Rejected by My Alpha Mate

On the day Lena Ward, Demetrius King’s radiant inspiration, gave birth to their pup, the Nightfang Pack stationed ten warriors outside the hospital to ensure I wouldn’t cause a scene. But even after the delivery, I didn’t make an appearance.

Eileen Silva, the former Luna and my mother-in-law, held Lena’s hand and sighed, “Lena, with us here, Anika won’t ever be able to harm you or the pup.”

Demetrius, my mate and the Alpha of the Nightfang Pack, stood by Lena’s side, wiping away her sweat with a look of deep concern. “Don’t worry, Mother. Father’s warriors are stationed outside. If Anika dares to come, we’ll have her thrown out.”

When it became clear that I wasn’t going to appear, he finally let out a sigh of relief. He couldn’t understand why I was so upset when he was simply trying to fulfill Lena’s wish to be a mother. Watching the newborn pup wail in the nurse’s arms, he smiled with satisfaction, thinking that if I would just apologize to Lena the next day, he would overlook all past disputes and even let me be the pup’s mother.

Yet he didn’t know I had just submitted an application to the Moonstone Pack’s central healing facility. In a week, I’d renounce my residency in the Nightfang Pack, become a borderless healer, and sever all ties with him forever.

***

The day Demetrius helped Lena out of the maternity center, I had just finished my handover at the Nightfang Pack’s healing center. As I reached the entrance, I could hear laughter and joy from inside.

“This pup is so beautiful, with markings just like our Demetrius. Lena, you’ve truly brought honor to our family!” Eileen cooed over the pup in her arms, while Demetrius brought out a steaming cup of herbal tea from the kitchen. “Lena, you’ve been through so much. I made this myself. You need to build your strength.”

He sat beside her, tenderly offering Lena the tea as if they were one big happy family. James Silva, the former Alpha and my father-in-law, played with a rattle, a wide grin on his face. “This pup is as delightful as his mother. Thank the Moon Goddess he doesn’t take after Anika—a healer for a mother would be such a drag.”

I tightened my grip on the door handle. I remembered the pride James had shown when we first met, boasting about having a healer for a daughter-in-law. But now, he spoke as if a healer couldn’t have a family.

I lowered my gaze, a bitter smile pulling at my lips. Demetrius and I had been mates for three years, and at one point, we had dreamed of having a pup of our own. But a tragic accident took that from us, leaving my body unable to bear pups ever again. I was devastated when I found out, but Demetrius had held me, promising that I was the only one he wanted to have pups with. He had even agreed to a pup-free life for my sake.

Yet, here we were, with him breaking his own promises to fulfill someone else’s dying wish. I still remembered the day I left for an overseas healing fellowship. He cried like a pup, clinging to me, unable to let go. We spoke every day while I was away, sharing our lives with each other, while colleagues teased us for still acting like newly mated pairs three years on.

But a month ago, when I finally managed a short break and flew back home, I returned to see Demetrius and Lena taking a leisurely walk, hand in hand, in front of our packhouse, her belly visibly round.

Lena’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Anika, when did you get back? Why are you standing outside?”

Her words drew the attention of everyone inside. When Eileen saw the resignation letter in my hand, her expression turned sour. “How did I ever agree to let Demetrius mate with such a curse? Quitting your position—do you expect to laze around while Demetrius supports you?”

James chimed in, “You couldn’t even seize a golden opportunity like that position—what can you do? You were never right for our pack!”

“Lena needs care now, and so does the pup. Instead of helping Demetrius, you’re causing problems. What kind of Luna does that?”

I could only laugh. “And what about Demetrius? He got someone else pregnant while I was away. Is that being a good mate?”

“Anika, enough! This is for your own good,” Demetrius snapped, his alpha tone cutting through the room like a whip. “You can’t have pups, so I let Lena have one for you. I’m just trying to give you a chance to be a mother. Why can’t you see that?”

“It’s a win-win situation,” he continued. “Lena gets to leave this world with no regrets, and you get to be a mother without the pain of childbirth. I don’t understand why you’re upset.”

“If it weren’t for Lena saving me from that car accident two years ago, I might not be here today. She’s lost her parents, and now she’s in the late stages of cancer. Soon, no one will remember her. As a fellow she-wolf, shouldn’t you empathize with her? Or do you really think I’m some villain?”

Lena turned her tearful eyes to me, holding Demetrius’s hand. “Anika, please, just let it go. I know this is all my fault. I promise I won’t be part of your lives anymore. But please, don’t let me ruin your mate bond.”

As I looked at the four of them, united, I found it all rather laughable. So this was the real pack. Demetrius’s voice cut through my thoughts, warning me once again, “Anika, my patience has its limits. If you keep unjustly targeting Lena, don’t blame me for what happens next!”

“If you want us to have a future together, behave yourself. At next week’s naming ceremony, I can publicly claim you as the pup’s mother.”

Next week? I glanced at the pup, now sleeping in the carrier. By then, I’d be on a plane, leaving for good. But before I go, I have an unforgettable farewell planned for them.