From Rejected Mate to Royal Queen

The news of the village attack spread faster than wildfire through the palace.

Raina stood frozen in Theron's war room, her fingers clenched into trembling fists. Cassian's words echoed in her head:

"Your village. It was attacked."

"By the Alpha King."

"He's hunting your bloodline."

"No…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Theron stepped forward. "Raina, listen—"

"No!" she snapped. "Those people raised me. Fed me when we had nothing. And now they're gone because of me?"

Cassian's face softened. "Not gone. Attacked. We don't know how bad it is yet."

Raina's heart pounded. "Then take me there."

Theron's expression hardened. "It's too dangerous. If the Alpha King left soldiers behind, you'd be walking into a trap."

"I don't care." Her voice shook with fury. "If he wants me, then I'll face him."

"Raina—"

"I'm done hiding!"

The room fell silent. She was breathing hard, her wolf pacing beneath her skin.

Theron exchanged a look with Cassian. "Then we go. But on my terms."

The journey to her old village was fast and quiet. They took the northern path through the Whispering Pines — a shortcut only royal scouts used. Cassian led the way, Theron beside him, Raina riding alone in the back.

Every tree she passed felt familiar. Every bend in the path held memories. The last time she'd walked these woods, she was a rejected nobody.

Now she was something else. Something hunted.

When they arrived, smoke still curled from the rooftops.

The village wasn't burned to ash — but it had been gutted. Houses ransacked. Doors smashed open. Blood smeared the dirt road. No bodies, just destruction.

Raina dropped from her horse and ran to her childhood home. The front door hung crooked on its hinges. Inside, broken dishes covered the floor. Her mother's herb jars shattered across the counter.

She stepped into her old room and saw it: a claw mark, deep and deliberate, carved across the wooden wall.

Her wolf stirred in her chest.

"They're sending a message," Cassian said behind her. "He knows who you are now."

"And he wants me scared," she muttered.

Cassian nodded. "It's how he rules. Fear."

Raina turned, fire in her eyes. "Then he picked the wrong girl."

That night, they camped by the river just outside the village. Theron kept watch while Raina sat by the fire, staring into the flames. She hadn't spoken since they left the ruins.

"You're quiet," Theron said finally.

"I'm thinking."

"About what?"

She glanced at him. "Why me?"

Theron didn't pretend not to understand.

"Why did your father reject me? Why did my wolf stay silent all my life? Why did I have to lose everything just to find out who I really am?"

Theron knelt beside her. "Because the strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire."

She scoffed. "You sound like Vanya."

"She's not wrong. You think your power is just your bloodline, but it's more than that. It's the choices you've made since the rejection."

Raina looked down at her hands. "They feel different."

Theron tilted his head. "Your hands?"

"No. My instincts. Like… my wolf is getting closer."

"Maybe she knows the time is near."

Raina looked up. "Time for what?"

Before he could answer, the wind shifted.

Cassian burst from the trees. "We're not alone."

Theron was on his feet instantly. "Scouts?"

Cassian shook his head. "No. Him."

The shadows across the river parted — and from the darkness stepped a man cloaked in black and gold.

The Alpha King.

He didn't come with guards. He didn't need to.

Even the trees seemed to bow under his presence.

"Raina," his voice echoed like thunder. "Daughter of wolves who should have stayed buried."

Raina stepped forward, fists clenched.

The Alpha King smiled coldly. "You've come far. But not far enough to challenge me."

"I'm not here to challenge you," she said. "I'm here to end you."

His eyes flashed. "Then consider this your only warning. Return to your little royal protector," he glanced at Theron, "and keep your head down."

"Or what?" Raina hissed.

He stepped closer. "Or I will rip the crown from your bloodline once more — and this time, I'll burn every trace."

The wind howled. Raina didn't flinch.

"I'm not afraid of you."

"You will be."

Then, like smoke, he vanished into the woods.

Theron grabbed her arm. "Raina…"

But she was already turning toward the fire.

Her voice was ice.

"Tomorrow, I train harder."