, and her legs tightened around him.

“Marcus,” she moaned. “Don’t stop. Please”

“I won’t,” he assured as he laid claim to her body under the watchful gaze of the Silverlight Valley.

***

“Are you alright? That was a close call.” His voice, deeper and rougher than she remembered, jolted her back to reality.

Athena felt her breath catch in her throat; her lungs suddenly felt paralyzed, as if gripped by an invisible hand.

How is he so calm when I could hardly breathe?

Why wasn’t he shocked? Why was he speaking like he didn’t know who she was?

Had he forgotten about her so quickly?

Her head buzzed with questions before she realized her glamor was still in place. He didn’t know her.

“I’m… I’m fine,” she stammered, her voice faint, pulse racing like a trapped beast. She pushed up from the grass, legs shaky.

“I’m Marcus, by the way.” He offered a hand, his smile easy, disarming—the same one that once broke her.

Marcus.

The name ripped open memories she’d buried: his warmth, then his cruelty when her witch powers emerged.

Time had been kind to him—wider shoulders, chiseled jaw, auburn hair still tousled. It was unfair how good he looked. His charm, once boyish, now carried a man’s edge… But his eyes… Those amber eyes, tender once, before they turned icy, hadn’t changed. They pinned her, stirring fear and old pain.

***

Three weeks. That was how long it had been since Athena last saw Marcus alone. She had caught glimpses of him in the crowd, at pack gatherings, in the training arena, with the other pack mates, but never just him, never with the softness he used to save just for her.

It hurt her.

She told herself he was busy. Marcus was next in line to be Alpha. Of course, he had more responsibilities and a tighter schedule.

The pack was preparing for a new moon tonight. But she would speak to him after the shifts. She had to.

Her hands trembled as she stepped into a small clearing behind the wolfing grounds. She looked around to be sure she was alone, then raised her palm to the sky, mumbling some words. A soft light grew. First, it appeared as a flicker, then it enlarged into a glowing orb, swirling with lavender and blue.

Her powers. They had awakened.

She smiled to herself. Ever since that night with Marcus in the garden, something had been shifting inside her. At first, it had felt like restlessness. And then it grew stronger and clearer. That night had changed everything.

She didn’t need a mark to tell her. She knew. The moment he touched her and kissed her, Marcus Vale was a part of her.

He had made her whole, and the intimate moment had awakened something within her. Her magic.