Rejected by My Alpha Mate

The cottage on my family's inherited territory stood like a sanctuary among the pines. Small, weathered, but mine. As I carried the last box of my belongings through the front door, I felt Emma stir within me.

"This is better," my wolf whispered. "Away from them."

I set the box down in the dusty living room, running my fingers along the worn wooden mantel. "For now."

Marcus helped me arrange the furniture, his Beta strength making quick work of the heavy pieces. "You don't have to stay here alone," he said, adjusting his glasses. "I could—"

"You have your own home," I interrupted gently. "And your position to maintain." The last thing I needed was for Daniel to accuse Marcus of disloyalty.

He nodded, understanding the unspoken meaning. "Just a call away."

After he left, I stood on the porch watching the sun sink behind the trees. The isolation should have frightened me, but instead, I felt relief. Here, I could breathe without Elena's cutting remarks or Alessia's false sweetness.

My phone buzzed with a text from Maya: "Alpha Daniel says you're being dramatic."

I switched off my phone.

---

Three days later, I returned to the pack house to collect more of my belongings. The moment I stepped through the door, I caught Alessia's scent—jasmine and something medicinal—lingering in the hallway.

"She's moved in," Maya whispered, appearing beside me. "Into the guest suite."

My stomach clenched. "On whose authority?"

"Alpha Daniel says it's for emergency healing situations." Maya's eyes darted nervously toward the stairs. "She's been bringing him special teas every night."

I climbed the stairs slowly, each step heavier than the last. The guest room door stood ajar, and I could see Alessia arranging bottles and dried herbs on the dresser.

"Oh!" she exclaimed with practiced surprise. "Luna Christina! I didn't expect you."

"Clearly," I replied, noting how she'd redecorated the room—new curtains, fresh flowers, her clothes hanging in the closet as if she belonged there.

"I have something for you," Alessia said, her smile never reaching her eyes. She retrieved a small pouch from her collection. "Blessed fertility herbs. I've infused them with moonlight and prayers to the Goddess."

She pressed the pouch into my hands. "Just steep in hot water and drink before bed."

The moment the herbs touched my skin, Emma howled in protest. A wave of nausea hit me so violently I nearly doubled over.

"No, thank you," I managed, shoving the pouch back at her. "I'm not interested."

"Don't you want to give Alpha Daniel an heir?" Alessia's voice dripped with false concern. "After all, that's your duty as Luna."

"I know my duties," I said coldly.

Later that night, Marcus called urgently. "I found something about those herbs," he said, his voice tight with worry. "They're wolfsbane variants—poisonous to pregnant she-wolves."

---

"The Bloodmoon rogues requested a meeting," Daniel announced at breakfast a week later. "Their Alpha wants to discuss territory boundaries."

I looked up from my coffee. "And you're telling me because?"

"You'll be going in my place," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"What?" I set my cup down sharply. "Daniel, they've attacked three pack members this month alone."

"They specifically requested the Luna's presence." His eyes flickered toward Alessia, who sat at his right hand. "It would show strength."

"I'm not going alone," I insisted.

"You won't be," he replied smoothly. "Four of our warriors will accompany you."

The meeting place was an abandoned warehouse on neutral territory. I wore my formal Luna attire—a silver dress that marked my position—and carried myself with dignity despite my racing heart.

The Bloodmoon rogues were already waiting, their eyes gleaming with predatory interest.

"Where is Alpha Daniel?" their female Beta demanded.

"He sent me as his representative," I replied, keeping my voice steady.

The four warriors Daniel had promised were nowhere to be seen.

"Then you'll do," the Beta snarled, signaling to three other female rogues.

They circled me like prey, claws extending from human fingers.

"You think you can replace us with that pale little healer?" one hissed. "We had a deal with Daniel."

Before I could respond, they attacked.

Claws tore through my dress, my skin, my defenses. Emma howled in rage and pain as we fought back, but they were four against one.

The last thing I remembered was the taste of blood in my mouth and the sound of distant footsteps—too late to save me from the deep claw marks that would scar my back forever.