REJECTED YET CHOSEN

Chapter 22

_Lyla's POV_

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I stirred slightly. I could feel the comforting weight of Aaron’s arm draped over my waist. His steady breathing was soothing. It was a reminder that I wasn’t alone. For a few moments, I stayed there, letting myself enjoy the quiet peace of being wrapped in his warmth. But my mind was restless.

The book.

I had to read it. I needed to understand what being a Lunar wolf truly meant.

Carefully, I slipped out of Aaron’s embrace, moving as quietly as possible. He murmured something in his sleep but didn’t wake. I smiled softly before tiptoeing across the room to where I had placed the book the night before.

The cover was old. The leather was cracked with age. It felt heavy in my hands, like it carried centuries of secrets within its pages. Taking a deep breath, I settled into a chair by the window and opened it.

The first thing I saw was an illustration of a wolf—a stunning snow-white creature with piercing golden eyes. My heart skipped a beat as I traced my fingers over the image. Something about it felt familiar, as if the wolf was staring straight into my soul.

Beneath the image, elegant script read:

“Once every hundred years, a Lunar Wolf is born. Marked by the Moon Goddess herself, they are destined to restore balance in the werewolf world.”

I swallowed hard, my fingers gripping the edge of the book. Every hundred years. That meant I wasn’t just rare—I was the only one of my kind in this lifetime. My breath hitched as I continued reading.

“Just as a Lunar Wolf is born, so too is the Alpha King. A monstrous figure, born of darkness and destruction. He rises with the intent to rule, his power is unmatched, his presence a storm upon the land. The Alpha King and the Lunar Wolf are bound by fate—opposing forces, destined to clash.”

A chill ran down my spine. A distant, powerful enemy. My enemy.

My hands trembled slightly as I turned the page. A detailed description of the Alpha King followed.

“The Alpha King is unlike any other. His wolf stands larger than any Alpha, his coat as dark as midnight, his eyes burning with fire. He is destruction incarnate, a being forged in war and conquest.”

I shuddered. It was as if the words themselves carried a sense of foreboding. My heart pounded as I imagined such a creature. Its presence alone was enough to make the strongest wolves tremble.

Lost in the pages, I didn’t hear Aaron enter the room.

“Lyla.”

I gasped. The sudden sound made me jump. My hands fumbled, and the book slipped from my grasp, landing on the wooden floor with a soft thud.

Aaron was beside me in an instant. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, bending down to pick up the book. His eyes flickered over the pages before he handed it back to me. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

I let out a shaky breath and pressed a hand to my chest. “You scared me.”

His lips curled into an apologetic smile. “I could see that.”

I looked down at the book, my fingers tightening around it. “I was just reading about the Alpha King.”

Aaron’s expression darkened slightly. “And?”

I swallowed. “He sounds terrifying.”

Aaron gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Whatever is written in that book doesn’t change the fact that you are stronger than you think, Lyla.”

I hesitated. “But what if—”

“No what-ifs.” His tone was firm but gentle. “You are not alone in this. You have me. You have the pack.”

Warmth spread through me at his words, but doubt still lingered in the back of my mind. Before I could say anything else, Aaron leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.

“Come on,” he said, his voice lighter now. “Let’s go have breakfast.”

I glanced down at the book once more before sighing and closing it. My stomach grumbled in agreement, and Aaron chuckled. “See? Even your body knows that I am right.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled as I followed him out of the room.

The pack house was already alive with activity. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon filled the air as we entered the dining hall. Wolves sat together. They were talking and laughing, but the moment we walked in, I felt their eyes on me.

I stiffened slightly.

Aaron noticed and squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Ignore them,” he murmured. “They will get used to the idea soon enough.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath as we made our way to the long wooden table where breakfast was already being served. Plates of food were passed around, and I grabbed a piece of toast. I tried to focus on the simple act of eating.

Aaron sat beside me. His presence grounded me. “So,” he said after a moment, “what else did the book say?”

I swallowed my bite and glanced at him. “Just that the Lunar Wolf and the Alpha King are destined to clash.”

Aaron’s jaw tightened. “Then we will be ready.”

I looked at him, at the certainty in his expression. He believed in me, even when I wasn’t sure I believed in myself. I reached out, letting my fingers brush against his under the table. He responded instantly, entwining them together.

“I know you will protect me,” I said softly. “But I need to learn how to protect myself too.”

Aaron nodded. “Then I’ll train you.”

I blinked. “You will?”

A smirk played on his lips. “Of course. What kind of mate would I be if I didn’t help you become the strongest version of yourself?”

The word mate sent a flutter through my chest. He hadn’t officially claimed me yet, but there was no denying the bond between us was growing stronger every day.

I smiled. “Then let us start soon.”

Aaron lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. “Soon.”

For the first time since learning the truth, I felt a little less afraid. With Aaron by my side, I wasn’t just an omega. I wasn’t just a girl marked by fate.

I was a Lunar wolf.

And I would be ready.