Fia's heart pounded violently in her chest.
Lucian Blackthorn.
The name alone was enough to make most wolves tremble.
He was the Alpha King who ruled over several powerful packs. Cold. Ruthless. Untouchable.
And right now, he was holding her wrist.
Fia instinctively tried to pull away.
"I–I'm sorry," she stammered. "I didn't know this territory belonged to you."
Lucian didn't release her.
Instead, his golden eyes studied her carefully, as if she were some strange puzzle.
"You crossed the border of my land," he said calmly.
His voice was deep and controlled, yet it carried the weight of command.
"Wolves who trespass usually don't leave."
Fia's breath caught.
Fear crept up her spine.
"I didn't mean to," she whispered. "I'll leave right now."
She tried to step back again.
But Lucian's grip tightened slightly.
Then he leaned closer.
His nose brushed lightly against her hair as he inhaled her scent.
Fia froze.
A strange heat spread through her body.
Lucian's eyes darkened.
"Well," he murmured slowly, "this is unexpected."
Fia blinked nervously.
"What… what is?"
Lucian didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he tilted his head, watching her with unsettling intensity.
"You were rejected tonight."
It wasn't a question.
Fia felt her chest tighten again.
The memory of the wedding hall, the laughter, and Darius' cold words rushed back.
She looked down quickly.
"Yes."
Lucian studied her face.
"A rejected mate rarely survives the pain so calmly," he said.
Fia gave a weak laugh.
"Trust me… it doesn't feel calm."
For a moment, silence filled the forest.
The moonlight filtered through the trees, illuminating Lucian's sharp features.
He suddenly released her wrist.
But instead of stepping away, he moved closer.
Too close.
Fia could feel the warmth of his body.
Her wolf stirred again.
Confused.
Restless.
Lucian's gaze dropped to her neck.
"Tell me," he said quietly, "what did he say when he rejected you?"
Fia hesitated.
Why did this terrifying Alpha care?
But something about his voice made it impossible to lie.
"He said I was weak," she admitted softly. "That someone like me could never stand beside an Alpha."
Lucian's eyes flickered with something dark.
"Is that so?"
Before Fia could react, Lucian suddenly reached out and lifted her chin with his fingers.
The gesture was gentle…
But commanding.
"Look at me."
Fia slowly met his gaze.
The moment their eyes locked, her wolf shivered again.
Lucian's expression changed.
A slow smile appeared on his lips.
"Interesting."
Her heart skipped.
"Why do you keep saying that?"
Lucian leaned closer.
So close she could feel his breath.
"Because," he said softly, "the man who rejected you must be a complete fool."
Fia blinked in shock.
Lucian straightened and crossed his arms.
"You see," he continued calmly, "your scent tells a very different story."
Fia frowned slightly.
"My scent?"
Lucian's golden eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
"Yes."
He paused before delivering the words that made her entire world spin again.
"You are not weak, little wolf."
His voice dropped to a low whisper.
"You are my mate."
Fia's heart stopped.
"What…?"
The forest seemed to go silent around them.
Lucian's gaze remained fixed on her.
Cold.
Powerful.
Unavoidable.
"The Moon Goddess rarely makes mistakes," he said.
Fia shook her head quickly.
"No… that's impossible."
Her mate had already rejected her.
The bond had broken.
Lucian stepped closer again.
His Alpha aura filled the air, overwhelming and powerful.
"Broken bonds can reveal new ones," he said calmly.
Fia's chest rose and fell rapidly.
"This can't be happening…"
Lucian studied her reaction with amusement.
"You look terrified."
"I am!"
He chuckled softly.
Then his expression turned serious.
"Good."
Fia blinked.
"Why is that good?"
Lucian's eyes glowed again.
"Because you just became the mate of the most dangerous Alpha alive."
The wind suddenly picked up, rustling the trees around them.
And far away…
A group of wolves began approaching rapidly.
Lucian's expression darkened.
"It seems your pack has come looking for you."
Fia's heart dropped.
If they found her here with the Alpha King…
Everything would get even worse.
Lucian looked down at her again.
This time, there was no amusement in his eyes.
Only authority.
"Stay close to me," he said quietly.
"Because after tonight…"
His lips curved slightly.
"Your life will never be the same."