Rylan's POV
As I listened to my parents and that rogue talking about the white wolf and her whereabouts at the Silver Moon Pack, something within me shifted. She belonged with me, and no one would stand in the way of claiming what was rightfully mine. The connection between us, the bond that had been forged long before we even knew of its existence, beckoned me to her side. I did not care for Daniella being my brother's choice of a chosen Luna. We were not yet the Alphas of Creek anyway.
I had had enough of the secrets, the lies, the deception. I may not know her name, but I knew she was my mate, the White Wolf, and I would not let her slip through my fingers. I silently vowed to find her and bring her back to where she truly belonged – by my side—Future Luna of the Creek.
No way was I letting this go. The thought echoed in my mind, driving me forward through the forest. The moon's silver light illuminated my path, guiding me toward the Silver Moon Pack. It did not bother me that this was the enemy pack, and I might end up in a lot of trouble if I crossed their territory, but I was prepared for whatever would happen as long as I got what I was coming for.
Arriving at the edge of the Silver Moon Pack's territory, I paused, taking in the scent of a different pack that lingered in the air. Surprisingly, no patrol officers were in sight, and my ears pricked up at the sound of voices. The sweet smell of walnuts filled my nostrils, making me snap my eyes to the left of me where there was a stream.
I spotted two females laughing and joking around together, but for some reason, the one with long, beautiful blonde hair stood out to me. I recognised her from somewhere, but the smell of her scent was undoubtedly the same as the white wolf I had met the day Daniella tried to convince me to tell Rio we were fated mates.
But then, in an instant, the girl turned, and I gasped in disbelief. That girl was none other than Eliza. Our missing omega that had run away from Creek. I should be mad at her for treating my parents and my pack that way. We had allowed her to stay with us all these years, and here she was, having the time of her life within the pack of our enemies.
“Eliza?” I called out, and instantly, her eyes met mine. I saw the fear cloud over her face, and momentarily, I thought how beautiful she looked. Why had I never noticed those big Amber eyes of here? They drew me to her. I wanted to wrap her in my arms. How could an omega make me feel so weak? The White Wolf must have been here, and her scent lingered. That was the only answer I could come up with because there was no way that Eliza would be my mate. But she could give me the answers I needed about my white wolf mate.
As I neared the clearing where Eliza and her friend stood, fear etched on their faces, I felt mixed emotions welling inside me.
“We need to get out of here.” I heard her yell to her friend.
"Eliza, why did you run away from Creek, and why are you within the enemy's territory?" I called out, my voice betraying my confusion and concern.
But before she could respond, Alpha Theron's voice boomed out, demanding my departure from his territory.
I hesitated, torn between my duty to my pack and my need to protect Eliza. The revelation of her status as the White Wolf, my mate, added complexity to the situation. Could I trust my instincts and follow my heart, even if it meant defying Alpha Theron and risking everything I knew?
“Little Quad, I would suggest you leave before you find yourself at the bottom of my prison surrounded by other worthless criminals.”
Alpha Theron's threat rang in my ears, but I could not ignore my pull towards Eliza. I had to know the truth to unravel the mysteries surrounding her and our connection. With a determined glare at Alpha Theron, I turned to Eliza, my eyes boring into hers.
"Eliza, tell me the truth. Are you the White Wolf, my mate?" I demanded, my voice low yet resolute. The words hung between us, the tension palpable as we stood at the brink of a precipice.
Eliza hesitated, her gaze flickering between me and Alpha Theron, uncertainty clouding her features. “Why does it matter? I'm not coming back with you to that hell hole. You are nothing to me, Rylan.” She shouted. I knew then that it was true, she was the white wolf. This changed everything.
“She doesn't want you. Now leave.” Alpha Theron glared at me coldly.
“I would suggest you do as my alpha says.” Another wolf appeared by Theron’s side, and I knew it was his beta.
“I will leave, but hear me out. This situation is between me and Eliza. She left Creek without a word after my parents did everything for her.” I growled, standing my ground, but to my surprise, Eliza walked towards Theron and sat beside him.
“Really? Everything for me? You and your pack did nothing but abuse me and bully me for years. You didn't care about me. I don't need you or Creek. I belong here with my new family. They have treated me better than you ever could. Now leave Rylan. I don't want ever to see you again. I, Eliza of Silver Moon Pack, reject you, Rylan of Creek, as my mate and pack. You are not welcome here." She spat at me.
The words hit me like bricks, disbelief and heartbreak washing over me in waves. I had come here with hope, ready to claim my mate and return her to where she belonged. Instead, I faced rejection and betrayal, the truth of Eliza's feelings cutting more profound than any physical wound ever could.
“Alpha Theron. Let him go without any harm. If he leaves and understands, I will never return to Creek with him.” I heard her say softly to her new Alpha, and then she turned to me again. “Goodbye, Rylan,” she growled at me as her friend wrapped an arm around her shoulders protectively.
I stood there, stunned and speechless, as she turned her back on me and walked away, disappearing into the depths of the Silver Moon Pack territory. Her footsteps echoed in the silence that enveloped me, a stark reminder of the reality of the situation.
“So, you think you can claim her as your mate suddenly? Are you truly foolish enough to believe that Eliza is an omega? She deserves better than you and your useless pack. Ensure you tell your father that if anyone from Creek dares to step foot within my territory again, I will be coming for you all.” Alpha Theron's menacing voice cut through the air, echoing around me as a final warning.
“Fine, I will go, but believe me, Theron, this is far from over.” And with that, I turned on my hell and left him and his beta; the sound of their laughter echoed loudly around me.
“I will never give up on my true mate. She is not an omega; she is something more important, precious and beautiful. How could we have been so stupid not to realise it before? Eliza was our destined mate. I wasn't going to accept her forced rejection.” I vowed silently, my heart heavy with the ache of rejection and the knowledge that my mate had slipped through my fingers.
As I crossed back into Creek territory, the familiar scents and sounds of my pack surrounded me, but I felt like a stranger in my own home. The weight of Eliza's rejection hung heavy on my shoulders, a constant reminder of what could have been, what I had lost because of my inaction and ignorance.
“Rylan, what the hell, where did you go?” Enzo rushed down the path to greet me as I approached the pack house. I wasn't in the mood to discuss anything with anyone, let alone my brothers.
“Just leave it, bro. I'm going to bed.” I shoved him out of my way and carried on walking.
Enzo followed me with concern etched on his face, but I brushed him off, not wanting to burden him with the weight of my emotions. I needed time to process everything that had transpired.
“We will talk this over tomorrow, Rylan,” Enzo said as he left me alone.
As I entered my room, the empty walls and the silent space around me mirrored the hollowness in my chest. I sank onto the edge of my bed, the night's events replaying in my mind like a cruel loop. Eliza's words, her rejection, her choice to turn her back on me and walk away – they all seared through my soul.