From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 108

Nathan's POV

The Alpha training facility beneath our Star Shadow community center was designed for privacy and strength. Reinforced walls, soundproofed rooms, specialized equipment built to withstand the power of a fully transformed Alpha wolf. I stood in the center of the main chamber, shirtless, my skin glistening with sweat as I focused on controlling my new abilities.

Three days had passed since I'd taken the Alpha title. Three days since the power had surged through my veins when my father took his final breath. The strength was intoxicating, unlike anything I'd experienced before. But something wasn't right.

I closed my eyes, concentrating on establishing a mindlink with Connor, my head of security waiting outside.

*Connor, position check.*

The connection flickered like a faulty light bulb, pain shooting through my temples. I grimaced, trying again.

*Connor, report—*

A wave of agony crashed through my skull. I dropped to one knee, my vision blurring as my body began to shift involuntarily. Bones cracked and reformed, fur sprouting across my back before receding again. The partial transformation was excruciating, trapping me between human and wolf form.

The door burst open. "Alpha Reynolds!" Connor rushed forward, then froze as my eyes flashed red, my face contorted in a grotesque half-shift.

With a roar that was half human, half beast, I forced myself back into human form, panting on all fours. "Get out," I growled.

"Sir, what happened? Do you need—"

"I said get OUT!" My voice carried the Alpha command, making Connor flinch.

As the security chief backed toward the door, I straightened, wiping blood from my nose. "Wait." I stalked forward, grabbing his arm. "Not a word of this to anyone. Understand? Swear it through the mindlink."

Connor's eyes widened. An Alpha requesting a mindlink oath was serious—breaking such a promise could result in expulsion from the pack. "I swear it, Alpha."

I released him, listening as his footsteps retreated. The full moon was only ten days away. My first as Alpha. If I couldn't control my abilities by then, the entire pack would witness my weakness.

That was unacceptable.

---

Helena Hayes lived in a cottage on the eastern edge of pack territory. At eighty-seven, she'd served as pack healer for over fifty years before retiring. I had never paid her much attention before, but desperation had a way of changing priorities.

"I wondered when you'd come," she said, not looking up from the herbs she was grinding in a stone mortar.

I closed the door behind me, keeping my voice neutral. "I have some questions about Alpha abilities."

"I imagine you do." Helena finally looked up, her faded blue eyes sharp with knowledge. "Sit down, boy. Let me look at you."

I bristled at being called "boy," but complied. The old woman set aside her work and approached, placing gnarled fingers on my temples. Her touch was surprisingly gentle as she closed her eyes.

"Hmm. Your energy is unstable. Fluctuating." She stepped back. "When did the symptoms start?"

"What symptoms?"

Helena's mouth twitched. "The headaches. The loss of control during shifting. The mindlink disruptions."

I stiffened. "How did you—"

"I've served five Alphas in my time. I know the signs." She returned to her chair. "Now answer my question."

"Since I took the Alpha position," I admitted grudgingly.

Helena nodded as if confirming a theory. "Alpha power is unique. Unlike Beta or warrior wolves, an Alpha's strength is partially channeled through their Luna. The matebond stabilizes the enhanced abilities." She fixed me with a knowing stare. "You rejected your fated mate."

My jaw tightened. "That's none of your—"

"It's exactly my business when it affects pack security," she interrupted. "You rejected the mate the Moon Goddess chose for you, and now you're experiencing the consequences."

"What consequences?" I demanded.

"The instability will worsen, especially during the full moon. Without a Luna to balance your power, your control will deteriorate." She resumed grinding her herbs. "You need to complete a matebond with someone. The sooner, the better."

I recalled my father's impressive displays of power during full moons—the effortless shifting, the pack-wide mindlink, the absolute control. My mother had always been at his side, their matebond visibly strengthening his abilities.

"Fine. I'll find someone else."

Helena gave me a long look. "The Moon Goddess doesn't appreciate being defied, Alpha Reynolds. Choose carefully."

---

Back in my office, I scrolled through the pack database on my laptop. Nearly one hundred unmated females in the pack, but most were either too young, too old, or unsuitable for other reasons. I needed someone with strong bloodlines, recently awakened wolf, and preferably someone who already admired me.

My cursor stopped on a familiar name: Sophia White.

Eric's younger sister. Just completed her awakening a few days ago. Pure bloodline through five generations. I remembered her sending me adoring mindlink messages in high school—messages I'd ignored at the time.

I opened her Instagram and Snapchat accounts, scrolling through recent photos. She'd grown into an attractive young woman, with none of her sister's annoying independence. As Beta's sister, she'd understand pack politics and the responsibilities of being Luna.

Perfect.

The Blue Moon restaurant was the finest establishment in pack territory. I arrived early, ensuring I was seated in the Alpha's private booth—a raised platform overlooking the main dining area. I'd arranged for Sophia to "accidentally" encounter me there, having learned from pack gossip that she was attending a youth committee meeting at the community center next door.

I spotted her the moment she entered, laughing with two friends. Sophia White had their mother's blonde hair and their father's strong jawline, a combination that worked well. I caught her eye and smiled, watching as recognition and surprise washed over her face.

"Alpha Reynolds," she said, approaching my table with appropriate deference.

"Sophia." I gestured to the empty seat across from me. "Join me for dinner? I'd enjoy the company."

Her friends' eyes widened, clearly impressed by the invitation. Sophia hesitated only briefly before nodding. "I'd be honored."

I signaled the server, who rushed to pull out Sophia's chair. "The special treatment takes some getting used to," I confided as our server poured water with exaggerated care. "But being Alpha does have its privileges."

Sophia smiled politely. "I imagine it does."

Throughout dinner, I carefully emphasized the benefits of being Luna—the respect, the influence, the shared power. "A strong matebond can amplify an Alpha's abilities," I explained, watching her reaction. "My Luna will share in that power. She'll be more influential than any other female in the pack."

"It sounds like a significant responsibility," Sophia replied, taking a sip of her water.

I leaned forward. "Some would consider it the opportunity of a lifetime. Your sister certainly threw away her chance." I watched satisfaction bloom in her eyes at the comparison. "But you've always been more perceptive than Julia."

"Do I need to decide right away?" Sophia asked, setting down her fork. "I was planning to attend college first."

My smile froze. "College?"

"Just for four years." She touched her napkin to her lips. "After seeing what happened with my sister, I think I'd prefer to be certain before making any major commitments."

Fury rose in my chest, but I maintained my pleasant expression. "Of course. Take some time to think about it. The position of Luna is not something to rush into."

Sophia sensed my disappointment and anger. She shifted uncomfortably. "Thank you for dinner, Alpha. I should probably join my friends."

I nodded, watching her leave with narrowed eyes. The little bitch should have been honored—thrilled—at the prospect of becoming my Luna. Instead, she was playing hard to get, just like her sister.