The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Chapter 5 — A Chance Encounter

Four days.

That was all the time Catherine had to prepare herself for the journey to Black Moon Palace.

For Eva, however, the four days felt like an eternity.

Every morning, she woke with the strange sensation that someone was watching her.

Every night, she dreamed of the forest.

And every time her fingers brushed the mark on her neck, she remembered Adrian's voice.

Forget me.

She had tried.

She really had.

But forgetting him was becoming harder with every passing day.

The strangest part was that she could sometimes feel him.

Not clearly.

Not enough to know where he was or what he was doing.

But there were moments when her heart would suddenly beat faster for no reason.

Moments when warmth would spread through her body.

Moments when she would feel an inexplicable sadness that didn't seem to belong to her.

She had told herself it was imagination.

It had to be.

There was no other explanation.

Eva was standing in the kitchen that morning, kneading dough, when Catherine walked in wearing a beautiful cream-colored dress.

She turned slowly.

"How do I look?"

Mary looked up from the table.

"Beautiful."

Catherine smiled.

"Mother?"

Her mother entered carrying a box.

"Perfect."

She opened it.

Inside was a delicate silver necklace.

Catherine's eyes widened.

"Is that mine?"

"It belonged to your grandmother."

Catherine immediately reached for it.

Her mother placed it around her neck.

"You need to make an impression."

"I will."

"Remember, Catherine. The Alpha isn't an ordinary man."

"I know."

"He has thousands of women who would gladly become his Luna."

Catherine looked at herself in the mirror.

"And none of them are me."

Her mother smiled.

"That's the confidence I want."

Eva continued working quietly.

Catherine glanced toward her.

"What about you?"

Eva looked up.

"What about me?"

"Are you jealous?"

Eva blinked.

"Of what?"

"That I'm going to the palace."

Eva shook her head.

"Why would I be?"

Catherine laughed.

"Because I might become Luna."

"I hope you get what you want."

Catherine studied her.

There was something about Eva's calmness that irritated her.

"You don't sound sincere."

"I am."

Catherine stepped closer.

"You should be careful."

Eva frowned.

"About what?"

"About being too comfortable."

Eva didn't understand.

Catherine smiled.

"People like us don't get opportunities like this twice."

She turned and walked away.

Eva watched her go.

Something about the conversation left her uneasy.

She returned her attention to the dough.

She had no desire to go to the palace.

She didn't even know why the thought of it made her nervous.

Perhaps because of the mark.

Perhaps because of Adrian.

Or perhaps because deep inside her, she already knew that their paths weren't finished crossing.

At the Black Moon Palace, Adrian was having a worse morning.

He sat at the breakfast table while several servants moved around him.

Marcus sat opposite him.

"You're not eating."

"I'm not hungry."

"You haven't eaten properly in days."

"I'm fine."

Marcus sighed.

"You know, one day that answer is going to stop working."

Adrian ignored him.

His gaze remained fixed on the window.

The mountains were visible in the distance.

Beyond them lay the villages.

And somewhere among them was Eva.

He hated that he knew that.

He hated even more that his wolf seemed to know exactly where she was.

Mate.

"Be quiet."

Marcus looked up.

"Did you say something?"

"No."

Marcus narrowed his eyes.

"You were talking to your wolf again."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Drop it."

"You can't keep ignoring this."

"I can."

"For how long?"

Adrian looked at him.

"Forever."

Marcus laughed.

"You don't even believe yourself."

Adrian stood.

"I'm going to train."

"Of course you are."

He left the room.

Marcus watched him disappear.

"Stubborn fool."

The training yard was already filled with warriors.

Adrian entered without saying a word.

His second-in-command, Liam, immediately approached.

"Alpha."

"Choose someone."

Liam hesitated.

"Anyone?"

"Anyone."

The warriors exchanged nervous looks.

Everyone knew what happened when Adrian trained while angry.

Liam stepped forward.

They began.

Within minutes, Adrian had knocked him to the ground.

"Again."

Liam got up.

They fought again.

Adrian was faster.

Stronger.

More aggressive.

Liam barely managed to defend himself.

"Alpha!"

Adrian stopped just before his fist connected.

Liam breathed heavily.

"Enough."

Adrian stepped back.

He looked at his hands.

His wolf was restless.

Go to her.

"No."

She needs you.

"She doesn't."

Mate.

Adrian closed his eyes.

"Stop."

Liam looked at him strangely.

"Alpha?"

Adrian opened his eyes.

"Leave."

Liam bowed.

"Yes, Alpha."

