Rejection

Chapter 15 - A knife's edge

---Kyle's POV---

"Get back here, you minx!"

I laughed, darting past the Alpha pair with a swift but respectful nodded greeting, feeling their eyes follow my progression with mirth as Max followed hot on my trail. Even when I shifted, I could sense him breathing just behind me, picking up speed as his wolf loved the chase I presented.

My heart leapt in my chest as we darted through the forest, the bushes and grass flickering as we flew by before I was tackled as gently as possible, Max cushioning most of my landing anyways. The second we came to a halt, he was laying on top of me, huffing as I gave a playful whine.

Instead of getting off of me, he started lapping at my muzzle, huffing a laugh as I whined in earnest and wriggled, struggling to get out of his hold. He shifted back, eyes gleaming with joy and tenderness as I followed suit before he nuzzled behind my ear, nipping at my shoulder where he would mark me.

His lips found mine in a sweet and tender kiss, the love and adoration he felt for me flowing through our link as he pushed himself on his lower arms, bracketing above me as he looked down as if I was the best thing to ever happen to him.

"I love you, with all my heart."

-*-*-*

I jolted upright in bed, heart racing as I panted for a decent breath. Pain pulsed through my chest, making me retch and heave dryly as I struggled to get a hold of myself and calm down. It took a while to realize that I was hyperventilating, making me stagger out of my bed and head to the window, yanking it open to get some fresh air in the room.

Frost clung to the window, blurring my reflection as I struggled and cursed, realizing the window was frozen shut before I turned around, body already morphing as I nearly broke the handle off of the door.

"Kyle, is everything al-"

Erina's voice shut off abruptly as I darted past her, hips smashing painfully into the glass doors on my way out as it opened too slow for my comfort. The second I was outside I broke in a sprint, not even going anywhere. I just needed to run and keep on running.

I didn't want to think back of that memory of a happier lifetime, nor did I want to recognize the tears that were still streaming down my eyes. But even running couldn't stop the memory from playing over and over again in my head, like a broken record.

Shifting back, I ignored the cold instantly assaulting my body, punching the nearest tree in frustration. The pain jolted through my arm, momentarily disrupting my memories and forcing my body to focus on the present.

I did it again and again, punching the rough bark of the tree until my knuckles bled, screaming out in pain as old fractures in my wrist cracked open and new ones joined the mesh and even then, the pain in my hands was not nearly anything was I was feeling in my heart.

"Kyle."

My name was gruffly spoken, warm arms coiling around my chest and pulling me away from the trees. Not another word was spoken as I broke down, screaming out my pain, breaking my voice as my wolf joined, ending the cry in a mournful howl.

And for the very first time after the rejection, I started sobbing. I heaved and cried as I was spun around and pressed against a massive chest, the person being mindful of my damaged hands.

I buried my face in their throat, inhaling the strong scent deeply. My body screamed in pain as I fisted my hands in his shirt, clawing at his back as if I was drowning.