Chapter 3 Draven (POV): The Choice That Haunts Him

‎The moment the Lycan King stepped into Moonveil territory, I knew something had gone terribly wrong. ‎The forest seemed to shrink beneath his presence, ancient trees bowing as if recognizing a ruler far older than any Alpha line. Power rolled off him in suffocating waves; raw, dominant, unmistakable. Every wolf in the clearing felt it. I saw it in the stiffened spines, the lowered gazes, the instinctive submission that rippled through the pack. ‎Even my father stood straighter. ‎Even I did. ‎I hated that. ‎I hated the way my wolf pressed against my ribs, restless and uneasy, as if sensing a predator far beyond our reach. I hated the way the night felt heavier with him here, the moon suddenly sharper, brighter almost blood-tinged. ‎But most of all, I hated where his eyes went. ‎Seris. ‎She stood partially hidden behind Theo, small and pale beneath the moonlight. Her scent soft, familiar brushed against my senses, and pain flared hot and unwanted in my chest. ‎The bond scar burned. ‎I clenched my jaw. ‎I had done what I needed to do. ‎I told myself that over and over again. ‎"She's nothing," I whispered under my breath, though no one stood close enough to hear. "An Omega. Weak. She would've ruined everything." ‎My wolf didn't answer. ‎He hadn't spoken since the rejection. ‎Alpha Lucien stepped forward, voice respectful but guarded. "King Xavian of the Bloodmoon Pack," he greeted. "To what do we owe the honor?" ‎Xavian stopped a few feet into the clearing. He didn't bow. He didn't smile. He simply stood there like the world belonged to him by right. ‎It probably did. ‎"I came because I felt a disturbance," Xavian said, his voice deep and calm and somehow more terrifying for it. "A mate bond was broken on this land." ‎The clearing went dead silent. ‎I felt every eye flick toward me. ‎Heat crawled up my spine. ‎"That matter has been settled," my father replied carefully. "The bond was rejected." ‎Xavian's gaze sharpened. "By choice?" ‎My throat tightened. ‎Lucien hesitated. "Yes." ‎The Lycan King's eyes glowed faintly gold. ‎"Interesting," he murmured. ‎I shifted my weight, unease twisting my gut. Something about the way he said it felt like a warning. Like a predator circling prey. ‎Then his gaze moved again. ‎Back to her. ‎Seris flinched when his eyes found her, instinctively stepping closer to Theo. That movement small, defensive sent a violent spike of emotion through me. ‎Possessiveness. ‎Regret. ‎Anger. ‎I shoved it down. ‎"She's irrelevant," I said suddenly, louder than I intended. ‎Heads turned. ‎Seris stiffened. ‎Xavian looked at me for the first time. ‎The weight of his attention nearly crushed me. ‎"You are?" he asked. ‎Draven of Moonveil Pack," I answered, lifting my chin. "Next-in-line Alpha." ‎His eyes swept over me slowly. Assessing. Cold. ‎"You rejected your mate," he stated. ‎It wasn't a question. ‎A murmur rippled through the crowd. ‎I forced myself not to falter. "I did what was best for my pack." ‎Xavian tilted his head slightly. "And what makes you believe that?" ‎"She is an Omega," I snapped. "Weak. Submissive. She would have been a liability." ‎Theo snarled softly. ‎I ignored him. ‎Xavian's gaze flickered briefly to Seris. Something unreadable passed through his expression. ‎Then the air changed. ‎Pressure slammed into the clearing, heavy and commanding. Wolves dropped to one knee without meaning to. My own wolf recoiled, instincts screaming submission. ‎Xavian hadn't moved. ‎But his power had. ‎"Never mistake gentleness for weakness," the Lycan King said quietly. "And never assume an Omega lacks value." ‎His eyes burned into mine. ‎"Some Omegas are born to kneel," he continued. "Others are born to rise." ‎My heart pounded violently. ‎I didn't know why his words felt like a blade to my ribs. ‎Xavian turned away from me as if I were no longer worth his attention. His focus returned to Seris fully, unmistakably. ‎I felt it then. A pull. ‎Sharp. Sudden. Terrifying. ‎My knees nearly buckled. No. ‎No, that wasn't possible. ‎The bond was broken. Severed. Gone. ‎And yet. ‎Xavian inhaled slowly, his expression hardening as something ancient and powerful stirred in his gaze. ‎Mate recognition. ‎The realization slammed into me like a fist. ‎Cold dread seeped into my bones. ‎"You," Xavian said, his voice resonating through the clearing. "Come here." ‎Seris froze. ‎Theo stepped forward instantly, placing himself between them. "She doesn't have to do anything." ‎Xavian's gaze shifted to Theo not angry, not offended. ‎Curious. ‎Then, unexpectedly, he inclined his head slightly. "I respect loyalty," he said. "But this does not concern you." ‎"It concerns me," Theo shot back. "Everything that happens to her does." ‎Something flickered in Xavian's eyes, approval, perhaps. ‎Seris swallowed and stepped around Theo before he could stop her. Her movements were hesitant but resolute. ‎"I'm here," she said softly. ‎The mate bond scar on her skin pulsed faintly. ‎Xavian took a single step closer. ‎The air crackled. ‎I couldn't breathe. ‎"This land has wronged you," Xavian said. "And fate is not finished with you." ‎Her eyes widened. ‎Theo stiffened. ‎The pack erupted into whispers. ‎"No," I muttered. "No, this isn't happening." ‎Mira's sharp intake of breath reached my ears. I glanced at her and saw fear etched across her features for the first time. ‎Good. ‎Xavian straightened and addressed the pack. "Moonveil Pack," he announced. "I will remain on your land for the night." ‎Lucien hesitated, then nodded. "You are... welcome." ‎Xavian's gaze dropped to Seris one last time. ‎"Rest," he said gently. "Tomorrow, we speak." ‎Then he turned and walked away, his warriors following like shadows. ‎The clearing exploded with noise the moment he disappeared into the forest. ‎I stood rooted to the spot, heart racing, hands trembling. ‎Theo guided Seris away, his arm protective around her shoulders. She didn't look back. ‎The bond scar on my chest burned violently, pain tearing through me like punishment. ‎For the first time since the rejection, my wolf spoke. ‎"You made the wrong choice". ‎I clenched my fists. ‎"No," I whispered. "I did what I had to." ‎But deep down, where the truth festered, I knew this wasn't over. ‎I had rejected my mate. ‎And fate had answered by giving her to a king. ‎