The yard emptied.

Adrian stood alone.

He hated the feeling inside his chest.

He had faced armies without fear.

He had fought rogue wolves twice his size.

He had watched men die in battle.

Yet the thought of Eva walking into his kingdom frightened him.

Because once she entered the palace, there would be no pretending.

If his wolf was right...

The entire kingdom would eventually know.

And he wasn't sure he could protect her from what would follow.

That afternoon, Eva was sent into the forest.

Her stepmother had ordered her to gather firewood.

Eva carried a basket over her arm as she walked between the trees.

She didn't like being alone in the forest anymore.

Not after what had happened.

Every rustling leaf made her heart jump.

Every distant howl made her remember Adrian.

She walked deeper.

The basket slowly filled.

Then she heard a branch snap.

Eva froze.

She looked around.

Nothing.

"Who's there?"

Silence.

She swallowed.

Probably an animal.

She turned to leave.

Another branch snapped behind her.

Eva spun around.

A large gray wolf stood several meters away.

She stopped breathing.

The wolf stared at her.

It wasn't an ordinary wolf.

Its eyes were silver.

Bright silver.

Eva slowly stepped backward.

The wolf didn't move.

Then it lowered its head.

It wasn't attacking.

It was watching.

Eva's fear slowly faded.

"Are you lost?"

The wolf tilted its head.

Eva almost laughed.

"I'm talking to a wolf."

The animal's ears twitched.

Something about it felt familiar.

Too familiar.

Then a deep growl came from behind her.

Eva turned.

Another wolf emerged from the trees.

This one was larger.

Its teeth were exposed.

The silver-eyed wolf immediately stepped between Eva and the other animal.

The second wolf growled.

Eva backed away.

The two wolves circled each other.

Then the larger wolf lunged.

The silver-eyed wolf attacked.

The fight was fast.

Fur flew.

Branches snapped.

Eva stumbled backward.

"Stop!"

Neither listened.

The larger wolf managed to bite the silver-eyed wolf's shoulder.

It snarled and retaliated.

Then suddenly, the larger wolf fled.

The silver-eyed wolf watched it disappear.

Eva slowly approached.

"Are you hurt?"

The wolf looked at her.

Then it walked toward her.

Eva crouched.

Blood stained its fur.

She reached out carefully.

The moment her fingers touched its head, the mark on her neck burned.

Eva gasped.

The wolf froze.

Its eyes changed.

For a brief second, they flashed gold.

Eva's heart stopped.

"Adrian?"

The wolf immediately stepped back.

Eva stared.

"Is that you?"

The animal turned.

It disappeared between the trees.

"Wait!"

Eva ran after it.

But it was gone.

She stood alone in the forest.

Her heart pounded.

"No."

She touched her neck.

The mark was burning fiercely.

"It couldn't have been him."

But she knew.

Somewhere inside her, she knew.

Several miles away, Adrian suddenly felt Eva's touch.

His eyes opened.

He was running through the forest in wolf form.

He had been tracking a rogue near the southern border when he felt it.

Her fingers against his fur.

Her voice.

Adrian?

He stopped.

His wolf was almost purring.

She knows.

Adrian's heart hammered.

He turned around.

He should go back.

He should find her.

He should make sure she was safe.

But he couldn't.

Not yet.

If she saw him again, the distance he had created would disappear.

And he needed that distance.

He needed time.

He needed to understand what she was becoming to him.

So he forced himself to keep running.

But he couldn't stop thinking about the softness of her hand against his fur.

Eva returned home just before sunset.

Her stepmother immediately noticed the missing firewood.

"Where is the rest?"

"I had to leave."

"Why?"

"There were wolves."

Her stepmother's face changed.

"Wolves?"

Eva nodded.

"Two."

"Did they hurt you?"

"No."

Her stepmother stared at her.

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

Catherine entered.

"What happened?"

"She saw wolves in the forest."

Catherine's eyes widened.

"Wolves?"

Eva nodded.

Catherine looked frightened.

"Was one of them enormous?"

Eva thought about Adrian's wolf.

"One was."

Catherine shivered.

"You shouldn't have gone there."

Eva said nothing.

Catherine looked at her neck.

Then her eyes narrowed.

"Why are you touching your neck so much?"

Eva immediately lowered her hand.

"I have a scratch."

"Let me see."

"No."

Catherine stepped closer.

Eva moved away.

"I said no."

Catherine looked surprised.

Eva had never spoken to her like that before.

Their father entered.

"What is going on?"

"Eva is hiding something."

Eva shook her head.

