Connell wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into an embrace. I smiled into his shoulder, tightening my grip around his neck. Vanilla comforted me, wrapping around me like a soft hug.

The steady beep of Mecah's heart monitor brought me back to the room. Hospital room, that is. On the other side of Mecah, sat Fletcher, who was watching her the same as he had when he save her.

In the moments before he died, he pulled out everything he had learned from his parents constant teaching since he was a kid. It helped her long enough until a pack doctor could come and help, and Mecah could be transported.

Now, we were just waiting to see if Mecah was going to wake up. It was almost as horrible as the whole ordeal itself, and with every passing day, the chances got slimmer. Still, as long as her chest rose and fell, that was as much as I could ask.

"Fletcher, come get food," Connell told Fletcher. He had basically become a statue, watching her to see if there was any movement in her monitor.

He had never saved someone before, but he told me he liked it. "Much better than football," he said.

Mecah ignited something in him, something he hadn't ever thought about. He didn't want her to die, and so he watched her like an eagle every moment he could.

Fletcher glanced at Connell, sighing. "I need to watch," He said.

"Not now," Connell said, shaking his head. "You haven't eaten since yesterday."

Fletcher stood, stretching. With one last glance at Mecah, he went to join Connell. I waved goodbye to them; I had eaten earlier.

For a few minutes, it was purely quiet in the room. I was playing with my shoelaces, bored out of my mind while my phone charged. Then, something happened.

Mecah took a deep breath, her nose scrunching up. She tried to open her eyes, but closed them immediately after.

I jumped up, running over to her.

"Mecah?" I asked. She opened her eyes, meeting forest green eyes meeting mine. I grinned, blinking in shock.

Within a split second, a smile came to her face. "Ruby," She cried, reaching her arm to me. I hugged her gently, making sure to avoid her stomach. She didn't seem to care, pulling me closer.

"I missed you," I said. I didn't want to think about everything that had happened, I just wanted to hug her.

"I know," she said, smiling as she hugged me back. It was like no time had passed at all. She seemed different though, just a bit. The shine that was in her eyes, just flickered now.

Wiping tears from my cheeks, I frowned.

"Never do that again!" I said, pointing at her stomach. The fact that she was going to be nearly unscathed, was a miracle in itself. The dagger had taken hours to get out and repair, and if it hadn't missed all her major arteries, she would have died. I could only assume the moon goddess had been listening to my prayer.

"Don't worry," She laughed. "I won't."

There was a sound at the door, and Mecah sat up, wide eyed. When the door cracked open, she relaxed. It was only Connell, and though she didn't know him, it wasn't Alexander. That seemed to be all she cared about.

"I have someone for you to meet," I said, reaching for Connell. He grinned at her, still a bit taken aback that she was up.

"This is Connell," I said, pointing to him. "My mate."

Mecah was quiet for a moment, looking over Connell. Her head tilted, and she furrowed her eyebrows at Connell. He was a leaner version of his brother, yet their eyes were the exact same.

Still, she just smiled her gentle smile, and put out her hand for him to take.

"I'm Mecah," She said, looking at me with big eyes. "I'm Ruby's friend."

Connell chuckled, shaking her hand warmly, "I know," he said. "Trust me."

Fletcher was next, and he just swallowed, sweat beading on his forehead. He looked her up and down, lifting his eyebrows.

"Wow," He exclaimed. "You actually lived."

Mecah laughed, clutching her stomach. Fletcher moved forward, grabbing her hand. "I am so glad you didn't die."

"That was because of you," I interrupted. Fletcher just smiled, looking at Mecah.

"I tried my best," He shrugged. She just smiled, reaching for him to give him a hug. Fletcher would never turn down a hug, and squeezed her warmly.

When they parted, Mecah eyes glazed over with concern.

"Alexander?" She asked, worry laced in her tone.

"Dead," Connell replied coldly. It was still hard for him to say it, but it was just the natural course of what had happened.

Alexander would be buried under the full moon, wolfs bane sprinkled over his grave as a final send off. Though Wolfsbane was toxic to the average wolf, it was seen as a form of release. What had hurt in the human world, couldn't hurt in the beyond.

