Reborn: fated to my ex mate's brother, the Alpha king

Astrid

I jolted awake with a loud gasp. My heart beat drummed loudly in my chest and my whole body is sticky with sweat.

My hands flew to my neck. No mate mark. No blood. Nothing.

My breath caught because the last thing I remembered feeling was pain. My whole body had burned with the pain of rejection from Derek.

My alarm sounded behind me, I jumped, startled. I turned to look and the bright red lights of words flashed back at me. Mating ceremony day.

One year ago?

How? What the hell was going on?

I grabbed the alarm and hit it several times to make sure it's working right but the lights still blink back those terrifying words. Still in doubt I grabbed my phone and the date on it was still the same. Panic surged through me. I shakily walked to my mirror and stared back at my reflection. My hands slowly tracing the curve of my neck. The skin there was smooth and clean. No scars of mating marks were visible on it.

I released a sigh of relief but an important thought remained.

The memory of Derek's rejection. And my death.

I certainly did.

The pain was too vivid to be a dream. It clawed at my chest so hard I knew without doubt I'm in my second life.

It worked.

The moon goddess actually gave me another chance.

I'll make them pay.

The maids and stylists came in to dress me up for the ceremony. I was beautified to perfection and it irks me when I realize how much time I had used throughout my life to make myself look beautiful for Derek.

“I would love my hair down today, please.” I told the hair stylist who looked at me in surprise but she didn't say a word.

When she was done I stared back at the mirror, my hair falling down my shoulders gave my face a look I haven't had the pleasure to see over three years since I started cosplaying as Luna. I look alive. Not just breathing. I'm done being what Derek likes.

The ceremony hall was already full to the brim and Derek was standing on the podium. If it had been Astrid of yesterday I would have gloated about him being handsome. All I could see now is a bloody betrayer.

He smiled when I joined him, his smile bright and reassuring but I knew better.

“You didn't wear my mating gift.” He pointed at my neck which was bare if the necklace he had gifted me the day before.

“No. Not my taste.”

The ceremony started but my mind wasn't there. I knew what I had to do to change things now. I won't allow my fate to be dictated by Derek. Not anymore.

“It's time for the groom to mate his bride.” Everyone cheered and I turned to look at Derek, my gaze cold.

He moved forward to touch me.

I stepped back. He furrowed his brows in suspicion.

“I, Astrid Wood, refuse this alliance.” I said out loud for everyone to hear.

The hall went dead silent, everyone puzzled.

Derek stepped closer, his hand brushing my skin. The impact burned and what he had done to me resurfaced. “What are you doing, Astrid?” He asked in hush tones.

With indifference and a deadpan look in my eyes, I repeated,

“I don't want to be your mate. Not anymore.”

“What! Why? I love you.” He looked really confused.

“Did I do something wrong? I'll apologize right away.” he held my hand softly.

“You have done enough.” I smiled sadly. He stared at me in shock, completely taken aback that the timid and naive girl could have the courage to refuse him.

“You can't do that to me Astrid. We are a team.”

“No, Derek. We were never a team.”

“I'm begging you. Don't hurt me like this. Don't break our perfect bond. We are good together. We will conquer and rule together.” He looked heart broken but I can't allow myself to go back into the depth I'm trying to get out of.

“You can't just break up. It would hurt my ego. People are watching.” He said, silently pleading.

“No.” I said coldly.

“Astrid!”

I turned to see my father match up towards me. Anger coating his every feature. Before I could say a word he slapped me hard across the cheeks. My head snapped sideways and I thought I might go deaf.

“You had better apologize to Alpha Derek right now!” He shouted, veins standing up on his neck. It dawned on me, I hadn't seen my own father rise up to defend me when I got rejected. He's my only family and he couldn't stand up for his daughter as he watched her perish. And now he slapped me because of a stranger. So cruel.

“I don't want to mate with Derek,” I said, staring him dead in the eye. “ And he's not yet an alpha.” I shouted.

I looked around and saw only hatred from people watching.

Their whispers were loud enough I could hear.

“An ordinary omega rejecting her betrothed to a powerful beta.”

“She's so full of herself.”

“She should be killed.”

Too bad I already died and I won't be doing it again anytime soon.

Derek grabbed my arm, his hand tightly incising burns in them. The fake love in his eyes gone replaced by a livid glare.

“You are hurting me.” I struggle to free myself but he won't let go.

“Hear this, Astrid. You had better agree when I'm still being nice. I won't let you disgrace me. Never”

“No.” I stood my ground.

“Your father already contracted you to my pack. I don't have to remind you of the details. Whether you like it or not, you are stuck with me. And this pack is mine.” He growled.

A small smile curls my lips. That's the real Derek right there. He just said what he wanted aloud. It would be over my dead body will I allow him the satisfaction of getting it.

“I would rather die than be with you.”

“You realize it was our pack that gave your measly and rotten pack a chance when your father came begging years ago right? You won't escape me.”

“Yes I will. I'll make it my life's mission to leave you. You rotten bastard.” His face was shocked. I was shocked. The prim and proper Luna I had cosplayed for years never uses curse words and now I think I like it and will make use of it more often.

I successfully snatched my arm and turned to leave, but stopped short in my tracks when a long trail of guards entered the hall. The murmur quieted down and I looked towards the entrance in confusion.

A captivating smell filled my nostrils, rich and addictive. My instincts picked up and my eyes glued towards the door, my heart racing rapidly in my chest.

Finally a man stepped through and my mind went blank.

He towered over everyone in the hall. His shoulders were so broad he made the all black outfit he wore look way tighter. He is massive and an alpha aura radiates heavily from him.

And those golden eyes, cold and calculating were impossible not to recognize.

Alpha Knox. The Alpha King and Derek's older brother.

Everyone bowed in respect, even powerful alphas in the room paid obscenses. Whispers followed him as he walked to us.

“Alpha Knox, the feared Black Wolf. Why is he here?”

“He's horrifying.”

“He eats people for breakfast.”

I stood right in my spot not knowing what to do.

Those eyes fastened on me and held mine as he walked to us. His every step with precision and confidence.

From the corner of my eye, I saw fear flash across Derek's face as he bowed in respect and I quickly followed suit.

“An unwilling mate cannot be forced into an alliance.” His eerily calm voice boomed throughout the hall sending shivers down all our spines.

However, what he said made me look up, surprised. My mouth fell open and I stared up at the golden eyes looking down strongly at me.

He looked dangerously attractive for an alpha rumoured to be a monster.

“Should I remind you about pack law, brother.”