Landon's heart was still racing as he stood in front of her.
The memory of the silver glow from her hands was stuck in his mind.
Tara hadn't healed that rogue with herbs or skills.
It was something different.
Something old.
Something that felt a little scary.
Her powers weren't normal.
They glowed, like they were meant to be —like something from a prophecy.
Now, she wasn't just his mate anymore. She was something else. Something dangerous.
"You're not just a healer," he finally said, stepping closer.
"you're not just a beta's daughter, are you?"
Tara didn't move. She looked him in the eyes, calm and steady—which only made him more suspicious.
"What I am doesn't matter," she said evenly. "What matters is that you won't understand."
"I'm not going to let you hide," he said, his frustration rising. "The pack deserves to know."
"But you won't," Tara said quietly, her voice sure. "You never will."
They stared at each other, breathing heavily —something passing between them they couldn't name.
Her wolf was pulling towards him, strong. she could feel his wolf doing the same—the spark between them was wild. The bond was forming —fast.
And then, without thinking, Landon stepped forward. His hand reached for her cheek. Tara didn't move away.
"I hate this," he muttered.
"So do I," she whispered.
But neither stopped.
Their lips crashed together —spark the only thing they could feel. It was raw, needy, real. Landon's hands wrapped around her waist,
pulling her closer as she melted into him.
They stumbled into the woods, bodies pressed against each other. When they finally came together, it wasn't gentle —It was desperate. They mated under the moonlight.
Tara stood slowly, pulling the blanket around her body. She didn't look at him.
"Tara—" Landon started.
"Landon?" She asked quietly, her voice barely holding together.
But he stood. His face had no emotions, hands clenched.
"I, Landon Hayes of the silver moon pack," he said, voice shaking but firm, "reject you, Tara, as my mate."
Her heart was breaking before he finished his words.
It felt like a knife cutting through her chest. The bond between them broke.
Tara gasped, her hands flying to her mouth to hold back the scream, eyes wide. "No ….no, Landon you can't."
But he already turned away.
"I can't love someone I can't trust," he said coldly "You healed a rogue in secret. You should've told me. And your father—"
He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.
Meanwhile,
From behind the trees, Ayla watched, her fist clenched with rage.
Tara's best friend.
She had seen Tara acting differently. She had seen her sneaking around. And now she saw her with Landon.
That was enough to kill for.
Ayla stormed into the Alpha's quarter.
Alpha Jeff Hayes looked up from his desk, giving her a sharp look. His hard stare moved over her. "What do you want?"
Ayla wasn't scared. She stepped forward with a proud, cocky smile. "I know what happened," she said.
Jeff raises an eyebrow. " What do you mean by that?"
"Landon rejected her," Ayla said with a smile on her face. "Just like I know he would. But she is still a threat."
Jeff paused, his face hard to read " And what do you want me to do about it?"
Ayla didn't hesitate. She stepped closer "leave it to me. I already have something ready."
Jeff leaned back, watching her carefully. "I'm listening."
"I've already set things in motion," Ayla said, her eyes shining. "There is a rogue in the area. A friend of mine. He'll take care of it.
Jeff smiled coldly . "Good, but what do you want in return?"
"I know you want something, so tell me?"
Ayla smirked. "I'm not asking. I will be Luna."
Jeff drummed his hand on the desk, staring at her with cold calculation. "Being Luna comes with responsibilities you might not be ready for," he warned, though a smirk pulled at his lips.
Jeff sighed. "Well that could work, since you came from a very strong bloodline."
Later that night—
In a darkest part of the forest, Ayla walked back and forth near a campfire. The rogue king Marcell stepped out of the shadows , eyes cold and calculating.
"She's been rejected," Ayla told him. "She's weak now, falling apart."
Marcell raised a brow. "And why should I care?"
"Because I want her gone," Ayla said, "she's in the way. Landon was supposed to be mine. If she disappears permanently, no one will question it. Not after what her father did."
The rogue smirked. "what do I gain from this?"
Ayla laughed coldly. "You have been hunting the white wolf , haven't you?"
He stiffened. "How do you know about that?"
"I know more than you think," Ayla said. "Tara's special. Very powerful. She's the one you have been looking for — And she doesn't even have any idea."
Marcell's eyes narrowed. "you're sure ?"
Ayla smiled. "I saw her heal a rogue with her bare hands. No normal wolf can do that. She doesn't even know what she is."
His eyes lit up. "Fine. I'll take care of it. But if she's the white wolf, she won't be easy to break."
"Do whatever it takes," Ayla said coldly "just make sure she disappears."
As the rogue went back to the forest, Ayla turned back towards the pack house, her smile so cold and cruel. Tara had no idea what was coming for her.
Meanwhile—
Every step felt heavier, her breath rough, her chest tight. She hated herself for loving him, for wanting him even as she walked. The bond's breaking left her empty, feeling lost.
She had mated with him.
And then he rejected her.
The bond was broken, cutting through her like a knife to the chest. He rejected her. She looked stupid .Weak . Emotional . She blamed herself more than ever.
Her leg failed, and she collapsed against a tree, gasping for breath, her body shaking as she cried hard, tears streaming down her face.
Until—
"Tara?" A voice called out.