The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Chapter 7 — The First Selection

Catherine stood before Adrian with a confidence that surprised even her.

The balcony doors had closed behind Eva, leaving the two of them alone beneath the moonlight.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Adrian's expression was unreadable.

Catherine smiled.

"I hope I haven't disturbed you."

"You have."

Her smile faltered.

"I only wanted to speak with you."

"Then speak."

Catherine took a breath.

"I know why you summoned us here."

Adrian leaned against the balcony railing.

"Do you?"

"You need a Luna."

"That is what the council says."

"And I believe I can be that woman."

Adrian stared at her.

Catherine held his gaze.

"I know I am confident, but I also know what this kingdom needs."

"And what does it need?"

"A queen who understands power."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"And you believe that's you?"

"I do."

He almost laughed.

Catherine stepped closer.

"I've studied your kingdom. I've heard the stories about you. I know what the people expect."

"You've been here less than a day."

"I don't need years to understand ambition."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Ambition isn't what makes a good Luna."

"What does?"

"Loyalty."

Catherine didn't hesitate.

"I can be loyal."

"Can you?"

"Yes."

Adrian studied her.

There was something about her that felt calculated.

Yet there was another problem.

His wolf had not reacted to her.

Not once.

No warmth.

No pull.

Nothing.

He knew immediately.

She wasn't his mate.

"Goodnight, Catherine."

She looked surprised.

"That's all?"

"Yes."

"But—"

"Goodnight."

Catherine forced a smile.

"Goodnight, Alpha."

She turned and walked away.

The moment she disappeared around the corner, Adrian's expression changed.

His gaze moved toward the corridor where Eva had disappeared.

His wolf stirred.

Go after her.

Adrian closed his eyes.

"No."

Mate.

"Not now."

But even as he returned to his chambers, he knew he was lying to himself.

Eva returned to her room and closed the door.

She leaned against it, breathing heavily.

She could still feel Adrian's presence.

His voice.

His eyes.

The way he had looked at her when she admitted she had tried to forget him.

She walked to the mirror.

Her reflection stared back at her.

"You shouldn't have come here."

She repeated his words.

Then she frowned.

Why had he said them?

If he didn't want her there, why had he looked at her like that?

Eva touched the mark on her neck.

It pulsed beneath her fingertips.

Warm.

Alive.

She pulled her dress away from the mark.

The crescent shape had become darker.

"What are you doing to me?"

She whispered.

A sudden wave of dizziness hit her.

Eva grabbed the edge of the table.

For a moment, the room seemed to spin.

Then it stopped.

She slowly sat on the bed.

Something was changing.

She could feel it.

She just didn't know what.

The following morning, the palace woke before sunrise.

The first stage of the mate selection was about to begin.

Women from surrounding territories gathered in the grand hall.

Some wore elaborate gowns.

Others wore jewelry passed down through generations.

A few looked terrified.

Catherine looked determined.

She stood in front of the mirror while her mother—who had been permitted to accompany her temporarily—adjusted her hair.

"You must remember what I told you."

Catherine nodded.

"Confidence."

"Exactly."

"And don't let anyone intimidate me."

Her mother smiled.

"Especially not Eva."

Catherine's eyes darkened.

"She isn't a threat."

"Then why does the Alpha keep looking at her?"

Catherine's jaw tightened.

"I don't know."

"Find out."

Catherine looked at her mother through the mirror.

"How?"

Her mother lowered her voice.

"Stay close to him."

Catherine nodded.

"And make him believe that you are the woman he needs."

Catherine smiled.

"I will."

Across the palace, Eva stood alone.

She had been given another dress.

This one was simple.

Dark green.

It suited her, but she didn't feel comfortable wearing it.

A servant knocked.

"Miss Eva?"

"Yes?"

"The Alpha has requested that all candidates gather in the grand hall."

Eva's heart skipped.

"The Alpha?"

"Yes."

She followed the servant.

The grand hall was magnificent.

Hundreds of candles burned from enormous chandeliers.

At the far end stood Adrian.

Beside him were Marcus, Elder Rowan and several members of the royal council.

Eva immediately lowered her gaze.

She didn't want to look at him.

But her body seemed to have other plans.

She could feel him.

Even without looking.

Adrian watched the women enter.

His expression remained calm.

Inside, however, his wolf was restless.

Where is she?

Then he saw Eva.

Everything inside him went still.

She stood near the back of the group.

Quiet.

Unassuming.

Beautiful.

His wolf immediately recognized her.

Mate.

Adrian forced himself to look away.

Elder Rowan stepped forward.

"The first stage of the selection will begin."

The women stood straighter.

"Each candidate will be introduced to the Alpha. He will ask questions regarding your character, your family and your understanding of the responsibilities of a Luna."

