Rejected for Another Mate

The Miami sun beat down on my skin as I stood at the construction site, blueprints rolled tightly in my grip. Sweat trickled down my back, but I barely noticed. The heat was nothing compared to the burning ache in my chest.

"Ms. Patterson, the foundation is ready for inspection," the site manager called, approaching with clipboard in hand.

I nodded, forcing my lips into what I hoped resembled a smile. "Excellent. Let's review the perimeter supports first."

Luna whimpered inside me, her pain a constant companion since that day in my office. Three days had passed since I'd discovered the truth—three days of pretending everything was normal while my world collapsed around me.

*Focus on the work*, I told myself. *The venue must be perfect.*

The irony wasn't lost on me. I was creating a sacred space to celebrate the mating ceremony of the woman who had taken my supposed mate. Every beam, every arch, every detail I designed was a reminder of Grey's betrayal.

"The eastern elevation needs adjustment," I said, pointing to the area where the ceremonial platform would stand. "The proportions are off by at least two feet."

The site manager nodded, making notes. "We'll fix it immediately."

I walked the perimeter alone after he left, checking measurements against my plans. The venue was taking shape—a beautiful blend of modern architecture and traditional werewolf symbolism. Under different circumstances, it would have been one of my proudest creations.

Luna whined again, more insistent this time. *Run*, she begged. *We need to run.*

"We can't," I whispered, pressing my palm against my sternum where the pain radiated outward. "We have work to do."

But as the afternoon sun began its descent, I felt the pull of the wilderness beyond the construction site. The protected forest was neutral territory—a sanctuary for werewolves to run without fear of territorial disputes.

"Just an hour," I promised Luna, who immediately perked up at the possibility of freedom.

I changed in my temporary office, slipping into running clothes and securing my hair in a tight ponytail. The transformation came easily—my wolf eager to break free after days of confinement.

The forest welcomed us with cool shade and the scent of pine. Luna's paws barely made a sound as we navigated the familiar paths. This was where I'd run as a student, where I'd first felt Grey's presence before we met in human form.

I was so lost in memories that I almost missed them.

Two wolves playing in a moonlit clearing—one silver-gray, one honey-blonde. Grey's wolf was larger, powerful and graceful as he chased Maisy through the trees, nipping playfully at her tail.

Luna froze, her body trembling beneath me. I couldn't move either, couldn't tear my eyes away from the sight before me.

They looked... perfect together.

Grey's wolf suddenly stopped, his ears perking up as if sensing something. For a moment, I thought he'd noticed us hiding in the shadows. But he merely turned to Maisy, nudging her gently with his muzzle before they both disappeared deeper into the forest.

He hadn't even looked in our direction.

The rejection stung worse than I'd imagined possible.

I returned to the construction site the next morning with red-rimmed eyes but determined focus. The venue needed to be completed on schedule, regardless of my personal tragedy.

I was reviewing material samples when a familiar scent hit me—vanilla with hints of lavender. Maisy.

"Ms. Patterson," she called, her voice sweet as poisoned honey. "I thought I'd check on our special project."

I turned slowly, professional mask firmly in place. "Ms. Lawrence. Welcome to the site."

She wore a flowing sundress that highlighted her petite frame and the slight swell of her belly. My eyes fixed on it involuntarily.

"Yes, I know what you're thinking," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "The timing is perfect, isn't it? Grey always said he wanted cubs right away."

Luna growled inside me, the sound reverberating through my chest.

Maisy's wolf emerged then—not fully, but enough to assert dominance. She circled me slowly, deliberately marking territory around the venue entrance.

"He always preferred smaller women," she continued, her voice dropping to a confidential tone. "Said he felt like a giant next to you. Made him uncomfortable."

I stood perfectly still as her wolf completed the circle, her scent now permeating the space I'd been working in for weeks.

"And of course," she added, resting her hand protectively over her stomach, "his wolf recognized mine immediately. Sometimes the Moon Goddess has very clear plans for us."

Luna's pain exploded inside me, but I refused to show it. Instead, I met Maisy's gaze steadily and said, "The eastern elevation needs adjustment. Perhaps you'd like to approve the new design before we proceed?"

Her smile faltered slightly at my composure, but she recovered quickly. "Of course. Grey always said you were... professional."

As she followed me toward the blueprints, her wolf remained close to the surface, watching me with triumphant eyes that seemed to say: *He chose me. He always will.*