The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Chapter 10 — The False Hope

The palace had never been this loud.

By sunrise, everyone knew.

The Moon Stone had chosen the Alpha's mate.

And she was human.

Eva.

The quiet girl who had arrived with the other candidates was suddenly the most talked-about woman in the entire kingdom.

Servants whispered in the corridors.

Guards exchanged knowing looks.

The elders argued behind closed doors.

Even the wolves in the palace seemed restless.

Eva sat quietly in her room, staring out of the window.

She had barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the Moon Stone exploding with silver light.

She heard Adrian's voice.

My mate.

Her cheeks warmed.

She touched the mark on her neck.

It was no longer painful.

It felt warm.

Almost comforting.

A soft knock sounded.

Eva turned.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Lady Selene entered carrying a tray.

"Breakfast."

Eva smiled faintly.

"Thank you."

Lady Selene placed the tray on the table.

Then she looked at Eva.

"How are you feeling?"

"Confused."

Selene smiled.

"That's understandable."

"I never expected any of this."

"Neither did anyone else."

Eva looked down.

"Everyone keeps calling me his mate."

"Because you are."

Eva swallowed.

"But I'm human."

Lady Selene sat beside her.

"That doesn't change what the Moon Stone revealed."

"Will the kingdom accept me?"

Selene was silent for a moment.

"Some will."

"And the others?"

"They will need time."

Eva looked toward the window.

"What about the council?"

Selene sighed.

"They are worried."

"About me?"

"About everything you represent."

Eva frowned.

"I don't understand."

"You are the first human mate of a royal Alpha in generations."

"Does that make me dangerous?"

"No."

Selene's expression softened.

"It makes you unpredictable."

Eva didn't know whether to feel comforted.

Before she could ask anything else, another knock sounded.

This time, Adrian entered.

Lady Selene immediately stood.

"Alpha."

Adrian nodded.

"Leave us."

Selene bowed and walked out.

Eva watched Adrian approach.

He looked exhausted.

"You haven't slept," she said.

"Neither have you."

"I tried."

"So did I."

He sat across from her.

For a few seconds, neither spoke.

Then Adrian looked at her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Everyone keeps asking me that."

"Because everyone cares."

Eva smiled.

"Do you?"

Adrian didn't hesitate.

"Yes."

Her heart skipped.

He leaned back.

"The council wants to announce our bond publicly."

Eva's smile disappeared.

"When?"

"Tonight."

"Tonight?"

He nodded.

Eva stood.

"I can't."

Adrian looked at her.

"Why?"

"I'm not ready."

"You don't have to be."

"Then why announce it?"

"Because if we don't, the rumors will become worse."

Eva paced toward the window.

"I'm just Eva."

Adrian stood.

"You're my mate."

She turned.

"That doesn't make me a Luna."

"No."

He walked closer.

"But it means you have a choice."

"What choice?"

"Whether you want this."

Eva stared at him.

"The crown?"

"The kingdom."

"And you?"

Adrian's expression softened.

"Me too."

Eva's heart pounded.

She didn't know what to say.

Adrian continued.

"I won't force you into anything."

"You could."

"I could."

He nodded.

"But I won't."

Eva looked at him for a long moment.

"Why?"

"Because you deserve a choice."

She swallowed.

Nobody had ever said those words to her.

Nobody had ever given her a choice.

Her father had decided.

Her stepmother had decided.

Catherine had decided.

Everyone had always told Eva what she would do.

But Adrian was asking.

"What if I say no?"

His jaw tightened.

It was obvious the answer would hurt him.

But he still said,

"Then I'll respect it."

Eva looked away.

"Thank you."

Across the palace, Catherine sat before her mother.

Her eyes were swollen from crying.

Her mother poured tea.

"You need to stop looking defeated."

Catherine stared at her.

"How?"

"Because you're not defeated."

"He called her his mate."

"Yes."

"The Moon Stone chose her."

"Yes."

"Then what can I possibly do?"

Her mother leaned forward.

"The Moon Stone confirmed that she is his mate."

Catherine nodded.

"Exactly."

"But it didn't say she would become Luna."

Catherine slowly looked up.

"What?"

Her mother's smile was thin.

"The mate bond and the Luna title are two different things."

Catherine's breathing slowed.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that being his mate doesn't automatically make her queen."

Catherine thought about it.

