Rejected Little Secret by Lisj

Chapter 42 

As trace through the forest, the cool, brisk air stings my cheeks, adding to the thrill coursing through my veins. 

With permission to join the Blackacre pack, I’m excited to embark on a new chapter, leaving Thornholde in the past. The idea of exploring uncharted territory fills me with an electrifying thrill, propelling me forward with a surge of newfound vitality. 

As I run, my foot unexpectedly snags on a hidden root beneath a thick layer of fallen leaves, causing me to lose my balance and crash onto the ground with a resounding thud. As my knees crash into the hard earth, a surge of pain shoots through me, but my eagerness to continue my journey overrides any lingering discomfort. 

Pushing myself up onto shaky legs, lignore the throbbing ache in my knees and press on, determined to reach the edge of Thornholde’s territory before the Blackacre pack departs. Every step I take through the dense undergrowth is fueled by the bubbling anticipation within me. 

Out of nowhere, a soft whisper breaks through the steady rustling of leaves, causing me to come to an abrupt stop. It’s a delicate, heart–wrenching sound, like someone’s heart breaking in slow motion. Straining my ears, I desperately try to locate the origin of the noise, my heart racing in my chest. 

Once again, the sound of muffled sobs filled the air, their echoes bouncing off the trees. Without hesitation, I divert from my path and follow the anguished cries, compelled by my instincts to provide solace to the person in distress. 

As I draw nearer to the source of the sound, my heart clenches with empathy, and I can feel a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. It’s impossible for me to ignore the cries of someone in pain, someone who is hurting and needs assistance. 

After what feels like an eternity, I reach a small clearing, and I am stunned by the sight that greets me. A figure, huddled on the ground, curls up into a ball, their shoulders quivering with silent tears. My heart twists with sympathy as I recognize the familiar form of Sammy, her face buried in her hands as tears stream down her cheeks. 

Unsure of what to do, I find myself frozen in place for a moment. Sammy and I have had our differences, but witnessing her like this evokes a storm of mixed feelings inside me. Despite our differences, I can’t just leave her here alone and upset. Tentatively, I take a step forward, my throat clearing softly as I try to announce myself without startling her. 

Icallo Ic 

“Sammy?” I call out, my voice gentle and tentative. “Is everything okay?” 

Sammy’s head shoots up, startled by the sound of my voice, her eyes swollen and stained with tears. I could see the astonishment on her face when she noticed me, as if she had been hoping for solitude in this hidden spot in an instant, her expression changes to one of embarrassment, and she frantically wipes away her tears using the back of her hand. It was at that moment when my eyes were drawn to the unmistakable handprints etched around her neck, and the visible evidence of a black eye. 

“I’m fine, Maya. Why are you still here?” 

Her voice trembles with emotion as she mutters her words. Yet, her voice quivers, exposing the hidden pain, while her features bear the unmistakable marks of suffering. I notice how she averts her gaze, as if attempting to conceal the bruises, but it’s too late–I’ve already spotted them. 

Without uttering a single word, I gracefully lower myself to the ground, imitating her seated posture. The heavy silence between us is punctuated by the delicate rustle of leaves in the breeze. Though I’m unsure of what to say, I can’t leave her alone when she needs support. 

Her bruised and battered form filled my heart with a sinking feeling, overwhelmed by a mix of concern and sorrow. Her disheveled appearance suggests she has endured great hardship, and a mix of anger and concern wells up within me. 

*Sammy,” I lean in close, my voice barely audible as whisper, gently reaching out to graze her shoulder. Her sudden flinch causes me to immediately. retract my hand away from her. “What happened? Who did this to you?” 

Despite the question, Sammy avoids eye contact, her gaze fixed downward as she wraps her arms around herself, quivering with quiet sobs. The sight of her suffering grips my heart, and a feeling of powerlessness overwhelms me. I want to lend a helping hand, to alleviate her pain, but I’m at a loss on how 

to start. 

“Sammy, please,” I urge, my voice trembling with desperation. “You don’t have to protect them. Tell me who did this to you.” 

Tears streamed down her face, leaving streaks on her checks as she vehemently shook her head. 

“It was an accident,” she whispers hoarsely, her voice barely audible above the rustle of leaves. “| fell.” 

I want to believe her, I truly do, but there’s a nagging doubt in the back of my mind. Her skin bore the evidence of violence and pain, visible through the bruises that marred her body. I refuse to simply stand by and watch her suffer silently, I am convinced that something truly terrible has taken place. 

“Sammy, please,” I plead, my voice cracking with emotion. “I need to know the truth. Was it.. him? Please say no.” 

At the mention of her True Mate, Sammy’s cries grow louder, filling the room with the sound of her anguish. It’s a confirmation of my worst fears, a confirmation that someone who was supposed to love and protect her has instead become the source of her pain. 

I feel my anger bubbling up, searing and powerful, as the magnitude of Sammy’s pain becomes clear to me. The question lingered in my mind how could someone, especially the one she believed was her True Mate, be capable of hurting her so deeply? The betrayal is beyond anything I can fathom, leaving me with a burning sense of righteous anger. 

Without hesitation, I pull her into a tight embrace, sensing the heaviness of her pain pressing against my chest, determined to seek justice at any cost. Sammy tenses up in my grasp, on the verge of pushing me away, but instead, she lets out a sigh and clings to me tightly, her tears soaking my shoulder. No one should have to endure such cruelty, especially not from a person who was supposed to be their source of unwavering love. 