Catherine smiled.

She was ready.

The first woman stepped forward.

"Name?"

"Isabella."

"Territory?"

"Silver Creek."

Adrian asked several questions.

She answered confidently.

But there was no reaction from his wolf.

"Thank you."

She returned to her place.

The next woman stepped forward.

Then another.

And another.

One spoke about diplomacy.

Another spoke about managing the palace.

Another spoke about strengthening alliances.

Adrian listened patiently.

But none of them stirred anything inside him.

Then Catherine's name was called.

She stepped forward.

"Catherine."

Adrian looked at her.

"Why do you want to become Luna?"

Catherine smiled.

"Because I believe I can stand beside you."

"Why?"

"Because I am strong."

Adrian remained silent.

"I know the responsibilities of a woman in power."

"And what do you believe those responsibilities are?"

"Protecting the kingdom. Supporting the Alpha. Maintaining peace between the packs."

Adrian nodded.

"Anything else?"

Catherine hesitated.

"Giving the kingdom an heir."

Several elders nodded approvingly.

Adrian's expression didn't change.

"Thank you."

Catherine smiled.

She returned to her place.

As she walked away, she glanced toward Eva.

Eva was watching quietly.

Catherine smiled.

She believed she had impressed him.

She believed she was winning.

She had no idea that Adrian's wolf had remained completely silent.

Mary was called next.

She was nervous.

"What do you believe makes a good Luna?"

Mary swallowed.

"Someone kind."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"Kind?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because power without kindness becomes cruelty."

The room became quiet.

Adrian studied her.

For the first time, his expression softened slightly.

"Thank you."

Mary bowed and returned to her place.

Catherine watched her sister with surprise.

Then Elder Rowan called the next name.

"Eva."

Eva's heart stopped.

She looked around.

Nobody moved.

Then she realized they were all looking at her.

Slowly, she stepped forward.

Adrian's eyes followed her.

Every step she took toward him made his wolf more restless.

When she finally stopped before him, the connection between them became almost unbearable.

Eva lowered her eyes.

"Look at me."

Her breath caught.

She raised her gaze.

Their eyes met.

For several seconds, Adrian forgot the room existed.

He remembered her in the forest.

Her hands against his wound.

Her frightened eyes.

The sound of her voice saying his name.

Adrian.

His wolf surged.

Mate.

He clenched his jaw.

"Eva."

"Yes?"

"What do you want?"

She looked confused.

"From what?"

"From this."

He gestured toward the palace.

"The selection."

Eva thought carefully.

"Nothing."

The room became silent.

Adrian's eyebrow lifted.

"Nothing?"

"I didn't ask to come."

"Then why are you here?"

"My father told me to come."

"And if you could choose?"

Eva hesitated.

"I would go home."

Something inside Adrian tightened.

He didn't like that answer.

Not even slightly.

"Why?"

"Because this isn't my world."

"Perhaps it could be."

Eva shook her head.

"I don't belong here."

Adrian's gaze remained fixed on her.

"You don't know that."

Eva looked at him.

"You told me to forget you."

A few elders exchanged confused glances.

Adrian's expression changed.

"Eva."

She immediately realized what she had said.

"I—"

"Enough."

His voice wasn't angry.

It was controlled.

But there was something underneath it.

Something only Eva seemed to understand.

He turned back to the council.

"Thank you."

Eva bowed.

She turned and walked away.

But her heart was pounding.

She could feel Adrian's eyes following her.

And she knew he was fighting something.

Just as she was.

The selection continued.

By noon, more than half of the women had been dismissed.

Adrian rejected them politely.

Some were disappointed.

Others were furious.

But nobody dared question him.

The council eventually called for a break.

The women were escorted to the gardens.

Eva sat beneath a tree.

She needed a moment alone.

She closed her eyes.

The breeze moved through her hair.

For the first time since arriving, she felt peaceful.

Until someone approached.

Catherine.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Eva opened her eyes.

"I was."

Catherine sat opposite her.

"I saw the way you looked at him."

Eva frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"The Alpha."

Eva looked away.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

Catherine leaned closer.

"He looks at you differently."

Eva's heart raced.

She lowered her voice.

"I don't want anything from him."

"That's convenient."

"What does that mean?"

Catherine stood.

"It means I don't believe you."

Eva looked up.

"Catherine—"

"Stay away from him."

Eva stared at her.

"I haven't done anything."

"Not yet."

Catherine walked away.

Eva watched her go.

Something about her behavior felt different.

More hostile.

More possessive.

Eva sighed.

She had no intention of competing with Catherine.

But fate seemed determined to place her in the middle of something she didn't understand.

That evening, Adrian stood in his study.

The council had left.

