The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Chapter 9 — The Moon Stone

Eva stared at Adrian through the open doorway.

For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

He stood there in the dim corridor, tall and imposing, yet there was something strangely gentle in his expression.

"You're not alone."

The words echoed in her mind.

Eva lowered her gaze.

"I know."

Adrian studied her.

"No, you don't."

She looked back at him.

"What do you mean?"

"You've spent your entire life believing you have to face everything alone."

Eva's throat tightened.

He was right.

But she didn't understand how he could know.

"You don't know my life."

"I know enough."

She shook her head.

"You shouldn't."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not your responsibility."

Something flashed across Adrian's face.

"Maybe I want you to be."

Eva's heart skipped.

Neither of them spoke.

The silence between them became almost unbearable.

Adrian finally stepped closer.

"Did someone hurt you?"

Eva immediately shook her head.

"No."

"You're crying."

"I wasn't."

He raised an eyebrow.

She wiped her cheek quickly.

"I just... I miss home."

Adrian's expression softened.

"Do you?"

Eva hesitated.

"Not all of it."

He understood.

"Your family?"

Eva nodded.

"They aren't always kind to me."

"How long?"

She looked confused.

"How long what?"

"How long have they treated you this way?"

Eva looked down.

"Since my mother died."

Adrian's chest tightened.

"Your mother is dead?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

Eva nodded.

"She was the only person who ever made me feel safe."

Adrian remained silent.

He wanted to ask more.

But something told him not to push her.

Instead, he said quietly,

"You deserve to feel safe."

Eva looked up.

"Do I?"

"Yes."

"Even here?"

"Especially here."

His words made her heart ache.

Before she could answer, footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Adrian immediately stepped back.

Marcus appeared.

"Alpha."

Adrian turned.

"What is it?"

"The council is waiting."

Adrian sighed.

"Of course they are."

Marcus looked at Eva.

Then at Adrian.

"We need to begin."

Eva frowned.

"Begin what?"

Adrian looked at her.

"The Moon Stone ceremony."

Her heart began beating faster.

"What does that mean?"

"It's part of the selection."

"And what happens?"

Adrian hesitated.

"The stone reacts to a compatible mate."

Eva's fingers instinctively went to her neck.

Adrian noticed.

"Don't worry."

"I'm not."

He gave her a knowing look.

She sighed.

"I am."

Adrian stepped closer.

"You have nothing to fear."

Eva looked into his eyes.

"I'm not sure that's true."

He wanted to tell her that he would never allow anyone to hurt her.

But before he could, Marcus interrupted.

"Alpha."

Adrian nodded.

"I'll be there."

He looked at Eva.

"Stay in your room."

She frowned.

"Why?"

"Because the ceremony isn't for everyone."

"Am I supposed to hide?"

"No."

His voice softened.

"I'm trying to protect you."

Eva looked away.

"I don't need protection."

Adrian smiled faintly.

"That's exactly what a stubborn person says before getting into trouble."

For the first time that night, Eva smiled.

Adrian's heart stopped for half a second.

He had never seen anything more beautiful.

He forced himself to leave.

But as he walked away, his wolf whispered inside him.

Mine.

And this time, Adrian didn't fight it.

The next morning, the grand hall was filled with people.

The council stood around the ancient Moon Stone.

The stone was enormous.

It was nearly as tall as a person, carved from pale silver rock and covered in strange symbols.

Eva had never seen anything like it.

She stood among the other women, watching nervously.

Catherine stood near the front.

She looked confident.

Her mother had told her exactly what to do.

Smile.

Stand tall.

Never show fear.

And most importantly—

Make Adrian see her.

The Alpha entered the hall.

Every woman straightened.

Adrian walked toward the Moon Stone.

His gaze briefly met Eva's.

Something passed between them.

Then he looked away.

Elder Rowan stepped forward.

"The Moon Stone has been used for generations to identify the Alpha's true mate."

He looked at the candidates.

"Each woman will approach the stone when called."

The women murmured nervously.

"The Alpha will stand beside the stone."

Rowan continued.

"If the woman's wolf is compatible with the Alpha's wolf, the stone may react."

"May?" one woman asked.

Rowan nodded.

"The stone does not reveal every bond immediately."

Eva frowned.

She remembered Adrian's words.

It may be a mate bond.

What if the stone didn't react?

Would that mean the connection between them wasn't real?

