The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Chapter 17 — The Bloodline

Eva's scream echoed through the palace.

Adrian's entire body went rigid.

"Eva!"

He turned toward the doorway, but before he could leave, the Moon Stone exploded with silver light.

Catherine covered her eyes.

The chamber shook violently.

Stone cracked beneath their feet.

Adrian grabbed the wall to steady himself.

"What is happening?"

Elder Lyra's voice came from behind him.

"The awakening has begun."

Adrian turned.

"What awakening?"

Lyra stared at the Moon Stone.

"The bloodline."

Another tremor shook the chamber.

Adrian didn't wait.

He ran.

Catherine remained frozen.

"Adrian!"

He ignored her.

He needed to get to Eva.

Eva was on the floor of her bedroom.

Her body was burning.

She gripped the sheets as another wave of pain moved through her.

"Adrian!"

Her voice broke.

The servants outside rushed in.

"Luna!"

"Get the physician!"

"The Alpha!"

Eva could barely hear them.

The mark on her neck was glowing brighter than it ever had before.

Silver light moved beneath her skin.

She looked down at her hands.

They were trembling.

Then something strange happened.

The room disappeared.

Eva found herself standing in a forest.

Not the forest near the village.

This place was different.

Ancient.

Massive trees surrounded her.

The moon above was enormous.

"Where am I?"

A woman stood between the trees.

Eva froze.

She knew that face.

"Mama?"

The woman smiled.

"Eva."

Eva's eyes filled with tears.

"Is it really you?"

The woman reached toward her.

"I've been waiting for you."

Eva ran toward her.

But before she could reach her, a wall of silver light appeared between them.

"Why can't I touch you?"

"Because this isn't the time."

Eva cried.

"I have so many questions."

"I know."

"Why did you leave me?"

Her mother's expression became sad.

"I didn't leave you willingly."

"Then what happened?"

"I was hunted."

"By whom?"

The woman looked behind her.

"They wanted what was inside our blood."

Eva frowned.

"What is inside our blood?"

Her mother stepped closer.

"The power of the First Luna."

Eva stared at her.

"You were a werewolf?"

"No."

Eva looked confused.

"Then what were you?"

"Something older."

The forest suddenly began shaking.

Her mother looked frightened.

"They are coming."

"Who?"

"The ones who have been waiting for your awakening."

Eva stepped forward.

"Tell me who they are."

Her mother's voice became faint.

"Trust Adrian."

The silver light began disappearing.

"Wait!"

Eva reached for her.

"Tell me what I am!"

Her mother smiled sadly.

"You are the last of us."

Then she vanished.

Eva screamed.

"Mama!"

Adrian burst into the room.

"Eva!"

He found her unconscious on the floor.

"Get the physician!"

He lifted her into his arms.

Her skin was burning.

"Eva, wake up."

Her eyes opened suddenly.

She stared at him.

"Adrian."

"I'm here."

She clung to him.

"I saw my mother."

Adrian's heart tightened.

"What did she say?"

Eva began crying.

"She said I'm the last of them."

"The last of who?"

"The First Bloodline."

Adrian froze.

Before he could ask anything else, Dr. Elias rushed into the room.

"What happened?"

"She collapsed."

Elias immediately examined her.

"Her temperature is extremely high."

"Is the baby safe?"

The physician checked her pulse.

Then his expression changed.

"The baby's heartbeat is strong."

Adrian exhaled.

"But there's something else."

"What?"

Elias looked at Eva.

"Her body is changing."

Eva stared at him.

"What does that mean?"

"Your wolf."

Eva shook her head.

"I don't have one."

Elias looked at Adrian.

"Are you sure?"

Adrian frowned.

"Eva is human."

The physician slowly shook his head.

"I don't think she is."

Silence filled the room.

Eva stared at him.

"What am I?"

Elias didn't answer.

Because he didn't know.

In the underground chamber, Catherine stood beside the broken vial.

Adrian's guards had surrounded her.

"Take her to the council chamber," Adrian ordered.

Catherine's eyes filled with tears.

"Adrian, please."

He looked at her.

"What were you planning to do?"

"I wasn't trying to hurt Eva."

"Then why were you holding a vial that was meant to weaken her?"

Catherine's lips trembled.

"I was desperate."

"For what?"

"You."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"You almost hurt my mate."

"I love you!"

"You don't love me."

Catherine shook her head.

"You don't know what I feel."

"I know enough."

