The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Chapter 6 — The Palace of Wolves

Eva stood at the bottom of the palace steps, unable to take her eyes off Adrian.

He looked different from the man she had met in the forest.

In the darkness, he had seemed like a wounded stranger desperately fighting for his life.

Here, beneath the silver banners of the Black Moon Kingdom, he looked like what he truly was.

An Alpha.

Powerful.

Untouchable.

Surrounded by guards who bowed whenever he moved.

His black clothes were perfectly fitted, his dark hair neatly styled, and a silver crest rested against his chest.

But his eyes were the same.

Those unmistakable golden eyes.

Eva's heart skipped.

Forget me.

She remembered his words.

Yet he was staring at her as though he had been searching for her.

Adrian descended another step.

Marcus immediately moved beside him.

"Alpha," he murmured.

Adrian didn't respond.

His attention remained fixed on Eva.

She wondered if everyone could see the strange connection between them.

Then Catherine stepped in front of her.

"Eva."

Eva blinked.

"What?"

"Move."

Catherine adjusted her dress and walked forward.

Eva stepped aside.

Catherine smiled confidently as she approached the palace.

Adrian watched her for a moment.

Then his eyes returned to Eva.

The reaction confused Catherine.

She turned around.

The Alpha wasn't looking at her.

He was looking at Eva.

Catherine's smile disappeared.

For the first time since arriving, a small seed of insecurity settled in her heart.

"Welcome to Black Moon Palace."

A woman in a long silver gown stood before the group.

She was elegant, perhaps in her early forties, with dark hair pulled into a neat bun.

"I am Lady Selene, head of the royal household."

Her eyes moved over the women.

"You will remain here as guests until the Alpha completes the selection."

Catherine immediately raised her hand.

Lady Selene looked at her.

"Yes?"

"How long will the selection take?"

"That depends on His Majesty."

Catherine nodded.

"And if he chooses someone?"

"That woman will remain at the palace."

Catherine smiled.

"And the others?"

"They will return home."

A murmur moved through the group.

Eva remained silent.

She had no intention of becoming the Alpha's mate.

She simply wanted to survive the strange circumstances that had brought her here.

Lady Selene continued.

"You will each be given rooms. You will be expected to follow palace rules."

Her expression hardened.

"Most importantly, you are not to enter restricted areas."

She looked directly at the women.

"The Alpha's private chambers and the eastern wing are forbidden."

Catherine nodded.

Eva listened carefully.

"Tonight, you will dine with the Alpha."

Several women exchanged excited looks.

Catherine's face brightened.

Eva's stomach twisted.

Dinner.

With Adrian.

She didn't know if she was ready.

The women were escorted inside.

Eva couldn't help staring.

The palace was magnificent.

Tall marble pillars stretched toward a vaulted ceiling.

Huge chandeliers illuminated the corridors.

Ancient paintings covered the walls.

Most depicted wolves.

Some showed battles.

Others showed previous Alpha kings.

Eva slowed near one painting.

A young man stood in the center, surrounded by wolves.

"That's Adrian's grandfather," Lady Selene explained.

Eva quickly looked away.

"Sorry."

Lady Selene smiled.

"You seem fascinated."

"I've never been inside a palace."

"I can tell."

Eva blushed.

Lady Selene didn't sound judgmental.

Instead, there was kindness in her voice.

"Don't worry. You'll become accustomed to it."

Eva wasn't so sure.

She continued walking.

Behind her, Catherine whispered to Mary.

"Did you see the way he looked at Eva?"

Mary glanced at her.

"Who?"

"The Alpha."

Mary shrugged.

"Maybe he was just looking at everyone."

Catherine shook her head.

"No."

Her voice was quieter.

"He wasn't."

Adrian stood in his study, staring through the window.

Marcus entered.

"You need to stop."

Adrian didn't turn.

"Stop what?"

"Staring at the courtyard."

"I wasn't."

Marcus walked toward the window.

"You've been standing here for twenty minutes."

Adrian remained silent.

Marcus sighed.

"She's here."

"I know."

"And she's one of the candidates."

"I know."

"Which means you need to tell Rowan."