"But won't the kingdom expect it?"

"Eventually."

Her mother lowered her voice.

"But first, she must prove she is capable of ruling."

Catherine's expression changed.

"And if she can't?"

"Then the council may refuse to recognize her."

Catherine stared at her mother.

"Could they choose someone else?"

"Perhaps."

A small smile appeared on Catherine's face.

"Someone like me?"

"Perhaps."

Hope returned to Catherine's eyes.

"But how?"

Her mother leaned closer.

"You don't need to destroy Eva."

Catherine waited.

"You only need to make her fail."

That afternoon, Eva was summoned to the council chamber.

She walked through the enormous doors alone.

The elders sat around the table.

Adrian was already there.

Marcus stood behind him.

Eva immediately felt nervous.

Elder Rowan gestured toward the empty chair.

"Sit."

Eva did.

Rowan studied her.

"You understand what happened yesterday?"

"Yes."

"You are the Alpha's mate."

Eva nodded.

"The Moon Stone confirmed it."

"Yes."

Rowan folded his hands.

"Do you understand what that means?"

Eva hesitated.

"It means I'm connected to the Alpha."

"More than that."

He looked toward Adrian.

"It means you may one day become Luna."

Eva's stomach tightened.

"I don't know if I can."

One of the elders scoffed.

"You will need to."

Adrian's eyes hardened.

"She's not being forced."

The elder looked at him.

"The kingdom needs a Luna."

"And she needs time."

Rowan raised a hand.

"Enough."

He looked at Eva.

"We will give you time."

Eva relaxed slightly.

"But there will be an evaluation."

"What kind?"

"Leadership."

Eva blinked.

"I don't know anything about leadership."

"Then you will learn."

Rowan pushed a document across the table.

"You will spend the next few weeks learning about the kingdom, its laws, the pack system and the responsibilities of the Luna."

Eva looked at the document.

"And if I fail?"

The room became quiet.

Adrian looked at her.

"You won't."

Eva looked at him.

Rowan answered instead.

"If you fail, the council may refuse to recognize you as Luna."

Catherine's mother's words suddenly seemed almost prophetic.

Eva swallowed.

"Understood."

Rowan nodded.

"You may leave."

Eva stood.

Adrian followed.

They walked through the corridor together.

Eva remained quiet.

Finally, Adrian asked,

"Are you worried?"

"Yes."

"You don't have to be."

"Easy for you to say."

He smiled faintly.

"Fair."

Eva looked at him.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Because you're arguing with me."

"I wasn't."

"You were."

She rolled her eyes.

Adrian laughed quietly.

Eva stared at him.

She had never heard him laugh before.

It changed his entire face.

"You should do that more."

"What?"

"Smile."

He looked at her.

"I don't smile often."

"I noticed."

"Maybe I need a reason."

Eva smiled.

"You have one now."

Adrian stopped walking.

Eva realized what she had said.

Her cheeks turned pink.

"I mean..."

"I know what you mean."

He smiled.

The moment felt almost normal.

Until a voice interrupted them.

"Alpha."

They turned.

A young palace servant stood before them.

"Yes?"

"Elder Rowan wants you in the council chamber."

Adrian sighed.

"Tell him I'll be there."

The servant bowed and left.

Eva started walking.

"Where are you going?"

"To my room."

"I'll walk you."

"You have council business."

"It can wait."

Eva smiled.

"Adrian."

He stopped.

"You don't have to protect me every second."

"I know."

"Then go."

He studied her.

"Fine."

He walked away.

Eva watched him.

She smiled to herself.

Then turned toward her room.

She didn't see Catherine standing at the end of the corridor.

Catherine had watched everything.

The smiles.

The laughter.

The way Adrian had looked at Eva.

She felt something burning inside her.

She turned and hurried away.

She needed a plan.

And she knew exactly where to start.

That evening, the palace prepared for the formal announcement.

The great hall was decorated with silver flowers and black banners.

Representatives from several packs had arrived.

The announcement was expected to change the balance of the kingdom.

Eva stood in her room while servants prepared her.

A pale silver gown was placed around her.

Her hair was styled loosely.

A delicate necklace rested against her throat.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

She barely recognized the woman staring back.

There was a knock.

Lady Selene entered.

"Are you ready?"

Eva shook her head.

"No."

Selene smiled.

"Good."

