THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Lyla's fury surged as she saw a man she recognized, his wry smile cutting through her like a knife. She stormed toward the door of the clinic, grateful for the lack of customers and Elias's temporary distraction. Her heart pounded with a mix of anger and fear—anger at the man who had forgotten her name after she had helped him, and fear of the repercussions of his unexpected appearance here.

"What are you doing here?" she whispered angrily, her voice sharp as she faced him. Her frustration was layered—this man had not only forgotten her but now intruded into the clinic where Elias worked, an encounter she desperately wanted to avoid.

"I need your help again, Alpha Lyla," Lukan said, his voice tinged with an attempt at apology. He knew he had crossed a line, but Lyla was his only hope now. By addressing her correctly and politely, he hoped to soften her resistance. "I tried finding you at the library, but they said you might be here," he added, his eyes pleading for understanding.

"I don't have time for you, especially not here. You need go, now" Lyla replied sharply, her urgency evident as she tried to usher Lukan away before Elias noticed.

"Please, Luna rejected me. She said she wouldn't be my partner. You're the only one who can help me," Lukan pleaded, desperation creeping into his tone.

"What? Why? Wait... that means—" Panic gripped Lyla as she realized the implications for, Elias, Alpha Luna will choose him. Just then, Elias appeared at the door.

"Lyla?" Elias's voice held a warning tone as he looked from Lukan to Lyla. His eyes, dark with suspicion and protectiveness, contrasted sharply with his white coat, a stark reminder of his professional demeanor amidst the unfolding drama.

The tension thickened as Lyla turned to face Elias, her heart racing. She saw the confusion and suspicion in his eyes as he took in the scene. Meanwhile, Lukan stood innocently, oblivious to the storm he had ignited.

"I'm sorry, can I borrow your staff for a couple of minutes?" Lukan asked Elias, attempting to diffuse the tension. Lyla shake her head, silently pleaded with Lukan through her eyes, urging him to leave and avoiding his gaze.

Then, realization struck Lukan as he caught a hint of Luna's scent lingering on Elias's coat. His expression twisted with anger.

"Alpha Lukan? What are you doing here?" Luna's voice suddenly rang out behind them, catching everyone off guard except Elias, who had already sensed her presence and emerged to confront the situation. Isolde followed with a smirk, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama.

Seeing Luna's protective stance toward Elias and sensing her scent on him, Lukan jumped to a conclusion.

"You two are together?" Lukan's voice rose incredulously.

"Is that's why you rejected me? Because of him?" His anger flared, fueled by disappointment. His dream of returning with his mother to their home pack seemed shattered by an unknown beta.

"A beta? You rejected me for a beta?" Lukan's tone dripped with disdain.

Luna's annoyance flared at the accusation, but she held her ground, defending Elias against Lukan's verbal assault. Elias was in mixed feelings right now. He absolutely didn't like how Lukan was acting toward his mate, but hearing that Luna rejected him made his heart a little giddy.

"This has nothing to do with him," Luna asserted firmly, her voice unwavering. "My decision was based on what's best for me and my family. You need to leave."

"Yeah, just go," Lyla whispered urgently, trying to defuse the situation before it escalated further.

"You knew, didn't you?" Lukan accused Lyla bitterly, feeling betrayed. "Yet you still helped me? Why? You trying to keep your crush away from his girlfriend or something?" He sneered, his gaze narrowing.