CHASING HIS REJECTED LUNA

Ava's POVThe ballroom glittered with a thousand lights, but all I could see was the way Adrian's eyes had changed when he walked in.Four years. We'd been together for four years. He chose me when everyone said a future Alpha needed his fated mate, not some ordinary pack member with nothing special about her. But Adrian had looked at me like I was his entire world and promised that no bond decreed by fate could be stronger than what we built together.I was stupid enough to believe him.Now I stood three feet behind him, watching as Sophia, his actual fated mate, practically threw herself into his arms. The crowd around us had gone completely silent, everyone holding their breath to see what would happen. The great Alpha Adrian finally meets his destined Luna at the annual Summit Ball.How romantic.My nails dug into my palms as I watched him freeze, his whole body going rigid. Then slowly, so slowly it felt like torture, his arms came up and wrapped around her waist.He didn't push

Ava's POVThe week passed in a blur of avoidance and awkward silences.Adrian and I barely spoke. He spent most of his time with Sophia, showing her around the pack territory and introducing her to important pack members. I caught glimpses of them together, walking through the gardens, having lunch in his office, training in the gym. Always laughing, always touching.The mate bond was getting stronger. I could see it in the way he looked at her.I'd made up my mind to skip the gala entirely. The thought of watching them together all night was more than I could bear. But then Maya, Adrian's sister, had cornered me."Please come," she'd begged. "Aunt Catherine told me she invited you. If you don't go, Sophia wins completely. At least show her you're not running away with your tail between your legs.""That's exactly what I'm doing though.""Then stop. You're Ava freaking Morrison. You helped reorganize our entire pack structure. You single-handedly improved our relations with three neig

Adrian's POVI watched Ava climb out of my aunt's car, looking like a goddess in that obscene dress. Every protective instinct I had screamed at me to wrap her in a blanket and hide her from the world.She was mine. Had been mine for four years. No mate bond was going to change that."It's late, Adrian," she said tiredly. "I'm not doing this tonight.""You found your fated mate." I stood, blocking her path to the door. "Were you even going to tell me?""Why would I? You found yours and didn't hesitate to parade her around in front of me."The accusation stung because it was true. I'd been so caught up in the mate bond with Sophia that I'd neglected Ava. Pushed her aside like our four years together meant nothing."That was different.""How?" She laughed bitterly. "Because you're the Alpha and you can do whatever you want? Because your mate bond matters but mine doesn't?""Because I love you!" The words burst out of me. "I love you, Ava. Not Sophia. You."She flinched like I'd struck h

Ava's POVThe air changed before I saw him.My wolf stirred inside me, restless and alert in a way she had not been for years. She pushed against my consciousness, whining softly, and I pressed my hand against the window as if I could steady myself against the glass.Then I saw the black car pull up to the front entrance. Sleek, expensive, and unmistakably powerful. Just like the man who stepped out of it.Prince Dante Salvatore moved with the kind of confidence that came from knowing you were the most dangerous person in any room. He wore dark jeans and a simple black shirt, no formal attire, but somehow he looked more commanding than Adrian ever did in his Alpha ceremonial robes.My heart hammered against my ribs. My wolf pushed harder, demanding I go to him, but I forced myself to stay still and watched from behind the curtain.Adrian appeared at the front door within seconds, his posture rigid and defensive. Even from this distance, I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way

Ava's POVThe cello's last note fades into silence and I realize I've been holding my breath. The music was beautiful. Heartbreaking. The kind that makes you feel things you've been trying not to feel.Dante sits across from me, wine glass in hand, watching me with those dark eyes. He hasn't pushed for conversation. Hasn't asked about my hike with Adrian. He's just been present, letting the quartet speak for him.It's unnerving how comfortable the silence is."Thank you," I say finally, setting down my fork. The lunch was perfect. Everything was perfect. That's what bothers me. "For this. For the music. For not asking questions.""You don't owe me thanks." Dante leans back in his chair, and the afternoon sun catches his face. He's handsome. I've noticed before, but right now it hits me differently. "I'm just showing you who I am. No pressure. No expectations.""Everything has expectations." I take a sip of wine, needing something to do with my hands. "You expect me to be impressed. To