Anger. Annoyance. Frustration. Boredom followed quickly by even more frustration and simmering anger.

Not a single spec of patience, of longing or desire. Sure, it hurt to see Elliot once more, even though I had gently asked him not to return here unless he or his pack required sanctuary.

I hadn't forbidden him from entering the first time, assuming that he, or at least his wolf, needed closure. Elliot had needed to realize the consequences of his actions himself.

From what I had seen from many of my own pack and their former mates, the rejection instantly hit the rejected with brutal force.

But that didn't mean that the partner doing the rejecting was safe. Oh no. Karma was a cunning yet vicious bitch and it seemed she waited to wind up her punch, for that opportune moment where the gnawing loss became too much and the wolf wondered what happened to the ex-mate

That was when their rejection pains would hit. Their human was busy drowning the ache with the presence of their chosen mate, the love and trust of their packs, or as in Kyle's ex-mate, the anger and hatred towards rogues.

Elliot hadn't batted an eye, standing side by side with the she-wolf, arm draped protectively over her shoulder. As if I would attack a harmless she-wolf for his choices.

It had hurt. God, did it hurt, seeing my mate in the arms of another, hearing their pack congratulate them on their mating and pray for a pup. Something that I couldn't give him.

So I had turned around and headed to my pack. Felt my heart bleed over the pain, felt my wolf tear itself apart, wondering what it did wrong? Was it too assertive? Too dominant? Too demanding? Was the rejection his fault?

It had taken me weeks, even months to reassure my wolf. Reassure myself that the fault didn't lay with us, with either of us. If there was anyone to blame for this mess, it was Elliot and his insecurities.

And it had taken many months before he came crawling back. Seeking that one unique bond, what was fated to be.

And bitterness had showed its teeth when I had informed him that there was nothing there to fix. There was no remnants of a bond, no smoldering cinders to reignite.

Rejection is permanent. Over and done with. There was a reason why it was called a unique bond. There were repercussions for going against instinct, denying yourself and your wolf what was meant to be.

In all my years as an Alpha, I had seen many results of rejections. Not all of them ended with both partners alive. Some had killed themselves, unable to live with the loss of the bond.

Others became smothered, their wolves' final attempt to please the mate. If they were rejected for their human form, they could fix the issue by eliminating the human, right?

If the Smothering was stopped in time, the human was saved. But it would take months, years before they returned to their former glory.

One of the pack was still recovering, an empty husk of what they used to be.

All because of miscommunication, rumors and a desperate wolf trying to cling onto the bond.

Kyle's low growl drew my attention to my side, seeing his wolf with hackles bristling, teeth slightly bared towards my ex-mate... I felt pride swell through me, knowing that Kyle wasn't afraid to protect himself.

But the sheer audacity Elliot displayed by coming into my territory unannounced, uninvited and then attempting to attack a member of my pack?

"Not just any member..." My wolf supplied before sneering at the wounded puppy eyes that Elliot kept sending my way. Instead of giving him any of my attention, I looked at the rest of the pack around the room.

Many of them were eying Elliot with boredom and annoyance, most of the wild wolves retreating while the Alpha pair and Shadow stayed near Kyle.

Kyle...

A low growl sounded across the room, instantly drowned out by Shadow's deep and threatening snarl aimed at Elliot. Whom wisely shut his muzzle and bared his belly in submission at the enraged Enforcer.

Shadow snorted in his face, teeth bared and growling, seeming more massive due to his bristling fur. There was a moment of fear and apprehension in the air as Shadow's teeth wrapped around Elliot's muzzle, demanding absolute submission.

Or else...

A frightened whimper slipped from Elliot, tail curling against his belly and curling up. Shadow snorted, stepping off of the whimpering form of my ex-mate.

And instantly approached Kyle, brushing his flanks against the wolf by my side. Reassuring, reaffirming the bond. Sniffing Kyle as if to make sure he was unharmed, soon having the Alpha pair following Shadow's lead.

I nearly chuckled as Kyle seemed highly reluctant, enduring the display of affection while grumbling lowly. Shadow didn't care, muzzle pushing insistently against Kyle's flanks before the wolf shook itself, wagging his tail once.

The rest of the pack slowly calmed down as I pushed off the wall with Kyle following close behind. Elliot's ears perked, tail flexing in a wag before stilling as I ignored him and went to Ellie's little pup.

