Xander's Rejected Luna

Arrival

Jasmine’s POV

The moment Lias carried me through the towering gates of Xander’s kingdom, a weight lifted from my chest, like I’d been holding my breath for years and finally exhaled. My body ached, the gash on my arm throbbing under the makeshift bandage, but a strange warmth settled in my bones. This place, his home, felt like it could be mine too, a sanctuary after the hell of Lucas’s pack house. My wolf stirred, stronger than ever, as if she recognized this as where we belonged. I clung to Lias’s shoulder, my head still fuzzy from blood loss, but I couldn’t stop staring. The air carried the scent of pine and stone, and the sprawling grounds stretched out like a dream, with pathways winding through lush gardens and grand structures that gleamed under the soft light of lanterns. It was beautiful, overwhelming and nothing like the cramped, mildew-soaked prison I’d known.

Lias’s steps were steady, his broad frame reassuring as he navigated the bustling courtyard. People moved around us, warriors with sharp eyes, servants carrying baskets of linens, their chatter a low buzz. I caught glimpses of towering statues, wolves carved in stone, their heads thrown back in silent howls. My eyes darted everywhere, drinking it in, and for the first time in forever, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe here, I could be more than a reject, more than a slave. My wolf nudged me, a gentle push of agreement, and I smiled faintly, letting myself imagine a life where I wasn’t defined by Lucas’s cruelty or Kira’s taunts.

I was so caught u that I didn’t see her until it was too late. My foot caught on a cobblestone, and I stumbled forward, crashing into a woman with a sharp gasp. She spun around, her auburn hair whipping like a flame, her green eyes narrowing into slits. She was tall, dressed in a fitted tunic that screamed authority, and the air around her crackled with menace. “Watch where you’re going, useless!” she snapped, her voice cutting like a blade. Before I could react, her hand lashed out, striking my cheek with a force that sent stars bursting across my vision.

Pain exploded, hot and stinging, and my legs gave out. I hit the ground hard, my palms scraping the stone as I tried to catch myself. The world tilted, my head spinning from the blow and the lingering effects of the rogue attack. I heard murmurs around me, voices overlapping “Oh no, it’s Brenda,” someone whispered, the name laced with fear. My wolf growled faintly, but darkness crept in, pulling me under. The last thing I felt was the cold stone against my cheek before everything faded.

When I came to, my body felt like it was made of lead, every muscle protesting as I tried to move. I was no longer on the ground but lying on something soft, the scent of cedar and leather wrapping around me like a blanket. My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself in a massive room, the bed beneath me covered in dark furs, a fire crackling somewhere nearby. My arm ached, the bandag was fresh, and my cheek still burned from Brenda’s slap. I touched it gingerly, wincing, and my heart sank. I’d barely arrived, and already I’d made an enemy.

“Easy, don’t move too fast,” a familiar voice said. Lias stood by the bed, his broad shoulders tense, his dark eyes scanning me with concern. He was wiping his hands on a cloth, a faint smear of blood on his knuckles—mine, probably, from carrying me. His short-cropped hair was damp with sweat, and his sword rested against the wal as if he’d just come from a fight. “You took a hell of a hit,” he added, tossing the cloth aside and crouching beside me.

I pushed myself up, ignoring the dizziness, my hands gripping the furs for stability. “What happened? Who was that woman?” My voice came out hoarse, and I swallowed, trying to clear the fog in my head. My wolf stirred again, restless, whispering "danger" in a way that made my skin prickle.

Lias’s jaw tightened, and he glanced toward the doo as if expecting someone to burst in. “That was Brenda, a beta’s daughter with a chip on her shoulder bigger than this kingdom. She’s got her sights set on power, and she doesn’t take kindly to newcomers. Especially not…” He hesitated, his eyes flicking to me, and I knew what he wasn’t saying. Especially not someone Xander claimed as his mate.

I frowned, my fingers brushing the tender spot on my cheek. “She called me useless. Slapped me like I was nothing.” The memory stung, not just the pain but the humiliation, the way it echoed Kira’s taunts, Claire’s punishments. I thought I’d escaped that here, but maybe I was wrong. My wolf growled, louder now, urging me to stand up, to fight back, but I felt small, unworthy of this grand place.

Lias stood, crossing his arms, his expression softening. “You’re not nothing, Jasmine. Xander brought you here for a reason. He sees something in you, and so do I.” He paused, rubbing the back of his neck, a rare crack in his stoic demeanor. “But Brenda’s trouble. She’s been circling Xander for years, thinking she’s destined for his throne. You showing up? That’s a threat to her.”

My stomach twisted, a mix of fear and defiance. “I didn’t ask for this,” I said, my voice sharper than I meant. “I didn’t ask to be his mate, or to be here, or to have some power-hungry beta’s daughter hate me.” I looked down at my hands, raw from scrubbing floors back home, now bruised from the fall. “I don’t even know if I belong here.”

Lias knelt again, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder, his touch steady but not overbearing. “You belong where you’re wanted, and Xander wants you here. That’s enough for now.” He stood, glancing at the door again. “I need to tell him what happened, but… damn, he’s not gonna like this. Brenda’s already on thin ice with him.”

I swallowed, my heart racing at the thought of Xander’s reaction. Would he be angry at me for causing trouble so soon? Or worse, would he see me as weak, just like Lucas did? My wolf nudged me, a warm pulse of strength, and I clung to it, trying to believe I could handle this. “What will you tell him?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lias sighed, picking up his sword and slinging it over his shoulder. “The truth. That Brenda attacked you, and you’re hurt. He’ll want to see you himself.” He hesitated, his eyes searching mine. “Just… be ready. Xander’s protective, especially about you. This could stir things up.”

I nodded, my throat tight. The idea of Xander storming in, his blue eyes blazing, both thrilled and terrified me. I wanted his protection, his warmth, but I also wanted to prove I wasn’t just some fragile girl he had to save. My wolf growled in agreement, her presence stronger here, like this kingdom was waking her up. I touched the bandage on my arm, remembering his hands on me, his vow to keep me safe. Maybe Lias was right. Maybe I did belong here, if only I could find the strength to claim it.

Footsteps echoed outside the door, heavy and purposeful, and my heart skipped. Was that Xander already?