"Talia, what on earth happened tonight?" my mother questions as soon as I walk through the door. Her voice is sharp, and I instantly feel the tension filling the room. She's standing in the middle of the living room, arms crossed, eyes wide with worry. I sigh, my heart sinking as I realize the news has already reached them. "It's nothing, Mom. Just a rejection from my so-called mate." I respond, tired even to my ears, and I'm too exhausted to care. "Nothing?" my father's voice booms behind her, and I flinch involuntarily. "Is that what you call nothing? Being humiliated in front of the entire pack?" Their stares are heavy on me and I can feel their expectation for some explanation. "I didn't ask for this, Dad. It just... happened and I guess there's nothing anyone can do about it." Jac