REJECTED YET CHOSEN

Chapter 11

_Lyla’s POV_

After breakfast, Aaron’s mother smiled and said, “Come, dear. Let me show you around so you don’t get lost again.”

I nodded quickly and stood from the chair. The thought of wandering the maze-like hallways alone again wasn’t appealing. She led me out of the dining room. Her footsteps were soft against the polished floors.

She first showed me the different parts of the mansion. We walked down wide hallways with tall windows. Their velvet curtains were pulled back to let in the morning light. The floors gleamed under my feet, and the walls were decorated with beautiful paintings—wolves running through forests, moonlit nights, and fierce battles.

“This is the library,” she said, opening a large wooden door. The room inside smelled of old books and polished wood. Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with books of all sizes. There were cozy chairs by the windows and even a ladder to reach the higher shelves.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, running my fingers along the spines of the books.

She smiled softly. “You’re welcome to read anything you like.”

We moved on. She showed me the Alpha’s office. It was a big room with a large desk, tall shelves filled with books and papers, and maps pinned to the walls. “This is where Aaron handles most of his work,” she explained.

Then she took me outside through the back doors. The sunlight felt warm on my face as we stepped onto a stone patio. Beautiful gardens stretched out before me, filled with colorful flowers and trimmed hedges. I could hear birds singing and the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze.

We walked along a path that led to the pack grounds. There was a large open field where warriors trained. I could hear the sharp sounds of punches landing, the clash of wooden weapons, and the barked commands of trainers.

She pointed to different buildings. “That’s the training hall,” she said. “Over there is the infirmary. And that building is where we hold meetings and important gatherings.”

The pack grounds were alive with activity. Warriors sparred, children played, and others carried out their daily tasks. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, shouts, and the steady rhythm of life.

After some time, Aaron’s mother stopped walking. “I have some important work to do now, dear,” she said kindly. “But feel free to explore. You’re safe here.”

I nodded. “Thank you for showing me around.” She gave me a warm smile before walking away, leaving me standing alone.

I decided to keep exploring. I walked slowly around the pack grounds, taking in everything—the sounds, the smells, the people. It was strange to be somewhere so alive, so different from the lonely places I had been before.

Eventually, I found myself near the training grounds. Warriors were practicing there. Their movements were sharp and fierce. They sparred with each other, throwing punches, dodging attacks, and shifting into their wolves before shifting back seamlessly. They were strong, fast, and confident.

I watched quietly from the side, feeling small compared to their strength. I wasn’t like them. I didn’t feel powerful or fearless.

Suddenly, I heard a voice.

“That’s her,” someone whispered.

I turned to see two women watching me. One had bright red hair, tied back in a high ponytail. The other was blonde, her arms crossed over her chest, a smirk on her face. They started walking toward me.

The blonde spoke first. “So, you’re the one who put the Alpha under your spell?”

I blinked, confused. “What?”

The red-haired woman sneered. “You don’t even look like an Alpha’s mate.”

The blonde stepped closer, her eyes cold. “You’re not even that pretty. Why did Aaron choose you? Did you do black magic on him?”

My heart raced. Their words felt like sharp knives. I didn’t know what to say.

The red-haired woman laughed bitterly. “You don’t look strong enough to be Luna. Are you really that strong?”

I opened my mouth, my voice shaky. “I’m not here to prove anything. I was just passing by.”

But they didn’t listen.

The blonde smirked. “If you’re really fit to be Luna, then fight me. Let’s see who’s the real winner.”

“I don’t want to fight,” I said quickly, my heart pounding. “I’m not here for that.”

“Oh, you’re afraid,” the red-haired woman taunted.

Before I could react, they both grabbed my arms, pulling me toward the fighting ring. I struggled, trying to break free, but they were strong. My heart raced with fear and frustration.

“Let go of me!” I snapped, trying to pull away, but they didn’t stop.

Then I heard it—a voice, sharp and filled with authority.

“Lyla.”

I froze. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

Aaron.

His voice was enough to make the women’s grip loosen slightly. I turned my head slowly and saw him standing there. His expression was dark, his jaw clenched, eyes glowing slightly with anger.

The blonde and red-haired women quickly let go of me, stepping back as if they had been burned.

Aaron walked toward us, his steps steady, his gaze locked on them.

“What’s going on here?” His voice was low, dangerous.

The blonde stammered, “We—we were just—”

Aaron didn’t let her finish. “I saw what you were doing.” His eyes narrowed. “Is this how you treat your future Luna?”

The words hit me like a wave. Future Luna.

The women looked down, their confidence gone.

Aaron stepped beside me, his hand gently resting on my back. His touch was warm, grounding me.

“If I ever see this again,” he said, his voice like steel, “you’ll regret it.”

They both mumbled apologies before hurrying away, not daring to look back.

I stood there, my heart still racing.

Aaron turned to me. “Are you okay?”

I nodded slowly, though my chest felt tight.

He sighed, his hand sliding from my back to gently hold my hand. “I’m sorry, Lyla. You shouldn’t have to deal with that.”

I looked up at him, my eyes stinging. “Why do they hate me?”

“They don’t hate you,” he said softly. “They’re just jealous. Afraid of what they can’t be.”

His words were meant to comfort me, but the ache in my chest didn’t go away.

“I’m not strong like them,” I whispered.

Aaron squeezed my hand gently. “You’re stronger than you think.”

And for some reason, I wanted to believe him.