Adrian turned sharply.

"No."

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"No?"

"Not yet."

"Adrian, this isn't something you can hide."

"I can."

"For how long?"

"Until I understand what's happening."

Marcus studied him.

"You already know."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

His wolf had never been uncertain.

Mate.

The word had become constant.

But Adrian didn't want to accept it.

Eva was human.

She had a family.

A life.

A world completely separate from his.

And yet fate had brought her here.

"I marked her to save my life," Adrian said quietly.

"I know."

"I never intended for her to become part of this."

Marcus looked at him.

"Perhaps you didn't intend it."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"But?"

"Perhaps the Moon Goddess did."

Adrian looked away.

He hated when Marcus sounded reasonable.

Eva was shown to her room.

It was larger than the entire room she shared with Mary at home.

A large bed stood in the center.

There was a wardrobe, a writing desk and a private bathroom.

Eva stared in disbelief.

"This is mine?"

"For the duration of your stay," Lady Selene said.

Eva touched the curtains.

Everything looked expensive.

"Thank you."

Lady Selene smiled.

"Your dinner dress will be delivered shortly."

Eva nodded.

When the woman left, Eva sat on the bed.

For the first time in years, she had a room entirely to herself.

No Catherine.

No Mary.

No orders.

No shouting.

She should have been happy.

Instead, she felt nervous.

She touched her neck.

The mark was still warm.

"What are you doing here, Adrian?"

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

A servant entered carrying a dress.

"This is for you."

Eva stood.

She unfolded it.

It was a beautiful dark blue gown.

"I can't wear this."

"You must."

"But it's too expensive."

The servant smiled.

"All candidates are provided with gowns."

Eva hesitated.

"Thank you."

Once she was alone again, she changed.

She stared at herself in the mirror.

The woman looking back seemed unfamiliar.

For once, Eva didn't look like the servant of the household.

She looked elegant.

Beautiful.

She touched her hair.

Then immediately frowned at herself.

"Stop."

She wasn't here to impress Adrian.

She reminded herself of that repeatedly.

But her heart didn't seem to agree.

The dining hall was enormous.

A long table stretched across the room.

Candles burned in silver holders.

The walls were decorated with dark red banners.

The women took their seats.

Catherine deliberately chose a chair close to the head of the table.

Eva sat farther away.

She wanted to remain unnoticed.

Then the doors opened.

Everyone stood.

Adrian entered.

The room fell silent.

He walked toward the table.

His eyes moved over the women.

Then stopped.

Eva.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

She remembered his face in the forest.

He remembered her trembling hands.

The bite.

The mark.

The promise to forget.

Adrian finally looked away.

He took his seat.

"Sit."

Everyone obeyed.

Food was served.

Nobody spoke.

Catherine was the first to break the silence.

"Your Majesty."

Adrian looked at her.

"Yes?"

"My name is Catherine."

"I know."

She smiled.

"I've heard so much about you."

Adrian nodded.

"Have you?"

"Everyone has."

He didn't respond.

Catherine continued.

"It must be difficult being Alpha."

"It is."

"I imagine you need someone strong beside you."

Adrian looked at her.

"Perhaps."

Catherine smiled.

Eva kept her eyes on her plate.

She didn't want to listen.

She didn't want to care.

But she couldn't stop herself.

Adrian's voice reached her.

"And you?"

Eva looked up.

Everyone turned toward her.

She froze.

"Me?"

Adrian nodded.

"What do you think?"

Eva swallowed.

"About what?"

"Being Luna."

The room became quiet.

Eva looked at him.

"I don't think I would know how."

Catherine laughed softly.

"Of course you wouldn't."

Adrian's eyes immediately hardened.

Catherine stopped.

Eva lowered her gaze.

"I didn't mean—"

"I asked Eva a question," Adrian said coldly.

Catherine's cheeks reddened.

"Yes, Alpha."

Adrian looked back at Eva.

"You were saying?"

Eva hesitated.

"I don't think I would be suitable."

"Why?"

"Because I don't know anything about being a Luna."

"You can learn."

Eva shook her head.

"It's not just about learning."

