Akira's pov.

“Akira Wilder, you are not fit to be my Luna,” Caleb's voice echoed through the clearing, it was unyielding. His words cut me deeper than any claw ever could.

I stood frozen, my chest tight and my heart pounding as the pack members gathered whispering among themselves.

My mate, the man the moon Goddess had chosen for me, was rejecting me in front of everyone.

“Caleb” My voice cracked as I tried to fight the tears welling up. “Why are you hurting me? What have I done to deserve this?”.

He didn't even look at me. His cold gaze remained fixed on the crowd. “It's not about what you've done but the truth is you're too weak, Akira. You can't lead a pack. And you know this would drag me down”.

His words hit me like a physical blow. I stumbled back., feeling the weight of their judgemental stares. I wanted to scream to beg him to reconsider, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me heartbroken.

“I promise you, Caleb, you'll regret this,” I whispered, my voice trembling but firm. “One day, you'll see what you've thrown away.”

He chuckled with a cruel hurmoless sound. “Is that a threat? I doubt it”.

With that, Caleb turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the center of the clearing.

The pack dispersed quickly, their whispers fading as they left me behind like I was nothing.

Indeed I was nothing to them now!

My chest burned with a mixture of rage and despair as the wind howled heavily through the forest, making me stumble blindly into the trees, tears streaming down my face.

“How could he do this to me?” I muttered to myself kicking at a fallen branch. “After everything ... .I thought he was going to be mine but it ended up in a negative direction”.

The bond between us felt like a cruel joke now, it was like a chin that bound me to someone who didn't want me.

My wolf whispered inside of me, her anguish echoing my own.

“We don't need him,” I said loudly, trying to convince myself. “This Is your fate, just have it in mind that we don't need anyone who doesn't need us”.

Everything seemed blurred, so I stared up at the crescent moon hanging low in the sky, its light casting eerie shadows on the forest floor.

At that moment tears dripped down my eyes as I tried to understand the pain behind my rejection.

“Is this some kind of test moon Goddess? Or are you trying to check my patience?”. I said bitterly. “Do you even enjoy watching me suffer?”.

A rustling sound nearby made me tense. I sharply turned scanning the darkness for any sign of movement.

“Who's there?”. I called out my voice shaky but defiant.

Silence.

I exhaled. Shaking my head. “Get it together, Akira. This is the time to prove your strength,” I muttered. “You’re alone now. You've to be strong”.

The forest seems alive with unseen eyes watching and judging me.

I became a little bit skeptical about vulnerability; I was just a rogue with no pack, no mate, and no purpose.

It was as if my world were crumbling, my stomach growled and my legs ached, but I didn't stop. Then after some hours, I wandered, seeking refuge.

The last thing I could ever think was to stop because stopping meant thinking, and thinking meant feeling; I couldn't bear the weight of my emotions right now.

“Akira Wilder, the rejected mate,” I bitterly said to myself. “And that's all I’ll always be”.

“No,” A voice whispered in my mind; it was faint and unfamiliar.

I froze with a racing heart. “Who said that?”.

The voice didn't answer, but a strange warmth spread through my chest, calming the storm of my thoughts. It was as if the moon itself was speaking to me urging me to keep going.

“Fine,” I muttered. “But don't expect me to thank you, Moon Goddess; you've done more than I could handle.”

When I approached a small clearing as the sun began to rise, I felt exhausted and collapsed onto the damp grass, staring up at the fading stars.

“I’ll never go back,” I vowed. “I don't need any of them, not even the so-called Caleb”.

Even as I said these words I felt a pang of longing tugged at my heart. The bond between Caleb and me might have been broken but it wasn't completely gone.

The pain of rejection lingered, causing a constant reminder of what I’d lost.

As I drifted into an uneasy sleep, I dreamt of the pack I’d left behind, I could see Caleb's piercing eyes and the cruel smile on his face as he rejected me.

