Chapter four

Sophia's POV 

I ran as far as my legs could carry me, not ready to stay back and face the drama. I never would have imagined a day like this would come. It was the last thing I expected.

My own mate rejecting me—on our wedding day—was too much to bear. I wouldn’t wish this pain on even my worst enemy.

I didn’t care what happened anymore. I just wanted to leave this place, to go far away. Maybe I should have seen it coming, especially since my mother-in-law never really liked me.

I had hoped I’d win her over after the mating ceremony. But it turns out I was the only one dreaming of a happy family. I can’t stay in this pack—not after everything, not after the humiliation.

I didn’t know what would happen to Evelyn. I just hoped she would be okay. I prayed she wouldn’t get into trouble because of me.

I kept running through the woods. I wasn’t sure how long it had been—minutes or hours. Eventually, I came to a stop.

My throat was dry. I needed water. I looked around, hoping to find a river nearby.

I kept walking, my legs heavy, tired and disoriented in the woods.

Then I heard it—the howl of a rogue.

Panic shot through me. I knew I was in trouble. I didn’t know what crime I had committed or why the Moon Goddess was punishing me.

“Lyla... what do I do?” I whispered, desperate. But she remained silent.

I wasn’t strong enough. I couldn’t fight a rogue. Maybe this was it—my end. Maybe I was suffering for some hidden sin. Maybe... I didn’t deserve to live.

“Run. As fast as you can,” Lyla said suddenly, her voice sharp and clear.

It was the first time she’d spoken since the rejection—and it stopped me from giving up.

I started running, as fast as my legs could carry me. I didn’t even know where the strength came from.

I could still hear them—the rogues—rustling through the leaves behind me. They were close. But then... the sound stopped.

I wanted to look back. I needed to know why they’d stopped chasing me.

But just as I turned, I tripped over a stone and crashed to the ground.

“Aish!” I groaned, clutching my side in pain.

And then I saw him.

His steps made no sound, but I felt him before I saw him—a shift in the air, a sudden chill. Then he stepped out of the shadows, tall and unreadable, his gold eyes glowing like fire beneath a storm.

He stopped in front of me, blocking the moonlight. His presence was suffocating, dangerous, yet I couldn’t move.

I didn’t know who he was, but every instinct in me screamed that he wasn’t just an ordinary wolf.

And then, he spoke—low, firm, and cold.

“You’re mine now” he said, locking eyes with me.

I froze. Did he just… say that to me?

I  blinked fast, thinking the figure would vanish. But he didn’t. He stood there—tall, fierce, real. The moonlight revealed him fully, and his eyes locked onto mine like a storm waiting to strike.

His voice played again in my head, deep and chilling.

“You are mine now" What does that mean?. Perhaps was he talking to someone else? 

I tried to sit up, but every muscle screamed. My body felt broken, and my thoughts weren’t any better. Silence stretched between us, and my heart beat like it wanted out of my chest.

“Are… are you talking to me?” My voice cracked, weak and uncertain. “How can I be yours? You don’t even know me.”

His gaze burned through me, his voice deep and commanding. “I don’t care who you are,” he said, eyes glowing. “But from now on, you’re mine. And I don’t share what belongs to me.”

I stared at him, stunned. What was he talking about? How could someone show up from nowhere and claim a rejected bride?

I waited for Lyla to respond, for her to say something—anything. But she was silent. Numb. Someone had just claimed us after a painful rejection, and she wouldn’t even speak up.

“You’re in my lane,” he said again, his tone firmer, colder. “And everyone in my lane belongs to me.”

I blinked again. Belongs to him? Was he insane?

“I don’t understand,” I said, my voice sharp now. “What exactly do you mean?”

“This is my territory. Any wolf who trespasses is subject to capture and punishment according to my rules—unless I say otherwise.” His voice was deep and emotionless.

I didn’t understand what was going on, but fear crawled up my spine. Who was this man? Why was he claiming this land like it belonged to him? I glanced around and noticed figures—guards—from a distance, barely visible in the darkness.

Had I escaped one nightmare just to walk into another? From frying pan to fire…

“Why is the territory yours?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“I am Alpha King Adam.”

The name struck something in me. I hadn’t met him before, but I knew of him. Everyone did. The feared Lycan king—ruthless, powerful, untouchable. The kind of Alpha others whispered about in fear.

Tears welled in my eyes. I was trapped, and this time, I knew there was no way out.

I shuddered as tears filled my eyes. "I have nothing to offer you, can you please just let me go. I am a rejected mate, I am useless and won't be of any used to you" I pleaded, my hands clasping together in plead. 

He bent lower, his face inches from mine, and smirked. "That’s what makes it interesting."

I froze. What was interesting? My rejection? My pain? My complete lack of worth?

“You possess what I’ve been seeking,” he said, his voice low and final—like a sentence being passed.

My heart dropped. Possess what? My mind spiraled. Was he going to use me for something dark? Something disgusting? I didn’t know what kind of man he truly was, but there was no kindness in his expression.

I begged again, wishing he’d hear my cry, and let me go. “I have nothing to offer you,” I whispered, voice trembling. “I’m a rejected mate… useless to you. Please, just let me go.”

He straightened and gave a slight shake of his head. “No one tells me how to do things.”

Then he waved a hand toward the guards.

Panic exploded in my chest.

This is it, I thought. First, I was rejected. Then, abandoned by my wolf. Now? Reduced to nothing more than a slave under a ruthless king.

Her instincts would have told me what to do in this situation, but now, I was left all alone with a Lycan who could still mean me harm.

Unavoidable tears stung the corners of my eyes, the droplets hitting my face. It was almost funny how I thought I didn’t have more tears inside me to spill out, yet here they were, making me appear stupid in front of Adam.

The guards approached quickly, and tears filled the corner of my eyes.

My chest tightened. Panic clawed through me. I shook, trying to hold it together, but the tears came anyway. I didn’t even think I had any left. I was wrong.

I wanted to hate him. But part of me feared him more.

And then, just when I thought I would crumble before him and leave whatever happened next to time and chance, seeing as the Moon Goddess had abandoned me, the Lycan’s voice suddenly pierced through the gloom in the air.

“Prepare a room for our queen.” Even though he didn’t say it in a loud tone, barely moving his lips, I knew the guards behind him could hear. “And inform the inner court that there would be a coronation. In eight days.”

The forest halted abruptly, and even the wind seemed to pause.

I blinked fast, wiping my tears. “What do you mean? Coronation for who?”

 Adam turned to face me fully now. His eyes made me spellbound, and I struggled to catch my train of thought. He knew the effect his gaze had on me, yet, used it against me.

I swallowed. “Who’s the Luna?”

His lips raised in a snicker, but that was all the response I was getting. He shrugged and turned around, leaving me staring at his retreating form, those broad shoulders making him the most feral man alive.

.