Rejected By My Alpha, Claimed By His Rivals

TWO

Lyra's POV

Months had passed since that terrible night under the full moon when Magnus rejected me in front of the entire pack but the pain still lingered in my chest like a fresh wound that refused to heal.

I walked through the dangerous neutral lands, my legs heavy with every step on the uneven ground.

The sun had dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in deep oranges and purples as dusk settled over the wild territory.

My midnight-black hair clung to my sweaty neck and my silver-gray eyes scanned the growing darkness ahead. I felt tired, so very tired and my face looked pale in the faint reflections from small streams I crossed.

The neutral lands smelled with danger, damp earth, rotting leaves and the sharp tang of hidden predators. My wolf senses picked up every rustle and distant howl, making my heart beat faster.

My simple dress from the mating ceremony hung torn and dirty on my graceful figure, the fabric brushing against my legs as I pushed forward.

The mate bond with Magnus still tugged at me sometimes, a faint pull that brought back memories of his strong arms and passionate kisses under the moon but I shoved those thoughts away.

"Why did it have to end like that?" I muttered under my breath, thinking back to the way Magnus had looked at me during our private moment.

The night grew colder and that familiar sickness twisted in my stomach again. For weeks now, I had felt nauseous, weak in the mornings and evenings, but I blamed it on scarce food and endless travel.

"Just push through," I told myself.

Full darkness surrounded me and my body begged for rest. My legs shook and my vision blurred at the edges. I spotted a large old tree with thick roots spreading out like arms and heavy leaves overhead that might hide me from view.

"This spot will work for now," I said softly.

I sank down against the rough bark, pulling my knees up close to my chest and closed my eyes, just meaning to rest for a short time.

"I will keep going soon... but I need this."

My wolf curled up inside me and the sounds of the dark forest slowly faded as sleep pulled me under.

A sudden presence stirred my instincts, jolting me awake. My eyes snapped open, and a sharp gasp escaped my lips as a strange face hovered inches from mine in the moonlight.

The man had rough, scarred features and dark eyes that gleamed with something mean and hungry. His breath felt hot and smelled of smoke and old meat.

My wolf surged forward with a fierce growl in my head, every sense on high alert.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice sharp as I scrambled backward against the tree trunk.

My heart raced in my chest. I scrambled to my feet, only for my weary legs to wobble beneath me, threatening to send me crashing back to the ground.

The rogue grinned, his yellow teeth flashing in the dim light.

"A lone she-wolf sleeping out here in the open? Bold move, girl. You smell like you once belonged to a pack, but now... you're weak and alone. What brings a pretty thing like you into these lands at night?"

He reached out a dirty hand toward my shoulder.

I jerked away fast. "Don't touch me! Stay back right now!"

The man chuckled low and threatening. "No need to snap like that girl. These woods are full of real monsters after dark, I could help you... if you make it worth my while."

His eyes moved over my body in a way that made my skin crawl with disgust. He stepped closer, his big frame blocking most of the moonlight and casting a long shadow over me.

Strength flowed into my muscles and I yelled out, "I said stay away from me, I don't need help from anyone like you!"

He laughed again, the sound echoing through the dark trees and sending birds scattering overhead.

"Feisty, aren't you? I like a she-wolf with spirit but you won't last long out here by yourself. No pack, no mate... just you and me now."

He lunged forward suddenly, his fingers grabbing for my arm.

I dodged to the side just in time, my breath coming fast as fear and adrenaline coursed through my veins.

"Get away from me!" I shouted into the night.

My voice carried through the darkness, I spun around and ran, my bare feet pounding against the forest floor.

Branches and leaves whipped at my face and arms as I plunged deeper into the shadows. Behind me, the rogue's heavy footsteps crashed through the underbrush, chasing me.

"You can't run forever in the dark!" he yelled, his voice full of anger and excitement.

"I can smell you clearly, your fear... and something else sweet underneath it. Come back here, girl!"

I pushed my legs harder, weaving between trees in the blackness. The night made everything harder, shadows tricked my eyes and roots threatened to trip me at every step.

I veered left, my eyes straining to see ahead.

"Stop and we can talk this out!" the rogue called out, sounding closer than before. "I know these lands better than any pack wolf. There are worse things than me hunting tonight, I can keep you safe from them... for a price."

"Liar!" I shouted back without slowing down. "I don't trust you at all!“

The darkness pressed in, thick and alive with night sounds, distant howls, rustling bushes and the rogue's pounding steps.

He cursed loudly, his voice echoing. "Stupid little omega! When I catch you, you'll wish you had listened. I'll make sure you learn your place out here!"

I ran until my chest tightened and my legs burned like fire. The sickness in my belly worsened with every step, but fear kept me moving.

Up ahead through the trees, I spotted a darker patch in the rocky hillside, a cave entrance half-covered by vines and shadows.

I darted toward it, slipping inside just as the rogue's footsteps sounded way too close. The cave felt cool and damp, the stone walls rough under my hands.

I pressed my back against the wall deep inside, trying to quiet my raged breathing as my wolf eyes adjusted to the deeper darkness, picking up faint outlines.

"Come out, girl!" the rogue shouted from just outside the cave mouth.

"I saw you duck in there. You think hiding in a hole will save you from me?"

He laughed, but it held real anger now because I heard him kicking rocks and branches near the entrance, trying to clear a path.

I stayed completely silent, my body trembling as I checked myself in the dim moonlight that barely reached inside.

That's when I noticed it, a small warm trickle of blood running down my inner thigh. I looked down, my fingers gently touching the spot.

A little blood stained my dress, not from any cut or fall during the chase. It came from low in my belly, a soft ache there that I had ignored for too long.

"What is this?" I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible.

I pressed a hand over my stomach, feeling the slight curve I hadn't noticed before. My wolf whined softly, circling with new awareness. Pup! Our pup, she said clearly in my mind.

My eyes widened in shock. A pup? Magnus's child? The weeks of sickness, the tiredness, the changes in my body, it all made sense now in this dark cave.

I was pregnant, carrying the alpha's heir even after he had cast me aside.

I leaned harder against the cold cave wall, one hand still protectively over my belly.

"This changes everything," I murmured quietly. "A baby growing inside me... his baby. But he rejected us, how do I protect this little one out here alone?"

Outside, the rogue's voice cut through the night again, closer now as he edged toward the cave entrance.

"I smell fresh blood, little wolf. You injured yourself running from me? Come out and let me take a look, I won't be too hard on you if you behave nice."

I gripped the cave wall tighter, my free hand shielding my belly. If this rogue found me now, weak and bleeding, what would happen to the tiny life inside me?

The lands at night were merciless and a pregnant omega alone stood no chance against someone like him.

I stayed hidden in the shadows, listening to his pacing footsteps and heavy breathing just beyond the vines. My mind spun with fresh fear and a fierce new protectiveness.

The night felt heavier than ever, one wrong sound, one step forward and everything could be lost in these dark woods.

My wolf stood ready to fight, but the secret growing within me made the stakes higher than I ever imagined.