But there was something else in the dream, it was a shadowy figure watching from the edge of the clearing, its golden eyes glowing with a dangerous light.

My heart was pounding then I swiftly woke up looking terrified.

When the sun was high in the sky, it sent a warmth of stark contrast to the chill in my bones.

A voice suddenly called out my name softly. “Akira!”.

I sat up with my eyes darting around the clearing. “Could this be a nightmare” I whispered. “Who's there?”.

The whole place was silent and the voice didn't respond, but I felt a strange pull; it was an invisible force guiding me deeper into the forest.

Against my better judgment, I followed it.

The trees seemed to close In around me as I walked, their gnarled branches casting twisted shadows on the ground.

My wolf uneasily stirred, sensing something I couldn't.

“This is a bad idea”. I muttered but I kept going.

I eventually came to a small, overgrown, hidden cave among the trees. The pull was stronger now, and almost unbearable.

“What's happening? And why are you leading me here?” I asked with a trembling voice.

Yet no answer.

My eyes caught a faint glow at the back of the cave. A faint scent of moss air filled my nose; I took a deep breath, and then I stepped inside.

I moved closer, my curiosity outweighed my fear.

I saw a crescent moon surrounded by a strange ancient symbol that was carved into a stone wall.

The glow seemed to pulse, matching the rhythm of my heartbeat.

“What is this?” I whispered, reaching out to touch it.

As my fingers brushed the surface, a surge of energy shot through me, and I stumbled back with a gasp.

My wolf howled inside me, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and excitement.

The cave seemed to come alive, the symbols glowing brighter as the ground beneath me trembled.

“What’s happening?” I shouted, panic rising in my chest.

Akira's pov.

A voice echoed in my mind, stronger this time. “You are chosen, Akira.”

“Chosen for what?” I demanded, but the voice didn’t answer.

The glow intensified, and suddenly, I was surrounded by light. My body felt weightless as if I were floating.

Although I was no longer in the cave when the light finally faded, I stood in an open field under the full moon in a vast I knew it couldn’t be night yet.

Suddenly a tall, imposing, and undeniably powerful figure emerged from the distance, the man’s golden eyes locked onto mine.

“Who are you?” I called out, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.

He stopped a few feet away, his expression unreadable.

“That shouldn't be the real question, you need to ask yourself, Akira, who are you?”

Who am I?

I tried to understand his question as his words sent a chill down my spine. My breath caught in my throat as I stood still contemplating his questions.

The cold wind of air struck against my face causing distraction as I made my way through the dimly lit streets of the border town.

All I could see was a stench of alcohol and smoke filled the air, but I was already used to it.

Becoming a rogue wasn't about comfort; survival was mostly their focus; you must fight to stay alive.

I swiftly pulled my hood over my face and I ducked into a tavern. The place was crowded, voices blending into a chaotic hum.

The pain in my abdomen made me crave food. Hunger was part of my struggle.

The rejection with the pain in my heart made my stomach growl, reminding me it had been over a day since my last meal. I could feel the horrific pain making me unrest.

“What can I do now?” I whispered to myself, I needed a moment to warm up and maybe steal a loaf of bread from the kitchen when no one was looking, this is the only way I can sort myself out.

A man was sitting in the far corner; I scanned the room, and my eyes landed on him. His dark hair fell over piercing eyes that seemed to scan every soul in the room.

His presence was magnetic, his aura commanding, I couldn't look away.

“You've to be careful where you stare,” A gruff voice snapped beside me.

I blinked when I realized the bartender was glaring at me; in hesitation, I walked close to him. “Sorry,” I muttered, my voice barely audible.

I turned back toward the corner, but the man was gone. My pulse quickened, why did it feel like he was still watching me?

I shook off the unease and moved towards the back of the tavern. My head brushed against a loaf of bread which left me unattended on the counter.

Just as my finger curled around it, a deep voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Aren't you taught that stealing is a bad habit, and you want to get caught in it?”.

