REJECTED BY THE ALPHA BILLIONAIRE

Chapter 13 – The Wolf Beneath the Mask

Aria stared at the massive oak doors of the Blackwood mansion, her heart hammering. She had told herself she was coming here for answers — for closure. But deep down, she knew there was more. Damian Blackwood wasn’t a man easily erased from her soul, no matter how much pain he had caused.

She lifted her hand to knock, but the door opened before her knuckles could touch the wood. Damian stood there, every inch of him intimidating, dressed in a black shirt that clung to his broad chest. His piercing grey eyes swept over her like a storm.

“Aria,” he said, his voice low, as though he’d been expecting her.

Her breath caught, but she forced her chin up. “We need to talk.”

He didn’t move aside immediately. His hand tightened on the doorframe, jaw clenched as if letting her in would cost him something. But finally, he stepped back. “Come in.”

The mansion was colder than she remembered, not just in temperature but in atmosphere. The marble floors gleamed under the chandeliers, but the air carried a heavy stillness, like a cage.

Aria’s heels clicked softly as she followed him to the study. The scent of cedar and expensive whiskey filled her senses, grounding her yet making her restless.

Once the door shut behind them, Damian turned sharply, his eyes flashing. “You shouldn’t be here.”

Aria’s temper flared. “Why? Because I’m not welcome in the great Blackwood estate? Or because you’re afraid of what I might discover?”

His eyes narrowed, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “Careful, Aria.”

She stepped closer, surprising even herself. “No, Damian. You should be careful. I’m not that broken girl you pushed away. I want the truth. Why did you reject me? Why pretend like I was nothing when you knew—”

“Because I had no choice!” The words exploded from him, sharp and raw.

Aria froze, her breath stuck in her throat. His voice hadn’t carried arrogance or cruelty this time. It carried pain.

Her pulse raced. “What do you mean, no choice?”

Damian raked a hand through his dark hair, his usually perfect composure cracking. For the first time, Aria saw the wolf beneath the mask — the man who carried more than he let anyone see.

“There are things you don’t understand,” he said hoarsely. “Things that could destroy you if you got too close. Rejecting you… was the only way I could keep you safe.”

Her heart twisted. She wanted to believe him, but the scars of his rejection were carved too deep. “Safe? You think ripping my heart out was safety? You think humiliating me in front of the pack was protection?”

His eyes darkened with regret, but he didn’t deny it. Instead, he closed the distance between them in a single step. His presence consumed her, his scent, his heat. “I made mistakes,” he admitted, voice almost a whisper. “But don’t ever doubt that you were mine, Aria. You still are.”

Her breath caught at the raw possession in his tone. For a moment, she hated herself for how her body responded — the way her wolf stirred, aching for his touch.

“No.” She shook her head, tears burning her eyes. “You don’t get to say that. Not after everything.”

She tried to step back, but his hand shot out, grasping her wrist — not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to remind her of the bond they once shared.

“I can’t let you go,” he murmured, his voice fraying at the edges. “Not again.”

Her throat tightened, her entire being torn between fury and longing. “Damian, you already did.”

The silence between them was heavy, electric, filled with everything they couldn’t say. Then, just as she thought he might confess more, a sharp knock rattled the study door.

Damian stiffened instantly, his hand dropping from her wrist. His expression shuttered, the vulnerable man vanishing, replaced by the cold Alpha.

“Come in,” he barked.

A guard entered, bowing his head. “Alpha, there’s news. From the Bloodfang Pack. They’ve crossed into our territory.”

Aria’s eyes widened. Bloodfang. She had heard whispers of their cruelty, their lust for power. Her heart pounded as she glanced at Damian. His entire posture screamed danger.

He didn’t look at her when he gave his command. “Double the patrols. No one moves without my order.”

“Yes, Alpha.” The guard hurried out, closing the door behind him.

Aria swallowed hard. “What’s going on, Damian?”

He finally looked at her, and the darkness in his eyes sent a chill down her spine.

“The reason I pushed you away…” he said slowly, voice like steel, “is standing at our borders. And if they find out what you mean to me, they’ll use you to tear me apart.”

Her blood ran cold.

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🔥 Cliffhanger Ending:

Aria’s heart raced as the weight of his words sank in. The Bloodfang Pack wasn’t just a threat to his pack… they were a threat to her. But before she could respond, Damian stepped closer, his hand brushing her cheek in a rare, tender gesture.

“You were never supposed to come back, Aria,” he whispered. “Now I don’t know if I can keep you safe this time.”

Her wolf howled inside her. Safe from them… or from him?