Chapter 15: Second Rejection, New Trouble

Chapter 15: Second Rejection, New Trouble
Trent's POV

The silence that fell after Eva’s words was heavier than anything I’d ever felt. It was the kind of silence that pressed down on your chest and made it impossible to breathe.

“I reject you, Alpha Liam. Again.”

Her voice was low but steady. There was no quiver, no hesitation. And the impact was deafening.

Liam’s smug smirk faltered.

“You don’t mean that,” he said, stepping forward.

I moved, positioning myself directly in front of Eva before his next step touched the ground.

“You’ll stop right there,” I said, my tone quiet but cold.

Liam’s eyes snapped to me, glowing faintly with challenge. “So, what now? You’re her knight in shining armor?”

I didn’t flinch. “No. I’m her Alpha. And her mate.”

“She was mine first.”

“Then you should’ve acted like it.”

The wolves around us were tense. Some Blood Moon pack members were pacing subtly behind me. Kyle was watching Liam’s warriors like a hawk. Amelia had slipped behind Eva with quiet concern, as if preparing to shield her.

Eva didn’t move. She stood tall beside me, chin high.

Liam laughed bitterly. “You really think this—this broken thing beside you—is worthy of a second chance?”

I felt Eva’s body stiffen beside me.

“Careful,” I growled.

“Oh, come on,” Liam continued, his tone laced with venom. “She’s been passed around like a token. First my pack, then yours. What makes you think she’s anything more than—”

“That’s enough!”

Eva’s voice cracked through the air like lightning.

And then she stepped forward.

I tried to stop her, but she shook her head.

“You want to humiliate me again?” she said to Liam. “Go ahead. You already did that once, remember? You and your precious Rachel and your mother.”

His face twisted.

“But here’s the difference now,” Eva continued. “I’m no longer yours to break.”

“Eva…” I murmured, but she didn’t look back at me.

“You rejected me like trash. You left me to die in chains. You told me I was unworthy of being your Luna. You didn’t want me then. So don’t you dare pretend to want me now that you know who I am.”

“Because I was lied to!” he roared.

“No. You knew,” she whispered. “You just didn’t care.”

The quietness of her words hit harder than a scream.

Liam’s face fell for a fraction of a second. But only a second.

Then he scoffed. “So what? You’re just going to shack up with him now? Trent, the Supreme Alpha? Think he won’t toss you aside like I did?”

“She’s not a thing to be tossed around,” I snapped.

“She’s damaged goods!” Liam shouted. “You can put a ribbon on it, but that doesn’t change what she is.”

Time froze.

Every wolf stilled.

Eva’s breath hitched. Her lips parted, but no sound came.

And my wolf… snapped.

In a blur, I moved.

My claws ripped through the fabric of my shirt as I lunged forward. Liam barely had time to react before I slammed into him, sending him sprawling back onto the dirt.

A snarl erupted from deep in my chest. I was no longer just Trent—I was the Supreme Alpha, and he had just insulted what was mine.

Liam tried to rise, but I grabbed him by the throat, slamming him back down.

“You think she’s damaged?” I snarled into his face. “You think she’s worthless? Then let’s see how worthless she is when your blood’s spilled for her.”

“Trent!” Eva’s voice sliced through the haze of rage. “Trent, stop!”

I didn’t stop.

My claws pressed harder into Liam’s chest, drawing blood.

He struggled, gasping, but I didn’t loosen my grip.

“You had your chance. You failed her. Now you will respect her.”

His eyes glowed gold. “You’ll start a war over her?”

I smiled coldly. “I’ll end one.”

“Enough!”

A loud voice boomed through the air. It was Kyle, flanked by Amelia and a few enforcers, all poised to intervene. But none of them made a move unless I gave the order.

“Trent,” Eva whispered, now beside me, touching my arm. Her fingers trembled.

The sound of her voice grounded me.

Slowly, I turned my head toward her.

Her eyes were glossy, but steady.

“Don’t waste your rage on him. He’s not worth it.”

I stared at her for a heartbeat longer, then released Liam with a final shove that sent him sprawling.

He coughed and staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his chest.

“This isn’t over,” he growled, wiping the corner of his mouth.

“Maybe not,” I said, straightening. “But you are.”

“Your pack will fall for this.”

“Try it,” I said coldly.

He gave Eva one last glance—one that looked almost like regret. But then his pride returned, and he turned on his heel.

His warriors hesitated.

“I said go!” he barked.

They obeyed.

Silence returned.

I finally turned to Eva.

She was trembling, even though she fought to look composed. Her hands clenched and unclenched. Her lips pressed tightly together.

Without a word, I gently pulled her into my arms.

At first, she resisted. But then she melted into me.

And I held her.

For her. For me. For everything Liam tried to take from her.

Kyle stepped forward after a moment. “Should we prepare for retaliation?”

I nodded slowly, keeping Eva close. “Double the patrols. Fortify the borders. And tell Kiara she’s on the next rotation. I want her far from the manor.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

When everyone dispersed, I guided Eva back toward the packhouse.

She hadn’t said a word since.

I stopped at the steps and turned to face her.

“Eva.”

She looked up.

“You’re not damaged. You never were.”

She didn’t respond.

But a single tear slipped down her cheek.

And she let me take her hand.

Just as we reached the threshold—

A loud howl pierced the air.

Urgent.

One of the border guards.

My head snapped up.

Kyle rushed out of the shadows.

“We have a situation,” he said, panting. “There’s blood at the southern ridge. And a wolf we don’t recognize.”

“Is it Liam?”

He shook his head. “No. This scent is older. Wilder.”

Eva gripped my arm tightly.

“Whose scent is it?” I asked, my voice cold.

Kyle’s eyes flickered.

“I think… it's rogues.”

I growled and ignored all of Kyle's calls and headed straight for the area of pandemonium. I didn’t hesitate before grabbing Liam, aggressively and began to release the pain and hatred for his actions against Eva on him. I rained blows on him and my eyes changed colors- bloodied and my fingernails replaced by claws.

I was fully ready to destroy him- his sin would be causing a ruckus in my own territory.