Fawn sat on the edge of the lake, her legs curled beneath her, staring blankly at the rippling water. The soft breeze that swept through the clearing did little to soothe the ache in her chest. Her reflection stared back at her-a pale girl with white hair that fell in waves down her back and mismatched eyes, one green and one blue, that had always set her apart. But now, those unique features only seemed to remind her of how different she truly was.

Rejected. That word had taken root deep inside her, festering like a wound that refused to heal.

The night Lucian rejected her, everything had changed. The bond she'd felt the moment they'd realized they were mates-a connection she'd dreamed about for years-had been shattered. The bond that was supposed to give her strength, comfort, and love had instead brought her unbearable pain.

"I, Lucian Wolfe, reject Fawn to be my mate."

The words echoed in her mind, over and over, each time more painful than the last. No matter how many days had passed, she couldn't escape the weight of his rejection. It clung to her, dragging her down, suffocating her in a world where she once felt vibrant and alive.

Fawn ran her fingers through her hair, her shoulders slumping under the weight of her thoughts. She had always been proud of her unique features, her rare white wolf, and her ability to heal. Her role as a doctor within the pack had given her purpose, something to hold onto when she felt like an outsider. But now, even that seemed tainted. How could she continue to heal others when she couldn't heal herself?

Her heart clenched as she remembered the looks from the other wolves in the pack after the rejection. Pity. Sympathy. A few whispers here and there, but none of them could understand the depth of her pain. None of them had experienced the rejection of a mate, the tearing of a bond that left a gaping wound in its place.

Lucian's rejection hadn't just broken her heart-it had broken her spirit.

Every time Lucian was with his new girlfriend, Beth, Fawn felt the sting of that bond being severed all over again. It was like her body was wired to sense every intimate moment they shared, and each time, it sent waves of excruciating pain through her. The agony was beyond physical-it was emotional, mental. It was the kind of pain that tore through her, leaving her feeling raw and exposed, like her very soul had been fractured.

The worst part was how it had eaten away at her confidence, the self-assured girl she had once been. Fawn, the rare white wolf, the healer of the pack, had been left feeling like she was not enough. Not enough for Lucian, not enough for anyone. His rejection had planted the seed of doubt deep within her, and it had grown into something dark and suffocating.

She felt broken.

Her hand absently traced the water's surface, the cool sensation barely registering. "Why wasn't I good enough?" she whispered to herself, her voice breaking on the last word. She had asked herself that question a thousand times, but there was never an answer. Was it her appearance? Her status as an omega? Or was it simply that Lucian had never truly loved her, despite the bond they were supposed to share?

She clenched her fists, feeling the raw emotion bubble up to the surface. Every time Lucian had chosen Beth over her, every time he had flaunted his new relationship in front of the pack, it had chipped away at her confidence. It was as if he had erased the years they'd spent together as friends, as potential mates, with a single decision.

It wasn't just the bond that was broken-she was broken.

Fawn blinked back tears, refusing to let them fall. She had cried enough. She had cried the night he rejected her, the night she felt the searing pain of the bond being torn apart. She had cried every night since, alone in her small cabin, curled up in bed as the darkness closed in around her. But no more. She wouldn't cry anymore.

"I won't let him see how much he's hurt me," she whispered, her voice trembling despite her determination. She had to be strong, even if she didn't feel it. She had to find a way to rebuild herself, even if the pieces didn't fit together as they once had.

But how could she, when every glance in the mirror reminded her of the mate she was supposed to have? Every time she looked into her own eyes, she saw the reflection of the girl Lucian had rejected-a girl who wasn't good enough, a girl who had been left behind.

The pain had seeped into every part of her life. She avoided the pack as much as she could, making excuses to work alone in the clinic or out on runs to gather herbs. She couldn't bear the looks, the whispers, or the constant reminder that she was the one who had been cast aside. Even her wolf, her beautiful white wolf, had grown quieter, more withdrawn. They used to run together, revel in the freedom and the connection they shared with nature. But now, her wolf mirrored her emotions-broken, lost, and unsure.

The rejection had taken something fundamental from her, and she wasn't sure how to get it back.

The sound of footsteps on the forest floor pulled her from her thoughts. She turned, her heart sinking as she recognized Beth walking toward her, her long brown hair bouncing with each step. Of course, Beth looked flawless, as she always did. The she-wolf had a confident air about her, a smugness that only added to Fawn's insecurities.

"Fawn," Beth called out, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I didn't expect to find you out here."

Fawn stood, brushing off her jeans and steeling herself for the encounter. "What do you want, Beth?"

"Oh, nothing really," Beth said with a casual shrug, though her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "I just thought you should know that Lucian and I are spending more time together. He's really opening up to me. It's like we're meant to be."

Fawn's stomach twisted painfully at the mention of Lucian, but she refused to let Beth see how much her words stung. "That's great for you, Beth. I'm happy you're getting what you want."

Beth's smile widened, clearly taking pleasure in Fawn's discomfort. "You know, it must be hard for you. Being rejected, I mean. But don't worry, I'm sure you'll find someone eventually. Someone more... fitting for an omega like you."

Fawn's heart clenched at the subtle insult, the way Beth emphasized her status as if it made her less valuable. The words hit her like a slap, another reminder of the rejection that had stolen her self-worth. But she refused to let Beth see how deeply it affected her.

"I'm sure I will," Fawn replied coolly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "And when I do, he'll treat me better than Lucian ever did."

Beth's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Well, good luck with that. Anyway, I'll leave you to your... solitude."

With one last smug glance, Beth turned and walked away, leaving Fawn standing alone by the lake, her heart heavy with the weight of her pain. The air felt colder now, the breeze biting at her skin as the reality of her situation settled in once more.

Fawn hugged her arms around herself, staring at the spot where Beth had disappeared into the woods. How could she possibly rebuild herself when every reminder of her rejection was thrown in her face? How could she heal when Lucian's new relationship was paraded in front of the entire pack?

For the first time in weeks, Fawn felt a spark of anger flare within her-a small, flickering flame amidst the sea of sadness and insecurity. She was tired of being the broken one, the one left behind while Lucian and Beth flaunted their relationship.

She couldn't change the past, and she couldn't undo the rejection, but maybe-just maybe-she could find a way to reclaim her life. To rebuild herself, piece by piece, and find the confidence that had been stripped away.

Fawn straightened her posture, wiping away the tears that threatened to spill. She wasn't going to let Lucian or Beth define her anymore. She was more than the rejection, more than the broken bond that had left her shattered.

She was Fawn, the white wolf, the healer of the pack. And somehow, she was going to find her way back.