Adrian's Rejected Luna

Change My Fate

Nianell's POV

“Run, run, little rabbit. The big bad wolf is right behind you,” he taunted, his deep laugh chasing me through the dark forest. His steps echoed too close for comfort. He was playing with me.

My legs screamed from the effort, my lungs burned, and a sharp pain stabbed my side. Still, I pushed on, desperate to escape him. I’d been warned this morning—my cards had hinted something bad was coming. But I’d been in a rush and hadn’t taken the time to look closer. Why hadn’t I listened?

“Don’t be scared!” he called, his voice thick with mockery. “I’ll take my time, I promise. You might even beg for more.”

“Dream on, mutt! I’ll freeze you where you stand!” I shouted back.

I turned just enough to hurl a freezing spell. He sidestepped it with a smug ease, his movements smooth and practiced. A growl of frustration escaped me as I faced forward and kept running. This was the fifth spell he’d dodged tonight. A glittering trail of ice marked my frantic escape, shining under the moonlight.

“Missed again,” he drawled, his tone full of dark amusement. “That was supposed to be my d**k, right? You’ll need better aim, darling.”

That laugh of his sent a chill through my body,cold and empty, like the sound of someone enjoying a cruel game. He wasn’t just chasing me; he was savoring every second.

But I wasn’t some helpless prey.

“Small target,” I shot back. “Don’t worry, next time I’ll hit it.”

Home wasn’t far now, just beyond the park. I’d chosen this path because I wanted to gather some black sage from the cliffs before heading back. My mom was running low, and I’d thought it’d be nice to surprise her. Stupid idea. If I’d gone straight home, I wouldn’t be running for my life, wouldn’t be dealing with his taunts.

“When I catch you, little rabbit,” he growled, his voice smooth like silk wrapping around a knife, “I’m going to huff, puff, and blow your mind.”

“Go straight to hell, you mangy dog!” I snapped, stumbling over loose stones. I caught myself just in time. Falling would be the end of me, and I had no intention of becoming wolf chow.

I threw another spell behind me, but it hit the dirt again. The shimmering ice lit up the path like breadcrumbs in a fairy tale.

“Give it up, Nianell. I promise, you’ll like it when I make you scream.”

“You’ve got the wrong girl!” I shouted, spinning just long enough to throw another spell. This one landed. Ice crawled up his legs, locking him in place. He snarled like the beast he was, and I used the precious seconds to vanish.

I worked a masking spell as I ran, hiding my scent and erasing my tracks. If he broke free too quickly, he’d follow me straight to my front door. That couldn’t happen.

His furious howl tore through the trees, echoing into the night. “You can run, but I’ll find you! Not me, gasping for breath.

“Nianell!” Mom’s voice rang out, sharp with concern. “Why are you barging in like a tornado?”

I looked through the peephole, scanning the quiet, empty street. He wasn’t

“Sorry, Mom,” I said, chest still heaving.

“What’s got you so worked up?”

Walking into the bathroom, I sighed at the sight of myself in the mirror. My faded purple-streaked hair was a tangled mess, and one of the hoops in my nose had flipped up at a weird angle. I flicked it back into place with a finger, then noticed the glaring gap on my favorite ring.

“Seriously?” I groaned.

It was my brand new ring, something I’d picked up just a few days ago. Usually, I bought crystals to boost my gift for divination, but this one had been for protection. Everyone knows the rule, though: crystals don’t last forever. They do their job, and when they’re done, the universe takes them back.

“Guess tonight drained it dry,” I said .

I took a quick shower, pulling out bits of grass and weeds that had gotten stuck in my hair during my chaotic escape. Once I was finally clean, I trudged to my room and flopped onto my bed, too exhausted to think. Tonight had been more than enough action to last a lifetime. I reached over to turn off the lamp, already feeling sleep pull me under.

But the second the light clicked off, the darkness wasn’t right. Not normal. It was heavy, suffocating, pitch black. My blinds were open; I should’ve seen moonlight. Instead, nothing. My chest tightened, and my breath caught as dread coiled in my stomach.

"Light. I need light."

Suddenly, a blinding brightness filled the room, so harsh it made me flinch. It was too much, burning my eyes even through my hands as I tried to shield them. But something was pulling me toward it, no matter how hard I fought.

A shape emerged in the center of the light, its broad shoulders blocking out just enough to make it bearable. My pulse quickened. Something about him felt familiar, like I’d known him forever, though I couldn’t place where or how.

I squinted, trying to see his face, but it was like looking at a shadow—his features hidden, his edges blurred.

“Who are you?” I whispered, my voice shaking.

He raised a hand, calling me forward. My legs moved on their own, closing the distance until my fingers brushed his. The moment I touched him, his shape began to shift.

“No,” I breathed, stumbling back.

His body contorted unnaturally, his ears stretching into sharp points, his mouth lengthening into a snout. His hands and feet twisted into claws, and he dropped to all fours. A Loud howl ripped through the air, and my stomach sank as the truth hit me.

“A werewolf,” I whispered in horror.

I threw my hands out, trying to cast a spell, but nothing happened. Panic surged as I tried again and again, still nothing. I was defenseless.

The werewolf’s glowing eyes locked on mine, freezing me in place. Then, a voice—a deep whisper, soft but chilling filled my mind with a single word.

“Mate.”

My scream tore through the silence, yanking me awake. I sat bolt upright in bed, my heart racing so fast it felt like it might burst. Morning light streamed through the open blinds, and the sound of seagulls outside told me I wasn’t in that terrifying void anymore.

“Nianell, are you still in bed?” Mom called, knocking on my door before barging in with a basket of laundry. “Get up! We have guests.”

I stared at her, still half lost in the nightmare. My mind reeled, trying to piece everything together.

“What’s that look for?” she asked, shaking her head as she began putting my clothes away.

“What time is it?” I mumbled, trying to ground myself.

“It’s past noon! Get moving. Liam’s here, and he brought Adrian.”

She smiled, clearly thrilled. My brother’s best friend the soon to be Alpha of the Coronado Pack was here.

“Go on, get ready!” she urged, flapping her hands at me before leaving the room.

I sat frozen for a moment, her words sinking in. Adrian was here. My brother’s best friend, the Alpha. The werewolf. My mate.

My mate.

“No,” I whispered to myself, pushing back the covers. I wouldn’t let fate trap me. Not like this.

Downstairs, I could hear Liam and Adrian talking, probably asking Mom for food the way they always did. My brother never came home without raiding the fridge. But Adrian’s voice cut through all the noise, deep and unmistakable.

And I had an idea. A crazy one. Something no one had ever dared to do.

I’d fight fate itself.

“Nothing,” I lied, looking at the clear night sky. “Thought it was going to storm.”

Mom gave me a suspicious look, but didn’t press. “Well, go clean up. Did you eat anything?”

“Yeah, at work,” I mumbled, heading for the stairs.

“Nianell,” she called as I reached the first step.

“Yeah?”

“Take off your shoes. You’re tracking in sand. And throw your clothes in the laundry, they’re a mess.” She muttered under her breath as she walked away, something about spirits swapping her real child for me.

I smiled, yanking off my sandy shoes and walking upstairs. My body ached, and now that the adrenaline was wearing off, I felt filthy. My jeans were crusted with dried grass and seaweed, my hair stuck out in all directions, and my shirt had fresh tears in it.

As I stripped for the shower, I promised myself one thing: next time, I’d be ready.