The thought hurt more than she expected.

She immediately pushed it away.

You shouldn't care.

She cared.

That frightened her.

The first woman stepped forward.

She placed her hand against the stone.

Nothing happened.

She stepped away.

The second woman.

Nothing.

The third.

Nothing.

Adrian remained expressionless.

But inside, his wolf was becoming increasingly restless.

Not her.

Another woman.

Nothing.

Another.

Nothing.

Catherine watched carefully.

She was certain the stone would react to her.

She had prepared herself for this moment.

When her name was called, she stepped forward.

"Catherine."

She walked gracefully toward the stone.

Her heart was pounding.

She placed her palm against it.

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Then—

A faint silver light appeared.

Catherine gasped.

The room erupted in whispers.

Her mother smiled triumphantly.

Adrian stared at the stone.

The glow was weak.

Very weak.

But it was there.

Elder Rowan looked surprised.

"A reaction."

Catherine smiled.

She turned toward Adrian.

"Alpha."

Adrian said nothing.

His wolf was silent.

Completely silent.

That bothered him.

The stone's reaction should have meant something.

But he felt nothing.

Not even a spark.

Catherine slowly stepped away.

The glow disappeared.

The council began whispering.

"Perhaps she is the one."

"She may be compatible."

"She could be the Luna."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

He wasn't convinced.

Catherine returned to the candidates.

Her mother embraced her.

"You did it."

Catherine smiled.

"I knew I would."

Across the room, Eva watched silently.

Something inside her felt strangely cold.

She didn't know why.

Perhaps because everyone seemed excited.

Perhaps because she had expected the stone to reject Catherine.

She couldn't explain that expectation.

She looked at Adrian.

His expression remained unreadable.

But his eyes were troubled.

The ceremony continued.

Mary was called.

She approached the stone.

She placed her hand against it.

Nothing happened.

She returned quietly.

Then another woman.

Nothing.

Another.

Nothing.

The room became increasingly tense.

Finally, Elder Rowan looked at his list.

"There is one more."

Eva's heart stopped.

He looked directly at her.

"Eva."

The room became silent.

Catherine's smile vanished.

Eva stared at the stone.

Her legs suddenly felt weak.

She didn't want to do this.

She looked at Adrian.

He was watching her.

His expression was calm, but his eyes were intense.

She slowly walked forward.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

When she reached the stone, she stopped.

Elder Rowan nodded.

"Place your hand on it."

Eva swallowed.

She looked at Adrian.

"Do I have to?"

He stepped closer.

"No."

The elders looked at him.

Adrian continued.

"You don't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with."

Eva's eyes softened.

"But if I don't..."

"Then nothing happens."

She looked at the stone.

Then at him.

"I'll do it."

Adrian nodded.

Eva slowly raised her hand.

Her palm touched the Moon Stone.

Nothing happened.

One second.

Two.

Three.

The room remained silent.

Catherine smiled.

Her mother whispered,

"See?"

Eva's heart sank.

Of course.

She had imagined the connection.

Maybe the mark meant nothing.

Maybe Adrian had simply saved himself using her blood.

Maybe she had misunderstood everything.

She lowered her hand.

Then—

The stone cracked.

A blinding silver light exploded through the hall.

Everyone gasped.

The windows rattled.

The chandeliers shook.

The ancient symbols carved into the stone lit up one after another.

Eva cried out as warmth rushed through her body.

The mark on her neck burned brighter than ever.

Adrian's eyes turned completely gold.

His wolf roared inside him.

Mate.

The entire hall fell silent.

Then the Moon Stone released a wave of silver light that surrounded Eva.

Elder Rowan stumbled backward.

"It's impossible."

Marcus stared.

"What?"

Rowan's voice trembled.

"The stone hasn't reacted like that in centuries."

Catherine stood frozen.

Her face had gone pale.

Her mother stared at Eva in horror.

Adrian couldn't move.

He had known.

Somewhere inside him, he had always known.

But seeing the Moon Stone confirm it was different.

Eva was his mate.

His true mate.

Not because of the mark.

Not because he had saved himself with her blood.

Because the Moon Stone had chosen her.

The room erupted.

"Mate!"

"The Alpha's mate!"

"She is human!"

"How is that possible?"

"Moon Goddess!"

Eva stood trembling.

She looked at Adrian.

He walked toward her.