“He invited me over again, Sammy begins, her voice barely above a whisper. “We… we had sex. But then… then his wife came home.” 

As she speaks, a heavy sense of dread settles in my chest, and a queasy feeling churns deep within me. In that moment, she must have felt an overwhelming mix of horror and betrayal, as if her world was crashing down around her 

“His wife… she was upset when she got home, she caught us,” Her voice breaks, and tears flow freely down Sammy’s cheeks as she continues. With a lock of shame, she closed her eyes tightly, hoping to escape the embarrassment, “And. and he wanted me to leave. But I… I couldn’t.” 

Her voice trembled with desperation, revealing the overwhelming sense of helplessness that had consumed her in her self–created nightmare. Her heart longed for love and acceptance, but instead, she encountered a harsh reality of violence and betrayal. 

“And then…” Sammy’s voice falters, her breath hitching in her throat. “Then he started to hit me.” 

“I’m so sorry, Sammy,” My voice quivers with emotion as I whisper the words softly, barely audible. Embracing her, I can sense the weight of the world on her shoulders, and I hold her even tighter, offering solace in our shared embrace. You didn’t deserve any of this. No one does.” 

I watch as Sammy dries her tears, and in that moment, 

t, a spark of inspiration ignites within me. “Hey, Sammy… You won’t believe it, but I finally got the go–ahead to leave and make my way to Thornhalde.” 

Sammy’s eyes lock with mine, her confusion evident as she tries to anticipate my next move. 

“You got permission to leave?” 

“Yes,” I reply softly, “The Beta gave me permission. And I want you to come with me.” 

Hope briefly flickers in Sammy’s eyes before being replaced by doubt and insecurity, extinguishing the glimmer. 

“But… but I don’t know if I can,” Sammy murmurs, her voice barely audible amidst the hushed silence. “Thornholde is the only place I have ever known, for my entire life. The thought of being separated from my True Mate, especially in a place far away, makes me question my ability to survive. No matter what, whenever my heart langs for comfort, I still find myself needing him.” 

The ache in my heart deepened as I listened to her words, resonating with the familiar pain and uncertainty of leaving behind the comforts of home. Nonetheless, I understand that staying in a place where she is unwelcome and subjected to cruelty is not the answer. 

“Sammy,” I say gently, feeling the warmth of her trembling hand as I reach out to grasp it. “You deserve a life filled with happiness and fulfillment, far beyond what this situation can offer you. Your True Mate is married, and he hurt you. If you find yourself in a place that doesn’t welcome you, where the smell of rejection lingers in the air, it’s time to move on.” 

Sammy’s eyes fall to the ground, her body language conveying defeat as her shoulders slump. 

宝23%世 

“But I… I can’t leave,” she whispers, her voice choked with emotion. “I don’t know if I can handle starting over in a new place. I’m scared, Maya. I’m so 

scared.” 

I feel a pang of sadness grip my heart as I watch Sammy struggle with her inner turmoil. I want to reach out and comfort her, to assure her that everything will be alright, but I know that this is a decision she must make for herself. 

“I understand, Sammy,” I say softly, my voice filled with empathy. “I won’t force you to leave if you’re not ready.” 

Sammy’s eyes filled with tears as she gazed up at me, a mixture of gratitude, pain, and uncertainty evident in her expression. 

“Thank you, Maya. Once you leave, there should be no thoughts of returning to this place, ever. All I want is for you to enjoy yourself and find happiness during your time there, alright?” 

I lend a helping hand to Sammy, guiding her back onto her feet and giving her an encouraging smile as she finds her footing. We stand there together, the weight of our decisions palpable as we silently acknowledge the magnitude of our choices. Finally, I break the silence, my voice barely a whisper but filled with determination. 

“I need to go.” Meeting Sammy’s gaze, I say with unyielding determination. “Take care of yourself, okay? And remember, you can always reach out to me if you need anything, 

As Sammy nods, her eyes glisten with tears she’s trying to hold back. With a final squeeze of her hand, I reluctantly let go, feeling the heaviness of our impending separation settle in my chest. Making my way towards the perimeter of the pack, I can’t resist stealing one last glance back at Thornholde, the distant sounds of laughter echoing in my ears… 

But now, it’s time for a new chap 

a new chapter to begin, 

Approaching the edge of the pack, I see the members of the Blackacre Pack bustling about, making final preparations for their journey back to their home. As I look around, my heart quickens with excitement as I spot familiar faces among the group. As I scan the crowd, my eyes lock onto Axton, his powerful aura drawing attention even from a distance. 

When he sees me coming towards him, his eyes instantly light up and a mischievous grin takes over his face. 

“Well, well, well,” he says, his voice teasing, “Is this your way of saying goodbye, Maya?” 

As I draw closer to him, my stomach churns with a nervous flutter, uncertainty gnawing at my insides. My bag hangs heavy on my shoulder, but he remains oblivious to its presence. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“…I won’t say goodbye,” I reply, my voice wavering slightly. “Not to you, Axton.” 

For a brief moment, his smile fades, and a 

da genuine look of surprise takes its place. 

“Oh?” he responds, his tone laced with curiosity. “Then what will you say?” 

Summoning every ounce of courage within me, I take a deep breath that fills my lungs. 

“I’m coming with you.” 

The moment my words reach Axton’s ears, his smile disappears. 

曲 

, 

0