The Alpha Who Rejected His Fated Mate

Chapter 10: The Strength She Chose

The pain faded slowly.

But this time—

Nyra didn’t run from it.

She sat still on the bed, her breathing steady, her hand resting lightly over her chest where the strange pulling sensation had been.

“It’s still there…” she murmured.

Faint.

Distant.

But real.

Her power hadn’t disappeared.

It was just… out of reach.

Locked away.

Nyra closed her eyes.

For the first time since everything began—

She didn’t feel afraid of it.

She felt… calm.

“I need to understand it,” she said quietly.

Ronan, leaning against the wall, raised an eyebrow.

“That’s new.”

Nyra opened her eyes and looked at him.

“I’ve been reacting to everything,” she admitted. “Running, panicking, losing control.”

Her fingers curled slightly.

“I’m done with that.”

Ronan studied her carefully.

Something had changed.

Subtle.

But real.

“And what exactly are you planning to do?” he asked.

Nyra stood slowly.

This time—

There was no hesitation.

No uncertainty.

“I’m going to take it back,” she said.

Her voice wasn’t loud.

But it carried weight.

Intent.

Ronan smirked faintly.

“Now that sounds interesting.”

Kael, standing near the doorway, watched her silently.

There was something different in her now.

Not power.

Not yet.

But presence.

Strength.

The kind that didn’t need to be loud to be felt.

“You’re not strong enough yet,” Kael said.

Nyra turned to him.

Normally, that would have hurt.

Would have angered her.

But now—

She just looked at him calmly.

“I know,” she said.

Kael frowned slightly.

That wasn’t the response he expected.

“But I will be.”

Silence.

Ronan chuckled under his breath.

“I like this version of her better.”

Nyra ignored him.

Her gaze stayed on Kael.

“You said I’m the last one,” she said.

Kael nodded once.

“Then I need to know everything.”

His jaw tightened slightly.

“That’s not something you can just—”

“I don’t have a choice,” she cut in.

Her voice sharpened.

Not emotional.

Not defensive.

Certain.

“They’re using me,” she continued. “Hunting me. Controlling something I don’t even understand.”

She stepped closer.

“And you expect me to just sit here and wait?”

Kael didn’t answer.

Because he knew—

She was right.

Ronan pushed himself off the wall.

“So what’s the plan?” he asked.

Nyra didn’t hesitate.

“We go after them.”

Silence dropped instantly.

Kael’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re not ready for that.”

Nyra met his gaze.

Unshaken.

“Then I’ll get ready.”

Ronan let out a low laugh.

“Bold.”

Nyra didn’t look at him.

“I’m done being the one everyone chases,” she said.

Her voice dropped slightly.

“Now… I’m going to be the one they fear.”

Something in the air shifted.

Even without her power—

Her presence changed the room.

Ronan noticed.

Kael noticed.

And neither of them liked how much it affected them.

Suddenly—

Nyra froze.

Her eyes widened slightly.

“What is it?” Ronan asked instantly.

Nyra’s breathing slowed.

That pulling sensation—

It returned.

Stronger this time.

Her hand pressed against her chest again.

“It’s happening again…”

Kael stepped forward.

“What is?”

Nyra’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“They’re using it.”

Her eyes flickered—

For just a second—

Silver.

Then—

Dark again.

Ronan’s expression hardened.

“That’s not good.”

Nyra shook her head slowly.

“No…”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“This time… it feels different…”

Silence.

Then—

Her eyes lifted.

Fear filled them.

“They’re not just taking it…”

A pause.

Then—

“They’re trying to control it.”