The Rejected daughter chosen by the Alpha (Maya and Atila) novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53

– MAYA

“Excuse me.”

My voice came out so small it didn’t even sound like mine. I tried to slip past him, my body still trembling from crying- throat tight, cheeks burning beneath the mask.

But Atila was faster.

His hand closed around my arm. Not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to stop me from running like a coward. I froze, confused, my chest rising and falling too fast. When I lifted my eyes, I met his.

Locked on me like he was measuring me from the inside out.

He let go of my arm only to take my hand.

Then he placed a handkerchief in my palm, gently pressing my fingers closed around it.

You should wipe your eyes before you go back in.”

blinked, swallowing hard. Being that close to him stole the air from my lungs. My body reacted before my brain could catch up-heat sliding up the back of my neck, spreading through my chest, like every part of me recognized him.

Ridiculous.

looked away, thrown off, and he seemed to notice. He stepped back, just enough to give me space. Even then, his presence tayed on the balcony like it had weight.

Did this asshole recognize me and he’s pretending he didn’t?

The thought hit me with a sharp, desperate kind of irritation.

The necklace under my uniform suddenly felt hotter against my skin.

drew in a breath, angry at myself, and dabbed the handkerchief across my face. I wiped away the tears like I hated every econd of it, trying to erase any sign of weakness. When I was done, I held it out to him.

Atila took it back, his fingers brushing mine for one second.

My stomach flipped.

Thank you, sir.” My voice came out too steady, like I was holding myself together by a thread. “But either way, your girlfriend is right. I should’ve at least learned how to carry a tray before taking this job.”

‘She’s not my girlfriend.”

I let out a short, humorless laugh.

“Oh, she’s not?” I tilted my head, faking surprise. “Wow. Sorry. You two looked pretty close.”

“Maybe you thought that because she’s an ex.”

“Sure.” I nodded slowly, bitter. “You look like the kind of man who collects exes.”

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Chapter 53

One corner of his mouth lifted-almost a smile.

“Do 1?”

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“You do ” I crossed my arms, the cold wind biting my damp skin. “You’re tall, strong, and I’m guessing you’ve got a nice face under that mask. Which means you probably leave a trail of broken hearts everywhere you go.”

That almost-smile vanished as quickly as it appeared. What replaced it was something heavier. Serious.

He lifted a hand to his face and, with one simple motion, removed the mask.

I stopped.

The entire world stopped.

It felt like getting punched in the stomach and forgetting how to breathe at the same time.

His face was right there-no barrier, no hiding. Strong. Unforgiving. Beautiful in a way that felt unfair. Light from the ballroom spilled through the doors behind him, carving shadows along his jaw, his straight nose, his mouth-

The mouth I’d spent an entire night kissing.

I swallowed hard, stuck.

‘Is this how you talk to someone who offers you a handkerchief?” His voice dropped, threaded with irony. “Or is it just me?”

I couldn’t answer.

just stared.

He took another step toward me, and my whole body tensed like I was about to be cornered.

“What?” He tipped his head, eyes fixed on mine. “Cat got your tongue?”

I-I” I stammered, hating how my voice cracked.

He watched me like he was hearing everything I wasn’t saying. Like every beat of my heart was giving me away.

Why do I get the feeling you know me?”

My blood turned to ice.

What do you mean?” I forced a weak laugh, but it sounded fake even to me, “How would I know you?”

Atila didn’t look away.

‘Actually…” he said slowly, like he was enjoying my panic, “how could you not know the Supreme Alpha of Moonville?”

The title hit me like a stone.

My stomach dropped.

He kept going, cruelly calm.

Is that why you’re nervous?” His voice lowered, closer now. “Because you just realized you insulted the most powerful wolf

on the council?”

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Chapter 53

1 dropped my gaze, trying to breathe. Trying to remember I was just a server at this party. Just that.

“Oh…” I murmured, swallowing hard. “So that’s it. You’re the Supreme Alpha.”

Before he could say anything else, the balcony doors flew open.

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A man in a dark suit-like the one I was wearing, clearly part of the event staff-appeared, out of breath and relieved when he spotted Atila.

“Alpha Atila, thank God I found you,” he said quickly, respectful. “The traditional dance is about to begin. The council Alphas have been invited to open the circle.”

Atila didn’t move. He just dragged his tongue slowly along the inside of his check, like he’d been irritated long before the invitation.

“Tell Lucien that this time, I’m refusing the Moonbound Oath Dance,” he said coldly, like the tradition meant nothing. “I didn’t come with anyone.”

The staffer hesitated, uncomfortable.

“I understand, sir, but-”

“I said no.” Átila’s voice didn’t rise. It didn’t have to. The man visibly shrank anyway.

And then a woman’s voice cut through the air-too sweet to be innocent.

“If it’s company you need, I can fix that.”

Victoria appeared in the doorway like she owned the place. Arms crossed. Perfect posture. A confident smile. She looked at Átila, then at me, like I was dirt stuck to the bottom of her shoe.

The silence thickened.

Atila didn’t look at Victoria first.

He looked at me.

And a chill slid up my spine, because there was something in his stare that wasn’t just provocation.

Before I could step back, he took my hand.

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