My Luna Became An Alpha After I Rejected Her novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173

It was evening when Cassia’s eyes fluttered open. A dull ache throbbed behind her head as her vision slowly adjusted to the dim light filtering through the curtains. She groaned softly, her body heavy as if weighed down by stones. Her hand fumbled for her phone beside her pillow.

6:30 p.m.

Her brain went blank for a moment. Evening? She shot upright, panic striking through her chest as memories flooded back -the dawn fire blossom, her parents, the coffee… Damien.

Her heart slammed painfully against her ribs. He had drugged her.

Cassia threw the blanket off and staggered toward the door. She twisted the knob, but it didn’t budge. Locked. From the outside.

Tears stung her eyes as she pounded on the door. “Damien! Damien!” Her voice cracked, raw with fury and heartbreak. But silence answered her…thick, cold, mocking.

She stepped back, pacing, her breaths coming too fast. She raked her hands through her hair, frustration clawing at her chest. She was supposed to get the dawn fire blossom today, to start the cure, to find her family. He ruined everything. Her vision blurred with tears as she sank against the door, trembling

A click.

The knob turned, and the door opened. Damien stood there, guilt written all over his face.

“Cassia, you’re awake—”

Her hand moved before her mind could stop it. Slap! The sharp crack echoed through the room. His head snapped to the side, his jaw clenching, but he didn’t react.

“How could you?” she screamed, her voice breaking. Her chest heaved, her lips trembling as tears spilled freely down her cheeks. “I was supposed to find my parents today! I was supposed to make the cure! You-you drugged me, Damien. You took that from me!”

“I’m sorry,” he said softly, stepping closer, but she stepped back, shaking her head. “I didn’t mean to, Cassia. It was for your protection. I just- I couldn’t let you go out there knowing the danger waiting for you.”

Her fists tightened at her sides. “My protection?” Her voice cracked into a bitter laugh. “If you cared so much, you could have talked to me. But no-you drugged me like I was some kind of child!”

Her body trembled with fury and grief. “Because of you, I might never see my family again!” she cried, her knees giving way as she sat on the edge of the bed, burying her face in her hands. Her shoulders shook violently with sobs.

“I’m sorry,” Damien whispered, his voice laced with regret. “If I asked you not to go, you wouldn’t have listened. I didn’t want to do it, Cassia. But-”

“But what?” she snapped, lifting her tear-streaked face, eyes blazing. “Why, Damien?”

He exhaled shakily, guilt tightening his chest. “Because Aiden asked me to”

Cassia froze. “What?”

“I met with him yesterday morning, after you left with Arthur. said your life would be in danger if you went with them. He told me to stall you-to keep you safe. He only went with James and his elite guards.”

Cassia stared at him, disbelief etched across her face. Her heart pounded painfully. She shook her head and took a slow step back. “You’re lying…”

“I’m not.”

“How could you?” she demanded, her voice trembling with betrayal.

“Amelia…” His voice was soft, calm even as her storm hit him.

“Don’t you dare call me that!” she shouted, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “We had a plan, Aiden! I trusted you. I was supposed to go with you to find my family-and you took that choice away. How could you?“

She struck his chest with both fists, once, twice-each hit driven by anger and heartbreak. Pain shot up his arm where her hand brushed the infected wound, but he didn’t stop her.

“Amelia, please,” he said quietly, his voice strained. “People are watching.”

“I don’t care!” she shouted, hitting him again.

He caught her wrists midair, his hands wrapping around hers firmly but not harshly. She froze, chest heaving, their eyes locking. The air between them pulsed with pain, fury, and something else-something neither wanted to admit.

“What is wrong with you?” he asked quietly. “I was trying to proct you I went there myself and–

“Did you find my family?” she interrupted, her voice cracking.

“When we got there, they-”

“I don’t want a story, Aiden!” she shouted, her voice rising again just tell me-did you find them?”