REJECTED YET CHOSEN

Chapter 25

_Lyla's POV_

After training, Aaron and I returned to our room. My muscles ached from the session, but it was a good kind of pain—a reminder that I was growing stronger. Aaron, however, looked completely unbothered, as if he hadn’t just spent the last hour flipping me over and dodging my punches like it was child’s play.

I collapsed onto the bed with a sigh and rubbed my sore arms. “I think you broke me.”

Aaron chuckled and sat on the edge of the bed beside me. “You’ll get used to it. A little soreness never hurt anyone.”

I shot him a glare. “Easy for you to say, Mr. Muscles.”

He smirked. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Then his expression turned serious. “I need to talk to you about something.”

I sat up straighter, my stomach twisting. “What is it?”

“I have to leave tonight,” he said, watching my face carefully. “I’ll be gone for a few days.”

I frowned. “Why? Where are you going?”

“I need to meet with the Alphas of the surrounding packs. There has been some troubling news,” he explained. “The rogues have started working together. They are forming a group, and from what we have learned, they are planning to attack the packs—stealing food, money, and whatever else they can get their hands on.”

My stomach clenched. “That is… bad.”

“Yeah,” Aaron nodded. “That is why we need to come up with a plan to handle them and strengthen pack security. We can’t afford to be unprepared.”

I hesitated. I did not like the idea of him being away. “Do you really have to go?”

“Yes, Lyla,” he said softly, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s important. If we don’t deal with this now, things will get worse.”

I sighed, knowing he was right. “When will you be back?”

“Hopefully in three or four days,” he said. “Maybe sooner if everything goes well.”

I didn’t like it, but I nodded. “Be careful.”

His lips twitched into a small smile. “I always am.”

He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead before standing. “I’ll leave after dinner.”

Dinner was quiet, though Aaron kept sneaking glances at me as if making sure I wasn’t too upset. I tried not to be, but I couldn’t help feeling uneasy about him leaving. After we finished eating, I decided to take a long and hot shower.

The warmth soothed my sore muscles, and by the time I stepped out, dressed in one of Aaron’s oversized shirts, I felt a little more relaxed.

Aaron was already packing a small bag when I came back into the room. “I’ll be gone before you wake up,” he said, glancing up. “Try to get some rest.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure how well I would sleep. “I will.”

He sighed, then pulled me into his arms, holding me close. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

I wrapped my arms around him, breathing in his scent. “You better.”

He chuckled and pressed a lingering kiss to the top of my head before releasing me. “Goodnight, Lyla.”

“Goodnight, Aaron.”

After he left, the room felt too empty. Too quiet. I curled up under the blankets, but sleep wouldn’t come, so I reached for the book I had been reading earlier.

The ancient leather cover felt cool beneath my fingers as I opened it to where I had left off. I took a deep breath and continued reading. The Alpha King’s ultimate goal is to produce an heir with the Lunar Wolf. This heir will bring about the destruction of the werewolf world.

I froze.

The destruction of the werewolf world?

I swallowed hard and kept reading.

The Lunar Wolf is a divine being, blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. Her power is transferred to her offspring. If her mate is good, the child will inherit that goodness. But if the father is the Alpha King, the child will be corrupted by his darkness. The words blurred slightly as fear crept into my chest.

The Alpha King was searching for me. If he found me, he would try to force himself on me. He wouldn’t stop until I carried his child.

I felt sick.

The book continued, it recounted the history of past Lunar Wolves, those who had faced the same fate as me. Some had managed to escape the Alpha King’s wrath. One had made the ultimate sacrifice. She had been pregnant with the Alpha King’s child but chose to end her own life to prevent the birth of the heir.

My stomach clenched. Could I do that? If it came to it… would I have the strength to make that choice?

Another story told of twin sisters. One had been the true Lunar Wolf, but her sister had taken her place and mated with the Alpha King to deceive him. They had both escaped afterward, disappearing into history.

Then there was the Beta who had fallen in love with a Lunar Wolf. He had helped her flee, betraying his own Alpha King. Their story had no ending—no one knew what had happened to them after they vanished.

But not all Lunar Wolves had been lucky. Some had been captured. Some had given birth to the Alpha King’s heir.

My breath caught as I read about Alpha Sauron—the most infamous son of an Alpha King and a Lunar Wolf. He had been the most powerful and evil Alpha to ever exist. No other Alpha could challenge him. He ruled with cruelty, torturing innocents, destroying packs, and killing anyone who stood in his way. He raped women, slaughtered children, and bathed in the blood of his enemies. His reign was known as The Blood Eclipse Era—one of the darkest periods in history.

I felt sick. My hands trembled as I closed the book, pressing it against my chest. If the Alpha King succeeded, history would repeat itself. Another Sauron would be born. Another era of destruction would begin.

And it would be my fault. Tears burned my eyes as panic swelled inside me. My heart pounded so hard it hurt.

Aaron. I needed Aaron.

But he wasn’t here. He wouldn’t be back for days. I curled up on the bed, wrapping my arms around myself as fear consumed me. I couldn’t let this happen. I had to find a way to stop it.

Before it was too late.