Rejected by the Alpha: My Fated Revenge

Unintended Encounters

Night fell hard on Ashwood. Black curtain. Total silence. Fine rain hit like needles, stabbing the park’s cobblestone paths. Cold splashes everywhere. This suburban green spot felt peaceful in daylight. At night? Dark maze. Mossy benches slick and freezing. Streetlamps glowed hazy through fog. Lit scattered leaves and puddles. Lake rippled in the distance. Wind carried wet earth, pine, and a faint wolf howl—low. Haunting. Warning from deep in the forest.

Ivy sat on a bench. Knees up. Hood low. Jeans soaked. Clung cold to her legs. Boots in shallow water. She checked her phone. 9:30. Informant late. Tip came from bar talk. Stranger said he knew Blackwood family secrets. Wanted anonymity for evidence. Park empty now. Just rain and her pounding heart.

He’s not coming. Frustration knotted with dread. Last few days everything sped up. Family interviews. Old legends. Close calls—blown tires, alley thugs, that black wolf jumping in to save her. Incidents stacked. Paranoia grew. Someone always watching. Bar guy—Callum—asked too sharp: “What do you think Lucian’s hiding?” She was buzzed. Blurted she’d dig it up. Stupid. Someone’s tracking me. Silver Claw? Blackthorn insider?

Rain slid down her face. Mixed with eye corner damp. She rubbed hard. Pushed back exhaustion. Eighteen years ago hit again: mom’s scream. Burning golden eyes. Now she knew. Lucian was the key. Monster. But last night’s dream? He didn’t attack. Protected. Shifted to black wolf. Stood between her and danger. Woke with pulse racing. Not fear. Strange warmth.

Ridiculous. Terrified of him. Can’t stop thinking about him.

She shook her head. Forced it away. Instinct kept her waiting. Maybe he’s late. Wind rustled leaves overhead. Whispering ghosts. She scanned fog. Shadows stretched from benches. Then one moved. Under distant streetlamp.

Stomach dropped. She stood. Fingers tight on pepper spray. Ready to run. Figure didn’t charge. Approached slow. Footsteps silent. Sure. Moonlight broke clouds. Lit him: tall. Dark hair. Raincoat hood. Unmistakable face. Lucian Blackwood. Black umbrella. Rain dripped edges like tears. Gray eyes caught light. Wary. Hungry. Controlled.

Ivy’s breath stopped. She spun. Ran. Path slick. Boots slipped. Nearly fell. His voice cut rain. Low. Commanding: “You’re gonna get yourself killed, Harper.”

She didn’t stop. Dove deeper. Trees loomed. Branches clawed. Rain blurred vision. Heart slammed ribs. Why here? Following me?

Fear crashed in waves. But underneath—strange excitement. Lucian caught up easy. Speed not human. Shadow on wind. Hand clamped shoulder. Gentle but firm. Pulled her stop. Touch instant. Electricity snapped. Both froze. His palm warm. Strong. Heat bled through wet jacket. Into skin.

“Let go!” she gasped. Twisted. Aimed spray at face. Hand shook. Didn’t press. Lucian locked eyes. Nostrils flared. Scent hit—jasmine + sharp fear. Burned veins. Woke beast. Mate bond roared: Claim her. Take her. Mark her. Forced back one step. Released. Held out umbrella. “Take it. You’ll get sick.”

Ivy stared umbrella. Rain hammered face. Wiped it. Voice sharp: “You’re following me. Why?”

Lucian’s face storm-dark. Gray eyes flickered gold. Dimmed. Didn’t plan show. Instinct dragged him. Callum warning: meet in park with “informant”—Silver Claw trap. Came to block it. Contact never showed. Now she stood soaked. Vulnerable. Tore at him.

She’s my true mate. Damn it. Why her? Human who hates wolves.

Voice rough: “You saw what you shouldn’t. Lumberyard night. You’re in deep, Harper. Stay away from Ashwood shadows. Go home. Stop digging.”

Anger flared Ivy’s chest. Shoved umbrella aside. Stepped closer. Rain made her shiver. “Shadows? Like you? Monster who shifts. Tears people apart? Think I didn’t see? Attacks—you and your ‘family’ behind them!”

Lucian face darkened. Beast snarled inside. Responded challenge. Scent flooded him—sweet. Terrified. Intoxicating. Closed distance. Breath hot on ear. “Monster? If you knew what I want right now, you’d beg me stop.” Voice cracked. Raw hunger. Barely leashed. Hand rose. Fingers brushed wet cheek. Touch gentle. Reverent. Like fragile treasure. Electricity shot both again.

Air crackled. Ivy’s heart slammed. Not terror. Heat. Contact burned. Woke deep primal thing. Jasmine bloomed rain. Wrapped him like drug. Pine. Musk. Wild forest—he smelled night itself. Green eyes met gray. Time stopped. Rain dripped dark hair. Down jaw. Into collar. Breathing ragged. Chest rose fell hard. Gold flickered pupils.

Claim her. Mark her. Now.

Wolf howled inside. Clenched fists. Nails bit skin. Blood welled. Stepped back. Couldn’t. Mate chain. Weakness. Sworn never take one. But scent addiction. Hurt.

Ivy felt pull too. Nearness knees weak. Body answered instinct. Raw want tangled fear. Shoved away. Palm flat chest. Felt thunder heartbeat. “Don’t touch me! You… monster!” Voice shook. Not rage. Confusion.

She ran. Boots slipped wet stone. Disappeared rain.

Lucian motionless. Rain poured him. Watched vanish fog. Beast raged. Demanded chase. Claim. Keep. Why let go? She’s my moonlight. My curse.

Turned. Melted park shadows. Left empty bench. Unanswered questions.

Ivy burst apartment. Warm light lifeline. Locked door. Slid wall. Gasped. Wet clothes clung. Cold sank bones. Cheeks burned. Touch lingered skin. Followed me. Didn’t hurt. Why?

Stripped. Stepped hot water. Shower pounded body. Couldn’t wash pull. Mirror eyes bright. Not fear. Something else. Curiosity? Shook head. He’s monster. Mom’s death tied him. Expose him.

Deep inside small voice whispered: He saved you. More than once.

Across town Lucian returned hidden rainforest villa. Room dim. Firelight danced pale face. Smashed glass. Shards scattered. Callum call: “Alpha, she safe. Silver Claw moving. Know she witness.”

Lucian growled: “Tighten watch. No more risks.” Hung up. Collapsed chair. Eyes closed. Scent clung. Maddening. “Evelyn… why you?”

Rain-soaked night Ashwood secrets seeped deeper. Ivy lay bed. Staring at the ceiling. Park encounter burned mind like brand. She didn’t know it yet but this was only the beginning. Full moon coming. Pack war brewing and she was already at the heart of the storm.