REJECTED BY THE ALPHA, CLAIMED BY HIS FATHER

Everything happened so fast. Lucian was still fighting the biggest scarred wolf, their bodies slamming together with loud growls and snaps of teeth. The other two wolves came straight at me, eyes glowing with hunger. I backed up quick, my heart pounding like a drum.

"Stay away!" I shouted. My claws were out and the mark on my wrist burned so hot it felt like fire. Power rushed through me. I didn't know where it came from but I used it.

The first wolf lunged. I dodged and slashed my claws across his side. He yelped in pain. The second one tried to bite my leg but I kicked hard, catching him in the jaw. My wolf was wide awake now, angry and strong because of the new bond.

Lucian roared and threw the scarred wolf into a tree. The tree cracked and the wolf didn't get up fast. Lucian turned to me, blood on his shirt but he looked okay. "Ava, behind me!"

He grabbed me and we ran again. The rival wolves howled behind us but we were faster. The bond between us made us move together like we had practiced this a hundred times. His power mixed with mine and it felt amazing. Scary, but amazing.

We ran for what felt like forever. My legs ached and my ripped dress was basically rags now. Finally Lucian pulled me into a hidden cave near the border of his territory. He pushed some rocks in front to block the entrance a little.

We both breathed hard in the dark. Only a little moonlight came in. I could see his silver eyes watching me.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, stepping closer. His hand touched my arm gently. Sparks flew again from the mark. It calmed me down even though I was still shaking.

"I'm okay," I said. "Thanks to you. But what the hell is going on? First Ryder rejects me, then this mark appears, and now I'm bonded to his father? The King? This is going to destroy everything."

Lucian nodded. He looked tired but his eyes were still intense. "The old stories talk about second chance bonds like this. Rare. Powerful. The mark chooses when the first bond breaks badly. Ryder's rejection opened the door for us. But yes... it's forbidden in many eyes. Father and son. Two Alphas fighting over one mate. It could start a war between packs."

I sat down on a rock, pulling my knees up. "I don't want to be the reason for a war. I just wanted to be happy. To have a mate who wanted me." My voice cracked a little. The pain from Ryder's words still hurt.

Lucian sat next to me. He was so big his shoulder touched mine. The bond warmed up again, pushing the hurt away. "I want you, Ava. Not just because of the bond. I felt it the second the mark called me. You're strong. You ran instead of begging him. That's a Luna. My Luna."

His words made my face warm. I looked at him. Up close he was handsome in a dangerous way. Older than Ryder but not old. Strong jaw, dark hair, and those eyes that made my wolf want to submit. I hated how much I liked it.

Before I could say anything, noises came from outside the cave. Howls. Snarls. Both Ryder's pack and those rival wolves. They were fighting each other now.

"They're here," I whispered. "What do we do?"

Lucian stood up fast and pulled me with him. "We fight our way to my main territory. Once we're there, my pack will protect us. But you have to trust me completely."

I nodded. The mark glowed brighter like it agreed. We moved out of the cave quietly at first, then ran when the fighting sounds got louder.

We burst into another clearing and there he was - Ryder. He shifted back to human form, shirtless and angry. His eyes went wide when he saw me next to Lucian. Then he saw our hands together and the glowing mark.

"What the fuck is this?" Ryder roared. "Ava! You're mine! I rejected you but I take it back. Come here now!"

Lucian pushed me behind him and growled loud. "She is not yours anymore, boy. The Goddess gave her to me. Touch her and I will end you."

Ryder looked shocked, then furious. "Father... you? With her? This is sick. Twisted. The packs will never accept this!"

Other wolves from both sides started circling. The rival scarred wolf was there too, watching with an evil smile. He was enjoying the chaos.

I stepped out a little, even though my knees felt weak. "I'm not going back, Ryder. You broke me in front of everyone. Now leave me alone."

The tension was so thick I could barely breathe. Any second someone was going to attack.

Then the scarred rival wolf howled a signal. More wolves poured out from the trees. Way more. An ambush.

Lucian cursed. "It's a trap!"

We were completely surrounded. Ryder looked ready to fight his own father. The rivals wanted blood. And my mark was pulsing like it was about to do something big.

I didn't know who to trust or how we were going to get out of this alive.