Elena’s POV

“Leon…” my voice cracked, my chest aching.

His eyes locked onto mine, and my wolf whimpered.

“Elena…” he whispered, pain written all over his face.

Tears welled in my eyes, my heart breaking all over again.

Kael’s hand tightened into a fist. His jaw ticked.

Leon took a step forward.

I quickly broke eye contact, swallowing hard.

Kael’s arm suddenly wrapped around my waist.

“What…Kael?” I whispered, startled.

“Stay close,” he muttered sharply.

Before Leon could reach me, Kael pulled me firmly toward the stage.

“Wait…where are you taking me?” I asked, confused.

“Where you belong,” Kael replied in a low tone.

We stood on the stage, all eyes on us.

The hall grew silent.

Kael’s deep voice boomed.

“Welcome, alphas and betas. Tonight, we are gathered to discuss the danger of Cassian and the possible alliances among our packs.”

Murmurs rose among the crowd.

“Who is she?”

“She’s so beautiful.”

“Could she be his mate?”

Kael’s lips curved. He pulled me closer, holding me intimately.

“She is my second-chance mate,” Kael announced boldly. “The Moon Goddess blessed me with her. She means everything to me.”

Gasps echoed in the hall.

“What?” I turned to him sharply, anger rising. “Kael!”

He ignored me, his eyes deliberately finding Leon’s.

I clenched my fists, heat flooding my cheeks.

“You promised me time,” I snapped under my breath.

Kael smirked, leaning closer.

“Time is up, sweetheart.”

“You can’t just…”

“I can. And I did.” His voice was smug.

I shoved his arm off me. “Don’t touch me!”

The crowd whispered louder.

“She’s furious?”

“She’s angry?”

“Elena…” Kael reached out again.

“No!” I hissed, glaring at him. “You don’t get to decide for me.”

Kael’s voice dropped low. “You’re mine whether you like it or not.”

“I’m not yours to claim!” I shot back.

“Watch me,” he growled.

“And watch me walk away,” I fired back.

And with that, I stormed out of the hall, my heart pounding in rage.

Kael’s amused chuckle followed me.

Outside, I tried to calm myself, but my breaths came hard.

“Well, well, well…” a smooth flirty voice interrupted.

I turned sharply. A tall, handsome man stood there, a playful smile on his lips.

“Who are you?” I demanded.

He bowed slightly. “Beta Zane, at your service. Loyal beta of Alpha Kael.”

I frowned. “I’ve never seen you before.”

His grin widened. “Maybe Kael kept me away on purpose.”

“What?”

“Because he knew I’d like you the moment I saw you.”

My brows furrowed.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he teased, stepping closer.

I stiffened. “Don’t come closer.”

He tilted his head, eyes twinkling. “Why not?”

“Because you’re looking at me weird.”

“Not weird,” he said smoothly. “Admiring.”

I scoffed. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Honest,” he countered.

“Stop staring.”

“I can’t.” His eyes softened. “You’re too beautiful.”

I froze, caught off guard.

My wolf chuckled inside. Another man?

I broke eye contact quickly. “You’re ridiculous.”

He chuckled. “You’re blushing.”

“I am not!” I snapped.

“You are,” he teased.

“Don’t test me,” I warned.

“Relax,” he said easily. “I’m harmless.”

“Somehow I doubt that,” I muttered.

“Good instincts,” he winked.

Before I could reply, a strong hand suddenly grabbed mine.

“Elena.”

My heart stopped. Leon.

His grip was firm, his face unreadable.

“Come with me,” he ordered, pulling me away.

“Leon…let me go!” I struggled.

He ignored me, dragging me around the corner.

“Stop it!” I shouted. “You can’t just drag me like this!”

He pinned me against the wall.

“Leon!”

“Listen to me,” he said roughly, his voice breaking. “I can’t sleep, Elena. I can’t eat. I can’t breathe without you.”

I froze, shocked. “What?”

His eyes burned into mine. “I messed up. I was blind. But please… come back to me.”

“Leon…” I whispered, stunned.

“You’ll be my Luna,” he vowed desperately. “I’ll give you everything. Just come back.”

My chest tightened, my mind spinning.

“You’re lying,” I said shakily.

“I’m not,” Leon whispered. He cupped my cheek gently. “You feel it too. Don’t deny it.”

I swallowed hard. “Stop.”

His thumb brushed my lips. “Elena…”

“Leon, don’t…”

He leaned closer, our faces inches apart.

My heart raced.

“Just one kiss,” he whispered.

I pushed him away with all my strength. “Go to hell, Leon!”

“Elena…”

“I don’t want you!” I shouted, tears streaming. “You told me never to show my face in front of you. And I won’t. So don’t you dare come near me again!”

His chest heaved. “Don’t say that…”

“I mean it.” My voice shook with rage. “Stay away from me.”

“Elena, please,” he begged. “I can’t lose you.”

“You already did,” I spat.

“Elena…”

“No!” I cut him off. “Don’t touch me again!”

His hands trembled as he reached. “I love…”

A deep, dangerous voice cut through the air.

“No one touches my mate.”

My blood ran cold.

Kael.

His presence filled the space, his aura suffocating.

Leon turned slowly, a mocking smirk spreading on his lips.

“Kael,” Leon drawled. “How nice of you to join.”

Kael’s eyes blazed. “Step away from her.”

Leon chuckled darkly, his hand still half-raised toward me.

“Why would I?” Leon’s voice was low, taunting. “She’s mine.”

Kael’s fists clenched. “Not anymore.”

Leon leaned closer to me deliberately, his smirk wicked.

“She’s mine,” Leon whispered with venom. “And she will always be mine.”

Kael’s growl rumbled. “Say that again.”

Leon sneered. “She’s mine.”

“She chose me,” Kael snapped.

“I never chose you!” I burst out.

Both froze, turning to me.

“Elena…” Leon started.

“Elena…” Kael said at the same time.

“Shut up, both of you!” I shouted, tears burning. “I’m not a trophy you can fight over.”

Kael’s jaw flexed. “You’re my mate. That’s not up for debate.”

Leon’s eyes softened. “You were mine first. That bond doesn’t break.”

Kael stepped forward, voice sharp. “Try me.”

Leon smirked. “Gladly.”

Suddenly, Leon was right in front of me. His hand gripped the back of my neck, pulling me close, and in an instant, his lips crashed onto mine.