Adrian watched her carefully.

"What is it about?"

Eva looked down.

"Being strong enough."

Something shifted in Adrian's expression.

"You are stronger than you think."

Eva's heart stopped.

He knew.

He remembered.

The forest.

She quickly looked away.

Dinner continued.

But Adrian barely tasted his food.

His attention kept returning to Eva.

She was different from the others.

The other women tried to impress him.

Eva didn't.

They laughed at everything he said.

She barely spoke.

They dressed to attract his attention.

She seemed embarrassed by hers.

They spoke about wealth and status.

Eva asked for nothing.

His wolf loved every part of it.

Mate.

Adrian clenched his jaw.

Across the table, Catherine watched him.

She noticed every glance.

Every pause.

Every time his attention returned to Eva.

Her jealousy grew.

She leaned toward Mary.

"Something is wrong."

Mary looked at her.

"What?"

"He keeps looking at her."

"At Eva?"

Catherine nodded.

Mary frowned.

"Maybe there's a reason."

Catherine's eyes narrowed.

"There better not be."

After dinner, the women were dismissed.

Eva walked toward the corridor.

She wanted to get away from everyone.

She needed air.

She found a balcony overlooking the gardens.

The night was beautiful.

Moonlight covered the trees.

Eva rested her hands against the railing.

"You're going to get yourself into trouble."

She spun around.

Adrian stood behind her.

Her heart nearly stopped.

"Your Majesty."

He frowned.

"Don't call me that."

"What should I call you?"

He hesitated.

She smiled faintly.

"Adrian?"

His eyes darkened.

"Yes."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Eva asked the question that had been haunting her.

"Why are you here?"

He frowned.

"This is my palace."

"You know what I mean."

Adrian looked away.

"I didn't know you would come."

"I didn't want to."

"Then why did you?"

"My father ordered me."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"Your father?"

Eva nodded.

"Everyone had to come."

He studied her face.

"Are you safe at home?"

Eva hesitated.

"Yes."

He knew immediately that she was lying.

"You don't have to lie to me."

Eva looked at him.

"I'm not."

"Eva."

She swallowed.

"What?"

"Your family."

She looked away.

"They're my family."

"That doesn't answer my question."

Eva's eyes became wet.

Adrian stepped closer.

"What do they do to you?"

"Nothing."

"You were outside that night because of them."

She froze.

"You remember."

"I remember everything."

Eva's heart raced.

"So do I."

Adrian looked at her.

For a moment, the walls between them disappeared.

He wanted to touch her.

He wanted to make sure she was truly there.

Instead, he kept his distance.

"You shouldn't be here."

Eva looked hurt.

"Then why did you look at me like that when I arrived?"

Adrian said nothing.

She took a step toward him.

"Why?"

His eyes flashed gold.

Eva froze.

Adrian turned away.

"Because I was surprised."

"That's all?"

"Yes."

It was a lie.

They both knew it.

Eva looked down.

"I tried to forget you."

Adrian's heart tightened.

"So did I."

She looked up.

Their eyes met.

Neither moved.

Then Adrian whispered the words he had been fighting since the night in the forest.

"You shouldn't have come here."

Eva's voice was barely audible.

"But I'm here."

Adrian stared at her.

And for the first time, he wondered if perhaps the greatest mistake he had made wasn't marking Eva.

Perhaps it was believing he could ever let her go.

A sound came from the corridor.

Footsteps.

Eva stepped away.

Catherine appeared.

She stopped when she saw them together.

Her expression changed.

Adrian immediately became distant.

"Go to your room."

Catherine looked between them.

"Yes, Alpha."

Eva lowered her head.

"Goodnight."

Adrian watched her walk away.

Catherine remained.

She waited until Eva disappeared.

Then she looked at Adrian.

"May I speak with you?"

Adrian's expression was cold.

"About what?"

Catherine smiled.

"About becoming your Luna."

Adrian said nothing.

But somewhere deep inside him, his wolf growled.

Because the answer had already been decided.

And Catherine had no idea.

Neither did Eva.

The truth would come soon enough.

But before it did, jealousy would begin turning into something far more dangerous.