Chapter 12

"Why?" I asked, staring at Amara in disbelief. "Why would I reject my true mate?"

Amara tossed her perfect hair over her shoulder. "Because you're not right for him," she snapped. "Look at you—just a simple, ordinary wolf girl. You know nothing about being Luna!" She gestured to herself with a sweeping motion. "I was born for this role. I've trained my entire life to stand beside the most powerful Alpha King."

My mouth fell open. Was she serious?

"You can't just... exchange mates," I said. "That's not how it works."

"It can work however we want it to," Amara insisted, stepping closer. "I've already arranged everything. There's a perfectly nice male wolf from my pack who would be happy to have you. His family owns a successful business, and he has a lovely cabin by the lake." Her voice turned sickly sweet. "Wouldn't that be better than trying to fill shoes that are clearly too big for you?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The way she talked about switching mates like we were trading baseball cards made my stomach turn.

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," I said, finding my courage. "The Moon Goddess chose us for each other. I'm not trading Kieran for someone else just because you want him!"

Maya stepped forward, placing herself between me and Amara. "Cousin, this has gone far enough," she said firmly.

My eyes widened. "Cousin?" I looked between Maya and Amara, not seeing any family resemblance.

"Second cousins," Maya clarified without looking at me. "Amara, you need to accept this. Kieran and Lena are true mates. You can't change that, no matter how much you want to."

Amara's beautiful face twisted with fury. "You're supposed to be on my side!" she hissed at Maya. "Family supports family, or have you forgotten that?"

"Family also tells the truth," Maya replied calmly. "And the truth is, you're making a fool of yourself right now."

Before Amara could respond, a tall, handsome man with dark hair appeared at her side. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Amara," he said softly, his eyes filled with pain as he looked at her. "Why are you doing this? Why are you throwing away what we could have together?"

Amara shrugged his hand off. "Don't touch me, Lucas! This has nothing to do with you."

"It has everything to do with me," he said. "I'm your mate. Can't you feel it? Everyone else can see it."

"I don't care what anyone says!" Amara's voice rose to a near-scream. "I was promised to Kieran! Our packs have planned this alliance for years!"

Kieran finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through Amara's outburst. "Enough." The single word carried so much power that everyone fell silent. Even Amara stopped mid-sentence.

"Amara," Kieran continued, "I understand your disappointment. But you must accept reality. Lena is my true mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself. Nothing you say or do will change that fact."

He turned to look at Lucas. "Take her home. Help her understand."

Lucas nodded, gently but firmly taking Amara's arm. "Come on," he murmured. "This isn't the place."

For a moment, I thought Amara might resist, but something in Lucas's expression seemed to reach her. With one last venomous glare at me, she allowed him to lead her away.

Maya let out a long breath. "Well, that was dramatic."

Damon chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Welcome to pack politics," he said.

"We should go too," Maya said, giving me a quick hug. "I need to find my parents and let them know what's happened. Plus," she added with a meaningful glance at Damon, "I think you two need some time alone."

My cheeks burned at the implication in her voice. Kieran's hand found mine again, his touch sending that now-familiar tingle up my arm.

"It was lovely meeting you, Luna," Damon said, bowing his head slightly to me.

"Just Lena, please," I said quickly. The title still felt strange.

After Maya and Damon left, Kieran turned to me. "Come," he said softly. "My cabin is this way."

---

Kieran's cabin was nothing like I'd expected. Instead of the rustic hunting lodge I'd imagined, it was modern and spacious, with huge windows overlooking the forest. Everything inside was neat and tasteful—leather furniture, dark wood tables, and soft rugs covering the hardwood floors.

"This is yours?" I asked, turning in a slow circle to take it all in.

"Ours," he corrected, watching me with those intense amber eyes. "If you choose to accept me."

I swallowed hard, suddenly very aware that we were alone. Kieran had removed his torn shirt when we entered, revealing exactly the kind of perfect muscles I'd imagined earlier. I couldn't stop staring at him—his broad shoulders, his strong chest, the way his jeans hung low on his narrow hips.

My face grew hot when I realized he was watching me watch him. His eyes had darkened, burning with an intensity that made my breath catch. The air between us seemed to crackle with electricity.

Part of me wanted to run to him, to feel those strong arms around me. My wolf was practically howling for it, pushing me toward him with a need I'd never felt before. I took a step forward without even meaning to.

Kieran's nostrils flared as he caught my scent. Something flashed in his eyes—hunger, need, want—and I knew he was fighting the same battle I was.

Then, suddenly, his expression changed. His eyebrows drew together, and a shadow of uncertainty crossed his face.

"So," he said quietly, "are you going to reject me?"

The question caught me off guard. After everything that had happened—the hunt, finding each other, facing down Amara—it seemed impossible that he could think I'd reject him now.

"Why would you ask that?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.