Rejected Mythical luna

  Alpha Ron Jaxon, leader of the Blue Crescent Pack-the strongest in California-was growing desperate to find his mate. Without a Luna, his position as Alpha became more precarious by the day.

  His father never missed an opportunity to remind him.

  "What do you want, Dad?" I sighed, barely looking up from my desk.

  "You know exactly what I want."

  I clenched my jaw. "If I haven't found my mate yet, then it's not time." My voice was edged with frustration-I'd said the same thing a hundred times.

  This time, my father didn't argue. He just studied me for a moment before walking out, leaving behind the weight of unspoken expectations.

  What was the point of leading the strongest pack if all anyone ever asked was whether I'd found my Luna?

  Yes, I wanted to find her too. She would be the one person to love me unconditionally, and there wasn't a wolf alive who wouldn't want that. But I couldn't force fate.

  Even my pack was getting restless. Without a Luna, they felt incomplete. But none of them were as anxious as I was.

  A mind-link from my Beta, Turner, pulled me from my thoughts. Alpha, patrol is ready to begin.

  "I'll be there."

  I didn't need to join the patrols, not as Alpha. But I welcomed the distraction.

  By the time I reached the border, Turner was already waiting. He nodded in respect before speaking.

  "Knew I'd find you here."

  I smirked. "You know me too well."

  "I heard your father stopped by. Still on the same topic?" he asked, concern in his voice.

  I let out a low growl. "What else? It's like he doesn't have anything to say to me unless it involves my mate."

  Turner chuckled. "He just wants the best for you. And the pack believes a Luna completes us."

  "They can believe whatever the hell they want. That won't make her magically appear in front of me, now will it?"

  Turner gave me a knowing look but didn't push further. A mind-link interrupted us, calling him back to the pack house.

  "I'll check in later," he said before shifting into his wolf and taking off.

  I continued toward the border, letting my thoughts drift-until suddenly, everything changed.

  A scent hit me like a bolt of lightning.

  Vanilla. Soft, sweet, and utterly unique. It was intoxicating. My wolf, who had been restless for months, howled in pure joy.

  Mate.

  I froze.

  Just ahead, standing at the edge of my territory, was a figure with her back turned to me.

  I took a step forward, heart pounding in my chest. But then, beneath her alluring scent, I caught something else-faint, but unmistakable.

  A rogue.

  I clenched my fists. My mate is a rogue?

  The thought made no sense. Rogues were dangerous, unpredictable, and usually exiled for a reason. But my wolf didn't care. He wanted to claim her.

  Cautiously, I approached.

  She must have sensed me, because she turned-and when our eyes met, my world shifted.

  Her blue eyes were the color of the ocean, striking and deep. I had never seen anyone like her. She was breathtaking.

  My mate.

  Mine.

  I could see the realization dawn in her eyes as well. She stared at me, unsure, hesitant.

  Slowly, I reached out, my hand brushing against her cheek.

  "What's your name?"

  She blinked, as if unsure I was speaking to her. Then, barely above a whisper, she said, "Rexxona."

  I repeated her name, savoring the sound. My wolf basked in the moment, reveling in the connection.

  "Finally," I murmured under my breath.

  She opened her mouth to say something, but I interrupted.

  "Save it for when we get back to the pack house, dear."

  She stiffened slightly, but I didn't let go of her. Instead, I mind-linked my pack.

  Our Luna has arrived.

  The response was instant-pure, unrestrained joy rippling through the bond.

  Rexxona POV:

  Finding my mate wasn't part of my plan.

  And finding him here? That sure as hell wasn't expected.

  I had come to the Blue Crescent Pack for one reason-to find the book that could tell me what I was. And now, instead of sneaking around, I was being led straight to their pack house like a lovestruck girl following her crush.

  Way to go, Rex, I muttered under my breath.

  Yes, I was happy to have found my mate. Maron would be ecstatic.

  But this was the worst timing ever.

  You need to gain his trust, Rex, my wolf, Ria, whispered in my mind. The book is here. And the pack elders may know more about your powers. If you play this right, he will help you.

  I swallowed hard.

  For once, I agreed with her.

