Hunted By My Fated Mate

I fled back to my room, unable to face the celebration downstairs.

Rocky might have already claimed Gemma as his mate by now. I didn’t understand. He seemed to care for me. He always stood by my side, teased me about my messy hair, and helped me with my training. But then, he’d pull away, his tone light and dismissive. “Don’t get the wrong idea, Lennox,” he’d say, whenever I tried to get closer.

Even the protective mark we made together—he’d given it to someone else.

My fingers ached where I’d pricked them sewing, and the pain mirrored the tightness in my throat. I buried my face in my pillow, muffling my sobs.

The lock clicked, and the door creaked open. I turned, startled, but a shadowy figure was already striding toward me.

It was Ryan.

His eyes were bloodshot, his usual commanding aura replaced by something raw and vulnerable. He dropped to his knees beside my bed, his hands wrapping around my legs. There was no threat in his touch—only a desperate need for comfort.

“Alpha?” I whispered, my voice trembling.

He shook his head. “Call me Ryan,” he said, his voice rough but softer than I’d ever heard it. He rested his chin on my knees, looking up at me with a smile that revealed a faint dimple.

I didn’t know Ryan could look like this—like a wounded wolf seeking solace.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” I stammered. “I didn’t mean to provoke you. Please, Alpha, don’t hold it against me—”

He cut me off with a quiet laugh. “Call me Ryan,” he repeated. Then, in a tone that was almost playful, he added, “Luna, are you tired? Let’s rest.”

I froze at the word *Luna*, my heart pounding. But before I could respond, he leaned his head against my knees, his eyes closing as if he’d already decided this was where he belonged.

Outside, the sounds of the celebration continued, muffled by the walls of my room. A knock came at the door, and Gemma’s voice called out, “Lennox, have you seen the Alpha?”

I didn’t answer. Ryan’s breathing had evened out, his grip on me loosening as he drifted into a light sleep. I sat there, unsure of what to do, my mind racing.

He’d called me *Luna*.

And for the first time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to run.