Chapter two: chosen, yet denied.

Finnick's pov

Still boiling with fury, I headed straight to the pack house from the woods. 

The scrunch of leaves under my boots echoing the mayhem in my thoughts.

How dare the moon goddess? How could she pair me with a weakling. 

My wolf growled and agitated with me__matching close to pack house. The cliff structure emerged ahead of me, a sign of authority and dominance, yet it felt like a prison tonight.

 The fragrance of that girl lingered as I walked through hallway, increasing my rage.

She was lucky I had more pressing issues to handle, or I wouldn't have allowed her Togo scot free for standing before me as my mate. A weakling before the strongest and most feared wolf of my clan.

 Approaching the entrance of the pack house, I saw the towering stone walls staring like silent sentinels, keeping the world out. The air smelled cool and the scent of night lingered in it, the trees whispering in the distance. My mind was heavy with thoughts of what awaited inside. My mother. Luna Margot.

In the pack there was none who bore a greater fear than my mother. Her authority was absolute. Her word was law. She ruled with an iron hand and her protection of the pack's patrimony was the supreme goal of her life.

She was pack loyal when it was convenient but if anything came along that threatened her control she would destroy it.

In her training I learned to be powerful strong. To lead a pack. To be leader. But behind a perfectionist façade she was manipulative. She taught me how to keep up appearances. How to keep them afraid. How to be in control. At any cost.

Even in her human status, she radiates the authority of a garnished alpha. Her piercing sharp blue eyes locked onto my fury sight, I could tell the what's beneath her from her composed exterior.

"Alpha finnick Logan,"She said, her voice calm and clipped.

Luna Margot,My beta, my mother.

You’ve been celebrating joyfully, I see,” she said, looking at me. She had an even tone, but there was a cliff to it that made me shiver. “Interesting choice, coming back so late. Did the celebration in the woods make you feel … good?”

Swallowing, I knew what she was asking. Her nonchalance wasn’t fooling anybody. She knew what had occurred. She knew I had rejected freya, and I could see the anger in her eyes.

“I did what had to be done” I responded, trying to make my voice confident.

 "I heard what happened over there.

Of course, she had. I wasn't shocked, news travelled quick in the pack, especially when it had to do with an alpha rejecting his Luna. I didn't bother hiding my fury and frustrations. "Okay, now what of it? You of everyone should know the reasons behind my actions". I snapped quickly, my voice harsh and steady.

You rejected her, Finnick? She was the one who was to become your mate? What did you want to prove? That you are strong? That you are not weaker than anyone?” She shook her head, and her eyes flashed something dangerous. “Do you think I do not know what you did?"

flinched, the weight of her words hit me like a rock. She never spoke in that way. Never in that tone. The power she gave off was like a blanket, smothering me.

I opened my mouth to speak. She raised her hand to silence me.

You’ve wrecked all of it,” she murmured, so softly that for a moment, I wondered if I’d caught her correctly. “She was supposed to be a perfection for you. She was supposed to fit the mold, to be a strength to this pack. You’re too reckless, Finnick. Your emotions have overshadowed your ability to see.

I paused for a moment, running my hand through my soft hairs. "I won't accept a weak Luna by my side. You've always stand on it. Not now. Not ever."

Her eyes narrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. Her arms tightly crossed over her chest. " I understand finnick. But that doesn't mean I accept the way you let things played. Make a mockery of her? Humiliating her in front of everyone? That's below you finnick".

Her expressions softened, but her eyes remains steady. " I've always said and wanted you to have a strong Luna, yes I know. But power isn't just about control. It's about leadership. You may have rejected your chosen Luna but the way everything played out speaks low of you, not her."

Those words struck a nerve, but I don't know care how it reflects on my life. 

My mother stepped closer. "I know you're angry, I know you feel awkward about everything, feel of being played by the moon goddess. But don't let it blanket your judgement. You are alpha finnick Logan, your actions have repercussions weather you accept it or not."

I turned away hiding my gaze from her. At some point, she was right and I hated to admit. Openly admitting to this proves I had made a mistake and that I wasn't ready for. Not yet.

"The deed is done mother," I finally uttered, my voice low. " I am not going to apologize for rejecting her of course. She's not what I want. Not what the pack needs now."

My mother read through me for a second, her eyes searching. Then she nodded in agreement, satisfied for the moment I guess.

"Great" now, go freshen up. You look horrible like you've been fighting with the entire wolf all night."

I gazed down at my appearance__dirts and dried leaves clinged to my clothes and hair, torn shirts. She didn't lied. The thought of Freya flashed my thoughts again, sending wave of anger through me.

"I'll see to that," I said, turning to head upstairs with shame and fury boiling.

As I stepped few feets away from her, her voice stopped me. "Finnick Logan" 

I halted and turned to her. "Mother"

" Remember one thing, the moon goddess does not make mistakes or play with something of such importance. Even if we don't accept her choices, they're always valid reasons behind."

I didn't utter a word. The idea behind pairing me with a nobody was laughable. Her words kept a repeating sound in my mind as I made way to my room.

Dashed into my room, I stripped off and walked into the shower, allowing the water to wash off the grime and loitering scent of my so called Luna. Her wide, scary eyes. The way she had stood boldly before me, even when I'd mocked her shamefully.

My mother was right at some point. I needed to be a better wolf, not just in power but in my character too. But that didn't mean I had to accept someone unworthy of me. I, alpha finnick Logan will never settle for less.

I stepped out of the shower, making a decision for myself.i vowed to find a brace, strong and powerful Luna who is deserving of my position. And I would go to any length to defy the moon goddess herself, if she had other plans for me. I would sculpture my own route, no matter the cost. I had

a pack to lead and a reputation to guard, not even the moon goddess would stand in my way.