Rejected Little Secret by Lisj

The pack lands were bathed in a golden glow as the sun sank lower on the h r i z o n, signaling the approach of evening. Exhausted from the day’s events, sought solace in the quiet corners of the bustling kitchen, the clattering of pots and pans serving as a soothing backdrop.

Just as I turned the corner, I came dangerously close to bumping into a familiar figure who was standing in the dimly lit space. In the cramped kitchen, the imposing presence of the previous Alpha Gavyn created an atmosphere of unease. Even though I was exhausted, a feeling of gratefulness surged through me when I saw him.

“Alpha Gavvyn,” I murmured softly, acknowledging him with a small nod, my voice barely audible. “Uhm. Thank you for stepping in back there. I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”

In the dimming light, Alpha Gavyn’s steady stare fixed on me, his emotions concealed behind an inscrutable expression.

“It was nothing.” he replied gruffly, his voice echoing off the tiled walls. “No one should ever be treated the way you were. And besides, it’s just’s just Uncle Gawyn now I’m not the Alpha anymore, no need for titles.”

Appreciative of his intervention, I nodded in agreement, silently expressing my gratitude. With each passing moment of silence, an overwhelming sense of guilt washed over me. I had been carrying a burden in my mind for days, and there was something important that I needed to confront.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t contain myself and blurted out, my words spilling out in a hurried frenzy. With a deep breath, I hesitantly take a step forward, feeling the weight of uncertainty in the air. “For causing a scene the other day. I know I disappointed you, and I shouldn’t have let my emotions get the best of me.”

Uncle Gavyn’s face relaxed, and a look of comprehension spread across his features as he regarded me. As he let out a sigh of relief, his hand found its way to my shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he said gently, his voice carrying a note of reassurance. “It has come to my attention that I may have been too severe in my judgment of you, and I would like to extend my apologies for that,”

As Uncle Gavvyn and I stood facing each other, the atmosphere seemed to suffocate us, our words lingering in the air. His intense gaze bore down on me, as if he were trying to unravel the mysteries hidden within my eyes.

“Uncle Gavyn,” My voice trembled slightly as I started, betraying my apprehension. “You shouldn’t apologize to me. I-I made a mistake, and I know that now. I shouldn’t have let my emotions get the best of me, and I shouldn’t have caused a scene.”

“Maya,” he said

id gently, his voice carrying a note of reassurance. “Mistakes are a part of growing. Without them, we would never learn and grow as

individuals. You are not defined by your mistakes, and you are certainly not a disappointment.”

As his words reached my ears, I could feel a surge of emotion bubbling up inside, a wave of relief and gratitude crashing over me. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my chest, and I could finally breathe in the fresh air without any constraint

“Thank you,” Softly murmuring, my voice barely above a whisper, I spoke in hushed tones. As I take a breath, it gets caught in my chest, and I can feel tears forming in my eyes. Despite the overwhelming emotions, I was able to maintain my composure and not shed a single tear in front of him, which is quite impressive. “I was starting to think that maybe you regretted bringing me into the pack.”

His immediate and unwavering response echoed through the room, leaving no room for doubt.

“No, Maya,” As he squeezed my shoulder again, his firm voice carried an undeniable sense of conviction. “I could never regret adopting you into the pack You are a valued member of our community, and you have as much right to be here as anyone else.”

Like a refreshing breeze on a hot summer day, his words swept away the doubts and insecurities that had been lingering in my thoughts. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, I let myself believe that I had finally discovered a place where I could truly fit in, where my true self would be embraced and appreciated.

“Thank you, I repeated, my voice filled with gratitude. “For everything.”

Uncle Gavvyn’s intense gaze locked onto me, his eyes probing mine for a glimmer of comprehension. I felt a wave of discomfort wash over me as his gaze bore into me, my stomach twisting with a growing sense of unease,

“Maya,” with a measured and gentle voice, Uncle Gavvyn began his story. His face broke into a smile, but there was a certain emptiness in his

been meaning to have a conversation with you about something important. It’s crucial that you promise to be honest with me since we’re discussing a sensitive topic.”

Uncertainty clouded my thoughts for a moment, causing me to hesitate, but eventually I nodded in response. While I couldn’t predict his words, I was resolute in my commitment to be honest, even if it meant confronting difficulties.

“Okay,” I whispered so softly that my voice was barely audible. “I promise.”

With a serious expression etched on his face, Uncle Gavvyn’s concerned gaze met mine as he spoke. “Maya, have you ever experienced a sense of not belonging in the pack?”

The weight of his words filled the space between us, hanging in the air with an undeniable sense of importance. A jumble of emotions swirled inside me, and I felt a lump forming in my throat, making it difficult to articulate my thoughts.

