The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Chapter 8 — The Woman He Could Not Ignore

The next morning, Eva woke with a strange heaviness in her chest.

For several seconds, she remained still beneath the blankets, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling.

Then she remembered where she was.

Black Moon Palace.

The selection.

Adrian.

She sat up.

Her fingers immediately went to the mark on her neck.

It was warm.

Not painful this time.

Just warm.

Eva frowned.

She had spent most of the night dreaming.

But she couldn't remember the dream.

All she remembered was Adrian's voice.

You felt it too.

Eva closed her eyes.

She could still feel his arms around her from the night before.

The way he had caught her when she nearly collapsed.

The concern in his voice.

It had been different from the cold Alpha everyone else saw.

For a moment, Eva allowed herself to wonder what Adrian was like when nobody was watching.

Then she shook her head.

"Stop."

She climbed out of bed.

Whatever existed between them was dangerous.

She couldn't forget that.

She had been a servant in her own home.

He was the Alpha of an entire kingdom.

Their worlds were completely different.

And yet...

Her heart disagreed.

Across the palace, Adrian stood in front of a mirror.

He hadn't slept.

His mind kept returning to the previous night.

Eva standing outside the restricted wing.

The mark glowing on her neck.

The pain that had suddenly struck her.

And the way his wolf had reacted.

He had never experienced anything like it.

Marcus entered his room.

"You look terrible."

Adrian glared at him.

"Good morning to you too."

Marcus smiled.

"Did you sleep?"

"No."

"I guessed."

Adrian buttoned his shirt.

"I need answers."

"About Eva?"

Adrian didn't respond.

Marcus sighed.

"I spoke to Elder Rowan."

Adrian turned.

"What did he say?"

"The mark."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"What about it?"

"He believes it may be more than a simple Alpha mark."

Adrian went still.

"Explain."

Marcus stepped closer.

"Rowan said there are ancient records about Alpha marks forming under unusual circumstances."

"What kind of circumstances?"

"Usually when an Alpha is near death."

Adrian frowned.

"That's exactly what happened."

Marcus nodded.

"But there's something else."

"What?"

"The mark can become a mate bond."

Adrian's heart stopped.

"Can?"

"Yes."

"How?"

Marcus hesitated.

"Only if the Alpha and the marked woman are already compatible."

Adrian's wolf stirred.

Mate.

He ignored it.

"Then what does that mean?"

"It means the bite may have awakened something that was already there."

Adrian looked away.

Eva.

The word formed in his mind again.

Marcus watched him.

"There's more."

Adrian looked at him.

"Tell me."

"The records say the bond can only become permanent if both wolves accept it."

Adrian frowned.

"Eva doesn't have a wolf."

Marcus shook his head.

"That's the part nobody understands."

Silence filled the room.

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"Find out."

Marcus nodded.

"I will."

The women gathered in the breakfast hall shortly after sunrise.

Everyone was talking about the first round of the selection.

Some women were nervous.

Others were excited.

Catherine entered last.

She looked flawless.

Her dress was deep burgundy, and her hair was styled perfectly.

She walked confidently toward the table.

Mary looked at her.

"You look beautiful."

Catherine smiled.

"I need to."

Eva sat quietly at the other end of the table.

Catherine noticed her.

"You."

Eva looked up.

"Yes?"

"Come here."

Eva stood.

Catherine removed a bracelet from her wrist.

"Put this on."

Eva stared at it.

"Why?"

"I want you to wear it."

Eva hesitated.

"Why?"

Catherine smiled.

"Because I said so."

Eva didn't take it.

Catherine's expression hardened.

"Do you want to embarrass me in front of the palace staff?"

Eva sighed and took the bracelet.

"Fine."

She slipped it onto her wrist.

Catherine smiled.

"Good."

Mary watched suspiciously.

There was something strange about the exchange.

She waited until Catherine left.

"Why did you let her do that?"

Eva looked at the bracelet.

"I didn't want an argument."

Mary lowered her voice.

"You need to be careful around her."

Eva looked at her.

"Why?"

Mary hesitated.

"Because she's angry."

"About what?"

Mary glanced toward the door.

"You."

Eva frowned.

"Me?"

Mary nodded.

"She thinks the Alpha is interested in you."

Eva immediately looked down.

"He isn't."

Mary didn't answer.

She didn't believe that.

The selection continued that morning.

More women were called into the grand hall.

Adrian sat on his throne.

The council stood beside him.

Catherine waited confidently among the candidates.

Eva stood farther back.

Adrian entered.

His eyes immediately found Eva.

He noticed the bracelet.

