Claiming the Rejected Luna

Chapter 12:

Damon’s POV

My parents exchanged a look, a loaded look, one that said they understood this conversation wasn’t for them. They left the room quietly, closing the door with the kind of finality that meant good luck—or maybe just don’t burn the place down. I poured myself a glass of bourbon, savoring the slow burn as I took the first sip. It was probably my one true vice. Thank the Goddess for tolerance because I’d need all of it to get through the night with Drake sitting across from me, staring like he didn’t know whether to thank me or punch me.

Drake looked at the bottle and shook his head, so I shrugged. “More for me, then.” I tipped the glass, letting it burn down, the only thing tonight that gave a sense of calm. I watched him, leaning back against the desk, leveling him with a look.

“Alright, let’s skip the part where we pretend we’re both fine with this,” I started, meeting his gaze dead-on. “I didn’t choose this any more than you did, but I think we both know it makes sense now. The jealousy, the tension? You loved her. I loved her. But not in the same way, and we both knew it.”

Drake’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t look away. I could see it in his eyes—the truth stinging, sinking in. He wasn’t about to admit it out loud, but he didn’t have to. I could practically feel the regret coming off him.

I leaned forward, dropping the glass onto the desk with a soft thud. “You could have had her, Drake. But you made a choice.” My voice was cool, steady. “You chose Zelda over Aria. You chose a chosen mate over your fated one, and that’s something you’ll have to live with. End of story.”

He winced, rubbing the back of his neck, the weight of it sinking in like it was cutting through him. “So... Aria’s the she-wolf Demetri’s been after? She’s the reason we’re dealing with these rogue attacks?”

“Exactly,” I replied, my voice low. “She’s Tabitha Black’s granddaughter. We found that out tonight. And no, we’re not the only two in line for her.” I let that hang, knowing he’d feel the weight of it. “Demetri’s one of her fated mates. Goddess only knows if there are others out there.”

Drake closed his eyes, let out a breath, and finally, he reached for the bourbon. “Alright,” he muttered, pouring himself a drink and sinking back. He stared at the glass like it held the answers he hadn’t been able to find. “I messed up. I should’ve known she was stronger than any of us gave her credit for. Hell, we grew up together, and I still... I should have seen it.” He paused, his voice turning bitter. “But then Zelda… she was there. She made me believe that Aria...”

He stopped, shaking his head as he stared into the glass. “Zelda was always strong, and she was there when I thought Aria was slipping away. She was the one who told me Aria was... well, you know.”

My wolf stirred, pushing against me, practically begging to come out. I had to hold him back. I clenched my fists, fighting back the anger clawing at the edges of my mind. “Drake,” I said, my voice cold and sharp, “Aria never cheated. And if you’d used even a fraction of common sense, you would have seen through it. She didn’t betray you. Zelda manipulated you. She played you.”

Drake’s eyes widened slightly, something finally dawning on him, his face twisting with the ugly realization. “She... she did play me, didn’t she?”

“Like a damn violin,” I shot back, crossing my arms. “And that’s the difference between you and me, Drake. I see the pack, all of it. I see how they act when they think no one’s watching. And Zelda? She’s always wanted power. She tried to pull me in too, but I don’t fall for easy tricks. You let her lie to you, manipulate you, because it was convenient.”

Drake’s face dropped, his shoulders slumping as he processed the truth, the shame thickening around him. “I feel like an i***t,” he muttered, voice barely audible.

And that’s when I heard it—a soft shuffle by the door. I moved fast, crossing the room, swinging the door open. And there she was, pressed against the wood, her expression a mix of surprise and defiance.

“Well, guess your ears were burning,” I said, sarcasm dripping from every word as I smirked, looking her over. Her eyes darted between me and Drake, desperate, and I could practically see her brain scrambling to find a way to turn this around.

Without missing a beat, Zelda stormed up to Drake, fury twisting her face. “You’re really going to believe all of this?” she hissed, her voice a mix of venom and desperation. “After everything, I was the one who was honest with you. Remember? I was the one who told you Aria had multiple mates. I didn’t hide anything from you. But Damon and Aria? They’ve been hiding things all along.”

She was good—I’d give her that. Smooth, rehearsed, her words coming out with just the right blend of hurt and anger. But it didn’t change a damn thing.

I looked at Drake, holding his gaze. “So, here it is, man. Make a decision. If you’re still set on making this lying, manipulative nobody your chosen mate, go for it. It’s your life.”

Drake’s face hardened, his eyes flicking to Zelda. And finally, finally, I saw the shame break through, the clarity dawning in his expression. He pushed Zelda’s hands off him, his voice cold, final. “I, Drake Ashwood, reject you, Zelda Steel, as my chosen mate.”

For a split second, Zelda looked stunned, like she couldn’t quite process what he’d just said. But then that shock twisted into rage, and she slapped him hard, her face contorted with hatred. “You’ll regret this, Drake,” she spat, her voice dripping with venom. “None of you deserve happiness. And you,” she turned to me, her gaze deadly, “that little nobody of yours? She’ll never get her happy ending.”

She straightened, her lips curling into a cruel smirk as she glared at me. “You think it’s over? I’ll go to Demetri myself and tell him where to find his precious mate. Your pack is nothing without me.”

I let a slow smile spread across my face, catching her arm, my grip firm enough to let her know I wasn’t playing. “Gotta give you credit, Zelda—you know how to put on a show,” I said, glancing at Drake. “Good choice, Drake. Now, do us a favor and take the trash to the holding cells. I think we’ve all heard enough.”

Drake gave a quick nod, a newfound clarity in his expression as he looked at me. “I’m with you,” he said, his voice resolute. “With this pack. With my Alpha. And with the soon-to-be Luna. I’ll prove it.”

With that, he took hold of Zelda’s arm, leading her out as she hurled insults and curses, her voice echoing down the hall. I stood there for a second, finally alone, and let out a long breath, the weight of the night pressing down. Tomorrow would bring more questions, more plans, and no doubt more trouble. But right now? Right now, I needed one thing.

Without thinking, I found myself outside Aria’s room. My hand hovered over the wood, indecisive. I should let her sleep, give her peace. But before I could talk myself out of it, I knocked, the sound loud in the stillness.

A moment later, the door opened, and there she was, blinking up at me, her hair slightly tousled, her eyes soft and questioning. “Damon?” she whispered, her voice laced with sleep. “What are you doing here?”

I felt my gaze drop, moving from her eyes to her lips, back up again. “I can’t stay away anymore. Not tonight.” I reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Choose me.”

She looked up at me, her cheeks warming as she whispered, “I already have.”

I felt something snap, something I’d been holding back for too long. Without another word, I stepped into the room, closing the door behind me and locking it. I tilted her chin up, capturing her lips in a kiss that was soft and lingering, then deeper, more urgent, like I was tasting something forbidden.

She melted into me, her arms wrapping around my neck, pulling me closer. Lifting her, I felt her legs wrap around my waist, instinct taking over as I carried her to the bed. The world faded, narrowed to just us, to her warmth, her breath, her heartbeat against mine.

As I laid her down, I brushed a kiss across her collarbone, feeling her breath hitch. I pulled back, looking into her eyes, my voice barely a whisper. “Mark me.”

Her eyes widened, hesitation flickering across her face. “But... no one can know.”

I smirked, letting my hand slide up her arm, leaning in to murmur against her skin, “About that…”