I froze; the voice was smooth, yet it held an edge that made my race; slowly, I turned.

It was him.

“I wasn't stealing,” I quickly said, clutching the bread behind my back.

He raised one of his dark eyebrows. “Really? Then what do you call it?”

“It's called surviving,” I snapped before I could stop myself. “You, too, can give it a try.”

A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. “Fair enough I don't do that”. He leaned closer with his eyes locking onto mine. “But survival comes at a cost, rogue”.

My breath hitched. How did he even know I'm a rogue? Something is fishy here.

“I don't know what you're talking about,” I said, stepping backward; I needed to hide myself because I would be in danger if anyone found out I was a rogue.

He straightened, his gaze never leaving mine. “Of course you don't”.

Before I could reply, he reached into his pocket and tossed a coin onto the counter. “That's for the bread; use it and sort yourself.” He said.

I stared at him, confused. “Why would you do that?”.

“Because you intrigue me, and I believe you deserve the best,” he simply replied.

His answer left me more unsettled than I cared to admit. I didn’t like being noticed, especially not by someone as dangerous as him.

“Let me figure this out” I paused for a while, wiggling my fingers. “What do you want from me?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Nothing… yet,” he said, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.

Before I could press him further, the tavern door burst open, and a group of men stormed in. Their eyes scanned the room, landing on me almost immediately.

“A Rogue!” One of them barked. “We’ve been looking for you”.

I felt the blood drain on my face. None of them could be recognized by me, I wondered what would have triggered their curiosity, but the hostility in their eyes was clear.

“And so what's your problem with that?” the mysterious man asked, his voice calm but laced with a dangerous edge.

“Don't worry about that, I can handle it” I lied, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my chest.

He chuckled, low and dark. “I don't doubt it but let me help”.

Before I could refuse, he stepped forward, his presence commanding the attention of the entire room.

“Stay back and don't come close, she is under my protection,” he said with his voice cold and unyielding.

“That’s not none of our business. We don't care to know who you are, but you see her. She’s a rogue, and rogues have no protection.” The men hesitated, clearly intimidated, but their leader stepped forward.

“Is that so?” The man beside me smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “You’re playing with hell”

Before anyone could react, he moved with confidence, approaching them. In the blink of an eye, he swiftly pinned the leader against the wall, his hand around the man’s throat.

“One more chance, I suggest you reconsider or you face your doom,” he said, his voice low and deadly.

The tension in the room was so thick it was silent and suffocating. The men exchanged nervous glances before backing away.

“We’ll be back,” the leader spat as the mysterious man released him.

“I’ll be waiting,” he replied, his tone casual as if he wasn’t just threatening someone’s life.

The men left, and the tavern slowly returned to its usual noise. I stood frozen, unsure of what had just happened.

Akira's pov.

“What a great strength and threat you instill in them but you didn’t have to do that,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

“That’s the only way to deal with some animals who refuse to heed instructions,” he said, turning to face me. “Because now, you owe me.”

I frowned. “Owe you? For what?”

“For your life,” he said, his tone serious.

I opened my mouth to argue but stopped. He wasn’t wrong.

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice softer this time.

He hesitated for a moment before answering. “Someone who sees potential in you.”

His answer only left me with more questions. “That’s not an answer and what potential are you talking about?.”

“It’s the only one answer you’ll get; with time, you'll learn,” he said, his expression unreadable.

I felt a pull toward him, looking confused with an inexplicable connection that I couldn’t ignore.

“Thank you for your concern; I appreciate your care,” I said reluctantly, knowing I owed him more than I could ever repay.

He nodded, his eyes softening slightly. “Don’t thank me yet, rogue. This is only the beginning.”

He didn't explain further; he turned and walked away, disappearing into the night as quickly as he had appeared.

I stood there in contemplation, clutching the bread he had paid for, my mind racing. Who was he? Why had he helped me?

The most important part of it, which I was interested in, was what he even meant by “only the beginning?”

“What beginning was he referring to?”

