Rejected By The Alpha King On Christmas Night

Chapter 9

Aurora’s POV

The snowstorm had finally begun to calm. But inside me everything was still chaos. The street around us looked destroyed. Blood stained the snow from the rogue attack while broken lanterns flickered weakly against the icy ground. Yet none of that mattered right now.

Because Kael’s words kept repeating in my head. “I rejected you to protect you.” Protect mme I stared at him in disbelief. How could someone destroy me so completely and still claim it was protection? The pain in my chest became unbearable again not just from the broken mate bond. From betrayal. Because somewhere deep inside, part of me had hoped there was another reason. A reason that didn’t involve him simply not wanting me. And now I had one. But somehow… it hurt even more.

Liam stepped closer beside me protectively.

“You’re shaking,” he murmured quietly. I didn’t realize I was until he said iti My entire body trembled violently beneath his coat. Kael noticed instantly. Of course he did. His gaze darkened as he took a step toward me.“Aurora”

“StStop My voice cracked sharply through the cold air. Kael froze and for a moment, silence stretched painfully between us. Then I looked directly at him. “If you knew people were hunting me…” My throat tightened. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Kael’s jaw clenched. “Because the less you knew, the safer you were.” I laughed bitterly. “Safe?” I whispered. “I almost died tonight.” His eyes flashed with guilt. Good.

Maybe he should feel guilty Liam folded his arms tightly. “You should’ve told her the truth from the beginning.” Kael’s expression hardened instantly. “You know nothing about what’s happening.”

“And whose fault is that?” Tension exploded between them again. I was exhausted. Emotionally, physically, everything hurt. “Stop fighting,” I whispered. Neither man spoke. But the dangerous energy between them remained.

I looked away from both of them and down at my trembling hands silver light. The memory flashed in my mind again the power that burst from me earlier didn’t feel normal. It felt ancient, alive. “What am I?” I whispered softly.

The question hung heavily in the air Kael’s expression changed, pain crossed his face.

Almost like he hated that I even had to ask.

“You’re Aurora,” he said quietly. “That’s not an answer.” No one replied, my chest tightened painfully again. I was so tired of secrets. Of confusion. Of people deciding things for me without asking what I wanted. “I deserve the truth,” I whispered and Kael looked torn. For the first time since I met him, the powerful Alpha King looked uncertain. Almost afraid and somehow… that scared me more than the rogues did. Finally, Kael exhaled slowly.

“When you were born,” he began quietly, “the royal seer predicted the arrival of the Moon Heir.” A cold chill slid down my spine. “She said the child would possess power blessed directly by the Moon Goddess herself.” Liam frowned slightly beside me. “And?” Kael’s icy gaze shifted back to mine. “And kingdoms would either worship her…” His voice lowered dangerously. “Or try to control her.” Fear curled painfully in my stomach. “No,” I whispered immediately. “That can’t be me.”But deep down, I already knew it was trtru Silver eyes, silver power. The rogues recognizing me instantly everything suddenly made horrible sesens Kael stepped closer carefully. “The prophecy also warned that the Moon Heir’s mate would become her greatest strength…”

His jaw tightened. “Or the reason she dies.”

My breath caught. Suddenly, I understood.The rejection, the distance, the coldness. Kael thought rejecting me would save me from the prophecy. A painful ache spread through my chest.“You i***t,” I whispered shakily. Kael blinked in surprise. Tears filled my eyes instantly. “You should’ve trusted me enough to tell me.” Pain flashed across his face. “Aurora…”

“You let me believe I wasn’t enough,” I whispered brokenly. “Do you know how much that hurt?” The guilt in his eyes nearly broke me completely. Because for the first time tonight, I could see it clearly. Kael was suffering too. Not pretending. Real suffering. His wolf looked restless beneath his skin as he stared at me like he wanted to touch me but knew he couldn’t. And Moon Goddess help me… part of me still wanted him to. Liam suddenly cleared his throat sharply. “We need to move,” he said seriously. “If those rogues report back, more will come.” Kael’s expression hardened immediately. He nodded once. “He’s right.” I wrapped my arms tightly around myself. “So what now?” Kael looked directly at me. “You come with me to the palace.” “No,” Liam said instantly. Kael’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“The palace is the safest place in the kingdom.”

“The palace is exactly where enemies will expect her to be.” They started arguing again,

Competing. And somehow I was stuck in the middle. “I’m not going anywhere with Kael,” I said suddenly and silence struck. Kael stared at me. The hurt in his eyes was immediate. Like I had physically wounded him. But he had no right to look hurt. Not after tonight. “I’ll go with Liam,” I continued quietly. Liam looked surprised for half a second before satisfaction crossed his face. Kael, however looked furious.

Terrifyingly furious, his wolf pushed violently beneath the surface. “Aurora,” he said lowly, dangerously calm, “that’s not a good idea.”

“Why?” I snapped emotionally. “Because you suddenly care again?” His jaw tightened hard.

“I never stopped caring.” The words hit me like lightning the street went silent again. Even Liam looked shocked. Kael seemed surprised he said it aloud too, but it was too late now. Because my stupid heart heard every single word.