The Rejected daughter chosen by the Alpha (Maya and Atila) novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

– ÁTILA

I returned to the training center with my body worn down and my head even heavier. I’d spent days combing Moonville and the surrounding forest, knocking on doors, following every useless lead. Maya was still missing. And no matter how much it tore me apart, I couldn’t leave the pack without leadership for too long. Before leaving the woods, I gave clear orders. A few gammas would keep searching. I needed to handle things here before diving back into the hell of uncertainty.

1 crossed the courtyard with steady steps, ignoring the looks that followed me. The air smelled like training-sweat, steel, discipline. Everything was running. The way it was supposed to. I pushed open my office door and stopped short..

Cassian was there.

I shut the door behind me harder than necessary. “What are you doing here?”

He was leaning against my desk, arms crossed, posture relaxed on the surface. “Nothing serious. Just checking on you.”

I let out a short, humorless laugh. Pulled off my jacket and tossed it over the chair. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m pissed. Pissed as hell.”

Cassian didn’t argue. He just watched me a second longer than usual. “Still no sign of Maya?”

“No.” I braced my hands on the desk and lowered my head for a moment, breathing deep. “I left some gammas on the search. I only came back because there were things I had to deal with here. But as soon as I’m done, I’m going back out. Someone had to have seen her. There’s no way she just vanished.”

He nodded slowly. “You’re right.” A pause. “But don’t you think maybe you should ease up on the search for now?”

I lifted my head immediately. “What did you just say?”

“Just for the moment.” He chose his words carefully. “I mean… if you haven’t found anything anywhere, maybe someone from the forest helped Maya. Maybe she’s hiding. Afraid to come back because of her family.”

I stared at him. Something was off. The way he spoke. Too careful. The way his eyes darted away just a little too fast. “I hope that’s true,” I said. “But I don’t know that. And until I do, the search doesn’t stop.”

“Okay.” He lifted his hands in surrender and glanced at the watch on his wrist. “I have to go. We’ll talk later. With clearer heads.”

“Fine.”

Cassian passed by me and left. I watched the door for a few seconds after it closed, that uneasy feeling settling in. He was acting strange. Too cautious. I shoved the thought to the back of my mind. Cassian had always been loyal. If there was something going on, I’d find out soon enough.

I shook it off and pulled a stack of reports closer. Numbers. Authorizations. Movement logs. I signed papers without patience. Ended an argument in the hallway just by showing up. One instructor came in with a problem I handled it in a few words. Another asked about supplies. I nodded and gave short orders. Everything kept moving because it had to

Through all of it, her scent stayed with me. Faint. Almost gone. But enough to keep me on edge. Every decision carried the weight of knowing she wasn’t where she should be.

When I finally finished, I closed the last file and leaned back in my chair. The silence in the room fell heavy, almost tangible, I rested my elbows on the desk and rubbed my face with both hands, trying to push away the exhaustion that wasn’t just physical.

1/3

6:17 pm PLMM.

Chapter 49

I was beyond tired. I needed sleep. Needed my mind to shut down, even if only for a few hours.

85 vouchere

I went home beneath Moonville’s eternally dark sky, the same unmoving night hanging over everything. The moment I opened the door, I smelled her before I saw her. Victoria was still there, sprawled across my couch like she belonged. wearing a tiny set of pajamas and eating popcorn without a care in the world.

I took off my coat and tossed it onto the armchair. “Why don’t you stay at your parents’ place?”

She jumped up immediately, dropping the popcorn bucket onto the couch. “You know I don’t get along with my brother. He’s unbearable. A real snake.” She made a face. “Don’t you agree?”

I let out a short sigh. “I think I might be a little biased when it comes to your brother, Vincent. Don’t you think?”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh right. I almost forgot he’s your arch-enemy.”

“It’s not that dramatic.” I shrugged, fully aware I was lying. “I don’t really hold grudges.”

The truth was the opposite. I couldn’t stand Vincent. Never had. Always competing, always pushing. And after that night at the bar, when he decided to hit on Maya, irritation had turned into something closer to hatred. I’d nearly knocked him out right there.

Victoria moved closer, casual, like she wasn’t plotting anything. “Hey… are you going to my father’s birthday party?”

I frowned briefly. “Ah. I almost forgot. That’s in a few days, right?”

“Mhm.” She smiled. “He’s planning something big.”

“I already confirmed I’ll be there.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “An omega stopped by my office at the training center to talk about it.”

“I’m glad you’re going.” Her tone softened. “It shows you’re willing to try.”

Try? Try what?

She closed the remaining distance without asking. When she tried to place her hand on my chest, I caught her wrist, firm but controlled.

“Victoria.” I looked straight at her. “I’m not going because of you. I’m going because of your father. Lucien is one of the most important men in my lineage’s history, just like my own father.” I loosened my grip but didn’t let go. “Consider my presence a diplomatic gesture. Nothing more.”

She pulled her hand back, clearly annoyed. “Wow. No need to be rude.” She crossed her arms. “You sound like there’s another woman in your life. That’s why you’ve been avoiding me, isn’t it?”

Silence stretched between us. I didn’t deny it. Didn’t confirm it..

Her eyes narrowed. “So that’s it. You’re taken.” She stepped closer. “Who is she?”

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