THE MATE SHE REJECTED

The rogues froze, for a heartbeat, no one moved. Then Lysander released a roar-like howl that split the silence. Fear spread through the rogues like wildfire. But they were too many and too bloodthirsty to run away so easily. They attacked. Five of them launched themselves at him. Their jaws were open and their teeth were ready to shred. But Lysander moved with impossible speed. He ducked, turned, and with a powerful swipe of his paw sent two flying into the trees. Another tried to bite his flank, but he twisted in the middle of the move and crushed it beneath his weight. One after another they came. And one after another they fell. He fought like a beast possessed. He was primal and relentless. His claws slashed through flesh and bone. His teeth clamped down on necks and limbs. Howls of pain filled the forest as rogue after rogue collapsed under his fury. Some tried to run. But he chased them down and made sure none would return to finish what they started. Then the tide shifted. The remaining rogues hesitated. Their snarls became weak. Lysander stood tall in the clearing. Blood stained his white coat. His eyes glowed with raw power. He growled deep and menacing. That was all it took. With whimpers and yelps the survivors turned and fled into the trees. Their tails were tucked between their legs. They vanished into the dark like shadows. Silence returned. Lysander let out a victorious howl that echoed across the trees. Then he slowly stumbled back. His body trembled. His vision blurred. And then he collapsed beside Zane. In the same glowing light that had transformed him, his form shifted back. His bones cracked in reverse as he returned to human form. He was naked, bloodied, and breathing hard. Zane had crawled out from behind the log. He was barely conscious. A thin cut ran across his forehead. "Lysa..." he murmured. His voice was weak. "I am here..." Lysander whispered. He reached for him. The bracelet on his wrist shimmered once more. It glowed steadily. A soft hum filled the air as a protective barrier like a translucent dome of light emerged from it. The dome encased both brothers. Warmth flooded through them. Zane collapsed beside him. He was unconscious but safe. Lysander's eyes fluttered shut. They were alive. For now. --- THE NEXT DAY The morning air was crisp. But Astra barely felt it as she stepped out of the pack house in her school uniform. Her bag was slung lazily over her shoulder. Her thoughts were distant. They were still tangled in the events of last night. The rejection, the tension, and the pain in Lysander's eyes before he turned away. She sighed. She was ready to push the memory to the back of her mind when a commotion at the training field caught her attention. A small crowd had gathered. Guards stood stiffly in front of Alpha Wynter. Curious, Astra slowed her steps. Then she began to approach. She kept herself hidden behind a wooden post near the corridor that overlooked the field. Her breath caught as she saw what lay at the Alpha's feet. Three bloodied, mangled bodies wrapped in torn clothing. Dirt and dried blood covered their skin. Her stomach twisted. Her fingers went numb. "What happened to them?" Alpha Wynter demanded. His voice was sharp with disbelief and fury. "Someone reported finding them just outside their house," one of the guards replied grimly. "They were attacked last night by rogues." "Rogues?" Alpha Wynter repeated. His eyebrows knitted together. "That is impossible. We have guards posted at every entrance to the territory. How could they have gotten in?" The guards glanced uneasily at one another. "We... we do not know, Alpha. But the wounds are unmistakable. Claw marks, bite wounds. Some even appear to have been mauled beyond recognition." "We are sorry, Alpha," another guard added quickly. "We will double the patrols. This kind of lapse will not happen again." Astra's heart pounded as she watched the Alpha kneel by one of the bodies. His hand brushed over a torn pack crest still clinging to a shredded shirt. "Any survivors?" he asked. His voice was lower now, almost hopeful. "We are not sure. But... their two sons, Lysander and Zane... their bodies were not found. It is possible the rogues took them." The guard's voice was hesitant. Astra's eyes widened in shock. She took a step back without thinking. Her hand flew to her mouth. Lysander... Zane... "No," she whispered to herself. "Find them," the Alpha commanded. He rose to his feet. "Search every inch of that forest. If they are alive, we bring them home. If they are dead-" he stopped himself and shook his head. "Just find them." The guards nodded and quickly dispersed. Astra turned and stumbled back toward the pack house. Her vision was blurry. Her chest felt tight with something she could not quite explain. She pushed open the door to her room and leaned against it. She closed her eyes as everything spun around her. This is my fault, she thought. If I had not rejected him... if I had not been so cruel... maybe he would not have left last night. Maybe he would not be gone now. She sank onto her bed. She held her head in her hands. Her heart ached. A sharp pain clawed at her chest. "Feeling sad?" a voice cut through the silence. Astra's head snapped up. Kieran was standing in her room. He leaned casually against the wall with his arms folded. She had not even heard him come in. "What are you doing here?" she asked. She wiped a tear before it could fall. "I heard what happened outside," he said. He walked toward her. "Everyone is talking about it." She turned her face away. "He is my mate..." she said softly. She spoke more to herself than to him. There was a pause. "So you care about him?" She did not answer. Kieran chuckled dryly. "You know... I found my mate yesterday too." Astra's eyes snapped to his. "You did?" He nodded. "Some girl from the Moonshade Pack. Sweet, quiet... not my type." "Oh..." Astra murmured. She was unsure of how to respond. "But I rejected her immediately." His voice was firm. He stepped closer and cupped her face in his hands. "Because I only want you. I have only ever wanted you." Astra's breath hitched. "I love you, Astra. I do not care what the Moon Goddess says, or fate, or any of that crap. You are all I want." "I... I love you too," she whispered. The words felt hollow. His eyes lit up. "Then let us get married." "What?" "Let us get married," he repeated. "Your father adores me. He will agree if you ask him. We do not need a mate bond to prove we are meant for each other." "But Kieran... we are still in school," she said. Her voice was unsure. "Is not marriage too fast?" "I have never wanted anything more," he said. He pulled her into a tight hug. "I need you, Astra. I want you. We belong together. If the Moon Goddess will not approve, then we will prove her wrong." Astra stood still in his arms. Her eyes stared blankly over his shoulder. "...Okay," she said softly. Kieran pulled back. He was grinning. "Yes! That is all I needed to hear." He kissed her forehead. Then he pulled her into another embrace. "Thank you, Astra." She did not speak. Her gaze remained unfocused as silent tears slipped down her cheeks. Each one fell heavier than the last. She did not even know why she was crying. But deep down, her soul did. --- AT THE WOOD A group of men in white garments moved silently through the forest. The one leading them held a glowing stone that pulsed brighter with each step. They followed its light until it stopped. The stone glowed intensely before a shimmering shield. Inside the dome, Lysander and Zane lay unconscious. They were protected by a soft blue light. "We have found the Alpha Prince," one of the men whispered. Awe filled his voice. Without hesitation they all dropped to their knees around the shield. Their heads bowed in deep reverence. The glowing stone continued to hum as if confirming the truth. "The prophecy lives," the leader murmured. "He has returned." He added.