Rejected by the Lycan I Saved

The wind howled, and the rogues' snarls echoed like thunder. Another rogue lunged, and I slashed with my claws, only to cough up a mouthful of blood moments later.

"Sister Arya, let us help you!" Several Deltas tried to force their way into the barrier, their eyes frantic.

"Stand down!" I barked, my voice hoarse. "That’s an order!"

They hesitated, but I gritted my teeth and reinforced the final layer of the barrier, sealing them out. Even in this second life, I would give my last breath to protect them.

But my strength was fading, my grip on my claws slipping.

Just as the rogues closed in, a surge of energy sliced through the chaos, forcing them back.

Damon.

The snow seemed to part for him as he landed, his white coat billowing like a figure out of legend. But his first glance wasn’t at me.

It was at Monroe, who stumbled toward him, tears streaming down her face.

"Alpha Damon!" She threw herself into his arms, sobbing. "I told you Sister Arya was causing trouble! She insisted on fighting alone, knowing you were in the middle of your transformation. If the pack hadn’t been worried and disturbed you, it wouldn’t have failed again!"

Leo stepped forward, his voice trembling. "No, Sister Arya was protecting us. She—"

"Enough!" Monroe snapped, her tears falling faster. "Alpha Damon, you must set this right!"

I looked at Damon.

He was looking at me too.

His gaze was cold, as if I were a stranger.

"Arya. I know you’ve never respected me as your Alpha. The first time I transformed, it was the same. And now, you still refuse to learn."

Before I could speak, another wave of blood rose in my throat. I staggered, collapsing to my knees in the snow.

Monroe stepped forward, her voice panicked. "Alpha Damon, look at her aura—it’s unstable. Could she have used a forbidden ritual, just to prove herself?"

Damon’s expression darkened. He reached out, his fingers brushing my pulse point, and his eyes turned to ice.

"The ritual of reversal?" His voice was like frost. "You’d go that far?"

I chuckled weakly. "For the pack, it’s worth it."

He frowned, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.

Suddenly, Monroe let out a cry, clutching her hand.

"My palm…"

Her voice was shaky as she showed him the burns.

Damon took her hand gently, his brow furrowed, his expression stormy.

"Who did this?"

"Sister Arya…" Monroe’s voice trembled. "Her barrier had a defensive spell. I was trying to get through, and it burned me…"

Before she could finish, a flame shot from Damon’s fingertips.

I was engulfed in fire.

It didn’t burn my skin but seared my soul.

His Lycan fire, a manifestation of his inner power, was meant to purify.

"If you truly cared for the pack, you wouldn’t have acted alone, let alone harmed Monroe. Bear this fire. Return to the pack and confine yourself to reflect on your actions."

The pain was excruciating, my mind nearly shattering.

In the flames, I remembered years ago.

When I first joined the pack, he was the prodigious Alpha, cold and aloof, untouchable.

But in front of everyone, he watched my clumsy training and said softly, "Your stance is unsteady, but your finish is good."

It was the first time he’d complimented anyone.

After that, he’d bring me tea after late-night training, or when I strayed from missions, he’d stay close and say, "Arya, stay with me."

But after his failed transformation, when he believed Monroe had saved him, everything changed.

When Monroe made mistakes, he covered for her.

When she cried, he raged.

When she laughed, he smiled.

Later, when his transformation was at risk, I shielded him, but he only asked Monroe, "Are you alright?"

When the rogues attacked, I held the line, but he said I was reckless, unlike Monroe, who knew her limits.

And now, this fire—it was for her.

The Lycan fire burned away the last of my resolve, forcing out the words I’d held back for so long.

"Damon…"

I looked up at him, my voice shaking.

"Do you know who really saved you during your first transformation?"

Before I could finish, a searing pain exploded within me.

Blood surged up my throat, and I coughed violently.

It was the backlash of the blood oath.

Years ago, to save him, I’d snuck out of the pack and ventured into rogue territory to learn a forbidden ritual.

The blood oath was one of the most dangerous spells, requiring a sacrifice of my essence and a portion of my soul.

If I ever revealed the truth, even a single word, the backlash would destroy me.

Mildly, it would leave me coughing blood. Severely, it could shatter my mind and spirit.

When the ritual was completed, the rogue who taught it laughed coldly.

"Are all pack wolves this foolish? With your potential, you could have risen to greatness."

I held back my tears, thinking only of keeping him alive.

I thought I could bear it.

But watching him protect Monroe, believing her lies, it became unbearable.

Countless times, I wanted to explain, but I couldn’t.

Now, the backlash tore through me, my soul burning as if it were being ripped apart.

I collapsed to the ground, barely able to speak.

Damon frowned, a hint of pity in his eyes.

Monroe clutched her chest, sobbing. "Sister Arya, why bring up the past? When Alpha Damon was in danger, I only offered my essence to sustain him. I never wanted anyone to know…"

Damon pulled her close, comforting her.

"Your chest hurts? I’ll heal you when we return."

I had no strength left to argue.

As I was dragged away from the battlefield, blood dripped behind me.

And he never looked back.