The Alpha's Rejected Luna

Chapter 5: The Fierce Alpha

My heart was still racing as Lucian’s words echoed in my ears. “You are mine.” The sound of it was like a command, powerful, demanding. My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe altogether. The weight of his presence, the pull of the bond, it was all too much, and it made my knees weak.

I had always heard of the mate bond—how powerful it was, how it could turn your world upside down the moment you met your true mate. But I had never imagined it would feel like this. It was as if the universe had just tilted, aligning everything into a new reality I wasn’t ready for. I wasn’t prepared for this.

Lucian stood before me, his eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight, a mix of curiosity and something darker swirling within them. His hands were clenched at his sides, his jaw tight as though he was trying to control the emotions that wanted to spill out. But there was no mistaking the gravity of the situation.

I tried to take a step back, but my feet felt heavy, as if I was rooted to the ground, tethered by some invisible force. My pulse pounded in my ears, and the only sound I could hear was the rush of blood, thumping in my veins like a storm.

“Who are you?” Lucian’s voice broke through my thoughts. He wasn’t asking out of politeness. No, there was a dangerous edge to his tone, as though he needed answers. Desperately needed them.

“I…” I swallowed, my mouth dry as dust. “I’m Sera.”

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing, inspecting me with a sharpness that made my skin prickle. “Sera, huh?” His lips twitched as if he were processing the name, the scent, everything about me. He took another step, so close now that I could feel the heat radiating off his body. “I sensed the bond the moment I saw you. Why didn’t you tell me?”

I bit my lip, fear curling in my stomach. “I didn’t—” I stopped myself. What was I supposed to say? How could I explain this? “I didn’t know it was real,” I finally managed to say, my voice barely a whisper.

Lucian’s expression darkened as his gaze flickered briefly to the guards who were still lingering, watching us silently from the shadows. Their presence felt like a distant hum in my mind, too far away to be of any concern. Not when Lucian’s eyes were locked on mine, unyielding, demanding, searching for answers that I couldn’t provide.

“You didn’t know it was real?” His voice was a low growl now, the edges of his power slipping into his words. “So you don’t feel it? The bond? The connection between us?”

I wanted to look away, to break free from the intensity of his gaze, but something inside me refused. His eyes held me in place, pulling me closer in a way that both terrified and excited me. But I wasn’t ready for this. I wasn’t ready for him, or for what the bond meant. The rejection I had faced from Kane still burned deep inside me, and I wasn’t sure I could handle another heartbreak, especially from someone as powerful as Lucian.

“I don’t trust this,” I finally whispered, my words more to myself than to him. “I’ve been hurt before. I—”

Lucian stepped forward again, his presence overwhelming, filling every inch of space around me. His hand reached out, fingers brushing my cheek with surprising gentleness. I flinched at the contact, though the touch burned through my skin like fire, sending a shiver down my spine.

“I’m not him,” Lucian said softly, his voice laced with a warning, but there was something tender in it, too. “I’m not Kane.”

Kane. The name alone made my chest tighten, and I could feel the pain of his rejection bubbling up again. The sting of his words, his humiliation in front of the entire pack. The way he’d called me weak. I didn’t want to think about it, but I couldn’t stop myself. The memories were too fresh, too painful.

“I know you’re not him,” I said, my voice shaking. “But you’re still an Alpha. You’re still... you’re still powerful. I don’t know if I can trust you either. I’ve never been enough for anyone, and I don’t want to make the same mistake again.”

Lucian’s eyes softened, his fingers pulling away from my cheek as he let out a low breath. For a moment, I thought I saw something like sadness in his eyes—something that made the harshness of his demeanor slip away, just for a moment. But then it was gone, replaced by that same intense focus.

“I’m not asking for your trust right away,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a weight that made my heart flutter. “But I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to protect you.”

I shook my head, the doubts still clouding my thoughts. “I don’t need protection. I can take care of myself.”

Lucian’s lips curved into a small smile, but there was no humor in it—only a quiet understanding. “You don’t have to do it alone anymore, Sera. That’s what I’m offering you.”

The words hit me harder than I expected. I had been alone for so long—had always been the outsider, the one nobody cared for, the one everyone mocked. But here, in his presence, there was an offer. A promise of something more. I could feel the pull of it deep inside me, trying to break through the walls I had built around my heart.

But I couldn’t let it. Not yet. Not after everything I had been through.

“I… I’m not ready for this,” I said, my voice faltering. I took a step back, my feet finally moving again. “I don’t know if I can be what you need.”

Lucian didn’t step forward to stop me, but his eyes followed me, steady and unwavering. He didn’t try to push me, didn’t demand anything more from me than I was willing to give. There was a quiet strength in that, one that I hadn’t known I needed until now.

“Take your time,” he said, his voice calm. “I’m not asking for anything you’re not ready to give. But know this, Sera—I will protect you. No matter what.”

I wanted to argue, to tell him I didn’t need anyone’s protection. But deep down, I knew that wasn’t true. I had always needed someone. I just never thought anyone would actually want to be there.

As I turned away, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and doubt, I could feel Lucian’s eyes still on me, watching, waiting for me to come to terms with the truth that was unfolding before me. The bond between us was undeniable, but I wasn’t ready to accept it. Not yet.

I didn’t know where this was going, or if I was ready to take the first step. But for the first time in a long while, I felt something other than fear.

And that terrified me.

But it also made me wonder—could this really be the beginning of something different? Something better?

For now, I had no answers. Only the echo of his words in my mind, and the weight of his promise hanging in the air.

And somewhere deep inside, I wondered if I could ever trust again.

But that would come later.

Right now, I had to survive.