REJECTED BY THE ALPHA, CLAIMED BY HIS FATHER

I stared at Alpha King Lucian like I was seeing a ghost. My wrist mark glowed so bright it lit up the space between us. Sparks kept jumping from it, pulling me toward him even though my brain was screaming to run the other way.

"You..." I backed up a step, my voice shaky. "You're Ryder's dad. The Alpha King. This can't be real."

Lucian didn't move at first. His silver eyes were locked on my glowing mark, then slowly moved up to my face. He looked shocked for a second, then something darker and hungrier took over. "The Goddess doesn't lie," he said, his deep voice rumbling. "You are my true mate, Ava. The second chance I never thought I'd get."

The new bond slammed into me all at once. It felt like warm fire spreading through my veins, way stronger than what I had with Ryder. My wolf pushed forward, wanting to get closer to him. I had to fight not to step toward him. "Stop it! I just got rejected and humiliated by your son tonight! In front of everyone! He picked Lena and called me a mistake. Now you show up and say I'm yours?"

Lucian took a slow step forward. He was huge, muscles rippling under his dark shirt. His power pressed down on me but it didn't feel mean. It felt... safe. "Ryder is a fool. He threw away the best thing the moon could give him. I won't. You belong with me now."

I shook my head fast, tears still wet on my cheeks. "This is wrong. Forbidden. People will go crazy when they find out. His father? The King? They'll call me a homewrecker or worse. The packs might even start a war over this!"

Before Lucian could answer, loud howls tore through the forest. Close. Too close. I smelled Ryder's scent on the wind - angry, confused, and getting stronger. The pack was coming for me.

Lucian growled low in his throat. He grabbed my hand. The second our skin touched, the mark flared and sent a wave of energy through both of us. It felt good. Too good. "We have to move. My territory borders this area. I can protect you there."

I hesitated. My legs still hurt from running earlier and my heart was a total mess. Part of me wanted to go back and scream at Ryder. Another part wanted to hide forever. But this new bond with Lucian kept tugging at me, telling me to trust him.

"Okay," I said quickly. "But if this explodes, it's your fault."

We started running through the dark trees. Lucian stayed right beside me, pushing branches out of the way and keeping pace even though his legs were longer. The bond made me faster somehow. I could feel his wolf reaching out to mine, like they were already connected and happy about it.

"Ryder will feel this new bond," Lucian said as we ran. "It will drive him mad. He rejected you but he won't want to lose you to me."

Great. Just what I needed.

We kept going, jumping over logs and splashing through small streams. My ripped dress kept catching but I didn't stop. The howls behind us got louder and more frantic. Ryder's voice boomed out. "Ava! I know you're out there! Come back to your Alpha!"

I almost tripped. He wanted me back now? After everything?

Lucian's grip on my hand tightened. "Keep moving."

We burst into a small clearing and Lucian suddenly stopped. He pushed me behind his big body and snarled. Three big wolves stepped out from the other side. They weren't from Silver Moon. Their scents were unfamiliar and mean.

"Look what we have here," the biggest one growled, shifting into his half-human form. He had scars on his face and nasty yellow eyes. "The mighty Alpha King running with a rejected female. This is valuable information."

The other two wolves circled us, growling. My mark burned hotter, like it was warning me of danger. Lucian's claws came out and his eyes glowed brighter.

"Stay behind me, Ava," he ordered.

But the scarred wolf laughed. "Too late for that. Our Alpha has been looking for weaknesses in your kingdom. A forbidden mate bond with your own son's rejected girl? This changes everything."

One of the wolves lunged at us fast. Lucian roared and met him in the air, their bodies crashing together. I backed up, heart racing, claws out too even though I wasn't as strong as them.

The other two started moving toward me.

I was scared but the bond with Lucian gave me courage. I wasn't going to be weak anymore.

Then I heard more howls. Ryder and his pack were almost here.

We were surrounded.