Chapter 8

Rayne POV

The stranger's hand hovered in the air between us, and my whole body felt like it was on a burning fire. I barely knew this man who claimed to be my new mate but, this supposed second chance mate—but something in me pulled toward him, a bond that was undeniable and completely different from what I had with Mateo on the Rejection night.

"Rayne…" Mateo's voice was soft, yet filled with a raw desperation and regret.

"You don't have to go with him."

I took a deep breath, the weight of both their gazes on me, with my heart racing so hard with multiple thoughts that I can't even control.

The intensity was fully suffocating, like being trapped between two waves, each one threatening to drown me. I turned to Mateo, my heart twisting at the pain in his eyes, and then to the stranger, who radiated a fierce energy that both excited and terrified me.

The stranger stepped closer, his voice low but commanding.

"You feel it deep within you, don't you, Rayne? You're drawn to me because fate chose us to be together. I am your second chance at love." His words were like a dangerous melody, luring me in, but it was his eyes that held me captive and placed in the dark, intense, and completely unwavering.

"Who are you?" I managed to asked him, my voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled, just a hint, like he knew more than he was letting on.

"My name is Kael. I come from a pack far from here, but something—someone—called me here. I couldn't ignore it. Just like you can't ignore this also."

Mateo took a step forward, placing himself between Kael and myself.

"You don't know anything about her, do you," he snarled, his voice low and dangerous at same time.

"She's been through enough. She doesn't need another stranger complicating things for her."

Kael's gaze didn't waver. "It's not about what she needs, Alpha. It's about what she's destined for."

I felt the tension rise between the two, an electric charge between the two of them. I wanted to scream, to tell them to stop, but my voice felt trapped in my own throat. Instead, I closed my eyes, willing myself to stay calm, to think clearly. But even in the silence of my mind, I felt Kael's pull, like gravity urging me toward him.

"Rayne." Mateo's voice was soft but filled with an intensity that was hard to ignore and move on with. "You don't have to listen to him. You're stronger than that. You're stronger than… whatever all this is."

But it was more than just strength—it was fate pulling us together. And fate wasn't something you could easily walk away from easily.

Suddenly, a howl echoed through the forest, piercing and desperate. It wasn't a familiar call from our pack, and it sent a chill down my spine. The air grew colder, tension thickening as Kael's gaze flicked past me, his expression sharpening and getting stronger by the second.

"They're coming," he said, his voice calm but urgent at same time.

"Your pack isn't safe anymore, Rayne. The rogue wolves have been gathering for months for this time. They're planning an attack on them. I came to warn you… and to help protect you From the war that is about to come."

My pulse raced unstop for that moment.

"How do you know this?"

He looked at me, his face grim and serious.

"Because they were watching you, tracking you. When I found you in the forest last night, they were already circling. They're relentless and will stop at nothing to get what they want."

Mateo took a sharp breath, his jaw tightening with his face looking Strong like that of a warrior.

"You expect us to believe you came to 'save' her right?"

"I don't expect anything," Kael shot back, his tone controlled and his reaction strong.

"I'm here because I have no choice. This connection, this bond—it called me, and now I can't leave it. Not until she's safe and under my protection."

I glanced between them, my mind reeling unstop. Everything was happening too fast—the rejection, the power, Kael's arrival, and now this threat of rogues attacking. I needed to think and fast, to figure out what was real and what was just another manipulation.

Mateo put a hand on my shoulder, his expression softening and strong.

"Rayne, you know me like forever. You know I'd never let anyone hurt you nor take advantage of you."

A part of me wanted to believe him, but the pain from his rejection still burned inside of me. I wasn't sure I could trust him, not after he'd shattered my heart in front of many.

Kael's voice cut through my thoughts.

"We don't have much time for all this words. If you want to stay and risk it, that's your own choice. But know this, Rayne: if you come with me, you'll be under my protection. I won't let anyone—rogue or otherwise—harm you nor make you feel pain."

Mateo's grip on my shoulder tightened.

"Rayne, don't. This is exactly what he wants. He's using fear to manipulate you, so he can get what he wants."

I looked between them, my heart hammering so hard already. Both of them offered protection to me, both of them claimed to have my best interests at heart. But the choice was mine to make. And the weight of it was crushing on me.

Another howl echoed in the distance, this time closer than the first time. Panic seized me as I realized just how real the threat was. Kael held out his hand, his gaze steady, filled with a fierce determination. "Come with me, Rayne. Trust in fate and love."

Mateo moved closer, his expression fierce and unwavering.

"You're stronger than fate, Rayne. Don't give in to him, he might be the stranger acting to be your own mate."

I felt like I was being torn in two world's, my heart pounding as the rogue wolves drew closer to myself, their howls filling the night.

I had seconds to decide what my life would turn into, and no matter what I chose, it felt like I was about to lose something—someone.

But before I could make a decision, a shadow emerged from the darkness, massive and menacing this time.

The rogue wolves had arrived already. Their leader—a hulking beast with eyes like burning coals—stood at the edge of the clearing, his gaze fixed on me with a hunger that chilled me to the bone.

Kael stepped in front of me, his stance protective, while Mateo bristled, his own power radiating off him, with his eyes looking Strong and firece.

They both looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.

For now, they had a common enemy.

The rogue leader let out a guttural snarl, his voice dripping with malice and hate.

"Hand her over, and we won't tear your precious pack apart and leave no one hurt."

Kael smirked, his eyes gleaming with defiance already.

"Over my dead body would that even take place."

Mateo growled, his voice low and lethal.

"If you want her, you'll have to go through us."

The rogue leader laughed, a dark, twisted sound that sent shivers through me.

"Very well. Then you've made your choice which you'd regret."

The rogue wolves surged forward, teeth bared, their eyes filled with to bloodlust. Kael and Mateo stood their ground, prepared to fight for me, but I could feel the power within me, the dark energy the stranger had awakened, pulsing, desperate to break free of myself.

For the very first time, I embraced it, letting the power flow through me, feeling it spark to life in my veins. With a fierce scream, I stepped forward, a surge of strength unlike anything I'd ever felt before filling me.

The wolves halted, startled by the force radiating from me. Even Kael and Mateo looked at me with shock and something else—respect.

The rogue leader's grin faltered, his eyes narrowing at once.

"So, the little wolf has some bite after all."

He lunged, claws outstretched, but I raised my hand, and an invisible force slammed into him, sending him sprawling back. The power pulsed through me, wild and untamed, but exhilarating.

The rogues hesitated, looking at each other in confusion, unsure of what they were facing. But I was far from in control, the power swirling inside me like a storm, threatening to consume me.

Kael reached for me, his voice urgent and sharp.

"Rayne, you have to control it, or it'll tear you apart."

But I was beyond hearing, the power blinding me, pushing me to the edge. I felt like I was on the verge of losing myself, of becoming something else entirely—something darker and more stronger.

Mateo's voice cut through the chaos, a desperate plea.

"Rayne, come back to us. Don't let it take you away from us."

I tried to ground myself up, to remember who I was and want I stand for, but the power had taken hold of me, filling me with a fury and strength that was both intoxicating and terrifying.

And as I stood there, the wolves cowering before me, I realized with a cold, sinking feeling that rose within me.

I might never be able to turn back anymore.