Rejected by My Alpha Mate

The storm outside mirrored the chaos in my heart as I watched Gamma Vance Sterling present his "evidence" to the council. His eyes gleamed with barely concealed triumph as he held up a worn cloak.

"This was found in Elder Hunter's quarters," he announced, his voice carrying through the council chamber. "It reeks of Rogue pheromones."

My father—the man who had trained generations of warriors, including Ryland himself—stood tall despite the accusations. His weathered face remained impassive, but I could see the slight tremor in his hands. Silver burns from his last encounter with rogue wolves had left permanent scars.

"I would never betray this pack," my father stated, his voice steady. "The cloak is mine, yes, but it was planted."

I stepped forward, my Luna aura flaring. "This is absurd. My father has served this pack for decades—"

"Silence," Ryland commanded, not even glancing my way.

The Alpha tone hit me like a physical blow. I felt my wolf whimper inside me as I took an involuntary step back. Three years of marriage, and he still used that tone on me like I was nothing more than an unruly Delta.

Ryland's phone buzzed. His eyes flickered to the screen, and I caught a glimpse of Everly's name before he tucked it away. The council members shifted uncomfortably as another crash of thunder shook the windows.

"Until we investigate further," Ryland declared, "Elder Hunter will be detained in the holding cells."

"Ryland," I whispered urgently, grabbing his arm. "Those cells are lined with silver. You know what that will do to him."

He shook me off without meeting my eyes. "Protocol must be followed, Luna. This is pack business."

Two Deltas moved to escort my father away. I watched helplessly as they led him toward the dungeon, his proud shoulders now slightly hunched.

---

The rain pounded against my skin as I chased after Ryland through the pack house hallways. Thunder crashed overhead, each sound amplifying my desperation.

"Ryland, please!" I called out, my voice barely audible above the storm. "You can review the evidence tonight! One night in those cells could kill him!"

My mate stopped abruptly, turning to face me. Water dripped from his dark hair onto his face, but his expression remained cold.

"He's tougher than you think," he said dismissively, checking his phone again. The blue light illuminated his features, casting shadows that made him look like a stranger.

"He's your mentor," I argued, stepping closer. "He trained you when no one else would. How can you do this?"

"This isn't personal," Ryland replied, but his eyes darted toward the Omega quarters. "It's pack protocol."

"Then use your Alpha authority to override protocol!" My voice cracked with emotion. "You know something isn't right about this."

He sighed impatiently. "I have an emergency to attend to."

"What emergency could possibly be more important than this?" I demanded.

"The Omega quarters reported a disturbance," he said vaguely. "I need to check it out."

Before I could respond, he was gone, disappearing into the rain. I stood frozen, water streaming down my face—from rain or tears, I couldn't tell anymore.

---

Something wasn't right. The "emergency" at the Omega quarters felt too convenient. Following a hunch, I tracked Ryland's scent through the storm.

The rain had washed away most traces, but I knew my mate's scent better than anyone. It led me away from the main pack grounds, toward the small cottages where the lower-ranked wolves lived.

There—a light in the window of Everly Morgan's cottage.

I approached cautiously, my heart pounding against my ribs. Through the window, I could see into her cozy living room. Ryland sat on her couch, his arm around her shoulders as she trembled against him.

"I'm so scared," she whispered, her voice carrying through the glass. "The thunder... it triggers my sickness."

"You're safe now," Ryland murmured, stroking her hair. "I've got you."

On the coffee table sat a steaming bowl of soup that he was coaxing her to drink. His expression was tender in a way I hadn't seen directed at me in months.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," Everly said, leaning into him. "No one else understands what it's like to be so... fragile."

My stomach twisted as I watched my mate—my Alpha—comfort another woman while my father sat in silver-lined cells. The contrast was sickening.

As if sensing my presence, Ryland glanced toward the window. Our eyes met through the glass, and for a moment, something flickered across his face—not guilt, but annoyance at being caught.

I stepped back into the shadows, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces. In that moment, I realized the truth I'd been denying for months: I was alone in this mate bond.

Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled—a sound of mourning that echoed my own breaking heart.