After My Mate Rejected Me, I Reclaimed Power

The rogue's claws slashed through the air, missing my face by inches as I ducked and pivoted. Moonlight glinted off his matted fur as he lunged again, teeth bared in a feral snarl. Behind me, I could hear the panicked breathing of Liam, one of our youngest warriors who'd been separated from the main patrol.

"Stay behind me," I commanded, my voice carrying the unmistakable weight of an Alpha. The rogue's eyes flickered with momentary hesitation before hatred consumed them again.

The midnight air was thick with the scent of blood and aggression as my pack engaged the rogue wolves who'd been encroaching on Crimson Shadow territory for weeks. We'd finally cornered them at our eastern border, but they were fighting with desperate ferocity.

"Alpha Aria!" Liam called out in warning as another rogue emerged from the shadows.

I spun, ready to face the new threat, but my foot caught on an exposed root. In that split second of imbalance, I saw the massive rogue leap toward Liam, claws extended toward the young wolf's throat.

Without hesitation, I threw myself between them, shoving Liam clear. Pain exploded across my temple as the rogue's paw connected with my head. I staggered, vision blurring, but managed to slash my claws across his chest, sending him retreating with a pained howl.

"Alpha!" Liam's voice seemed distant, underwater.

I tried to respond, to reassure him I was fine, but the world tilted violently. I dropped to one knee, pressing my palm against my throbbing temple. Blood trickled between my fingers.

Then it happened.

The dam in my mind burst open, flooding me with images so vivid they stole my breath:

*Silver moonlight streaming through tall windows as I danced with a golden-eyed man, his arms strong around my waist, his scent—pine and winter frost—filling my lungs as he whispered, "My Luna, my heart."*

*A small boy with those same golden eyes, laughing as he chased butterflies across a manicured lawn, calling out, "Mama, look!"*

*A woman with chestnut hair embracing me, her voice warm with affection: "What would I do without you, Aria? You're the sister I never had."*

I gasped, clutching my head as the memories continued to assault me:

*The same chestnut-haired woman—Rebecca—whispering to a shadowed figure as I passed their doorway, her voice suddenly cold: "She's becoming a problem. Her bloodline is too strong..."*

*Running through the forest at night, terror clawing at my throat, the sound of pursuit behind me...*

*Pain. Darkness. Awakening to a stranger's face—Christopher—telling me I was safe now.*

"Alpha Aria!" The voice pulled me back to the present. My Beta, Daniel, was kneeling beside me, his face tight with concern. "The rogues are retreating. We need to get you to the healer."

I clutched his arm, my fingers digging into his skin. "Ryan," I whispered, the name feeling both foreign and achingly familiar on my tongue. "Ryan Sterling. Silver Ridge Pack."

Daniel's brow furrowed. "The neighboring Alpha? What about him?"

"He's my mate," I said, the words sending a jolt through my body as the mate bond I'd never known existed suddenly flared to life, a burning tether pulling me northward. "And I have a son. Jake."

"Alpha, you're injured. You're not making sense—"

I pushed to my feet, swaying but determined. "I remember everything now. I'm Luna Aria Sterling of the Silver Ridge Pack. I was attacked—left for dead. But they didn't look for me. They replaced me." My voice broke on the last word as Rebecca's face flashed in my mind, wearing my Luna pendant, standing beside my mate.

"You need rest," Daniel insisted, trying to guide me back toward our territory.

I shook my head, wincing at the pain that followed. "No. I need to go home. Now."

"At least let our healer see you first," he pleaded.

"There's no time," I said, already moving toward the northern border, following the insistent pull of the mate bond. "They've stolen five years from me. I won't give them another minute."