Slowly.

The crowd parted.

When he reached her, he stopped.

Their eyes met.

"You."

His voice was barely audible.

Eva's eyes filled with tears.

"Me?"

He nodded.

"My mate."

The words echoed through the hall.

Eva's heart raced.

She didn't know what to say.

She had never imagined this.

She had never dreamed of being chosen by an Alpha.

She had never wanted a crown.

Yet somehow, destiny had placed one at her feet.

Adrian reached for her hand.

The moment their fingers touched, the mark on her neck glowed.

The stone responded again.

A collective gasp filled the room.

Adrian's expression softened.

Eva whispered,

"What happens now?"

He looked into her eyes.

"Now..."

He glanced around the room.

"...everyone knows."

Catherine couldn't breathe.

She stared at Eva.

The woman she had considered beneath her.

The servant.

The girl who had washed her clothes.

The girl who had cleaned their house.

That girl was the Alpha's true mate.

Catherine's mother grabbed her arm.

"Catherine."

Catherine pulled away.

"No."

"Come with me."

"No!"

Her voice echoed through the hall.

Everyone looked at her.

Catherine pointed at Eva.

"This isn't possible."

Elder Rowan frowned.

"The Moon Stone has spoken."

"It made a mistake!"

Nobody answered.

Catherine shook her head.

"She isn't worthy!"

Adrian's expression changed.

"Enough."

Catherine froze.

He stepped toward her.

"Do not speak about my mate that way."

The entire room went silent.

"My mate."

The words destroyed whatever hope Catherine had left.

She looked at Adrian.

"You can't mean this."

"I do."

"But the stone reacted to me too!"

Adrian glanced at the Moon Stone.

"It gave you a response."

Catherine's eyes filled with tears.

"Then I can still be your Luna."

"No."

The answer was immediate.

Catherine's face crumbled.

"Why?"

"Because compatibility is not the same as a mate bond."

He looked at Eva.

"The Moon Stone chose her."

Catherine shook her head.

"She doesn't even belong here."

Adrian's voice became dangerously cold.

"Neither did I, according to many people when I became Alpha."

Catherine fell silent.

Adrian turned away.

He placed his hand gently against Eva's back.

"Take her to her room."

A guard stepped forward.

Eva looked at Adrian.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to speak to the council."

She nodded.

He leaned closer.

"I'll come for you later."

Eva's heart fluttered.

He walked away.

Catherine watched him leave with Eva.

Her tears finally fell.

Her mother came to her.

"Don't cry."

Catherine shook her head.

"He chose her."

Her mother whispered,

"Then we will make him regret it."

Catherine looked at her.

"What?"

Her mother smiled coldly.

"This isn't over."

That evening, Eva stood before the mirror.

She stared at herself.

Everything had changed in a single morning.

She was no longer simply Eva.

She was the Alpha's mate.

The future Luna.

She touched the mark.

It glowed softly.

A knock sounded.

Eva turned.

Adrian entered.

He closed the door behind him.

For a moment, he simply looked at her.

Then he walked closer.

"Are you frightened?"

Eva nodded.

"A little."

"So am I."

She smiled.

"You don't look frightened."

"I'm good at hiding it."

She laughed softly.

Adrian stopped in front of her.

"I need to tell you something."

"What?"

"The council will want a formal announcement."

Eva's heart sank.

"So soon?"

"They'll expect it."

She looked away.

"I don't know if I'm ready."

Adrian gently lifted her chin.

"You don't have to decide tonight."

She looked into his eyes.

"Then what do we do?"

He smiled faintly.

"We take it one day at a time."

Eva nodded.

Adrian's thumb brushed lightly against her cheek.

The bond between them pulsed.

Neither moved.

Then Adrian whispered,

"I tried to forget you."

Eva's eyes filled with emotion.

"So did I."

"But I couldn't."

"Neither could I."

He leaned his forehead against hers.

"Maybe we were never supposed to."

Eva closed her eyes.

For the first time since entering the palace, she felt safe.

But neither of them noticed the figure standing outside the room.

Catherine.

She had come looking for Adrian.

Instead, she had heard everything.

She stepped away from the door.

Her heart was broken.

Her pride was wounded.

And jealousy had finally replaced reason.

If Eva was truly the Alpha's mate...

then Catherine would have to find another way to become Luna.

And she was willing to do whatever it took.