My Luna Became An Alpha After I Rejected Her novel Chapter 168

Chapter 168

“Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to reach you,” James muttered, forcing a reassuring smile.

Before Arthur could respond, the door to the ward creaked open Aiden stepped out.

They both froze. James straightened instantly, trying to mask the flicker of guilt that crossed his face.

Aiden’s brows furrowed. “What are you two doing out here?” His voice was calm but edged with curiosity. “Arthur, didn’t you say you needed the restroom?”

Arthur blinked rapidly, his little mind scrambling. “Oh-uh, I changed my mind!” he said, smiling too brightly. “I’m not pressed anymore. I’ll just go back to Ethan.”

Aiden’s gaze lingered on him – on the sharp resemblance between them that he could never unsee. Arthur’s grin, his stance, even the tilt of his head – all mirrors of himself.

“Alright,” Aiden said quietly.

Arthur nodded, flashing him another small smile before scurrying back into the ward.

When the boy was gone, Aiden turned back to James. “What were you both talking about?”

James chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Nothing serious. Just… kid stuff. You know how curious they get.”

Aiden studied him for a few seconds, his gaze sharp and unreadable. Then, with a sigh, he said, “Stay with them. I have to take care of something.”

“Sure thing.” James replied quickly before walking back inside.

–

As soon as the door closed, Aiden’s expression hardened. He stood there for a moment, inhaling deeply, his body tense as though bracing against invisible pain. Then, with a slow exhale, e turned toward the hallway leading to Amelia’s office.

Each step felt heavier than the last. The air seemed thicker the closer he got.

When he reached her door, he stopped, his hand hovering near the handle. For a long moment, he didn’t move. His pulse drummed against his ribs. Part of him wanted to turn away, to leave before he lost control.

He just wanted to see her one last time before he left to search for her family. A small part of him feared it might be the last time ever….especially with the way his body was failing him.

The wound she’d left – her claw mark – should have healed days ago, but it hadn’t. The skin still burned, raw and unhealed, the pain creeping deeper every day. It drained him, weakened him, like something inside him was unraveling.

He wiped a bead of sweat from his temple and swallowed hard.

He loved her gods, he loved her more than he could bear but he wasn’t sure he’d survive seeing her again. Every time he did, it tore him open in ways he couldn’t repair.

Just as he turned to leave, the door opened.

“Aiden,” Amelia’s soft voice broke the silence.

He froze. Slowly, he lifted his gaze and there she was, framed by the doorway, the light behind her turning her hair into strands of gold. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

Their eyes met, and the world went still. The hallway, the noise, even the air, everything fell away.

Her heart raced violently against her ribs, her pulse trembling at the sight of him. His scent hit her first threaded with something faintly electric.

Her throat tightened.

“Aiden…” she whispered again, uncertain, as though saying his name alone might break her.

–

warm, earthy,

He stared at her like a man seeing sunlight after years of darkness. His gaze was heavy, pained, almost desperate.

“Do you need anything?” she asked, her voice faltering.

“No,” he said quietly, his tone rough. “I just came to tell you that ”

He stopped. A sudden spasm of pain tore through his arm, and his breath hitched.

“Aiden?” Amelia stepped forward instinctively, worry flashing in her eyes. “Are you okay?”

He jerked back, avoiding her touch.

The rejection stung not because it was harsh, but because it felt like distance.

“I’m fine,” he muttered hoarsely, forcing his composure. “I just wanted to tell you the new plan before we leave tomorrow.”

Her brows furrowed. “Come in,” she said softly, pushing the door open wider.

Aiden hesitated before stepping inside. The air shifted the moment he crossed the threshold of her presence, the familiarity that always disarmed him.

Amelia closed the door behind her and turned to face him. “So… what’s the plan?”

He didn’t answer right away. His jaw tightened, eyes flickering with conflict.

“I changed my mind,” he said finally. “You’re not coming with us

Her eyes widened. “What?”

—

her scent, the faint warmth

“It’s too dangerous, Amelia.” His voice dropped, rough and low. We don’t even know what we’re walking into – and I can’t promise I’ll protect you this time.”

Her chest tightened, anger flashing through her. “I can protect myself, Aiden.”

For a heartbeat, it seemed like he might turn back. But he didn’t

He walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.

–

Amelia stood frozen, her heart pounding, the ghost of his touch still burning on her skin.

The moment Aiden walked out, Amelia placed a hand over her chest, trying to steady the wild rhythm of her heartbeat. Her breath came in short, uneven pulls as her mind replayed his words again and again.

“It’s hard letting you go.”

What did he mean by that?

She sank into her chair, eyes staring blankly at the desk as silence filled the room. He had resisted her touch this time- unlike before. That alone made something inside her twist painfully, as if a string in her heart had been tugged too hard.

“Isn’t that what you wanted?” she whispered to herself, her voice barely a breath. Still, it stung. She wasn’t sure if the ache in her chest was hers or her wolf’s.

And yet… when he was close, she’d caught something faint beneath his scent-something sharp and off. It reminded her of decay, of wounds left too long unattended. Her wolf had bristled instantly. Was he injured? Or was her heightened sense playing tricks because of the full moon tonight?

She sighed deeply and shook her head, brushing the thought of him away. She couldn’t keep letting her heart wander toward him. Not now. Not again. She forced her focus back to her work, though her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the pen.

Meanwhile, Aiden had barely made it down the hall before uneage gripped his body. Pain surged through his arm, burning like fire beneath his skin. He turned sharply into the restroom, slamming the door shut behind him and resting against it for a moment, panting.

When he finally lifted his head to look in the mirror, what stared back at him wasn’t the man he once was. His eyes were bloodshot, his skin pale and damp with sweat. Slowly, he unbuttoned his shirt and winced at the sight.

The claw mark on his arm had worsened. The edges were darkened and raw, oozing faint wisps of golden mist that shimmered under the light. It looked alive-infected by something beyond nature. Something supernatural.

He reached out, trying to touch it, but the moment his fingers brushed the wound, agony tore through him. He hissed and jerked his hand back, gripping the sink tightly.

“What the hell is happening to me…” he muttered through clenched teeth.

The healing should’ve begun days ago. But the wound remained open, spreading. Maybe it was the full moon. Or maybe… maybe it was karma…his punishment for all the things he’d done all the hearts he’d broken.

He let out a shaky breath and turned on the tap, splashing cold water on his face. The sting grounded him, if only for a second. He wiped his face with a paper towel and caught his reflection again.

His chest tightened. It had taken everything-every ounce of control-not to kiss her back there. Every time she looked at him with those eyes, his resolve weakened. He smiled faintly, ingining her stubborn face, the way she’d squared her shoulders and defied him like she always did.

It was one of the things he loved most about her.

The smile faded as quickly as it came. His father’s words echoed in his head. The arranged marriage. The woman he was expected to take as his mate.

Aiden’s jaw clenched, anger pulsing through him.

He would rather die than marry someone else. Amelia was his beginning and his end-no one could replace her.

He straightened and buttoned his shirt again, and walked out of the restroom, forcing his steps steady. By the time he reached Ethan’s ward, he had composed himself. Just as he was out to enter, the doctor stepped out, bowing slightly.