Chapter 3 Draven (POV): The Choice That Haunts Him

‎The moment the Lycan King stepped into Moonveil territory, I knew something had gone terribly wrong.

‎The forest seemed to shrink beneath his presence, ancient trees bowing as if recognizing a ruler far older than any Alpha line. Power rolled off him in suffocating waves; raw, dominant, unmistakable. Every wolf in the clearing felt it. I saw it in the stiffened spines, the lowered gazes, the instinctive submission that rippled through the pack.

‎Even my father stood straighter.

‎Even I did.

‎I hated that.

‎I hated the way my wolf pressed against my ribs, restless and uneasy, as if sensing a predator far beyond our reach. I hated the way the night felt heavier with him here, the moon suddenly sharper, brighter almost blood-tinged.

‎But most of all, I hated where his eyes went.

‎Seris.

‎She stood partially hidden behind Theo, small and pale beneath the moonlight. Her scent soft, familiar brushed against my senses, and pain flared hot and unwanted in my chest.

‎The bond scar burned.

‎I clenched my jaw.

‎I had done what I needed to do.

‎I told myself that over and over again.

‎"She's nothing," I whispered under my breath, though no one stood close enough to hear. "An Omega. Weak. She would've ruined everything."

‎My wolf didn't answer.

‎He hadn't spoken since the rejection.

‎Alpha Lucien stepped forward, voice respectful but guarded. "King Xavian of the Bloodmoon Pack," he greeted. "To what do we owe the honor?"

‎Xavian stopped a few feet into the clearing. He didn't bow. He didn't smile. He simply stood there like the world belonged to him by right.

‎It probably did.

‎"I came because I felt a disturbance," Xavian said, his voice deep and calm and somehow more terrifying for it. "A mate bond was broken on this land."

‎The clearing went dead silent.

‎I felt every eye flick toward me.

‎Heat crawled up my spine.

‎"That matter has been settled," my father replied carefully. "The bond was rejected."

‎Xavian's gaze sharpened. "By choice?"

‎My throat tightened.

‎Lucien hesitated. "Yes."

‎The Lycan King's eyes glowed faintly gold.

‎"Interesting," he murmured.

‎I shifted my weight, unease twisting my gut. Something about the way he said it felt like a warning. Like a predator circling prey.

‎Then his gaze moved again.

‎Back to her.

‎Seris flinched when his eyes found her, instinctively stepping closer to Theo. That movement small, defensive sent a violent spike of emotion through me.

‎Possessiveness.

‎Regret.

‎Anger.

‎I shoved it down.

‎"She's irrelevant," I said suddenly, louder than I intended.

‎Heads turned.

‎Seris stiffened.

‎Xavian looked at me for the first time.

‎The weight of his attention nearly crushed me.

‎"You are?" he asked.

‎Draven of Moonveil Pack," I answered, lifting my chin. "Next-in-line Alpha."

‎His eyes swept over me slowly. Assessing. Cold.

‎"You rejected your mate," he stated.

‎It wasn't a question.

‎A murmur rippled through the crowd.

‎I forced myself not to falter. "I did what was best for my pack."

‎Xavian tilted his head slightly. "And what makes you believe that?"

‎"She is an Omega," I snapped. "Weak. Submissive. She would have been a liability."

‎Theo snarled softly.

‎I ignored him.

‎Xavian's gaze flickered briefly to Seris. Something unreadable passed through his expression.

‎Then the air changed.

‎Pressure slammed into the clearing, heavy and commanding. Wolves dropped to one knee without meaning to. My own wolf recoiled, instincts screaming submission.

‎Xavian hadn't moved.

‎But his power had.

‎"Never mistake gentleness for weakness," the Lycan King said quietly. "And never assume an Omega lacks value."

‎His eyes burned into mine.

‎"Some Omegas are born to kneel," he continued. "Others are born to rise."

‎My heart pounded violently.

‎I didn't know why his words felt like a blade to my ribs.

‎Xavian turned away from me as if I were no longer worth his attention. His focus returned to Seris fully, unmistakably.

‎I felt it then. A pull.

‎Sharp. Sudden. Terrifying.

‎My knees nearly buckled. No.

‎No, that wasn't possible.

‎The bond was broken. Severed. Gone.

‎And yet.

‎Xavian inhaled slowly, his expression hardening as something ancient and powerful stirred in his gaze.

‎Mate recognition.

‎The realization slammed into me like a fist.

‎Cold dread seeped into my bones.

‎"You," Xavian said, his voice resonating through the clearing. "Come here."

‎Seris froze.

‎Theo stepped forward instantly, placing himself between them. "She doesn't have to do anything."

‎Xavian's gaze shifted to Theo not angry, not offended.

‎Curious.

‎Then, unexpectedly, he inclined his head slightly. "I respect loyalty," he said. "But this does not concern you."

‎"It concerns me," Theo shot back. "Everything that happens to her does."

‎Something flickered in Xavian's eyes, approval, perhaps.

‎Seris swallowed and stepped around Theo before he could stop her. Her movements were hesitant but resolute.

‎"I'm here," she said softly.

‎The mate bond scar on her skin pulsed faintly.

‎Xavian took a single step closer.

‎The air crackled.

‎I couldn't breathe.

‎"This land has wronged you," Xavian said. "And fate is not finished with you."

‎Her eyes widened.

‎Theo stiffened.

‎The pack erupted into whispers.

‎"No," I muttered. "No, this isn't happening."

‎Mira's sharp intake of breath reached my ears. I glanced at her and saw fear etched across her features for the first time.

‎Good.

‎Xavian straightened and addressed the pack. "Moonveil Pack," he announced. "I will remain on your land for the night."

‎Lucien hesitated, then nodded. "You are... welcome."

‎Xavian's gaze dropped to Seris one last time.

‎"Rest," he said gently. "Tomorrow, we speak."

‎Then he turned and walked away, his warriors following like shadows.

‎The clearing exploded with noise the moment he disappeared into the forest.

‎I stood rooted to the spot, heart racing, hands trembling.

‎Theo guided Seris away, his arm protective around her shoulders. She didn't look back.

‎The bond scar on my chest burned violently, pain tearing through me like punishment.

‎For the first time since the rejection, my wolf spoke.

‎"You made the wrong choice".

‎I clenched my fists.

‎"No," I whispered. "I did what I had to."

‎But deep down, where the truth festered, I knew this wasn't over.

‎I had rejected my mate.

‎And fate had answered by giving her to a king.

‎