REJECTED YET CHOSEN

Chapter 18

_Lyla’s POV_

“A witch?” I whispered, staring at Aaron like he had just spoken in another language. My heart raced, pounding in my chest like it was trying to escape.

Aaron’s jaw clenched tight. He nodded slowly, his blue eyes darkening with something I couldn’t quite place—fear, maybe? Or worry?

“No,” I blurted out, shaking my head hard. “That is not true. Witches aren’t real. They’re just stories, fairy tales for scaring pups.” My voice rose a little, but I couldn’t help it. The word witch sounded ridiculous.

Aaron didn’t laugh or tease me like he usually did. His face stayed serious, his expression tight with tension.

“They’re real, Lyla,” he said softly but firmly. “Rare, yes. But they exist.”

I swallowed hard. My mouth felt dry, like I had been walking through a desert. “But… how? I have never met one. I have never even heard of someone seeing one.”

“That is because people don’t talk about them,” Aaron replied. He sighed deeply, running a hand through his messy brown hair. “Most witches stay hidden. And my father made sure of that.”

I frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”

Aaron stood up, pacing the room. The moonlight from the window cast long shadows across his face, making him look older, more serious than usual. His bare feet made no sound against the wooden floor.

“When my father became Alpha, he passed a law,” Aaron said. His voice was low, like he didn’t want the walls to hear. “He didn’t trust witches. He believed they were dangerous, that they couldn’t be controlled. So, he forced them all to leave the pack.”

My heart sank. That sounded harsh. Cruel, even.

“Adeline was one of them?” I asked quietly.

Aaron nodded, stopping to lean against the wall, and crossed his arms over his chest. “She comes from a family of witches and wizards. They were powerful once. But now… she is the only one left alive. She lives alone in the forest outside our territory, near the southern border.”

A shiver ran down my spine. The thought of a woman living alone in the woods made me uneasy.

“Where exactly does she live?” I asked, my voice trembling a little.

“In an old cottage,” Aaron said. “Everyone avoids that area. Even rogues. They know better than to cross her. There are stories—dark ones—about people who got too close and never came back.”

My skin prickled with goosebumps. I imagined a dark, twisted forest, shadows lurking behind trees, whispers in the wind.

Aaron must have seen the fear in my eyes because he walked over and sat beside me again. His hand cupped my cheek gently, his thumb brushing over my skin with a soft, comforting touch.

“Lyla, I don’t think it’s a good idea to visit her,” he said softly, his eyes filled with concern. “She probably hates us. She has every reason to. My father forced her out. She won’t help us. It would be a waste of time.”

But I shook my head stubbornly. “We have to try, Aaron. Maybe she’ll help. Maybe… maybe the Moon Goddess sent me that dream for a reason.”

Aaron stared at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. Then he let out a long sigh, his shoulders relaxing just a little.

“Alright,” he said quietly. “We’ll go see her tomorrow. But we are taking guards with us. I don’t want to take any chances.”

I felt relieved and I reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Aaron gave me a small smile and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. His lips were warm against my skin, sending a comforting warmth through me.

“But for now,” he murmured, pulling me into his arms, “you need to rest.”

I nodded, though my mind was still spinning with thoughts of Adeline, witches, and the Moon Goddess’s words.

Aaron lay down beside me, wrapping his strong arms around me from behind. His warmth seeped into me, chasing away the lingering fear. His hand rested gently on my waist. His thumb moved in slow and soothing circles.

“I’ve got you,” he whispered, his breath warm against the back of my neck. “You’re safe.”

I closed my eyes, focusing on his heartbeat. It was a steady and comforting rhythm. Slowly, the tension in my body began to fade.

But even as I drifted off to sleep, one thought stayed with me.

Adeline.

Who was she really? And why did the Moon Goddess want me to find her?

----------------------------

The sun’s light crept through the window. I woke up slowly. I stretched, feeling the warmth of Aaron still beside me. His arm was draped over my waist, holding me close. His steady breathing tickled the back of my neck.

I turned slightly to face him. His brown hair was messy, and his face looked peaceful, relaxed in sleep. I smiled softly. I reached up to brush a strand of hair from his forehead.

But the memory of the dream—and our conversation—rushed back like a cold splash of water.

“Aaron,” I whispered, gently shaking his shoulder.

He stirred, blinking groggily before his eyes met mine. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Morning,” he murmured sleepily, his voice rough from sleep.

“Morning,” I replied softly. But then I added, “We need to go see Adeline today, remember?”

His face tensed slightly, the sleepiness fading from his eyes. He sat up, rubbing his face with his hands.

“Yeah,” he sighed. “I remember.”

We got dressed quickly. Aaron was quiet as he pulled on his shirt. When we stepped outside, the morning air was cool and crisp. Aaron called for two guards, giving them quick instructions. They nodded without question.

“Are you sure about this?” Aaron asked as we got into the car.

I nodded firmly. “Yes. We have to try.”

Aaron reached over, taking my hand in his for a brief moment. His thumb brushed over my knuckles gently. “I’ll keep you safe,” he promised, his blue eyes serious.

And I believed him.

But deep inside, a small voice whispered—Would Adeline help us… or make things worse?

I didn’t know.

But we were about to find out.