THE ALPHA'S REJECTED LUNA

CHAPTER 12; OF SHADOWS AND SPARKS.

*Arya’s POV*

The wind whispered through the trees outside Kendrick’s packhouse, carrying the scent of pine and something deeper—change. I stood by the window of the guest room, arms wrapped around myself, staring at the moon’s pale glow. I hadn’t slept much. Dreams haunted me—of Kade’s betrayal, of Lira’s laughter, and most confusing of all… Kendrick’s kiss.

That kiss still lingered on my lips like an unspoken promise. A dangerous comfort.

*You’re falling,* Lily, my wolf, murmured gently in my mind.

*I can’t,* I replied. *Not yet. Not when I still haven’t made them pay.*

But even as I told myself that, my heart fluttered at the memory of Kendrick’s warmth, the way his arms had shielded me from the world, if only for a moment.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

“Come in,” I said.

Kendrick stepped inside, a tray in his hands. “You missed breakfast again,” he said with a smile. “I brought it here. You need to eat.”

I blinked, surprised. “You… brought me breakfast?”

He set the tray down on the table and shrugged. “Well, technically, I asked the kitchen staff. But yes.”

Something about his awkward kindness melted a sliver of my guarded heart.

“Thank you,” I whispered, sitting down.

He didn’t leave. Instead, he leaned against the wall, watching me.

“I know you’re still holding back,” he said softly. “I don’t blame you. But I hope you know… you don’t have to face it all alone.”

I met his eyes. “It’s hard to let go of the pain when it’s the only thing keeping me standing.”

He nodded. “But eventually, pain becomes poison. And it turns you into someone you’re not.”

***

Later that day, I went for a walk around the edge of the territory, needing space. The forest stretched wide and green, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I could breathe.

That was until I caught the scent—faint, but familiar.

Kade.

My heart froze. Why was his scent near the border?

Quickly, I shifted and ran, following the trail, but it vanished before I could catch sight of anyone.

Was it just a trace? Or a warning?

I returned to the packhouse uneasy.

*Meanwhile…*

*Kade’s POV*

“She’s alive,” I said quietly, standing in the shadows of my father study.

My, Alpha Luther, didn’t even look up from the scroll in his hand.

“I know.”

I turned to him sharply. “You knew and didn’t tell me?”

“She’s no longer your concern,” he said flatly. “You’re married to Lira now.”

“She’s not… I don’t love her.” The words slipped before I could stop them.

Luther’s eyes narrowed. “Be careful what you say. Lira is your wife. You will do your duty.”

“And if I don’t?” I asked, folding my arms.

He stood. “Then I’ll find someone who will.”

The conversation ended, but the rage inside me grew. I hadn’t wanted any of this. I had been manipulated, cornered into rejecting the one woman I ever truly loved.

And now… I wasn’t even allowed to regret it.

*Lira’s POV*

From behind the door, I heard everything.

Kade still loved Arya.

After all the games I had played, the lies I had told, the betrayal I had crafted… he still wanted her.

A scream of frustration rose in my throat, but I bit it back.

He would learn to love me—or he would suffer.

*Back at Kendrick’s Pack...*

*Arya’s POV*

Two days later, the unease still hadn’t left me. I felt it in my bones—that something was coming.

That night, I sat outside, trying to meditate, when Kendrick found me again.

“You’re restless,” he said, sitting beside me.

“There’s something I haven’t told you,” I admitted. “I think someone from my old pack is watching me.”

His expression darkened. “You’re sure?”

“I smelled Kade near the border.”

His jaw clenched. “You should have told me sooner.”

“I wasn’t sure until now.”

He stood, pacing. “You’re not safe here if they know where you are. I’ll increase patrols.”

His protectiveness touched me more than I expected.

“You don’t have to do all this for me,” I said.

“I do,” he replied without hesitation. “Because whether you like it or not, Arya… you’re mine now.”

My breath caught.

“Don’t say things like that,” I whispered.

“Why not?” he asked, stepping closer. “You feel it too. I know you do.”

“I do,” I admitted. “But I also feel rage, Kendrick. I still want revenge. And I can’t love anyone until that’s gone.”

His eyes softened. “Then let me walk beside you until you’re ready. Even if you never are.”

That night, I dreamed again.

But this time, it was not of betrayal or pain. I dreamed of a great battlefield, of wolves bowing their heads before me, of my eyes glowing with power I’d never known I had.

And then I saw Kendrick’s wolf. He approached me slowly, his massive form majestic and proud, his golden eyes locking with mine.

And in that dream, I felt something new—something terrifying.

Hope.

But just before I woke, a whisper echoed in the wind:

*“Your power will either unite or destroy you.”*

***

*Kendrick’s POV*

I watched her from the balcony, her hair loose in the early morning sun as she stood by the training grounds. Something had changed in her. Her movements were more confident. Her aura stronger.

She was finding herself.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something dark still lingered.

Then came the news.

My scout returned from the borders, breathless. “Alpha, we found a rogue near the edge. He carried a message.”

“What message?”

The scout handed me a torn piece of parchment. Scrawled in angry letters:

*“She belongs to us. Return her—or bleed.”*

My fury was instant. I crushed the paper in my hand.

“They dare threaten my pack?” I growled.

Arya needed to know.

***

Arya’s POV

When Kendrick showed me the message, I felt both fear and anger.

“They’re coming for me,” I said.

“Let them,” he replied. “They’ll find out what happens when they threaten what’s mine.”

I stared at him.

Maybe I wasn’t just a refugee here.

Maybe… I belonged.