Torn Between Kings

Reya’s POV

"You haven't given me your answer," Xander said, voice low, the weight of the Lycan king pressing into each syllable.

I didn't flinch. Not this time. Not when my blood still burned from the offer.

Become his Luna.

I stared past the cold windows of his war chamber. Below, the pack trained under moonlight, blades clashing like thunder. It should’ve calmed me. But every inhale felt like a war.

"I don’t belong to anyone," I said.

He stepped closer. "It’s not about belonging. It’s about surviving. You, your twins, this pack. All of it hinges on the strength behind you."

"You mean you."

"Yes."

I turned to him. "You want a soldier or a queen?"

"A weapon," he said without shame. "One that rules beside me. They fear you. I want them to kneel."

My laugh was hollow. "And if I say no?"

Xander smiled, slow and dangerous. "Then I keep protecting you anyway. But I won't pretend I don't want more."

Before I could answer, the war doors flew open. A scent hit me like wildfire.

Tristan.

He stormed in, eyes wild, coat half-torn from travel. Guards moved to stop him. Xander raised a hand.

"Let him speak."

Tristan's gaze snapped to mine. "We need to talk. Alone."

Xander tilted his head. "This isn't your territory, Riverdale Alpha."

"She's the mother of my children," he snapped. "You don't own her either."

My fists clenched. "Both of you—stop."

Silence fell.

I stepped between them. "You want answers? Here they are. I’m done being a pawn."

Tristan's voice dropped. "Reya... I didn’t know. About the exile. About Chloe. I would’ve—"

"Would’ve what?" I spat. "Believed me for once? Fought for me instead of the council? You let me burn."

His jaw tightened. "I’m trying now."

"Too late."

Xander watched, expression unreadable.

Tristan stepped forward. "I’m not here to claim you. I'm here to ask... can we start over? For them."

My heart twisted. He looked wrecked. Real. But so did Xander, behind his armor of power and ice.

Two kings. One past. One promise.

"You think I get to choose between you?" I said. "No. I choose me. I choose my twins. And I choose not to be used again."

Tristan whispered, "I never meant to use you."

"But you did. So did everyone."

Xander stepped forward, gaze locked to mine. "What do you want, Reya?"

My answer came like steel.

"I want to lead. Not beside you. Not under you. I want to be more than a mother or a weapon. I want revenge, yes. But I want peace too. And I’ll carve it myself if I have to."

Tristan looked gutted.

Xander... impressed.

"Then take it," Xander said. "Take command of the next operation. The rogues near Hollowshade. I’ll send no one but you."

Tristan's eyes flared. "You’re sending her alone?"

"She just said she doesn’t need saving."

I lifted my chin. "Good. Then let me prove it."

They both stared at me, wanting different versions of who I was.

But I was done being torn.

Let the kings watch.

This time, I would burn the world on my terms.

And they would kneel.

I slammed the training hall doors open, rage simmering beneath my skin. My fists ached from the force I’d driven into the practice dummy, but it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.

“Training harder won’t help you decide,” Xander’s voice cut from the shadows.

I didn’t stop. “I’m not looking for advice.”

He stepped into the light. Unapologetic. Unshaken. “You’re looking for clarity. And you’re too stubborn to ask for it.”

I spun to face him. “You think offering me a crown solves everything?”

“No.” His eyes met mine, calm and calculating. “But it secures your children. Your life. Your vengeance. You’ll be untouchable with me.”

I scoffed. “And what will I be to you? A weapon? A queen? A pet?”

He didn’t flinch. “You’ll be what you choose to be. But you won’t be Tristan’s pawn anymore.”

Just hearing that name made something in me crack.

Speak of the devil.

The doors banged open again. Tristan. Storm in his eyes. Fury in every step. “We need to talk.”

Xander crossed his arms. “You’re trespassing.”

“I don’t give a damn.” Tristan’s gaze locked with mine. “Reya. Please.”

I held up a hand, silencing them both. “You want to talk? Then talk. But not as Alpha. Not as King. As the male who left me broken.”

Tristan’s jaw clenched. “I never meant to—”

“Save it. You did. You let them exile me. You let me rot.”

He stepped forward. “I’ve tried to fix it ever since.”

“You’re too late.”

Xander watched us both. Cold. Patient. “She doesn’t belong to you anymore, Riverdale.”

“And she belongs to you?” Tristan’s voice sharpened. “Is that it?”

“No,” I said before Xander could. “I don’t belong to either of you.”

Tristan faltered. “Reya, I’m not asking for control. I’m asking for a chance. For us. For the twins.”

The mention of my children twisted something fierce in my chest. But I didn’t waver.

“You’re both kings,” I said. “But you don’t rule me. I’ve spent too long being claimed, being used. Never again.”

Xander’s brow lifted. “So what now?”

“I fight,” I said. “For them. For me. On my terms.”

Tristan took a step closer, softer now. “Then let me fight beside you.”

I stared at him. At the male who once held my heart. The father of my children. The one who didn’t protect me when I needed him most.

“I don’t trust you,” I said.

His voice cracked. “I don’t expect you to. But I’ll earn it. One day at a time.”

Xander’s voice was silk and steel. “He failed you. I never will.”

“And that’s what scares me,” I whispered.

Silence stretched between the three of us. Thick. Charged.

I turned, walking past them both. “You want me? Prove it. With actions. Not offers. Not promises. Just truth.”

“Where are you going?” Tristan asked.

“To see my children. They’re the only ones I owe anything to.”

And I left them both behind.

The children's room was quiet, lit by moonlight.

Pearl stirred first, her little fingers curling in mine. Luis lay still, peaceful.

My heart ached with how much I loved them.

“Mommy’s here,” I whispered. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

But I was already torn. Between kings. Between past and future. Between survival and surrender.

No more.

I kissed their foreheads. “No one chooses my path for me anymore. Not even fate.”

Behind me, the shadows shifted.

“You meant that,” Xander said quietly.

I didn’t turn. “I did.”

“I’ll wait. For as long as it takes.”

And then he left.

Minutes later, I heard Tristan’s voice at the door.

“I’ll wait too.”

But I wasn’t ready for either of them.

I wasn’t torn anymore.

I was rising.

Alone. Fierce. And finally free.