His expression darkened.

He knew it.

It carried Catherine's scent.

His wolf growled.

Remove it.

Adrian forced himself to remain calm.

The first candidate approached.

He asked several questions.

She answered well.

But once again, nothing.

The second candidate.

Nothing.

The third.

Nothing.

Then Catherine stepped forward.

Adrian looked at her.

"Again."

Catherine smiled.

"I hope I can give you a better impression today."

"Why?"

"Because yesterday I was nervous."

Adrian studied her.

"Are you nervous now?"

"No."

"Good."

He leaned back.

"Tell me about your family."

Catherine spoke confidently.

"My family has always valued loyalty."

"Do you?"

"Of course."

"Would you sacrifice your personal desires for the kingdom?"

Catherine hesitated.

"Yes."

Adrian nodded.

"Would you sacrifice someone you love if the kingdom demanded it?"

Catherine's expression changed.

"That's a difficult question."

"Answer it."

She swallowed.

"If it protected the kingdom..."

She paused.

"Yes."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

He had been testing her.

She had failed.

A Luna needed to understand that the kingdom mattered.

But so did compassion.

Someone willing to sacrifice anyone without hesitation could become dangerous.

"Thank you."

Catherine returned to her place.

She was disappointed.

But she wasn't giving up.

At lunchtime, Eva escaped to the gardens.

She found a quiet bench beneath a flowering tree.

The palace garden was beautiful.

She closed her eyes.

For a few minutes, she forgot everything.

Then she heard footsteps.

She opened her eyes.

Adrian stood nearby.

Eva immediately stood.

"Your Majesty."

"I told you not to call me that."

She looked away.

"Sorry."

He walked closer.

"Why are you wearing that?"

Eva looked at her wrist.

"Catherine gave it to me."

"Take it off."

Eva frowned.

"Why?"

"I don't like it."

She almost smiled.

"That's not a reason."

Adrian's eyebrow lifted.

"You've become bold."

"I'm only asking."

He stepped closer.

His voice softened.

"It carries her scent."

Eva looked confused.

"Why does that matter?"

"It doesn't."

"Then why—"

"Because I don't like it."

Eva stared at him.

Then, unexpectedly, she laughed.

Adrian looked surprised.

"What?"

"You sound jealous."

His expression immediately changed.

"I'm not."

Eva smiled.

"You are."

"No."

"You are."

Adrian stared at her.

For the first time, she saw the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.

"You shouldn't tease your Alpha."

Eva's smile faded.

"Are you angry?"

"No."

They stood quietly.

Then Adrian looked at her neck.

"Does it still hurt?"

Eva knew exactly what he meant.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

He stepped closer.

"Let me see."

Eva hesitated.

Then she moved her hair aside.

The mark was visible.

Adrian stared.

It was darker than before.

His fingers almost reached for it.

Then he stopped himself.

"Does it ever glow?"

Eva nodded.

"Sometimes."

"When?"

"When I'm near you."

Adrian's heart pounded.

He looked into her eyes.

"So you feel it."

"Yes."

"What do you feel?"

Eva thought about it.

"Warmth."

Adrian swallowed.

"Anything else?"

"Sometimes I feel like you're angry."

He looked surprised.

"Anything else?"

"Sometimes I feel sad."

Adrian looked away.

That frightened him.

If the bond allowed them to feel each other's emotions, it was stronger than he had imagined.

Eva studied him.

"Do you feel mine?"

He didn't answer immediately.

"Yes."

"What did you feel last night?"

"Fear."

Eva looked down.

"I was afraid."

"Of me?"

She shook her head.

"No."

"Then what?"

"Of what this means."

Adrian understood.

"So am I."

Eva looked at him.

"You?"

He nodded.

"You're the Alpha."

"That doesn't mean I have all the answers."

She smiled faintly.

"I thought you did."

"No."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"I don't."

For a moment, the Alpha and the servant girl simply stood together beneath the tree.

Neither spoke.

Neither wanted to leave.

Then a voice interrupted them.

"Alpha."

They turned.

Marcus stood several feet away.

His expression was serious.

"We need you."

Adrian nodded.

He looked at Eva one last time.

"Stay away from the eastern wing."

Eva nodded.

"I will."

He walked away.

Eva watched him disappear.

She didn't notice Catherine standing behind a nearby pillar.

Catherine had seen everything.

The conversation.

The smiles.

The way Adrian had looked at Eva.

Her hands curled into fists.

That evening, Catherine went to her mother's room.

Her mother had been allowed to remain at the palace during the early stages of the selection.