Mecah paused, before a small smile came to her face. She looked relieved.

"Thank the lord," She said, putting her face in her hands. I moved to join her, pulling a chair up to her bed.

"Mecah," I said. "We have a lot to talk about."

1 week later

"Come on!" I shouted.

Mecah playfully glared at me, but jogged to catch up. All signs that she had been hurt were gone, her stomach was completely healed, and now that the ring was returned to her, she looked completely healthy.

Still, the scars that remained littered her skin. She told me nothing on them, yet when my gaze would drift towards the discolored marks, she just smiled, as if to say it was okay.

Behind us, walked all of our friends. We were walking through the pack, saying hello to whoever we could see. Mecah hadn't been allowed to see anyone, being kept in a cell for the time she remained in the pack. Only Alexanders close warriors were allowed to deal with her.

When she did catch up to me, she pulled on my hand to stop me. I looked at her curiously, my hair catching my face in the wind.

She smiled at me, before her slender fingers wrapped around her ring. With one smooth tug, it came off, and she held it carefully.

"Here," She said, dispersing it into my palm. "This really belongs to you,"

"What?" I shook my head, trying to give her back the ring. "No way, it's yours!"

Mecah just smiled sadly. "No," She said. "It's better in your hands."

I just looked at the ring in my hand. The one I had cherished for so many years, the one I was just holding for the future, when I could give it back.

"But.." I tried again, but was stopped by Mecah shaking her head. Her eyes drifted down to the ring, and then back to me.

"You kept it safe," She told me. "That's more than I could ever do."

"I let someone get it," I grumbled, my eyes going to my feet. I felt shame course through me like a shiver, and my hand automatically clenched around the ring.

"That doesn't matter now," She shushed me. "I treasured it for what it was, and now it's your turn."

I looked at the ring, before putting it on my ring finger. It fit perfectly, and I felt a shock of energy writhe through me.

"What's with that?" I asked, looking at my hand in surprise. Mecah just smirked, looking at me.

"Just some energy," She told me simply. I looked at the ring, before grabbing her hand.

"Let's keep going," I said. Mecah nodded, and we walked close to the woods edge. Trees loomed over us, casting dark shadows that moved freely in the sun. I pulled my coat tightly around me, a shiver running down my back from the cold.

She glanced at the thick forest, before a small grin came to her lips. Looking at me, she smirked.

"You still run slow?" She asked, motioning to the forest.

I let out a offended gasp, putting my hand to my chest. "I never ran slow, you've got something wrong."

A glint of amusement came to her eyes, and she tilted her head. "Wanna bet?" She asked, a challenge on her tongue.

I grinned.

Within a few minutes, everyone was shifted, and were perched at the front of the woods. Mrs. Wood and my mother sat at the side, watching with careful eyes. Then, in an instant, we were off.

I ran close to Mecah, but within a few yards she was gaining on me. She was always fast, and much faster than me. Those years didn't change anything.

She looked back at me, a wolfy grin in her eyes. I tried to push forward, but I was still behind, trailing her.

She slowed her pace to meet mine, nipping at my ear gently. It was just like when we were kids, when no matter how slow I was, we'd arrive at the finish line at the same time.

I may not have won, not even close, but that didn't seem to matter. I had her back, and my life was slowly starting to patch itself up. The missing puzzle piece was found, and the picture was starting to form.

I had a mate, my best friends, and a future ahead. I didn't know where I was going, or how I was going to get there, but I knew there was someone waiting for a the end of the road.

Authors Note

Hey Guys! Soo... that's it! Rejected is finished! Thank you all so much for the support, I really hope you guys enjoyed the book. This has been such a long process, and i'm so glad it's done, but i'm glad I got to do it at the same time. Though this book isn't very good, and needs a lot of work in the future, it's mine, and I'm proud of it all the same.

Thanks for coming on this journey with me! 

ALSO - I'm publishing a new book!

On December 15th I will be publishing my new book, "Bite Me", which is a vampire/werewolf romance! So make sure to check it out!

Thanks a lot xx

Love,

Elle Kay