Rebirth, I Choose a Rogue Over an Alpha

Aurelia POV

My father's question hung in the air.

The grand hall buzzed with hushed whispers.

Lucius stepped forward, his polished shoes clicking on the marble.

His Shadow Moon pack members cheered from the sidelines, raising their glasses. He adjusted his silk tie and walked toward the dais with the swagger of a king claiming his throne.

He extended his large hand to me, flashing that arrogant, practiced smile I once thought was charming.

"Aurelia," Lucius purred, his voice dripping with fake affection. "We both know there's only one choice. Come to your Alpha. Let's unite our packs and rule together."

The crowd murmured in agreement. It was the expected outcome. The perfect political match. The strongest Alpha and the only white wolf.

I looked down at his outstretched hand. I remembered the blood on his armor. I remembered his cold eyes as the warriors tore my clothes. I felt a wave of nausea.

I raised my hand and slapped his palm away with all my strength.

The sharp smack echoed like a gunshot through the silent hall.

Lucius's smile vanished instantly. His hand dropped to his side. His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking near his ear. The cheering from his pack members died in their throats.

"What are you doing, Aurelia?" Lucius hissed through his teeth, trying to maintain his composure. "You're embarrassing yourself."

"Don't touch me," I ordered. My voice carried a freezing command that made several lower-ranking wolves in the front row flinch.

"Are you joking?" Lucius leaned closer, his eyes flashing with suppressed anger. "Stop playing games. We grow up together! Take my hand. Everyone is watching."

"You flatter yourself, Lucius," I mocked, scanning him from head to toe with utter disgust. "I would rather mate with a rotting corpse than tie my soul to yours."

Gasps erupted across the room. My father gripped the armrest of his chair. "Aurelia! What happened? He is the strongest Alpha here!"

Chloe stepped out of the crowd, her face pale, playing the sweet peacemaker. "Aurelia, Lucius is the famous genius Alpha. He is rich and strong. He can protect you. Don't be foolish and ruin your future."

"Keep your advice, Chloe," I snapped, glaring at her fake innocent face. "If you want him so much, take him. You two deserve each other."

Chloe's eyes widened in feigned shock, but I caught the greedy spark hidden in her pupils. She took a half-step closer to Lucius.

Lucius looked at me, his pride visibly bruised. He sneered, "You'll regret this. Aurelia. No other Alpha here will dare to accept you as the mate after you insulted me."

"I don't need your protection, and I don't want any Alpha," I said.

I turned away from the elite crowd. I walked down the marble steps, heading toward the far wall of the hall.

The iron cages lined the shadows. The execution row. My father displayed captured rogues and criminals during major ceremonies to show his absolute power. Tomorrow at dawn, they would be beheaded.

The crowd parted for me, whispering in confusion and horror as I approached the filthy cages.

I stopped in front of the last one.

Inside sat a rogue. Ryker.

Thick silver links pierced his collarbones, pinning him to the iron bars. Dirt and dried black blood coated his heavily scarred, muscular torso.

He sat in the shadows, radiating a lethal, wild heat that made the surrounding air feel heavy.

As I stepped closer, he lifted his head.

Matted, jet-black hair stuck to his forehead, framing a razor-sharp jawline and hollowed cheeks.

Silver poison made his massive frame tremble. Yet, thick, lethal muscles coiled across his broad chest and abdomen with every heavy breath.

Jagged knife wounds carved through the intricate, dark runic tattoos covering his torso.

A low, guttural growl vibrated in his chest, rattling the iron bars. He looked like a cornered beast, ready to rip my throat out the second I got within striking distance.

He was Chloe's mate in my past life.

Chloe called him a terrifying monster. I remembered he was died of wolfsbane in my past life. It must be Chloe poisoned him to escape a lowly bond.

But now I looked at him, my pulse hammered against my ribs. I felt zero fear. The brutal scars and archaic ink wrapping his muscular body looked primal. Intoxicating. Dangerously sexy.

The heavy scent of pine, and dark iron flooded my lungs, overriding the sickeningly sweet perfumes in the room.

My inner wolf whined, pacing in my mind. Not in fear. She said. "He will be our mate!"

"Aurelia, step away from that filth!" my father roared, abandoning his throne and rushing forward. "He's a rabid rogue! He'll kill you!"

"No, Dad!" I reached through the rusty bars. I grabbed the silver chain binding Ryker's wrists.

His golden eyes snapped to mine. They burned with a feral, terrifying intensity. He yanked the chain, pulling me flush against the iron bars. The metal bit into my collarbone.

His face was inches from mine. His breath, hot and smelling of copper, fanned my cheek.

"Leave, little princess," Ryker rasped, his voice rough like grinding stones. "Before I bite your pretty face off. My blood is poison. You come any closer, and I will tear you apart."

I tilted my chin up, refusing to break eye contact. I saw his rage. The silver poisoning burning his veins.

"Do it," I challenged, tracing a finger over his bruised, bloody knuckle. "Bite me."

Ryker's pupils dilated until his eyes were almost entirely black. His massive chest heaved.

He leaned in, his nose brushing my jawline. He inhaled my scent, a possessive rumble vibrating in his throat. He didn't bite. He didn't push me away.

I turned my head, looking back at the stunned crowd.

Lucius stood frozen, his face purple with humiliation and fury.

Chloe stared with her mouth open, unable to comprehend my actions.

My father looked ready to order his guards to shoot the rogue.

I raised my voice, ensuring every single person in the hall heard my final decision.

"My mate," I announced, pointing at the bloodied rogue in the cage. "It's him. Rogue Ryker!"