Alpha’s Rancor: His Forsaken Luna

Chapter 2

Killian Xavros.

A ghost from my past and the Alpha of Crimson Moon pack. His voice sends a familiar chill down my spine, the last time I saw Killian was far from pleasant, he expressed his hatred for me and wished his sister’s ghost would haunt me.

I can barely stand as I turn to look at him. My gaze is immediately pinned by icy blue eyes that could both drown you and save you. The clear loathing in them triggers the warning sirens in my head.

“You?” I swallow, the daze of seeing him again slowly fading. “You killed my dad? Why?”

“Why not?” He smirks. “There’s no other punishment for traitors.”

“Traitors?” I choke out, my eyes momentarily shifting to my siblings, but not one of them speaks up. Not a single one of them defends his honour because they are so afraid of their Alpha, but I’m not. Killian isn't my Alpha, I have a new Alpha. “My father has given everything for this pack, what did he do that was so wrong?!”

“Raelynn stop,” Soraya grabs my wrist, but I pull away.

“Why?” I snap. “What the hell has this pack turned into that you just go about killing Beta’s?!”

“Keep quiet, Rae.” Ravenna grabs me this time, pulling me back, but I don't let her either.

“Stop touching me!” I scream, the anger burning in my bones refusing to be contained. My Father was an honourable man, why did he die? “Why are you all silent?”

“Watch your mouth,” Killian warns, his voice deep and rough. “You’re disturbing the people who are actually mourning.” He says, gesturing somewhere behind us where they seem to be burying a pet?

“What about us?” I snap. “My father died.”

He stares, his nose scrunching up like he is irritated. “You’re wasting unnecessary tears on an unworthy bastard. Drop the casket.”

Unworthy bastard?

I swing before I can think, but he catches my wrist, the contact sending a zap through me.

“Mate,” my wolf says.

“Echo, hide,” I tell her, a little too late because the bond snaps into place.

The way Killian’s eyes widen tells me he felt it, the sensation is still burning under my skin when I tilt backwards.

Everything seems to move in slow motion as I stare at him, realising he pushed me.

My head hits something hard and I fall into the open grave, my face hitting the dirt that will become my Dad’s new home.

“Raelynn!” I hear my brother scream.

I’m covered in dirt, my vision doubles as Caspen reaches out for me.

“Take my hand,” he says, his voice filled with panic. “Raelynn.”

I nod, putting both my hands out because I see three of his, and don’t know which one to grab. There’s something warm trickling down the side of my head, fast and thick.

“I’ve got you, Sunray,” Caspen says, pulling me out of the grave like a lifeless doll.

“This can’t be,” Killian growls, his words sharp and stinging.

“What was that?” Someone asks, a voice too familiar, but I can’t see her face when I look up. This is exactly why I wanted to leave before he saw me, before this happened.

“A mate bond?” Soraya gasps, “Oh no.”

“Are you okay, Sunray?” Caspen asks, touching the side of my head. “s**t, you’re bleeding.”

“I’m fine,” I pull away, trying to stand on my own but he doesn't let go of me until I repeat it.

“I’m fine, Caspen,” I say, blinking to solidify my vision again.

“You knew, didn’t you?”

I don’t respond. I simply stare at him, trying to think of a lie, trying to play dumb, but I’m failing.

“Answer me!” He demands, his voice startling me.

“Raelynn,” Soraya swallows, her voice quiet.

I nod, “Yes.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he grunts, running a hand through his hair, eyes wide with panic and outrage. “A runt?” He scoffs, “A f*****g murderer.”

My body stills at that.

I was the runt of the pack, but murderer? No.

My mind races back to the incident that tore us apart, but just like every time, there’s nothing but hues of guilt and regret.

I never killed anyone. I didn’t kill Violette. I don’t know what happened, the last thing I remember was arguing with her in the park, and I think I had one of my episodes, but she wasn't there, and I was covered in blood. I was confused, hurt, and alone, and on my way home, I ran into him.

Killian wasn’t himself either, he was searching for something —someone, likely Ariella, but I was there, I spent the night with him in the woods.

It was then that our bond flickered, and I knew he was my mate, but I had to run before he woke up, before he rejected me, because I couldn’t stomach that. We were friends, we grew up together. There isn't a day in my life that I didn't know Killian, not a day that I remember when I didn’t have a crush on him.

A crush that was never meant to be anything more.

“How long have you known this?” Killian’s voice pulls me out of my head.

I wince, “Since the morning Viol—”

“Don’t you dare mention her name,” he snaps. “You have no right to speak her name after ending her life. Just because you got away without punishment doesn't mean I can't punish you still.” He warns, his voice chilling. I always heard about this, but not once did I experience it, not until Violette died, and I got blamed for it. “You are not too young to be punished for your crimes now.”

“How can she be your mate?” Someone sneers, their tone filled with nearly as much outrage as Killian’s. “She’s less than omega,” he spits.

Liam Finely.

It’s only now that I notice him here, and beside him, his sister Ariella. Killian’s chosen mate, the apple of everyone’s eye, the girl destined to be by his side.

“She’s a Beta’s daughter,” Soraya snaps.

My eyes flicker back to Killian, his face blurring now.

I take a step back, but he counters with two, grabbing me by the wrist again, his fingers trembling against my skin, scared the bond will flicker again.

“Why did you lie?”