Luna's Rejection, Alpha's Regret

For a moment, I stood there, staring at the dripping Nadia with shocked silence not knowing what to do or say.

I recovered long enough to step back and check the sign on the room, clear enough it was Alpha Cyrus’s room or did he change?

“Oh, Luna Elara! What a pleasant surprise to see you here. Did you need something?”

I struggled to find my voice, trying to still the buzzing in my head. “I was looking for Cyrus,” I managed to say, hating how weak my voice sounded.

“Oh!” her voice dripped with innocence. “He’s not in his room presently. Maybe he stepped out to deal with some pack business or something,” she explained.

“So, you’re saying I am not mistaken and this is Cyrus’s room?” I asked trying not to make it sound like I was whining.

“Yes, Luna Elara,” she nodded, a smile still on her face as if this was as normal as breathing.

 I felt the blood drain from my face again as I stared at her, hoping that my eyes had played tricks on me the first time. But no, she was barely covered by the towel and she was in Cyrus’s room.

The hallways seemed to spin and my vision narrowed to focus solely on the innocent smile that was still playing on Nadia’s lips. Was she pretending not to know her disgrace?

But then, as if sensing the anger that was slowly growing within me, Nadia’s expression shifted. Her eyes widened with something that resembled panic and she clutched the towel tighter around herself.

“Oh, Luna Elara,” she gasped, her voice trembling. “I’m so sorry for this misunderstanding. It’s not what you think it is, I swear by the moon. Alpha Cyrus wasn’t even in the room when I came in. The truth is, I… I was hit by the werewolf heat unexpectedly. In my confusion, I must have run to the wrong door thinking it was my room,” she rambled.

My brows furrowed, my mind racing to process this new information. Werewolf heat was indeed a powerful and often disorienting experience, especially for younger wolves. But there was something about Nadia’s explanation that sounded fishy.

She continued, her words tumbling out in a rush. “You have to believe me, Luna. Alpha Cyrus wasn’t in his room. I… I took a shower to try and sober up. I feel so embarrassed".

As Nadia spoke, Nyx roared within me. “She’s lying! This bitch is trying to seduce Alpha Cyrus and steal your position as Luna. Don’t fall for her act! Remember the little stunt she pulled earlier today at your arrival… that’s also one of her tricks. She’s faking everything!”

The combination of Nyx’s fury and my suspicions caused something to snap within me. Before I could fully process my actions, I lunged forward, my hand closing around Nadia’s throat. I could feel angry tremors coursing through my body, as my eyes blazed with the evidence of the rage, I was feeling within. Unable to stop myself, I pinned Nadia against the doorframe.

“Listen carefully,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “I don’t know what stupid games is it you’re playing or whatever the hell you think you’re doing, it ends now. I allowed you to get away disrupting my wedding and I won’t let you get away with anything this time. Stay away from Alpha Cyrus, or you’ll have me to deal with".

Nadia’s eyes widened in genuine fear, her hands scrabbling at my iron grip. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Suddenly, her eyes filled with tears, but at this point, I was past caring. I just wanted to take my pound of flesh for everything she has made me go through.

Suddenly, a powerful force slammed into me, tearing me away from Nadia. I found myself flying through the air, only to crash hard against the opposite wall of the hallway. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs and I slumped to the floor, momentarily dazed.

As my vision cleared, I looked up to see Cyrus standing protectively in front of Nadia, his pupils were still dark, to show he had used his Alpha power. The sight of him defending the other woman sent a fresh wave of rage through me.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Cyrus roared, his voice echoing with authority.

I pushed myself to my feet, my own eyes flashing in response to the challenge. At this point, all I could think of was to fight back.

“What am I doing?” I yelled walking up to him and shaking my fists at him. I should be asking you that question, Cyrus. What are you doing? I was going to ask you if you’d care for a midnight run only to find her practically naked in your doorway and you’re defending her. Do I look like a joke to you?”

Cyrus’s jaw clenched, his gaze darting between me and Nadia then suddenly, I felt his anger dissipating. “This isn’t what it looks like, Elara. If you’d just calm down and listen to reason. I wasn’t even in the room. I’m sure there must be…"

But I was beyond listening. Weeks of pent-up anger, hurt and suspicion came boiling to the surface. I took a step forward, my body still tensing for a fight as I interrupted him.

“Oh, I’m sure you have a perfectly reasonable explanation for why your ‘little sister’ is wandering around naked in your room. Why don’t you run in and oil her body like you always do?"

“Elara for moon’s sake!” Cyrus screeched, “Why would you even…"

The words had barely finished from his lips when a soft thud made him stop. Nadia had collapsed to the floor, her body convulsing slightly.

The anger drained from Cyrus’s face, replaced by concern. Without a moment’s hesitation, he scooped Nadia into his arms, cradling her unconscious form against his chest.

“I need to take her to the pack clinic,” he said, his voice tight with worry. “We’ll discuss this later, Elara".

Before I could respond, Cyrus was already moving, practically running with Nadia like she weighed nothing down the hallway and once again, I was left standing alone…