  I just prayed everything would go well.

  The grand pack house loomed over me, its sheer size making me feel small. The moment we stepped inside, I could feel dozens of eyes on me. Whispers filled the air, wolves murmuring to each other about their Alpha's newly found mate.

  Ron kept a firm hand on my lower back, guiding me through the main hall, his touch both protective and possessive. I could feel his tension-he had questions.

  As soon as we reached the staircase leading to the upper floors, he finally spoke.

  "You're a rogue." It wasn't a question.

  I stiffened but met his gaze. "Yes."

  His jaw clenched. "Why?"

  I exhaled, gripping the stair's railing. "I'll tell you in due time."

  His expression darkened, but he didn't push. "I'll hold you to that, mate."

  The way he said mate sent a shiver through me. His wolf was close to the surface, restless.

  We continued up the stairs, the silence stretching between us. When we reached the highest floor, he led me into a spacious room. It smelled like him-earthy, masculine, with a hint of something uniquely Ron.

  "This is my room." His voice was softer now, almost hesitant.

  I glanced around. The room was massive, decorated in dark tones with a king-sized bed against the far wall. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the pack's training grounds.

  "You'll stay here," he said, watching for my reaction.

  My lips parted in surprise. "With you?"

  His golden eyes flashed. "Of course. You're my mate."

  I swallowed hard. This was happening too fast. I had come here for a book, for answers-not to be pulled into some whirlwind romance with the Alpha of the strongest pack in California.

  Sensing my hesitation, Ron took a step back. "Get some rest. I have things to take care of."

  And just like that, he was gone.

  The moment I was alone, I couldn't sit still. There was too much at stake.

  I slipped out of the room, moving quietly down the hall. If I was lucky, I could find the library before Ron returned.

  The pack house was enormous, but instinct led me where I needed to go. At the end of a long corridor, I found a heavy wooden door.

  I pushed it open.

  Rows upon rows of books lined the walls, stretching toward the ceiling. It smelled of parchment and ink-old knowledge.

  I scanned the titles, searching desperately. Then, finally, I saw it.

  The Book of the Ancients.

  My hands trembled as I pulled it from the shelf. Maron had been right-it existed. The answers to my past, to my power, were in my grasp.

  I pressed the book against my chest, ready to leave. But the moment I stepped into the hallway, I sensed them.

  A group of warriors stood at the pack grounds below, their eyes narrowing the second they spotted me.

  "Intruder!" one barked.

  I tucked the book behind me, heart pounding.

  "Identify yourself!"

  I didn't respond. I couldn't. If they found out I had taken something from their sacred library, I wouldn't make it out of here.

  Their hesitation lasted only a second before they moved in, forming a tight circle around me.

  "Mind-link the Alpha," one growled.

  Panic clawed at my throat. This was bad. Really bad.

  Within moments, I felt his presence.

  Ron.

  He stormed into the clearing, golden eyes glowing with raw authority. The warriors stepped aside, bowing their heads in deference.

  "What the hell is going on?" his voice was sharp, commanding.

  "She refused to identify herself, Alpha," one of them explained. "And she was sneaking around."

  Ron's gaze snapped to me. His eyes darted to the way I clutched something behind my back.

  "Rexxona," he said slowly. "What did you do?"

  I opened my mouth to explain-to lie-but before I could, one of the warriors lunged.

  I never got the chance to think.

  The surge of power came without warning, rushing through my veins like fire. A violent pulse of energy exploded from my body, sending two warriors flying backward.

  They hit the ground hard. And didn't get up.

  Dead.

  The scent of blood filled the air.

  Silence.

  I looked at my hands in horror, the green energy still flickering at my fingertips.

  The warriors around me recoiled, eyes wide with terror.

  Ron... didn't move.

  I turned to him, my voice shaking. "I didn't mean to-"

  "Enough."

  His voice was like ice.

  Then, in front of his entire pack, he uttered the words that shattered me.

  "I, Alpha Ron Jaxon, reject you as my mate."

  The world tilted.

  Pain, raw and unforgiving, tore through my chest.

  I gasped, clutching at my heart as the mate bond severed.

  And I collapsed to the floor.