24

24
Jane
I was in the training room, pushing myself harder than ever before. Today was the day my ex-mate, who had rejected me, would introduce and mark his new mate. The thought made my stomach twist into knots.
Why should I die when he lives? No. I refused to let him take my life—not after everything I had endured. Not after the bullying, the insults, and everything else he put me through.
My hands shook as I wrapped them tighter. Each breath felt like fire in my lungs, but I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop.
A storm of emotions churned inside me—anger, desperation, and a fierce resolve not to surrender. With every punch I threw, with every bead of sweat that slid down my skin, I was driven by fear.
My heart raced like a wild animal trapped in a cage, but I poured every bit of anxiety into my training. I wouldn’t let fate seal my doom without a fight.
The leather of the punching bag was warm and slick under my fists. I could smell my own sweat, taste the salt of tears I refused to let fall.
My knuckles were raw and bleeding, but the pain felt good. It felt real. It reminded me that I was still alive.
I pounded the training bag with everything I had. My fists landed blow after blow, fueled by fury and frustration.
He would pay for how he treated me… and for what he did to my mother—if the moon goddess spared my life. That bastard had no idea what was coming for him.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize Vishal had entered until I heard his voice.
“Easy there, girl. You don’t want to hurt yourself,” he said softly. “Don’t take your anger out on that innocent bag.”
I spun around, my chest heaving. Sweat dripped into my eyes, making them sting. “What are you doing here, Vishal? Shouldn’t you be at my rejected mate’s pack? Is it all over already?”
My throat felt raw, like I’d been screaming for hours.
He raised an eyebrow before bursting into laughter. The sound echoed off the walls, making me flinch. “Jane, you won’t believe what happened today in his pack. I was shocked and amused at the same time.”
My heart stopped. Then it started again, beating so fast I thought it might explode. “Tell me everything, Vishal. Don’t keep me waiting,” I demanded. My hands were still clenched into fists, trembling with leftover adrenaline.
A thousand thoughts swirled through my mind like a tornado. Had he marked her already? Were they mating right now? If so, why was I still alive?
The mate bond should have killed me by now. Had the moon goddess spared me? Or was I just living on borrowed time?
My legs felt weak. I wanted to sit down, but I couldn’t show that weakness. Not now.
“Hey, calm down and listen,” Vishal said, his voice cutting through my panic. “You won’t believe it, but the fake Luna’s head was ripped off before she could be marked.”
The world tilted. My mouth fell open, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. “What?! How is that possible? Why would he do such a thing?”
My voice came out as a whisper. I felt dizzy, like the ground was moving under my feet.
“Jane, stop throwing questions at me,” he chuckled, but his eyes were serious. “Let me finish. The alpha wolf killed her. Right in front of everyone.”
“No way,” I breathed. “That can’t be true. Why would he kill his chosen Luna instead of marking her? Are you just trying to make me feel better?”
Part of me wanted to believe it was a cruel joke. But Vishal’s face was too serious, his eyes too wide with the memory of what he’d seen.
“You better believe it. He killed her and said she was a fake Luna. Not his true mate,” Vishal replied, his tone more serious now. “I wish you had seen how cruelly he ripped her head off. The sound it made...” He shuddered.
The image hit me like a punch to the gut. Blood. Screaming. The smell of death. I had heard she was strong, a perfect match for an alpha. Beautiful and powerful. Why would his wolf reject her so violently?
My stomach churned. I pressed a hand to my mouth, fighting the urge to be sick.
“What’s going through your mind, Jane?” Vishal asked, studying my face like he was trying to read my thoughts.
“Oh… nothing,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “I should get back to training.”
But my hands were shaking. My whole body was shaking.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I let out a sigh. “Yeah. I just need to focus.”
“Alright,” he said, but he didn’t look convinced. “But if you need to talk, I’m here.” He squeezed my shoulder gently before turning and leaving me alone with the silence.
I stood there, fists clenched, heart racing like I’d run for miles. The training room felt too small, too quiet. Why would his wolf kill her? He wanted a strong Luna. His pack needed one. It didn’t make sense.
Nothing made sense anymore.
I tried to go back to training, but my punches were weak and unfocused. My mind kept spinning, trying to understand what had happened.
The air in the room felt thick and heavy. I was so lost in thought I didn’t even notice the chill creeping into the room at first.
The temperature dropped so suddenly that goosebumps rose on my arms. My breath came out in little puffs of white. That was strange.
Then I heard it.
“Why are you confused, baby doll?” a voice whispered.
I spun around so fast my neck cracked, my heart jumping into my throat. But there was no one there. The room was empty, shadows dancing in the corners like they were alive. “Who’s there?” I demanded, my voice echoing off the walls.
My eyes darted everywhere—behind the equipment, in the dark corners, at the windows. Nothing. But the voice had been so clear, so close. Like someone was standing right beside me.
A soft chuckle echoed in my ears, seeming to come from inside my own head. “I’m right here, inside your head.”
“What?” I asked. My hands flew to my temples. Was I losing my mind? Had the stress finally broken me? “Who are you?”
“I am Amber,” the voice replied calmly. “Your wolf.”
I froze. “My… my wolf?” I whispered. “But… I’m wolfless.”
Everyone knew I was wolfless. I’d been tested, examined, pitied for it my whole life. It was the reason for half the bullying, half the rejection. It was why I was considered weak and worthless.
The voice laughed, and it was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.
“You were never wolfless. You were just too weak to wake me up. Until now.”
My knees nearly gave out. I grabbed the punching bag to steady myself, my breathing coming in short gasps. “You mean... you’re real? You’re really my wolf?”
The joy hit me like a tidal wave, crashing over me so hard I couldn’t stand. I sank to my knees on the cold floor, tears streaming down my face. Happy tears. Tears of relief and wonder and pure, overwhelming joy.
I wasn’t alone anymore. I had never been alone.
“Yes, Jane,” the voice said, and I could hear the smile in it. “I’m Amber. Your wolf. I’ve been waiting for you to be strong enough to hear me.”
“Amber,” I whispered her name, barely able to believe it. My chest felt like it might burst from happiness. “I’m not dreaming, right? Please tell me this is real.”
“No, darling,” she giggled, and the sound filled up all the empty spaces in my heart. “Close your eyes. Focus your thoughts on me.”
I closed my eyes, my hands pressed to my chest where my heart was beating like a drum. Slowly, warmth bloomed inside me, starting small and growing bigger and bigger until it filled my whole body.
A golden light wrapped around me like a blanket, pulsing with my heartbeat, making me feel safe and strong and whole.
I felt something shift inside me—something powerful awakening after a long sleep. It was like finding a part of myself I didn’t know was missing.
In my mind’s eye, I saw her. A silver-furred wolf with golden eyes that shone like the sun, regal and proud and beautiful beyond words. She was staring at me with love and strength and fierce protectiveness.
She was perfect. She was mine.
“I have a wolf,” I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks. “I have a wolf.”
“Yes,” Amber said with a gentle laugh that warmed me from the inside out. “And together, we’ll be unstoppable.”
A smile broke across my face, fierce and proud and full of new strength. For the first time in my life, I felt complete. I felt powerful. I felt like I could take on the world and win.
With Amber by my side, I was no longer the weak, wolfless girl everyone pitied and pushed around.
I was no longer a victim.
I was something new. Something strong.
And my rejected mate had no idea what was coming for him.