Rejected by My Alpha, Claimed by the Lycan King

I set the last candle on the table and stepped back. The flames flickered softly. The roasted chicken sat in the center, still warm. I had made mashed potatoes, green beans, and a small apple pie. Everything Christopher liked. I smoothed my dress. It was a deep blue, simple but elegant. I wanted tonight to be perfect.

Three years. Three years since the Moon Goddess had bound us. Three years of waiting for him to look at me the way a mate should. Three years of hoping that maybe tonight, on our anniversary, he would finally mark me.

I touched my neck. The skin there was bare. Unmarked. Every Luna in every pack I knew carried her Alpha's mark. But not me. Christopher always had a reason. The pack needed stability first. There were border disputes. He was too busy. I told myself to be patient. I told myself he would come around.

I heard footsteps in the hall. My heart jumped. I turned toward the door, a smile already forming.

Christopher walked in. He wore a dark shirt, sleeves rolled up. His jaw was tight. He barely glanced at the table.

"Christopher," I said softly. "I made dinner. For our anniversary."

He stopped. His eyes swept over the candles, the food, then landed on me. For a second, I thought I saw something—regret, maybe. But it was gone fast.

"Rosalia," he said. His voice was flat. "I can't stay."

The words hit me like cold water. "What?"

"Something came up." He looked away. "Pack business."

I took a step forward. "But it's our anniversary. I made all this—"

"I know." He cut me off. "I'm sorry. I have to go."

Before I could say anything else, the door opened again. A young warrior, one of the Deltas, stood there. He was breathing hard, like he'd been running.

"Alpha," the Delta said. "She's here. Celeste Price. She just crossed the border."

Christopher's whole body went rigid. His eyes widened. I watched his expression shift—surprise, then something else. Something that made my stomach twist.

"Celeste," he whispered.

The name hung in the air. I knew that name. Everyone in Ironveil knew it. Celeste Price. Christopher's childhood sweetheart. The girl he grew up with. The one who left for another pack years ago.

The one he never stopped talking about.

"I have to go," Christopher said again. But this time his voice was different. Urgent. Almost excited.

He didn't look at me. He just turned and walked out. The Delta followed. The door closed behind them.

I stood there. The candles kept burning. The food was still warm. But the chair across from me was empty.

My wolf whimpered inside me. A low, sad sound.

I sank into my chair. I stared at the untouched plate I'd set for him. I thought about the hours I'd spent cooking. The careful way I'd chosen the dress. The hope I'd carried all day.

It felt stupid now.

I picked up my fork. Put it down. I couldn't eat. My throat felt tight.

Celeste was back.

I didn't know why that scared me so much. But it did.

***

The next morning, I woke up alone. Christopher's side of the bed was cold. He hadn't come back.

I got dressed slowly. My reflection in the mirror looked tired. I splashed water on my face and went downstairs.

The pack house was buzzing. Wolves were gathered in the main hall, talking in low voices. I caught fragments as I walked past.

"She's beautiful."

"I heard she's been sick."

"The Alpha brought her himself."

I stopped at the edge of the crowd. My stomach dropped.

Christopher stood at the center. And beside him was a woman.

She was small, delicate. Her hair was long and dark, falling in soft waves. Her skin was pale, almost fragile-looking. She wore a light pink dress that made her look even more delicate. She leaned slightly against Christopher, like she needed his support.

He had his hand on her back.

"Everyone," Christopher said. His voice carried easily. "This is Celeste Price. She's been recovering from a long illness. She'll be staying with us. I expect the pack to make her feel welcome."

The crowd murmured approval. Some wolves smiled. A few women stepped forward to greet her.

Celeste smiled back. It was a soft, shy smile. She looked around the room, her eyes wide and grateful.

Then her gaze landed on me.

For a second, something flickered in her expression. Something sharp. But it was gone so fast I wasn't sure I'd seen it.

Christopher followed her gaze. He saw me standing there.

"Rosalia," he said. His tone was formal. "Come meet Celeste."

I walked forward. Every step felt heavy. The crowd parted for me. I stopped in front of them.

Up close, Celeste looked even more fragile. Her eyes were a soft brown. She tilted her head slightly, like she was studying me.

"You must be Rosalia," she said. Her voice was gentle, almost a whisper. "Christopher's told me so much about you."

I doubted that. But I nodded. "Welcome to Ironveil."

She smiled again. "Thank you. I'm so grateful to be here. I've been away for so long."

Christopher's hand was still on her back. I could see the way he looked at her. Warm. Protective.

He had never looked at me like that.

I forced a smile. "If you need anything, let me know."

"Thank you," Celeste said softly. She leaned a little more into Christopher. "I'm still so weak. But I feel safer already."

The pack members around us murmured sympathetically. Someone offered to help her settle in. Another suggested bringing her tea.

I stood there, invisible.

Finally, I turned and walked away. No one stopped me. No one even noticed.

That night, I lay in bed alone again. The pack house was quiet. But I could hear voices down the hall. Low. Murmuring.

I got up. I didn't mean to. But my feet carried me down the hall.

I stopped outside a closed door. Christopher's voice came through.

"You're safe now," he was saying. "I won't let anything happen to you."

There was a pause. Then Celeste's soft voice. "I was so scared, Christopher. I didn't know where else to go."

"You did the right thing," he said. "You're home now."

Home.

I pressed my hand against the wall. My wolf was silent. She didn't whimper this time. She just… pulled back. Deep inside me. Like she was hiding.

I turned and walked back to my room. I closed the door. I sat on the edge of the bed.

Something inside me was changing. Hardening.

I didn't cry.