Eva looked at her.

"Good?"

"It means you're taking it seriously."

Eva laughed nervously.

"What if they hate me?"

"Some may."

"What if they refuse to accept me?"

"Then you show them who you are."

Eva looked down.

"I don't know who I am anymore."

Selene placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Then perhaps this is your chance to find out."

The great hall fell silent when Eva entered.

Hundreds of eyes turned toward her.

She nearly stopped.

Then she saw Adrian.

He stood at the front.

Waiting for her.

His eyes softened.

Eva took a breath and walked toward him.

When she reached his side, he quietly whispered,

"You look beautiful."

Her cheeks warmed.

"Thank you."

Adrian turned toward the crowd.

His voice carried through the hall.

"Tonight, I make a declaration before my kingdom."

Everyone became silent.

"The Moon Stone has revealed my true mate."

He looked at Eva.

"Eva."

A murmur spread through the crowd.

"She is my mate."

The words echoed.

Some people bowed.

Others stared.

A few whispered angrily.

Adrian continued.

"She will be treated with the respect given to my future Luna."

Eva's heart raced.

Future Luna.

He hadn't said she was Luna yet.

He was giving her a choice.

Adrian reached for her hand.

Their fingers intertwined.

The mark on Eva's neck glowed faintly.

The room erupted in whispers.

Then Elder Rowan stepped forward.

"The bond has been confirmed."

He looked at Eva.

"But the path to becoming Luna has only begun."

Eva nodded.

"I understand."

Catherine stood among the crowd.

Her eyes were fixed on Eva.

She had expected to feel defeated.

Instead, she felt determined.

Because she had heard the elder's words.

The path has only begun.

And she intended to make sure Eva never reached the end.

Later that night, Eva returned to her room.

She was exhausted.

She removed her necklace and sat on the edge of the bed.

The room was silent.

Until the door opened.

Catherine entered.

Eva immediately stood.

"What are you doing here?"

Catherine smiled.

"I came to congratulate you."

Eva didn't believe her.

"Thank you."

Catherine stepped closer.

"You must be very happy."

Eva said nothing.

"You're going to become Luna."

"I don't know."

Catherine tilted her head.

"Don't you?"

Eva frowned.

"I don't understand."

"You think because the Moon Stone chose you, everything belongs to you now."

"I never said that."

Catherine stepped closer.

"You have no idea what being Luna means."

Eva's voice remained calm.

"Then I'll learn."

Catherine laughed.

"You?"

"Yes."

"You grew up cleaning floors."

Eva's expression changed.

"You don't know what I've survived."

"I know enough."

Catherine leaned closer.

"You don't belong here."

Eva looked directly into her eyes.

"Maybe I didn't."

She paused.

"But the Moon Stone chose me."

Catherine's face hardened.

"Don't get too comfortable."

She turned to leave.

At the door, she stopped.

"Tomorrow, your lessons begin."

Eva nodded.

"Goodnight."

Catherine smiled coldly.

"Goodnight, Luna."

She left.

Eva stood silently.

Something about that word sent a shiver through her.

Luna.

She had never imagined anyone would call her that.

That night, Adrian stood on the balcony.

Marcus joined him.

"It's official."

Adrian nodded.

"Yes."

"How does it feel?"

Adrian looked toward the moon.

"Terrifying."

Marcus laughed.

"You?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Adrian was quiet.

"Because I have something to lose now."

Marcus's smile faded.

He understood.

Eva wasn't just Adrian's mate.

She was his weakness.

And every enemy of the kingdom would eventually discover it.

Suddenly, a howl echoed through the mountains.

Adrian's expression changed.

Marcus straightened.

"That wasn't one of ours."

Another howl followed.

Then another.

Adrian's eyes turned gold.

"Rogues."

Marcus nodded.

"How many?"

Adrian listened.

His wolf stirred.

"Too many."

The palace bells suddenly began ringing.

Guards rushed through the courtyard.

Adrian turned toward the doors.

"Wake the warriors."

Marcus nodded.

"And Eva?"

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Keep her inside."

But neither man knew that the rogue wolves weren't approaching the palace by chance.

Someone had deliberately opened the southern border.

And somewhere in the darkness beyond the mountains, a pair of red eyes watched the palace.

A voice whispered into the night.

"The human mate has been found."

A low growl followed.

"Now we take her."