Rejected Luna's Silent Vengeance

Kian Reynolds had come specifically to deliver Dulce Lopez’s healing report. It was purely by chance that he stumbled upon Alpha Xavier Ford and Thea Gonzales in the middle of a heated argument. Offering his help was just a spontaneous gesture of goodwill, though he cheekily insisted that Thea owed him dinner in return.

As they got stuck in traffic, the hum of the engine filling the silence, Kian casually asked her, “So, what’s your plan for the future? Going to live by yourself in the den?”

Thea, her posture stiff but her tone light, shrugged. “No real plan. Just going with the flow.”

“And what about you?” she countered, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. “You’re not exactly getting any younger, Healer Reynolds. No serious mate prospects?”

With a teasing grin, Kian nodded toward Thea. “Aren’t we on a date right now?”

Thea rolled her eyes dramatically, though a small smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah, right. I can’t handle someone as high-maintenance as you, Kian. But there are some nice young she-wolves in the pack. Maybe I’ll set you up with one of them sometime.”

He gave a slight smile, his amber eyes glinting with amusement. “Sounds good.”

The traffic began to move again, and Kian shifted in his seat, his muscular frame adjusting easily in the confined space. Thea couldn’t help but notice the way his presence filled the car, a stark contrast to the tension she’d just left behind with Xavier. Kian, though younger, carried himself with an ease that felt refreshing compared to the Alpha’s imposing aura.

As they drove on, the city lights casting long shadows across the road, Thea couldn’t shake the lingering thoughts of her past life as Luna. She glanced at Kian, who was now humming softly to himself, seemingly unfazed by the weight of the evening’s events.

“You’re not going to lecture me about the Alpha, are you?” she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

Kian chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Not unless you want me to. I’m here as your friend, Thea, not your Healer or your advisor. You’ve got enough of those.”

Thea let out a small laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “Good. Because I think I’ve had enough lectures for one day.”

Kian’s expression softened, and he gave her a knowing look. “You’re stronger than you think, you know. You don’t need anyone to tell you how to live your life.”

Thea’s smile faded slightly, her gaze drifting to the passing scenery outside. “Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way,” she admitted quietly.

“Well,” Kian said, his tone light but firm, “it’s true. And if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, they’re just wrong.”

Thea glanced back at him, gratitude flickering in her eyes. “Thanks, Kian. I mean it.”

He shrugged, his grin returning. “Don’t mention it. Just remember, you owe me dinner.”

She laughed, the sound genuine this time, and for a moment, the weight of her past felt a little lighter.