Knotting His Rejected Breeder

Out in the training yard, the metallic clash of practice blades filled the air until the estate’s heavy main gate swung open with a resounding thud.

A dark SUV tore through the entrance at breakneck speed, scattering loose gravel in every direction. The driver slammed violently on the brakes, forcing the tires to screech against the ground before the vehicle skidded to an abrupt stop. Nearby, several warriors immediately halted their drills, turning toward the disturbance with mounting tension.

Before the engine had even died, the driver burst from the cab. He scrambled across the yard, chest heaving heavily, and skidded to a halt directly before Dane.

"Alpha," the driver gasped.

Dane smoothly lowered his blade, his gaze narrowing. "What happened?"

The driver bent forward, hands resting on his knees as he struggled to draw breath. "There’s movement at Redstone Pass."

The atmosphere shifted instantly, a hard shadow falling over Dane’s expression.

"Whose?"

"Silvercrest."

A heavy silence descended over the yard, completely smothering the surrounding warriors into hushed stillness. In response to the unspoken threat, Dane willed his retracting claws back into his fingertips, erasing the physical remnants of his training.

"How many vehicles?"

"We couldn’t get an exact count," the driver admitted, still winded. "They’re still gathering on the far side of the pass."

"Did they cross?"

"No."

"Did they send a formal message?"

The driver shook his head solemnly. "No, Alpha."

Turning his attention toward the jagged mountain skyline, Dane considered the implications. Redstone Pass was far too close for a sudden influx of Silvercrest forces to be brushed off as mere routine. While he had certainly expected Vance to retaliate upon learning of the marriage—anticipating an angry message, a royal summons, or perhaps even a direct threat—scouts stationed right at the pass signaled an urgency he hadn’t foreseen.

Vance was moving faster than anticipated.

"How long have they been stationed there?"

"Less than an hour. Our forward men spotted them just before they hit the bottleneck."

One of the pack Betas stepped into the circle, his tone grim. "Are they armed?"

"They’re traveling with full warrior escorts," the driver confirmed.

Dane’s jaw tightened, the muscle pulsing beneath his skin.

Reaching inside his heavy coat, the driver added, "There’s something else."

He pulled out a mobile phone and held it out with a trembling hand.

Dane took the device, his eyes darting across the brightly lit screen. He read the transmission once, paused, and then re-read it to digest the full weight of the words. Slowly, his grip tightened until the casing nearly cracked in his palm.

"What is it?" the Beta asked, stepping closer.

Instead of answering aloud, Dane handed the phone off to him.

"Vance has ordered the regional packs to withdraw recognition of BloodMoon’s territorial immunity."

As the Beta scanned the screen, his expression darkened to a storm.

"That’s a declaration of war."

"Not yet," Dane countered smoothly, his gaze drifting back up toward the distant peaks. "He’s testing the waters to see who will follow him."

"And if they fall in line?"

"Then we deal with them once the line is drawn."

Though clearly unconvinced, the Beta gave a curt nod.

Turning back to the awaiting warriors, Dane began barking orders with absolute authority.

"Send two scouts down the southern highway immediately. I want to know where those vehicles originated and where they’re heading."

"Yes, Alpha."

"Keep another full team anchored at the pass. No one crosses that line without my direct command."

The warriors scattered to execute their directives without delay.

With the yard clearing, Dane glanced back at his second-in-command.

"Keep the council together."

"Are you going to address them now?"

"After I speak with Destiny."

The Beta gave a respectful nod, allowing Dane to turn and stride purposefully toward the main estate.

By the time he reached the third-floor library, his mind had already churned through half a dozen tactical scenarios, though none of them boded well.

Pushing open the grand oak doors, he found Destiny sitting quietly by the tall arched window, an open book resting in her lap. She looked up at the sound of his entry, a gentle smile initially forming on her face, only to instantly vanish as she registered his stern posture.

"You look serious," she noted softly.

Closing the heavy door behind him to seal off the hallway, Dane got straight to the point.

"Vance knows."

Destiny lowered her book, her fingers tensing against the paper. "Knows what?"

"About the marriage."

Her hands tightened until the edge of the hardback creaked.

"He knows?"

"And everything else," Dane added with a quiet nod.

She stared at him, her pulse quickening. "But you said we had at least two days."

"I thought we did."

"What changed?"

"Silvercrest," Dane replied bluntly.

Setting the book aside entirely, Destiny rose to her feet.

"What did they do?"

"They’re currently massing forces at Redstone Pass."

Her eyes widened in realization. "Why there?"

"Because Vance is no longer treating this as a mere family dispute," Dane explained, crossing the room to look out over the grounds. "He believes I publicly defied a royal decree and embarrassed the crown in front of the allied Alphas."

"Because you refused Aurora."

"Yes."

Destiny looked down at her hands, a wave of guilt washing over her.

"So this is happening because of me."

Dane pivoted to face her instantly.

"No, it isn’t."

"But if I hadn’t married you—"

"I would have refused him regardless," Dane cut in firmly.

"You don’t know that for sure."

"I do."

She met his intense gaze, searching for any sign of doubt. Stepping across the hardwood floor, Dane stopped just inches in front of her.