Did I have the overwhelming sensation that I was an outsider, not meant to be here? For as long as I could remember, a Engering sense of doubt had plagued me like a persistent shadow, always present at the back of my mind.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words seemed to escape me, leaving me in stunned silence. How could I put into words the chaos that swirled inside me, the battle of emotions that fought for control in my soul? On one hand, I felt a sense of belonging within the pack, a connection to the land and the people that surrounded me. But at the same time, I couldn’t ignore the nagging sensation of being an outsider, standing apart from the crowd, fated to wander a path of seclusion and solitude.

As I pondered my response, Uncle Gavvyn’s unwavering gaze remained fixed on me, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of empathy and understanding. I clenched my throat, attempting to suppress the rush of emotions that threatened to overpower me, before summoning the bravery to utter a single word.

“L… I don’t know,” With a hesitant sigh, I admitted, my fingers twisting the fabric of my shirt. “I mean, I feel like I belong… sort of But it’s not like… like I

have

a place here, you know? Like there’s a spot that’s just meant for me.”

“I brought you into the pack for a reason, Maya. Do you ever think about why?”

Arms crossed behind his back, Uncle Gavvyn suddenly asked, his voice calm yet commanding. His smile returned, but this time, it held a wistful quality, as if he was reliving a moment from the past.

I blinked in response to the sudden question, my mind racing to process what had just been asked. Unexpectedly, he brought up a delicate subject, catching me off guard, as the overwhelming weight of uncertainty burdened me like a heavy load. My response was uncertain, so I shrugged my shoulders in response.

“I don’t know,” I admitted quietly. “Maybe because… because you’re a kind-hearted Alpha?”

Uncle Gavyn chuckled, his low and gruff laughter filling the air, but underneath the sound, there was a comforting warmth that contrasted with the seriousness of our conversation.

“You think so, huh?” With a touch of amusement in his voice, he spoke, laugh lines crinkling at the corner of his eyes. His thinning gray hairs serve as a reminder of his old age, something I often forget. “Maya, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that wasn’t exactly the reason, just so you know.”

I felt a sudden jolt of fear as his words hung in the air, leaving

me on edge, waiting for him to provide more information. If not kindness, then what other force could have driven him to take me in? Against the wall, Uncle Gavvyn leaned back and fixed me with a thoughtful gaze, his expression filled with contemplation.

“To be honest, Maya, I hesitated to take you in,” Regret weighed down his words as he admitted. The moment i stiffened, he was quick to catch on and seemed to sense my unease. With a shake of his head, he grinned at me, his eyes t w i n k l i n g, “Hey, you should let me finish before you become alarmed. was initially resistant to the idea of taking you in, but you succeeded in swaying my opinion.”

As he revealed the truth, my breath hitched in my throat and my mind became a whirlwind, struggling to make sense of his words. It had never crossed my mind that he had hesitations about welcoming me, never thought that my inclusion in the pack was anything other than definite. Now, confronted with the stark reality of his words, I felt an overwhelming sense of disbelief.

“How?”

As he looked at me, Uncle Gavvyn’s gaze softened, revealing a subtle hint of admiration.

“Because you’re a fighter, Maya,” With a simple statement, he conveyed an undeniable sincerity in his words. “Left at the border of a dangerous pack as a baby, surviving required a keen sense of awareness and the ability to adapt quickly. Not everyone has the bravery to do that. It requires a great deal of strength to endure. It takes a fighter who isn’t afraid to get knocked down and keep getting back up. It’s incredible that you were able to do all of that, considering you had only been alive for a few days. And so I thought, someone with such strength and determination deserves a place in my pack.”

His words flowed over me like a wave, their truth echoing in the depths of my being. I had always viewed myself as a survivor, molded by the circumstances I found myself in and forced to navigate a world filled with uncertainty and turmoil. But to hear Uncle Gavvyn acknowledge the resilience that had carried me through those dark days brought a sense of validation and relict. The revelation hit me, and I was filled with an overwhelming sense of pride that was completely new to me.

The tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought to keep them at bay, my heart a tempest of emotions. It was a pivotal moment, as I finally allowed myself to consider the possibility that I was something greater than just someone who made it through. Perhaps I possessed the spirit of a warrior, ready to conquer any obstacle that came my way.

“And so, whenever you believe that you’re only here by chance, that’s far from the truth. Your spot within the pack is well-deserved, as your strength aligns perfectly with what I wanted in my pack. Always remember, Maya, despite what others may say or what your own thoughts may tell you. Do you understand?

“It may sound simple, but putting it into action is a different story,” I tell him honestly, looking into his eyes with sincerity. “But you always had a way of knowing what’s right, so maybe it’s time for me to take your advice.”