Rejected by My Alpha on My Birthday

The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Yasmin sauntered out of her room, her neckline deliberately low, revealing the faint marks of a mate’s bite. I clenched my jaw, gripping the basin in my hands tighter as I turned to head inside, but her voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Cora,” Yasmin called, her tone dripping with faux sweetness. She crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. “Since you’re the pack’s healer, maybe you could pick up some herbal remedy for the Alpha when you’re in town. Last night… well, he’s exhausted.”

Andre stepped out of the room at that moment, his shirt still half-buttoned. He paused, clearly caught off guard by her words. “It was just… a long night,” he mumbled, his voice trailing off.

I tightened my grip on the basin, my knuckles turning white. “If he’s that weak, he’d better be careful,” I snapped, my voice icy. “He might not handle the remedy well.”

Andre’s face darkened, his jaw tightening as he glared at me. Yasmin, however, didn’t miss a beat. She disappeared back into her room for a moment, returning with a sleek, shiny box in her hands.

“Oh, and Cora,” she said, her tone sickeningly sweet, “I noticed you don’t have a phone. It’s such a shame. Yesterday was my birthday, and the Alpha got me the latest model. I don’t need my old one anymore, so I thought I’d give it to you. You know, as a gift.”

My hands clenched into fists at my sides. Yesterday, I’d been in so much pain I could barely stand, yet I’d dragged myself home to call the Alpha from the landline. And what did he do? He’d gone out and bought Yasmin the newest phone, leaving me with nothing but her cast-off.

I shoved the box back into her hands, my voice trembling with suppressed anger. “Keep it. I don’t need your charity.”

But before I could turn away, Yasmin let out a dramatic cry, collapsing to the ground. She clutched her stomach, her face contorted in fake pain. “Cora, you didn’t have to push me! Alpha, what’s happening? My stomach… it hurts so much!”

Andre’s eyes widened in panic, and he rushed to her side, scooping her up into his arms. “What the hell is wrong with you, Cora?” he shouted, his voice sharp with accusation. He carried her into the house, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding in my chest.

Moments later, Rylan, the pack’s Delta and a part-time healer, arrived. He knelt beside Yasmin, his fingers pressing lightly to her wrist as he checked her pulse. After a moment, he looked up, his expression grave. “Alpha,” he said, his voice low and serious, “she’s pregnant.”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. I felt my knees buckle slightly, but I forced myself to stand tall, even as the world seemed to tilt around me.