Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

On the day of the pack gathering, I arrived late, my body still weak from the healing center where I had undergone another round of treatments for my illness. The scent of antiseptic clung to me, and my face was pale, almost ghostly, as I entered the grand hall where my fellow pack members had already gathered. They were deep into a game of Truth or Dare, their laughter echoing off the stone walls. Vienna, a Delta of the Blue Moon Pack, was participating, her golden hair catching the light as she chose "truth."

"Is there someone in this room you have feelings for?" someone asked, their voice carrying a teasing lilt.

Vienna’s cheeks flushed, and she bit her lower lip, her eyes darting toward Amazon before she nodded slowly. Her intentions were unmistakable, and the room buzzed with murmurs. My stomach twisted, not just from the lingering effects of the treatment but from the way Amazon simply chuckled, his deep voice warm and indulgent.

"Vienna, don’t be silly," he said, his tone gentle, as if he were speaking to a pup rather than a grown she-wolf. His gaze lingered on her, tender and unguarded, and I felt my heart clench. He knew how she felt about him. He couldn’t bring himself to hurt her, yet he seemed perfectly willing to hurt me over and over for her sake.

When it was my turn, I chose "truth," my voice barely above a whisper.

"Do you regret being in love with Beta Amazon?" someone asked, their tone careless, as if they hadn’t noticed the tension in the room.

Amazon’s smile vanished, and he shot a sharp glare at the speaker, his alpha tone cutting through the air. "Watch your words," he growled, his aura flaring with authority.

Someone tried to lighten the mood, "What kind of question is that? She ran away with Beta Amazon, didn’t she? Isn’t it obvious?"

Another added, "Exactly, stop being ridiculous."

I forced a smile, though my hands trembled. "If that’s the question, then I choose dare."

The room fell silent, all eyes on me and Amazon. He watched me intently, his dark eyes searching for something I couldn’t name, but I refused to meet his gaze.

"So what’s the dare? Ten shots of whiskey, right?" I asked, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest.

No one answered. I poured the drinks myself, one after another, the sharp scent of alcohol filling my nostrils. By the fifth glass, the whiskey burned my throat, making it hard to breathe.

Amazon’s hand shot out, gripping my wrist tightly. "Stop, Luna Mikayla," he said, his voice low and commanding.

I shook off his hand, the bitterness in my mouth nothing compared to the bitterness in my heart. I met his gaze head-on, my voice clear despite the pain. "Beta Amazon, I, Mikayla Morrison, will face the consequences."

Back then, I had gambled on his love and become his mate. Later, I had taken another gamble, running away with him to a foreign territory to start anew. Now, watching him with Vienna, I knew I had lost the bet. Between her and me, he clearly cared more about her.

But that was okay. I would face the consequences.

Tears welled in my eyes, my stomach churning with both physical and emotional agony. Countless nights I had woken up, weeping after dreaming of my parents’ lifeless faces. I had never regretted my choices until now.

But now, I did.