Marcus remained.

"You didn't reject Eva."

Adrian didn't answer.

Marcus crossed his arms.

"You rejected everyone else."

Adrian looked at him.

"I didn't accept her either."

"But you didn't reject her."

"No."

"Why?"

Adrian looked toward the window.

Because he couldn't.

Because the moment she stood before him, his wolf had screamed.

Because every instinct in his body told him she was his.

But he couldn't say that.

Not yet.

"I need time."

Marcus nodded slowly.

"You're afraid."

Adrian's eyes flashed.

"I am not afraid."

"You are."

Adrian looked at him.

"Of what?"

"Of what happens if she's really your mate."

Silence.

Marcus continued.

"You've spent six years building your kingdom without a Luna. You don't want someone changing everything."

Adrian's voice was quiet.

"I don't want her hurt."

Marcus's expression softened.

"Then protect her."

Adrian looked toward the door.

"I will."

Later that night, Eva couldn't sleep.

She left her room and walked through the palace corridors.

She didn't know where she was going.

She simply followed the feeling pulling her forward.

Eventually, she found herself outside a large set of doors.

She stopped.

A strange warmth spread through her.

The mark on her neck burned.

Eva looked at the doors.

She reached for the handle.

Before she could touch it, a voice came from behind her.

"What are you doing here?"

Eva froze.

She turned.

Adrian stood several feet away.

He was dressed casually, his sleeves rolled to his elbows.

His eyes were fixed on her.

"I got lost."

"This wing is restricted."

"I'm sorry."

She turned to leave.

"Wait."

Eva stopped.

Adrian walked closer.

"You felt it too."

Eva slowly turned.

"Felt what?"

"The pull."

She stared at him.

He knew.

"You feel it?"

Adrian nodded.

"Yes."

Eva touched her mark.

"This?"

"Yes."

"What does it mean?"

Adrian looked at her.

"I don't know."

"But you said the mark could be a bond."

"It can."

"Then what are we?"

Adrian stepped closer.

His voice dropped.

"I don't know."

Eva looked into his eyes.

For the first time, she saw uncertainty there.

The powerful Alpha wasn't certain.

He was afraid too.

"I tried to forget you," she whispered.

"So did I."

"Then why can't we?"

Adrian didn't answer.

Because neither of them had the courage to say the truth.

Their wolves already knew.

But their hearts were still fighting it.

Suddenly, a sharp pain struck Eva's stomach.

She gasped.

Adrian immediately caught her.

"Eva!"

She gripped his shirt.

"I'm fine."

"You're not."

The mark on her neck glowed.

Adrian stared at it.

His wolf surged violently.

Mate.

The pain disappeared as quickly as it had come.

Eva looked up.

Adrian's arms were still around her.

Neither moved.

Then footsteps echoed from the corridor.

They quickly separated.

Catherine appeared at the end of the hall.

Her eyes widened when she saw them.

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Catherine."

She looked from him to Eva.

"I was looking for you."

"Why?"

"I wanted to speak to you."

"Tomorrow."

Catherine swallowed.

"Yes, Alpha."

She turned away.

But before leaving, she looked at Eva.

There was something cold in her eyes.

Something Eva had never seen before.

Jealousy.

And perhaps something worse.

That night, Catherine returned to her room.

Her mother was waiting.

"Well?"

Catherine slammed the door.

"He likes her."

Her mother stood.

"Who?"

"Eva."

Her mother frowned.

"You're certain?"

"I saw them together."

"Perhaps he was merely speaking to her."

"No."

Catherine's voice trembled with anger.

"The way he looks at her..."

She clenched her fists.

"I have to stop this."

Her mother walked toward her.

"Then don't fight Eva."

Catherine looked at her.

"Why not?"

"Because if you fight her openly, you'll make yourself look threatened."

"Then what do I do?"

Her mother smiled.

"You make the Alpha believe you're the one he needs."

Catherine stared at her.

"And how do I do that?"

"Give him what he expects from a Luna."

Catherine's expression slowly changed.

Confidence returned to her eyes.

She nodded.

"I understand."

Her mother touched her cheek.

"Then tomorrow, make him see you differently."

Catherine smiled.

"I will."

Neither woman noticed the shadow standing outside the partially opened door.

Mary.

She had heard everything.

And for the first time, she realized her sister wasn't simply trying to win the Alpha's heart.

She was willing to do whatever it took.

Meanwhile, in another wing of the palace, Eva slept peacefully.

And Adrian stood awake in his chambers, staring at the mark on his own wrist.

He had spent his entire life believing he controlled his destiny.

Now destiny had placed Eva in his palace.

And he was beginning to realize that the most dangerous battle he would ever fight would not be against another Alpha.

It would be against his own heart.