Alpha’s Thrice Rejectedd Mate By Ida Rowe

Chapter 57

**Кога

The river flowed gently, its peaceful murmurs serving as a backdrop to my growing frustration. I sat on the riverbank, feeling utterly grouchy and out of sorts. The weight of responsibilities weighed heavily on my shoulders, and the constant demands of my duties were starting to take their toll. With each passing day, it seemed like the pack’s unity was sl*pping away, fracturing into fragments that threatened to tear us apart.

Bitterly amused by my sour mood, I let out a mirthless chuckle. But, of course, Mason had to catch up to me just as I was wallowing in my discontent. He always seemed to have a sixth sense of finding me at my lowest moments. It was equal parts comforting and infuriating.

He

approached, his footsteps steady and sure until he settled down beside me. His presence brought solace and irritation, like a warm hearth that reminded me of the fire burning within me.

“What’s eating at you, Kora?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. He sat on the ground beside me, his shoulder slightly brushing mine..

I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of my grievances pressing against my chest. “It’s everything, Mason. An nalise’s obsession with perfection, her constant need for everyone to fit into her narrow mold of what the pack should be, and the division spreading like poison among our own ranks.”

Even though, realistically, it had been for years. Ever since my father killed Mason’s father, things had been a mess. The people that mattered didn’t blame him for it, but it didn’t take the sting out for everyone else. Some of our pack just couldn’t or refused to-understand how we’d forgiven him for creating that divide.

Mason nodded, his expression mirroring my frustration. He with furrowed brows, he still looked every bit as handsome as he does when he smiles or laughs.

I leaned back on my palms, my gaze fixated on the river’s swirling currents. “I miss the days when we were a cohesive unit; when we stood together as a pack, united in purpose. Now, it seems everyone is more concerned with their interests and personal agendas.”

Like his mother, I still wasn’t completely recovered from her trying to send me off to my death just because Mason refused to reject me and shack up with her puppet Giselle. Honestly, it struck me as strange how attached she’d been to that plan, even after Giselle had started to show her true colors.

Mason’s fingers drummed softly on his knee, his brows furrowing. “We have to find a way to bring our pack back together, to remind them of the strength we possess when we stand as one.”

A mixture of determination and weariness filled my voice. “I’ve tried, Mason. I’ve tried to bridge the gaps, to mend the fractures, but it feels like an uphill battle. An nalise’s influence runs deep, and it’s hard to break free from her shadow.”

At least with the former traitors. Most of our packmates tried to avoid addressing me at all, or if they did, it was with grit teeth, and distrust. An nalise’s blatant dislike of my father and I had already cemented for everyone that I was a hazard to the pack, no matter how much I worked to prove otherwise. The Luna Regent was sabotaging us at every turn, whether it was deliberate or not.

Mason’s jaw clenched, his frustration evident. He’d already realized the same thing I had, albeit a bit faster.

“We can’t let her control the narrative, Kora. We need to show our pack that there’s a better way, that unity and acceptance are our true strengths.”

I nodded, a flicker of hope igniting within me. “You’re right. We’ll find a way to bring our pack back together-to remind them of the values that bind us.” Maybe I was being too hopeful, but maybe there was hope in the

situation.

As the words left my l*ps, a gust of wind swept through the riverbank, carrying a sense of foreboding. I glanced at Mason, and in his eyes, I saw a reflection of the storm that loomed on the h orizon. We both knew that the path. ahead would be fraught with challenges and that the journey to reunite our pack would be challenging, but we could do it together. Because at this point, we’ve been through enough together that we can accomplish whatever we put our minds to.

With a deep breath, I returned my attention to the river, its serene surface mirroring my turmoil. The weight of responsibility still burdened my shoulders, but a newfound determination coursed through my veins. We couldn’t afford to let our pack succumb to division and discord. We had to act.

“Mason,” I said, my voice tinged with reluctant hope. “We need a plan. A way to remind the pack of what unites us, and of the strength we hold together.”

We had to bring our pack together again. If not for ourselves, then for the kids we should have gotten to be, and for everyone else who was being shunned and sneered at when they thought we couldn’t see.

The sins of our parents had to stop haunting us.

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the h orizon. “Agreed, We need to find a way to counter my mother’s influence and show our pack that unity and acceptance are the pillars our community was built upon.”

As we brainstormed, ideas swirled in my mind like the river currents. We needed something powerful, something that could bridge the widening gap among our packmates. And then it hit me-a gathering, a grand celebration where we could emphasize the values that brought us together.

“What if we organize a festival? A time for everyone to come together to showcase their unique talents and strengths.” We hadn’t had one in ages, but they were once a tradition.

Festivals were a time for us to come together as a community in our childhood. We would have foot races and wrestling matches and share a meal together. It was the perfect way to remind everyone we were supposed to be one pack.

He turned to me, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes. “That’s brilliant, Kora. A festival that unites us and reminds us of the power we hold when we stand united. It could be the turning point we need.” A grin spread across his face that warmed my heart.

We delved deeper into our plans, discussing logistics, performances, an to involve every pack member. The

more we talked, our excitement grew, like a roaring flame casting warmth upon us. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we were determined to make it happen.

Little did we know, as we exchanged determined glances, that the storm approaching our pack was far more treacherous than we could have imagined.