"I was never going to marry Aurora, Destiny. You didn’t make that choice for me."

"But you chose me instead," she pointed out softly.

"I did."

"And now he’s bringing a war party straight to our front door."

"I am aware."

Destiny averted her eyes, overwhelmed by the quiet weight settling over the room.

"What does he actually want?" she asked quietly.

"A response."

"What kind of response?"

"I don’t know."

Her gaze snapped back to his.

"You don’t know?"

"No," he admitted without hesitation.

The blunt honesty of his answer frightened her far more than a tactical lie would have.

"Is he planning to attack us?"

Dane paused for a long moment, carefully weighing his words.

"I don’t know."

Destiny’s fingers subconsciously curled into the thin fabric of her dress. Seeing her distress, Dane reached out and took her hands into his warm, firm grasp.

"We will prepare for the worst," he reassured her.

"And what if preparing isn’t enough?"

"Then we do more."

"What if they cross the border tonight?"

"We stop them."

"And if they refuse to stop?"

Dane held her eyes, his tone unwavering.

"We handle it."

She shook her head, pulling slightly against his grip.

"You’re making this sound far too simple."

"I’m not," he replied softly. "I’m telling you honestly that I cannot predict Vance’s next move."

Destiny swallowed hard, the harsh reality setting in.

"What if our people get hurt?"

Dane didn’t offer a quick, comforting lie.

"They might," he said quietly, keeping his gaze locked with hers. "I won’t lie to you about the risks."

Her eyes dropped down to their joined hands, tracing the line of his fingers.

"This was supposed to be our wedding day."

"It still is."

She glanced up, confused.

"How can it be?"

"Because I married you," he answered simply.

"Dane—"

"That fact hasn’t changed."

"But there’s a hostile force massing outside!"

"We don’t know if it’s a full army yet."

"They are Silvercrest warriors," she countered, her voice rising slightly. "And they are sitting right at Redstone."

"I know."

Pulling her hand free from his, Destiny took a few anxious steps toward the window. Looking down, she observed the bustling estate grounds below. Servants were still carrying woven baskets between the outbuildings, while a pair of patrolling guards crossed the courtyard in high spirits.

The sheer normalcy of the scene below only amplified the horror of the situation.

"When were you planning to break this to me?" she asked quietly, her back still turned.

"The second I confirmed the report."

"So you came straight to me."

"Yes."

Turning back to face him, her expression softened.

"Why?"

Dane slightly furrowed his brows, as if the answer were glaringly obvious.

"Because you are my wife."

The simplicity of the statement caught her completely off guard, rendering her silent.

As Dane closed the distance between them, he resumed his commanding tone.

"The council needs an immediate briefing, and the border guards require updated standing orders. I have to handle both right now."

"And what should I do?"

"You stay safely inside the house."

Her head snapped up, her eyes flashing with sudden defiance.

"Excuse me?"

"I didn’t mean—"

"You literally told me yesterday that I needed to step up and learn what being Luna actually means," she challenged.

"I did."

"Then don’t order me to hide in a room while everyone else prepares to confront a threat."

Dane stared at her for a beat before a rare, faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"There you are."

Destiny frowned, thrown off by his reaction.

"What?"

"Yesterday, you were terrified of the mere title of Luna," he said softly. "And today, you’re actively arguing with me for the right to act like one."

Crossing her arms defensively, she muttered, "That doesn’t mean I’m eager to get shot at."

"I have no intention of letting anyone shoot at you," he replied smoothly, taking her hand once more. "We proceed with the celebration as planned."

She stared at him in disbelief.

"Even with an armed standoff at the pass?"

"Especially because of it."

"Why?"

"Because I refuse to let Vance dictate when BloodMoon stops living."

Destiny carefully studied his face. While his features had hardened back into those of an uncompromising Alpha, the hand holding hers remained fiercely protective and warm.

"And if he comes directly for us?" she whispered.

Dane didn’t flinch.

"Then we deal with him when he arrives."

A crisp knock echoed off the heavy door, breaking the tension.

They both turned to see the Beta standing in the threshold.

"Alpha," the Beta announced solemnly. "The council is assembled and waiting."

Reluctantly releasing Destiny’s hand, Dane nodded.

"I’m right behind you."

As the Beta’s footsteps faded down the hallway, Dane turned back to Destiny one last time.

"I have to go."

"I know," she nodded softly.

He reached for the brass door handle, but paused, looking back over his shoulder.

"Destiny."

"Yes?"

"Don’t spend the next hour tormenting yourself over every impossible scenario."

She raised a single eyebrow in dry amusement.

"That is a completely impossible request."

"I know," he admitted, a brief, genuine smile touching his lips before his face settled into resolve.

"Stay close to the main estate."

"I will."

"And Destiny?"

"Yes?"

"You are still getting your wedding."

She stood motionless as the door clicked shut behind him.

For a long while, silence reclaimed the library. Slowly, Destiny reached up, her fingertips lightly tracing the fresh mark etched into the side of her neck.

"Luna," she whispered aloud into the quiet room.

The word no longer felt like a burden—it felt like a battle line.

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