A Proposal For The Rejected Luna

Chapter 2: Alpha Xander’s Proposal and the Shocking Offer I Can't Refuse

I could not fall asleep. My thoughts were a raging storm, too loud to contain. Mason had broken me in ways I couldn’t explain. He had turned their back on me and abandoned me alone. It felt like I was dragging my feet in mud every day. I could run, but I had no place to go, no one who I could turn to, and no place to hide when the pain was everywhere with me.

I wanted to leave the pack, to escape the suffocating memories of Mason and my life. But where would I go? It was too quiet, too lonely in the woods. Besides, I did not even know how to start over, even.

So, I stayed. Every breath was a weight, every step heavier than the last, but I stayed. Nothing could drown out the feeling that I didn’t belong here anymore. I wasn’t thinking about Mason’s bitter words or the pack’s pitying glances when they saw me.

I got lost. Need help.

Then, just as I couldn’t take anymore and the fog lifted, a voice cut through it—the voice steady and deep.

“Cassie.”

My heart racing, I spun. The Alpha of the rival Shadowfang Alpha, Xander, stood before me. His eyes were unreadable, as always, but he looked as calm as ever, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was behind them, something urgent.

I whisper 'Xander' so quietly that I can only make out the barest of sounds. “What are you doing here?”

His gaze slipped a bit, but he was still tall and imposing. “I wanted to talk to you.”

“About what?” I asked, my voice shaky. What could he possibly want to talk to me about? I hadn’t spoken to him much before, and now he was here, out of nowhere. My heart skipped a beat.

‘I have an idea for you.’ his voice was solid. “It was a way for us to both move forward.”

I frowned. “A proposal? What kind of proposal?”

He replied, eyes meeting mine. “An arrangement.” 'It would be an arrangement that would benefit both our packs.' A marriage of convenience.”

My mind reeled, and I stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

His voice lowered so I could hear him, and he stepped closer. “We unite our packs, Cassie. My pack and yours. It’s the only way to keep our territory safe with all the threats. It’s not romantic. It’s not about love. It’s about survival.”

I blinked, trying to make sense of his words. I knew werewolves were a world of alliances. But marriage? Between our packs? The thought alone made my stomach churn. I was ready for something else. I didn’t want to think about it.

As Xander spoke, I listened, but something in his voice made me. It was not arrogant, not power-hungry. All that was calm and practical. He wasn’t asking for my heart; he was asking for my help. It was my pack’s survival.

I hesitated and opened my mouth to speak. I had never considered joining another pack, much less a rival one. But Mason had rejected me. He had betrayed me. The pack had chosen him, and now I had to pick up the pieces of my broken heart.

And then there was the child. Just thinking about it made my stomach tighten. After everything I'd been through, I wasn’t ready to be a single parent. Perhaps this was the only way to ensure a future for my baby.

I whispered, “I don’t know if I can.” “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.” “After everything that’s happened…”

Xander's eyes softened. It was my first time seeing anything in him besides business or calculation. I understood there. He knew what I was feeling. Do you have to do it alone, Cassie?” You don’t have to battle these things alone. I’m giving you a chance to rebuild. So you and your child are safe. That’s all I’m asking.”

I wanted to shut him out, to turn away. But I couldn’t. I didn’t know if I could stomach the truth in his words, but I couldn’t ignore them. It wasn’t about Mason anymore. This was about me and what I needed to live.

“Why me?” Before I could stop myself, I asked. “Why are you offering this to me?”

He paused for a moment as if he thought it through. 'Because I believe in you, Cassie.' I believe you’re strong. You’ve been through a lot, and you’re still here. I’m not asking for your heart. I’m asking for your trust.”

His words struck me more than anything I was expecting. I had forgotten who I was, so focused on my pain, my betrayal. I wasn’t just someone’s second choice, someone’s mate. I was strong. I had battled for everything I had and had to do it for my future.

“I’m trembling; I don’t know if I can trust anyone right now,” I admitted. 'Especially after what Mason did.' I just… I don’t know.”

Xander nodded as if he understood what I was saying. “I get it. I know that you've been hurt. But I’m not him. I’m not asking you to forget your past. I’m asking you to think about your future.

We sat in silence. His words weighed on me. I should've thought more about it and less about myself, but I knew my heart was still raw from Mason’s rejection, and I couldn’t ignore the reality of my situation. Xander wasn’t giving me a happily ever after. He was giving me a chance to live, an opportunity to protect my child, to protect myself.

“Exactly what do you want from me?” My voice was barely audible as I asked.

Xander’s eyes never wavered. Barker cleared his throat. “I want you to marry me, Cassie, for our pack's sake. This isn’t about love. It’s about making sure we both have a future. That’s all.”

His words landed in my chest, and I took a shaky breath before looking up. I knew what he was saying was right. I knew it was the right choice for my baby. Everything inside me was screaming that this wasn’t what I wanted. I wasn’t ready to marry anyone. I didn’t want to trust anyone again. But deep down, I knew I had no other choice.

“I need to think,” I whispered. “This is a lot. “I have to figure out what’s best for me and my baby.”

Xander nodded again, and there was a flicker of something in his eyes, respect maybe. “Take all the time you need. But know this: I’m here for you. ‘I’ll wait for you when you’re ready,'” she said.

I didn’t know what I was expecting when I came into this conversation, but this wasn’t it. I had to make a huge decision, but I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t keep running away from the reality of my life. Now I had a child to think about. I had a future to secure.

I was relieved and scared at once when Xander walked away in the forest's quiet and left me alone. He wasn’t offering me love, but he was offering me something more substantial: stability. Safety. A chance to rebuild everything that had been taken from me.

Did I want to accept his offer? After everything, could I trust him? What would Mason think of this? What if this wasn’t the right choice?

I didn’t know. I didn’t know anything anymore.

What should I do? What if I choose wrong?