Reyna’s POV
The moment I left the hall, the cool evening air hit my skin, a stark contrast to the suffocating tension inside. My heart was racing, and my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The announcement from the Moon Goddess assistant replayed in my head like a haunting melody-Jake and I were mates. It was something I had never expected, something I wasn’t sure how to feel about.
I kept walking, my heels clicking against the cobblestone path, needing to put as much distance as possible between myself and the chaos I had just escaped. My emotions were tangled-anger, confusion, guilt. And underlying it all was an inexplicable pull toward Jake that I couldn’t ignore, no matter how much I tried.
“Reyna! Wait up!” Stephanie’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I stopped, turning to see her hurrying toward me, her dress billowing behind her.
She reached me, slightly out of breath, and placed a hand on my arm. “What are you doing out here? You just ran out without saying a word.”
“I needed air,” I said, my voice quieter than I intended. “I needed to think.”
Stephanie frowned, concern etched on her face. “I can’t believe what just happened in there. Are you okay?”
I shook my head, unsure of how to answer. “No, Steph. I’m not okay. How could I be? My whole life just… changed in an instant.”
She nodded, her expression softening. “I get it. It’s a lot to take in. But maybe this isn’t such a bad thing. Jake-”
“Don’t,” I interrupted, holding up a hand. “Don’t try to justify this. You don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand,” she said gently. “Talk to me, Reyna.”
I hesitated, feeling a lump form in my throat. “It’s not just about Jake being my mate. It’s… everything. John. Diane. The elders. The way everyone looks at me like I don’t belong here. Like I’m some outsider who doesn’t deserve to be part of this world.”
Stephanie’s expression hardened. “That’s not true. You’ve more than proven yourself. And as for Diane, well, she got what she deserved tonight. John made sure of that.”
“Did he?” I asked bitterly. “Because the way he was looking at me back there… it felt like he didn’t care about anything except staking his claim.”
Stephanie sighed. “John’s always been intense when it comes to you. But you need to focus on what you want, Reyna. Not what he wants, or Jake, or anyone else.”
I looked away, my gaze falling on the moonlit garden ahead. “What if I don’t know what I want?”
Stephanie smiled faintly. “Then maybe it’s time to figure it out.”
I didn’t respond, letting her words sink in. Deep down, I knew she was right. But figuring out what I wanted felt impossible when my heart and mind were at war.
Before I could say anything, we heard footsteps approaching. My stomach twisted, half-expecting it to be Jake or John. But it was one of the guards.
“Miss Reyna,” he said with a bow, “Alpha John has requested your presence in his office.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. “What does he want?”
“I’m not sure, miss. He just said it was urgent.”
Stephanie glanced at me, her brow furrowed. “Do you want me to come with you?”
I shook my head. “No, I’ll handle it.”
The guard led me back toward the estate, the sound of the party still faintly audible in the background. As we entered the hall, I felt the weight of dozens of eyes on me. Whispers followed me as I passed, people speculating about the announcement, about me and Jake, about what was going to happen next.
When I reached John’s office, the guard opened the door and stepped aside. I walked in hesitantly, my heart pounding. John was standing by the window, his back to me, his posture rigid.
“You wanted to see me?” I said, keeping my voice steady.
He turned slowly, his expression unreadable. “Close the door.”
I did as he asked, my nerves on edge. “What’s this about?”
John stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “You’ve been quiet tonight, Reyna. Too quiet.”
“I don’t know what you expect me to say,” I replied. “What happened tonight… it was a lot.”
“It was,” he agreed. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you and Jake are mates. Do you have any idea what that means? What it could mean for the clan?”
I crossed my arms, trying to mask my unease. “It means I don’t have a choice, doesn’t it?”
John’s jaw tightened. “You always have a choice, Reyna. But don’t forget that Jake isn’t the only one who wants you.”
I stared at him, his words sinking in. “Is that why you called me here? To remind me that you’re still in the running?”
“No,” he said, his voice softening. “I called you here because I care about you. And because I need you to know that no matter what happens, I’ll always fight for you.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. The sincerity in his eyes was undeniable, but so was the weight of the bond I now shared with Jake.
“John,” I began, but before I could finish, there was a knock on the door.
We both turned, and my heart sank as the door opened to reveal Jake. His eyes flicked between me and John, and the tension in the room became almost unbearable.
“Am I interrupting something?” Jake asked, his voice calm but laced with an edge.
I looked between them, feeling the walls close in. This was only the beginning, and I had no idea how to navigate the storm that was coming.