He rejected her before the entire pack, called her weak, called her ordinary, said she wasn't worthy of an alpha.
But years later, she returns..fierce, beautiful, and already claimed by another.
Too late?
Not if Alpha Elijah has anything to say about it.
____
The crowd turned as a black SUV pulled into the pack grounds, its sleek body gleaming under the low sun. Warewolves stood still, eyes narrowing with curiosity. Even the air seemed heavier, laced with a familiar scent.
Then she stepped out.
She wore a midnight blue fitted gown, and a silver heel like the silver of her hair curled to one part of her shoulder. Her olive skin was shining and caught with the light.
She looked… untouchable, but it wasn't her beauty that made the crowd grow silent.
It was who she was and what she used to be.
"Is that… her?" someone whispered.
"It can't be," said another. "She's the girl Alpha Elijah rejected."
Diana held her shoulder high and walked through the middle of the crowd where a red carpet had been set, leading to the aisle.
The bride, her friend Sarah who was to wed, stood with her husband and nodded at her, and Diana nodded back.
Walking beside her was the man Diana came with—Aj, a noble warrior from another pack, with noble aura and soft brown hair.
He took Diana's hand and led her to a seat close to the front. All the while, murmurs spread, but no one dared walk up to her or meet her eyes.
Except one.
Alpha Elijah. He sat with his legs crossed, arms folded, watching her. He was seated at the front with other pack elders orchestrating the wedding.
Elijah's breath caught at the sight of her. All he could see were those sharp hazel eyes that were no longer soft, but commanding, like she owned the room.
Her scent hit him first. Roses with a touch of rain. The scent he thought he'd forgotten.
His wolf stirred. "Mate."
Elijah shifted uncomfortably. He tried to look away but found himself glancing back at her.
Her gaze stayed fixed ahead on the married couple, shoulders high, eyes straight.
Around the room, he heard low murmurs and caught a few glances in his direction, but he ignored them.
Beside her sat a tall man in a tailored suit. He murmured something to her and placed a hand on her back.
Elijah's eyes narrowed.
Diana turned to the man and smiled up at him, and the Alpha let out a low growl.
Then she met his gaze across the courtyard and didn't flinch, but he did. She looked at him like he was nothing more than wind brushing past her shoulder.
There was no flicker of recognition. Not a single smile on her face. Not even hate, which he had expected. Just cold indifference.
"And now, you are pronounced husband and wife," the elder announced, and the crowd cheered, all attention drawn to the married couple.
Elijah caught Diana clapping and smiling at them, and it ached his heart to see her smile at someone else, and not at him.
The wedding ended, and the crowd moved into the reception hall. The palace receiving room was wide enough to hold over a thousand guests.
Glasses clinked, music played, and laughter filled the air.
Diana, drink in hand, walked toward the bride, her lips curved in a satisfied smile. "Oh, look at you, Sarah."
Sarah, short, chubby, and glowing with joy, grinned. "Never thought you would make it."
"After I RSVPed yes? Of course I would."
They hugged. Sarah closed her eyes and patted her back. "Thank you, Diana. For coming."
Diana leaned back, still smiling. "Oh come on, I would never miss your wedding for anything." She glanced around. "I just lost Aj, I would've introduced him."
"Oh, your fiancé? The one you told me about?" Sarah squealed.
"Yep," Diana grinned, sipping her drink. "He can't wait to meet you."
"Me neither," said Sarah. Then she glanced over Diana's shoulder and frowned. "You know it's unavoidable for the Alpha to miss any of his pack's weddings."
Diana nodded, saying nothing.
Sarah sighed. "If I could've thrown him out after what he did, I would. But the council can't leave him out as a guest."
"Sarah." Diana tilted her head, laughing. "You really think I wouldn't come because of him? Or that I'd break over what he did?"
Sarah bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Diana. That I couldn't defend you back then."
"Come on." Diana sighed and placed her glass on a passing waiter's tray. "You couldn't defile your Alpha by saving me. It was beyond you." She smiled warmly. "Look, all of that is in the past now. And for what it's worth, it shaped me into who I am today."
"Well… I'm glad for you."
"So am I for you," Diana grinned. "Happy married life, Sar."
Sarah chuckled, then her eyes shifted behind Diana and a flicker of fear crossed her face. "Oh my God!"
"What?" Diana caught the horror in her expression.
"It's him. He's coming."
Diana turned and saw Alpha Elijah approaching. He looked just as tall and commanding as ever, dark eyes narrowed at her, dark hair tousled over one side of his face.
She rolled her eyes and looked away, but Sarah was already fidgeting, laughing awkwardly. "I better go. My husband must be calling me."
"Sarah, wa—"
But she rushed off, and Diana sighed. When she turned back, Elijah was already standing close.
Diana didn't falter under his gaze. She stood with quiet elegance, hazel eyes strong but guarded.
With how close they stood, whispers spread. Some elders watched awkwardly, while others looked on with sharp, judging eyes.
"I didn't know you were coming," Elijah said after a long pause.
Diana smiled faintly, lips curved. "You were never supposed to."
Elijah glanced across the room at AJ, who stood chatting with a few men, laughing casually. He held back a growl and turned to her.
"Who is he?"
Diana had followed his gaze and spotted AJ. She turned back to Elijah. "Someone who never doubted me."
Then she paused, tilted her head, and added, "You remember what that's like, don't you?"
She let out a low chuckle and turned to leave, too annoyed to face him or she might end up pouring a drink on his face.
But he grabbed her wrist, surprising her.
Diana stilled. Her eyes dropped to his hand, and she frowned. She shoved it off and glared at him, then turned again..
"Diana… wait," he said, voice low and breath ragged.
She faced him again. Stepping close, she spoke calmly, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it pressed against his chest like a weight.
"You said I wasn't worthy of you. Let's keep it that way."
"I made a mistake," he said, heart tight, stepping closer, but she pulled back.
"I didn't," she replied, and walked away.