I don't know how long I wandered through the woods, lost in my thoughts and grief. All I knew was that I couldn't go back to the pack, not after what had happened. I was a failure, a reject, and there was nothing left for me there.
That's when I heard footsteps behind me. "Alyssa?" It was Ethan, my best friend and the only person who had ever truly understood me. "Are you okay?"
I turned to face him, tears streaming down my face. "No," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "He rejected me, Ethan. Marcus rejected me."
Ethan pulled me into a tight embrace, holding me close as I cried on his shoulder. "He doesn't deserve you," he said, his voice fierce. "You're strong and beautiful, Alyssa. You deserve someone who will appreciate you for who you are, not someone who only cares about politics and power."
I pulled away from him, looking up into his kind eyes. "Thank you, Ethan," I said, my voice shaking. "You always know just what to say."
Ethan smiled, wiping away my tears with his thumb. "That's what friends are for," he said.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. "What do I do now?" I asked him.
Ethan took my hand, leading me deeper into the woods. "We'll figure it out together," he said. "We'll find a way to move on from this, to make a new life for ourselves."
I looked up at him, feeling a spark of hope ignite in my chest. "You're right," I said. "I won't let Marcus's rejection define me. I'll find my path, one that leads me to happiness and fulfilment."
He squeezed my hand. "That's the spirit," he said. "Now let's go get some drinks and start thinking about what's next."
I sighed. He looked at me.
"You'll be fine." He said.
I knew he was right, but it didn't make the pain go away. All I could do was hold onto him and try to find some solace in his words.
But as we walked through the woods, the tears kept streaming down my face. The pain of Marcus's rejection felt like a physical weight on my chest, making it hard to breathe. I couldn't believe that the one person I had been waiting my whole life for had just thrown me away like I was nothing.
"Ethan," I choked out. "How could he do this to me? How could he just throw me away like I was nothing?"
Ethan pulled me in for another hug, holding me close as I cried on his shoulder. "I don't know, Alyssa," he said softly. "But what I do know is that you deserve so much better than someone who can't see your worth."
I pulled away from him, wiping away my tears. "But he was my mate," I said, my voice shaking. "The one person I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with. How do I just move on from that?"
Ethan took my hand, his eyes filled with compassion. "It's not going to be easy," he said. "But you're not alone in this. We'll figure it out together."
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "Okay," I said, nodding. "I trust you, Ethan. I know we'll find a way to get through this."
I sighed again. I had thought things would work out between us. I never thought any of this would be happening. I have always looked forward to the day we'll be together forever.
But as we continued walking through the woods, I felt a sense of determination start to grow inside me. I wasn't going to let Marcus's rejection define me. I was going to find a way to move on and find happiness, no matter how hard it might be.
I pulled at a twig. I am sad. I couldn't help but notice the intricate details of its structure. It was small and thin, yet it had so much complexity within it. The way the branches extended outward, the veins that ran through the leaves, and the tiny buds that were just starting to form.
It reminded me of my love for plant biology, a subject I had always been passionate about. The way plants evolved to adapt to their environments, the way they could heal themselves and others, and the way they played a crucial role in the ecosystem of our planet.
But it also made me think about how the evolution of plants was impacting the universe as a whole. How the oxygen they produced was essential for life on Earth, and how their ability to absorb carbon dioxide helped regulate the Earth's climate. It was amazing to think about the interconnectedness of everything in nature.
I sighed again and looked at Ethan.
"What? You've started again?"
"You know plants help my mood."
"You've been obsessed with them more than anyone."
"They've been everything," I said slowly. "Mistletoes for example are fascinating," I said, my voice laced with passion even though I was only looking for escape. "They're a parasitic plant that lives on other trees, absorbing nutrients from their host. But what's even more interesting is the role they play in ecosystems. They provide a home and food source for many animals, and their seeds are spread by birds, which helps to disperse them and create new habitats. That's what I have to do."
I paused for a moment, lost in thought. Ethan didn't say anything. He just listened. "It's amazing how everything in nature is interconnected, how one species can impact the entire ecosystem. And yet, we werewolves often take it for granted and destroy these delicate balances for our selfish desires."
Ethan nodded, understanding the weight of my words. "It's important to appreciate and protect the natural world," he said, his voice solemn. "We are a part of it, and we need it to survive."
I smiled weakly, grateful for his support. "Thank you, Ethan. You always know how to make me feel better."
I felt a glimmer of hope starting to shine through the darkness. Maybe there was more to life than just finding a mate. Maybe there was a bigger purpose, a way to make a difference in the world.
We walked on, our footsteps crunching on the leaves and twigs underfoot, as I began to dream of a future filled with plants and purpose.