Defy The Mate Bond.(BL)

The sun was setting over the training grounds, casting long shadows across the open field where young warriors stood in disciplined rows.

The evening air was thick with tension and anticipation as Lucian strode across the field, assessing the group that had gathered.

Tomorrow would be the competition-- a long-standing tradition between the Moonlight Pack and the neighboring friendly pack, Ironclaw.

Every year, Ironclaw sent its best young warriors to compete against Moonlight's finest.

Those who won their matches earned the right to be chosen as their pack's elite warriors, the next generation of protectors. It was an honor, a test of strength, skill, and worthiness.

And tonight, Lucian was selecting the warriors who would represent the Moonlight Pack.

Aiden stood among them, chest tightening as he waited for his name to be called.

One by one, Lucian named those who would compete. Jackson. Vance. Darren. Kyle.

The list went on.

But not him.

Lucian finished calling the names and glanced around the group. "You all know what's expected tomorrow. It's either we win or win, no other choice!"

Aiden's heart pounded. His name had been left out.

He clenched his fists, the heat rising to his face. He had trained just as hard as the others.

Hell, he had trained harder.

He had spent sleepless nights, pushing himself to the limit, enduring every blow, every correction, every humiliation-- all to prove he belonged here.

And yet…

Lucian hadn't even considered him.

Aiden's pulse roared in his ears.

"What about me?"

His voice rang out across the field, sharp and demanding. The warriors shifted, surprised by his outburst.

No one ever did that. Especially when talking to Lucian.

Lucian turned to him, his expression unreadable.

"You are still new and young," he said, his tone calm but firm. "And still not perfect at this yet."

The words struck like a slap. Young?! At fourteen he was considering him young?! And new?! How long had he been there?! He says he's not perfect yet?! All the efforts he made... how perfect he had become even more than those he found there, but he is still being considered not good enough?!

Still new. Still young. Still not good enough.

The warriors around him exchanged glances. Some felt bad for him because they knew how good he had got. Some of them smirked-- those who were jealous of him in every possible way. Others avoided his gaze, but Aiden felt every stare like a blade.

"But..." Before he could even let out his argument, a cold voice cut through the air.

"We don't want shame."

Aiden turned sharply, and his stomach twisted at the sight of the the Luna standing near the training grounds, observing the selection.

The Luna's piercing gaze was locked onto him, her lips curled in disapproval.

"You shouldn't even be here, in this this group. Go play with your toys in your room."

The words hit harder than Lucian's ever could.

Aiden's chest tightened.

The warriors fell silent.

Humiliation burned hot in Aiden's veins. He should go play with toys?! What toys?! Just what does she take him for?!

His fingers curled into fists, his entire body tense with the effort to not react, to not let them see how badly her words stung.

He had fought for his place here. He had bled for it.

And yet, she spoke to him like he was a child.

Like he was nothing.

"Luna," Alpha Noman said, stepping forward, his tone measured. "Perhaps we should let Aiden prove himself. I have seen him train har..."

But the Luna didn't even glance at her mate.

"We have no need for weaklings," she said dismissively. "We need warriors who can win, not boys who can't even defend themselves."

Aiden couldn't breathe.

Lucian said nothing.

He just stood there.

Watching.

Letting it happen.

Aiden felt the shutter of his pride. His self-worth. His belief that, maybe, if he worked hard enough, they would finally see him.

His vision blurred with unshed tears. He would not cry. Not here. Not in front of them.

But he couldn't stay.

Without another word, Aiden turned and ran toward the house.

His legs carried him forward before his mind could process it, before he could tell himself to be stronger, to fight back.

As he ran, the Luna's voice followed him.

"That's right!" she called mockingly.

Aiden clenched his teeth. He hated her, and he didn't to hide that fact.

Lucian stood still, watching Aiden disappear into the distance.

He should've been relieved that the outburst was over.

But he wasn't.

Instead, an uncomfortable tightness settled in his chest- something unnamed, unfamiliar, and deeply irritating.

He had expected Aiden to be upset, maybe even angry. But that look on his face before he ran off…

That had been more than just anger.

It had been betrayal.

Lucian forced himself to shake it off. Aiden needed to learn. He wasn't ready yet, no matter how much he thought he was.

But for some reason, Lucian couldn't focus.

Even as he addressed the others, giving them final instructions, his mind wasn't there.

His gaze flickered to the house where Aiden had vanished. His body had tensed to follow before he even realized what he was doing.

And that unsettled him more than anything.

Why had he almost gone after Aiden? Why had he almost stopped his mother from saying those things to Aiden.

What now? He talked to Aiden arrogantly so many times and he never regretted it even once, but when his mother talked like that to Aiden, he felt mad about it for some reason.

What now?! He is fine doing it , but he can't handle to hear someone else do it to Aiden?!

Before he could figure it out, movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention.

Jackson.

Lucian watched as Jackson quietly stepped away from the group and headed toward the house. It was obvious that he was going after Aiden.

Lucian's grip on his arms tightened.

Jackson was going after him.

And Lucian hated that.

He wasn't sure why.

Was it because Jackson and Aiden had gotten closer and Jackson was his friend? Was it because his friend seemed to care enough to chase after him when Lucian hadn't?

Or was it because Lucian wanted to be the one to go after him but could.

He didn't know.

And that realization unsettled him even more.