"You were right," Catherine said.

Her mother looked up.

"About what?"

"The Alpha."

"He prefers Eva?"

Catherine nodded.

"I don't know why."

Her mother thought for a moment.

"Does Eva know?"

"I don't think she understands."

"Good."

Catherine frowned.

"What should I do?"

Her mother stood.

"You said the Alpha's selection will be decided soon."

"Yes."

"Then you need to become indispensable."

"How?"

"Find out what he needs."

Catherine's eyes narrowed.

"What if he needs Eva?"

Her mother's expression became cold.

"Then make sure he doesn't."

Catherine stared at her.

"What do you mean?"

"You don't need to hurt her."

A pause.

"You only need to make her look unsuitable."

Catherine slowly smiled.

That night, Eva returned to her room.

She removed the bracelet Catherine had given her.

As soon as it touched the table, the mark on her neck stopped burning.

Eva frowned.

She looked at the bracelet.

Something was wrong.

She picked it up.

A faint smell reached her nose.

She couldn't identify it.

It was bitter.

Almost metallic.

Eva's instincts told her to stay away from it.

She dropped it back onto the table.

Then she heard a knock.

"Come in."

Mary entered.

She closed the door behind her.

"Eva."

"What?"

"I need to tell you something."

Eva sat on the bed.

"What happened?"

Mary looked nervous.

"Catherine is planning something."

Eva sighed.

"Against me?"

Mary nodded.

"Why?"

"Because she thinks the Alpha likes you."

Eva shook her head.

"She doesn't."

"Eva."

Mary sat beside her.

"I saw the way he looks at you."

Eva didn't respond.

Mary continued.

"There's something between you two."

Eva looked down.

"I don't know what it is."

"Neither does Catherine."

Eva touched her neck.

"I think it has something to do with this."

Mary looked at the mark.

"What is that?"

Eva hesitated.

Then she whispered,

"Adrian gave it to me."

Mary's eyes widened.

"What?"

Eva quickly explained what had happened in the forest.

Mary listened in disbelief.

When Eva finished, Mary sat silently.

"You're saying the Alpha marked you before you even knew who he was?"

"Yes."

Mary stared at her.

"Eva..."

"What?"

"You could be his mate."

Eva's heart stopped.

She immediately shook her head.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not worthy of him."

Mary frowned.

"Don't say that."

"It's true."

"No."

Mary took Eva's hands.

"You don't need to be rich or powerful to be worthy of someone."

Eva looked at her.

"Maybe."

Mary smiled.

"Then stop believing everyone who tells you otherwise."

For the first time, Eva felt tears sting her eyes.

"Thank you."

Mary hugged her.

Neither woman noticed the shadow beneath the door.

Catherine had been listening.

She heard everything.

Including the words that mattered most.

You could be his mate.

Catherine stepped away from the door.

Her face had gone cold.

If Eva really was Adrian's mate, then Catherine's dream of becoming Luna was already slipping away.

She couldn't allow that.

Not after everything.

Not when she was so close.

She returned to her room and shut the door.

Her mother looked at her.

"Well?"

Catherine stared at her reflection.

"I know what she is."

"What?"

"His mate."

Her mother's expression changed.

"Are you certain?"

"No."

Catherine's eyes hardened.

"But I'm going to find out."

Later that night, Adrian stood alone in the throne room.

The palace was quiet.

He stared at the ancient Moon Stone.

The elders wanted him to perform the first compatibility ceremony, the following day.

It wasn't the final test.

But it would reveal whether his wolf reacted to the candidates.

Adrian already knew the answer.

Still, he had to follow tradition.

He placed his hand against the stone.

It remained cold.

Then his mark burned.

He immediately pulled his hand away.

His wolf stirred.

Eva.

Adrian closed his eyes.

He could feel her.

She was awake.

Afraid.

Confused.

And somehow, he could feel that she was crying.

His eyes opened.

Without thinking, he left the throne room.

He walked through the corridors.

Past the guards.

Up the stairs.

Straight toward her room.

He stopped outside her door.

His hand lifted.

He was about to knock.

Then he heard her voice from inside.

"I don't know what to do."

Adrian's chest tightened.

He could feel her pain.

His wolf pushed forward.

Protect her.

Adrian knocked.

The room became silent.

Eva opened the door.

Her eyes were red.

She stared at him.

"Adrian?"

He looked at her.

Neither spoke.

Then he said the only thing he could think of.

"You're not alone."

Eva's eyes filled with tears again.

And for the first time, Adrian realized something terrifying.

He no longer cared whether the bond was real.

He was already falling for her.