The Rival Alpha's Chosen Luna

The One Who Was Promised

The golden figure stepped out of the light.

Elara couldn't breathe.

Those eyes...

She had seen them in her dreams.

Not once.

Not twice.

For years.

"Who are you?" she whispered.

The stranger smiled.

"My name is Adrian."

Lucien immediately stepped between them.

"Stay away from her."

Adrian's golden eyes narrowed.

"You still don't understand, do you?"

"Understand what?"

Adrian looked at Elara.

"The bond you thought you felt with him..."

He pointed toward Lucien.

"...was never a mating bond."

Elara's heart tightened.

"Then what was it?"

"A protection bond."

The Lycan King suddenly looked alarmed.

"Impossible."

Adrian laughed.

"You of all people should know."

The King raised his sword.

"You're not supposed to exist."

Adrian's smile disappeared.

"Neither was she."

He looked at Elara.

"But the Moon Goddess changed the rules."

Elara shook her head.

"I don't believe you."

Adrian took one step closer.

The moment he did, her pendant erupted with golden light.

Elara gasped.

A strange warmth spread through her chest.

Lucien grabbed her hand.

The light immediately disappeared.

Adrian's expression darkened.

"Interesting."

"What?"

He looked at Lucien.

"You're suppressing the bond."

Lucien froze.

Adrian smiled.

"How long do you think you can keep doing that?"

The ancient chamber began shaking again.

One of the remaining locks on the massive door cracked.

The Lycan King shouted,

"Everyone move!"

But Adrian didn't move.

He kept his eyes on Elara.

"You have a choice."

"What choice?"

"Come with me..."

He glanced at Lucien.

"...or stay with the man whose bloodline was never meant to touch yours."

Lucien's eyes flashed.

"She isn't going anywhere."

Adrian's golden eyes burned.

"We'll see."

Then he vanished into the golden light.

Elara stared at the place where he had stood.

Her heart was racing.

"Lucien..."

He looked at her.

"Don't listen to him."

"But what if he's telling the truth?"

Lucien's expression softened.

"Then we'll find the truth together."

Before Elara could answer—

A deafening roar erupted behind the ancient door.

The third lock began glowing.

And the Lycan King whispered the words that terrified them all.

"The next seal has chosen its guardian."

Elara looked down at her palm.

A new symbol was appearing beneath her skin.

But this time...

It wasn't silver.

It was **gold**.