I whispered to myself with much curiosity but I couldn’t shake the feeling that my life had just taken a turn I wasn’t prepared for.

A lot kept me flashing back to my past experiences. I stepped out into the cold night air with much thought in my heart.

What had I gotten myself into?

The cold night wrapped around me as I stepped into the shadowy streets, clutching the bread tighter than I needed to.

Everything looks like a dream. More thought came stripping to my mind replaying his words, his voice, and the way his presence seemed to claim the very air around him.

Meeting a stranger without knowing a few things about him, I didn’t even know his name, yet I couldn’t deny the pull he had on me—a magnetic force I couldn’t explain. It was as if I was enchanted by him.

I walked aimlessly, the tavern growing quieter behind me. The truth was, I didn’t have a plan.

Rogues rarely did. It was all about surviving the day, but tonight felt different.

The eyes of the stranger haunted me, his voice echoing in my mind.

The sound of footsteps behind me brought me to a halt. My heart raced as I turned, my instincts on edge.

“It's me,” he said, his voice low and calm.

I sharply exhaled. “You again, why are you following me?”.

He shrugged his hands tucked into his coat pocket. “It seems as if you missed your direction, are you lost?”.

“I’m not lost,” I said defensively, though I wasn't sure it was true.

He stepped closer, his eyes searching mine. “If you're not lost then what are you?”.

I kept mute without an answer. Instead, I looked away, focusing on the cobblestone beneath my boots.

“Come with me, I've something to show you” he suddenly said.

I blinked up at him. “What?”

“You look famished; you're freezing alone; I know you're hungry. I have a place nearby. You can stay the night” he offered, his tone casual yet firm.

“Are you mocking me? Do I look hungry or homeless to you?” I angrily asked, defending myself.

He swiftly interjected. “Don't think negatively. That's not what I meant; I'm sorry if your thoughts do not correspond to my benevolence.”

For a moment, I hesitated, although accepting his offer felt dangerous, the alternative was spending another vulnerable and exposed night in the cold.

“Why are you so kind to me? To be sincere, why are you doing this?” I asked.

He smirked. “Let’s just say I’m curious about you”.

Curiosity wasn't a good enough reason to trust him, but something in his gaze told me I wasn't in danger—not from him. Against my better judgment, I nodded.

We walked in silence in a small inn tucked away in a quiet corner of the town. He led me to a room, its warmth and simplicity a stark contrast to the harsh world outside.

“Feel at home; you can have the bed,” he said, tossing his coat onto a chair.

I hesitated by the door. “You’ve been so nice to me. How do I repay you?”

He leaned against the wall, his eyes softening. “You’ve nothing to pay for; I noticed there's something great in you, Akira.”

I was astonished by the sound of my name on his lips sending a shiver down my spine. “How do you know my name? But I don't even know yours”.

“That's because you never asked”. He said with a charming smile.

“So what's your name, mysterious stranger, and what great thing do you see in me?”. I asked my voice barely above a whisper.

He kept mute without uttering any words; instead, he closed the distance between us, his hand brushing against my cheek.

The warmth of his touch melted the walls I’d spent years building.

For one night, I wanted to forget. Forget the pain, the loneliness, the endless fight to survive. And with him, I could.

Without another thought, I leaned in, letting the pull between us consume me.

His lips met mine, igniting a fire that burned away every thought but him. His touch was firm yet gentle, as though he understood the fragility of this moment.

The world outside disappeared as his arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer. Our breaths mingled, and the tension gave way to passion that neither of us held back.

Hours melted into each other, the room filled with whispers, soft gasps, and the sound of two souls colliding in the night. For once, I let myself feel—alive, wanted, whole.

When I woke, the room was eerily quiet. His side of the bed was cold, his presence a lingering ghost.

I sat up, scanning the unfamiliar space. Panic bubbled in my chest. This wasn’t his house—it was a hotel room.

Why did he leave without saying goodbye? And who was he?