He turned away.

Catherine grabbed his arm.

"Please!"

Adrian pulled his arm free.

"Don't touch me."

Catherine broke down.

"You chose her over me."

"I chose the woman who was always my mate."

Catherine stared at him.

"Then why did you ever accept me?"

"I never accepted you."

Her face went pale.

"Your council said—"

"The council believed you were a possibility."

Adrian looked at her coldly.

"But my wolf never chose you."

Catherine's heart shattered.

"You knew?"

"I suspected."

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I needed evidence."

Catherine laughed bitterly.

"So I was never going to be Luna."

"No."

Adrian turned toward the guards.

"Take her."

As Catherine was led away, she looked back.

Her eyes were filled with hatred.

"This isn't over."

Adrian didn't respond.

Eva sat quietly while Dr. Elias examined her.

Adrian remained beside her.

Finally, the physician stepped back.

"There is no immediate danger."

Eva sighed with relief.

"What happened to me?"

Elias looked uncertain.

"I believe your body is awakening."

"Awakening what?"

"Your bloodline."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"What does that mean?"

Elias shook his head.

"The Moon Council needs to answer that."

Eva looked at Adrian.

"Take me to them."

"No."

She frowned.

"Why?"

"You've just collapsed."

"I need answers."

"So do I."

"Then let's find them."

Adrian looked at her.

She was frightened.

But there was determination in her eyes.

He knew she wouldn't stop.

"Fine."

The council gathered before midnight.

Eva stood beside Adrian.

Elder Lyra held the ancient book she had brought from the royal archives.

She placed it on the table.

"This book is older than the Black Moon Kingdom."

She opened it carefully.

The pages were covered with drawings.

One image showed a woman standing beneath a silver moon.

Eva stepped closer.

"Who is that?"

Lyra looked at her.

"The First Luna."

Eva stared at the drawing.

The woman's face looked remarkably similar to hers.

"That's my mother."

Lyra shook her head.

"No."

She pointed to the inscription beneath the image.

"Her name was Seraphina."

Eva frowned.

"Then why does she look like my mother?"

"Because your mother was her descendant."

Eva's heart raced.

"How far back?"

"Seven generations."

Adrian looked at the page.

"Why was this bloodline hidden?"

Lyra turned another page.

"Because the First Luna possessed an ability that terrified the other kingdoms."

"What ability?"

"She could command the Moon Stone."

Eva looked at her palm.

The symbol was still there.

"What does that mean?"

"It means the stone responds to your blood."

Eva stared at her.

"Why?"

Lyra looked directly into her eyes.

"Because you are the rightful heir of the First Luna's bloodline."

The room went silent.

Adrian's wolf stirred.

Mine.

Eva swallowed.

"What happens now?"

Lyra closed the book.

"Now the kingdom will have to decide whether to accept you."

Adrian stepped forward.

"They will."

Lyra looked at him.

"Even if your people fear her?"

"Especially then."

Eva looked at him.

Adrian took her hand.

"I don't care what blood runs through your veins."

His voice was firm.

"You are my mate."

Eva's eyes filled with tears.

"And I will stand beside you."

But outside the council chamber, someone was listening.

Vivienne.

She had heard everything.

The First Luna's descendant.

The rightful heir.

The Moon Stone.

Her face turned pale.

She hurried away before anyone saw her.

She entered Catherine's room.

Catherine was sitting silently on the bed.

"Mother?"

Vivienne closed the door.

"We need to leave."

Catherine looked at her.

"Why?"

"Because Eva is more powerful than we thought."

Catherine's eyes widened.

"What did you hear?"

"Everything."

Vivienne walked toward her.

"She's the descendant of the First Luna."

Catherine stared at her.

"What?"

"Adrian will never let her go."

Catherine's expression hardened.

"Then we'll make him."

Vivienne shook her head.

"You don't understand."

"What?"

"Her power is awakening."

Catherine stood.

"Then we destroy her before it becomes too strong."

Vivienne stared at her daughter.

For the first time, she wondered whether Catherine had gone too far.

But Catherine had already made her decision.

She wasn't going to surrender.

Not the crown.

Not Adrian.

Not her future.

Deep beneath the palace, the Moon Stone continued glowing.

No one noticed the tiny c***k forming across its surface.

Then a voice echoed through the chamber.

Ancient.

Cold.

Patient.

The heir has awakened.

A shadow moved across the stone.

Now the war can begin.