"Hey hun, good for you for finding your own wolf." I smiled, feeling my chest swell with pride as the little pup puffed up her own chest, growling happily and nuzzling closer to the pregnant she-wolf, whom laid curled around Ellie.

Even she was eying Elliot warily, baring her teeth silently and flattening her ears to show her distrust.

"Do you wanna stay here with the others for a bit longer or go home with us?" I asked, already seeing the hesitation and clear reluctance in her gaze.

And I was certain that after what happened with Elliot, the unnamed she-wolf would throw a massive fit if we took Ellie away this very moment.

"We'll keep an eye out." Erina winked, scratching Ellie behind the ear and grinning as the pup nipped at her fingers. "You can go and have a talk. If you want to that is."

I didn't want to but it was highly needed. A sigh escaped me as I pushed myself out of my crouch, groaning slightly as joints popped before looking at Kyle.

His ears twitched once I gave him my attention, tilting his head questioningly. "I can stay here if that makes things easier..."

The sheer reluctance in his voice made my wolf growl happily, especially so when Kyle gave Elliot a sideways glance, fur puffing up the slightest bit.

"He made his choice, and I made mine." I replied out loud, shrugging slightly at the amused smiles from the rest of the pack.

They had long questioned why on earth I had allowed Elliot to even be allowed on pack ground, had praised me for my restraint and wanting to offer him a chance at healing.

Because I didn't want to become bitter. I didn't want to become an empty shell of myself, angry and snarling at everyone.

I wanted to be me. To make my own choices and be happy with them. And with the way Kyle's eyes instantly warmed, his wolf showing its own happiness with a quick flick of his tail, he was more than happy with that choice.

Elliot seemed to deflate, wagging his tail between his legs before puffing up when I approached.

And then squeaked in stunned silence as I stepped over him, opening up the door without a second glance at him. Kyle snorted in amusement, huffing as he hopped over Elliot's form as well before I finally looked down at my ex mate, raising a questioning brow.

"You wanted to talk? Then come talk. Otherwise you can pick yourself off the floor and leave the premises." Elliot seemed confused, hesitantly getting onto his paws before slinking towards us.

Before he could get close to Kyle, I crouched down, scruffing Elliot and pulling him slightly closer, unflinching as I stared him down.

"Dare to attack Kyle again and so help me, former mate or not, you will truly wish you never locked eyes with me." I growled, wolf pushing through as I bared my teeth.

I could understand why Elliot was so shocked. For years I had let him walk all over my pride, my decisions. My happiness. Maybe not intentionally so, but whenever he had visited, I had bowed to his whims, simply so he would leave sooner.

But I wasn't about to let him drive away Kyle, destroy this fragment of happiness that I was nurturing.

Elliot whined out an affirmative, making me release him instantly before I stood. Kyle leaned his flank against my legs, giving silent reassurance and support.

He didn't leave my side once as we walked out the building with Elliot slowly following, giving us adequate space. After the talk with Elliot, it was way overdue to have a private chat with Kyle himself.

It made me slow my steps a bit, suddenly feeling... almost nervous. Butterflies? I smiled at the realization before clearing my throat when Kyle huffed and looked at me curiously.

First I'd have to deal with the mess in the form of my former mate, make certain, non-negotiable rules with Elliot. Because I had no intention of pushing Kyle away, to let him leave unless he wanted to.

Because I didn't want him to. I wanted to try, to grasp this possibility and turn it into reality. I knew it could work; several of the pack were taking the final steps of healing, the most difficult ones.

Courtship.

It would never be the same as a Fated bond. Fated bonds were meant to be, instantly made, interweaving the souls of the people involved.

Compared to that, human courtship was... bland. Basic. Both parties needed to put equal effort into it. But that was also what made it better in some regards.

There was no failsafe net to fall back to, no forced bond even if both parties were arguing. There was love, oh yes, but it seemed almost... empty.

The true bond was beautiful if connected properly. I smiled slightly to myself, remembering the utter joy and happiness between my parents, between many of the pack.

But just because it wasn't destined to be, didn't mean that human courtship wasn't equally as beautiful. And it needed a lot of work, of time and patience but it was worth it.

I glanced back at Kyle and smiled, aware he could sense my thoughts over the growing link.

He was absolutely worth it.