"I'm tired."

She walked away.

But Catherine watched her carefully.

There was something different about Eva.

Something Catherine couldn't explain.

And she didn't like it.

The following morning, the village square was crowded.

A royal carriage had arrived.

Black horses.

Silver harnesses.

The crest of the Black Moon Kingdom displayed proudly on the doors.

The women selected for the first group were gathering.

Catherine stood beside her mother.

She wore the cream-colored dress from the previous day.

Mary stood behind them.

Eva remained near the house.

She had no intention of going.

Then her father called her.

"Eva."

She approached.

"Yes?"

"You'll be going with them."

Eva stared at him.

"What?"

"All eligible women are expected to attend."

"But—"

"No arguments."

Her stepmother smiled.

"She can help Catherine."

Eva lowered her eyes.

"Yes, Father."

Catherine looked pleased.

"Good."

Eva didn't understand why her father suddenly wanted her to go.

She didn't know that he had already made plans.

If Catherine became Luna, their family would gain power.

And if Eva embarrassed them at the palace, she would be punished.

The carriage doors opened.

One by one, the women climbed inside.

Eva followed.

Catherine sat beside her.

"You'd better behave."

Eva looked out the window.

"I always do."

Catherine scoffed.

"Don't embarrass me."

Eva didn't answer.

The carriage began moving.

The village slowly disappeared behind them.

Eva looked back through the window.

Something inside her tightened.

She didn't know why.

Perhaps because she had the strange feeling she was leaving behind the only life she had ever known.

Or perhaps because she knew she was traveling toward something she had been trying desperately to avoid.

The journey took most of the day.

By late afternoon, the mountains appeared.

Eva stared through the carriage window.

The landscape became breathtaking.

Huge stone cliffs surrounded the road.

Silver streams flowed through the valleys.

And then, beyond the mountains, she saw it.

Black Moon Palace.

Eva's breath caught.

It was enormous.

Black towers rose toward the sky.

Silver flags moved in the wind.

The palace seemed almost unreal.

Catherine smiled.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Eva nodded slowly.

"Yes."

"Imagine living there."

Eva said nothing.

The carriage passed through the enormous gates.

Guards lined the entrance.

Every woman became quiet.

Eva's heart began beating faster.

She didn't know why.

Then suddenly—

The mark on her neck burned.

Eva gasped.

Catherine turned.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Eva pressed her hand against the mark.

Her heartbeat became stronger.

And then she felt it.

A presence.

Close.

Very close.

She looked toward the palace steps.

A man stood there.

Tall.

Dressed in black.

His dark hair moved slightly in the wind.

Even from a distance, Eva recognized him.

Her breath caught.

Adrian.

He was standing at the top of the palace steps, watching the arriving women.

Their eyes met.

Everything around Eva seemed to disappear.

The voices.

The guards.

The horses.

The other women.

All of it faded.

Only Adrian remained.

His expression changed the moment he saw her.

Shock.

Then disbelief.

Then something darker.

His wolf surged forward.

Mate.

Adrian's fingers tightened at his sides.

He had told himself she would never enter his world.

He had told himself he would never see her again.

Yet here she was.

Standing among the women summoned to compete for his hand.

Eva stared at him, unable to move.

He had told her to forget him.

But now she understood something.

He had never forgotten her either.

Catherine noticed where Eva was looking.

She followed her gaze.

Her eyes landed on Adrian.

Her heart fluttered.

"The Alpha."

She immediately straightened her dress.

Eva barely heard her.

Adrian descended one step.

Then another.

His eyes never left Eva.

Marcus appeared beside him.

The Beta followed Adrian's gaze.

His eyes widened.

"Oh."

Adrian's voice was barely audible.

"She's here."

Marcus looked at him.

"The human?"

Adrian didn't answer.

He didn't need to.

His wolf was already roaring inside him.

Mate.

Adrian's heart pounded.

He had spent days trying to convince himself that Eva was nothing more than a strange encounter.

A mistake.

A moment.

But fate had just brought her directly to his palace.

And this time, he couldn't run from her.

Neither could she.

The carriage doors opened.

The women began stepping out.

Catherine was among the first.

She lifted her chin proudly as she walked toward the palace.

Mary followed.

Then Eva stepped down.

The moment her feet touched the ground, Adrian felt the bond pull tighter.

His entire body went still.

Eva looked at him.

Neither spoke.

But something passed between them.

A promise.

A warning.

A beginning.

And neither of them knew that this chance encounter would soon become the greatest love—and the greatest danger—either of them had ever known.