Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

My father has a thing for Kensley Gonzales.

Funny, so does my mother.

The affair between my father and Kensley came to light.

My mother grabbed Kensley’s hand and said, "Dear sister, I’m not here to tear you apart. I’m here to bring you home."

A father with a mistress, a mother from humble origins, and me, the one who loudly exposed it all.

My future mother-in-law fainted on the spot.

How could a rough-around-the-edges Delta like me, who’s spent years in pack training, ever be worthy of the Franklin Pack’s polished and elegant heir, Keaton Franklin?

So, they tossed the pack’s eccentric Beta, Noah Franklin, at me instead.

Later, their branch of the pack lost its Alpha status. Keaton said to me, "You’ve done all this just to force me to mate with you, haven’t you? Fine, Clara Franklin, I’ll mate you."

I couldn’t help but ask, "Are you out of your mind?"

---

I crouched on the rooftop all night, finally seeing my father sneak out, pants in hand.

Kensley saw him off at the back door, leaning against a maple tree, smiling sweetly. "Brother, you’ve been out all night. Sister Xiomara must be furious."

My father scoffed. "I’m the Alpha of the Franklin Pack, appointed by the Lycan King himself. I’ve fought in countless pack wars. Why should I fear a mere Omega?"

When my mother was tirelessly tending to wounded warriors in the pack’s infirmary, my father used to say, "With a mate like her, what more could I ask for?"

Now, in front of the refined and alluring Kensley, my mother had become "a mere Omega."

Truth is, my mother is the epitome of grace and kindness.

My father’s frequent visits to Kensley’s estate, bringing her clothes, food, warmth, and companionship—perhaps even pets—didn’t escape my mother’s notice.

She said gently, "If you and Sister Kensley are truly meant for each other, why not seek the Lycan King’s blessing and bring her into the pack?"

My father flew into a rage, accusing my mother of jealousy and baseless suspicion.

"How unreasonable can you be? Kensley and I are like siblings—pure and innocent.

"I’m just helping her out because she’s alone and struggling.

"You’re the Luna of this pack. Even if you can’t match Kensley’s grace and intellect, at least don’t stoop to the level of petty gossipers.

"If it weren’t for Kensley’s generosity, sacrificing her wealth to support the Lycan King’s rise, where would we be now? The Lycan King himself praised her for her selflessness and foresight.

"And here you are, throwing mud at her with your words. Have you no shame?"

My father, a hero who defended the pack, had a face full of righteous indignation.

My mother believed him, feeling ashamed for even questioning.

But seeing my father and Kensley grow closer, her instincts urged her to speak up again.

My father clung to the "pure and innocent" line, berating my mother for being "petty" and "narrow-minded."

He’d become enamored with Kensley, reading books to impress her, and while he didn’t learn much poetry, he certainly mastered the art of belittling my mother.

As if he thought there was no evidence?

Well, evidence wasn’t hard to come by.

"Hey, Dad," I called from the rooftop.

My father jumped. "Clara? What are you doing up there?"

"Exposing the affair," I said, raising the large gong in my hands.

With my father’s horrified gaze fixed on me, I banged it as hard as I could.

"Come see! My father’s cheating!"

This street was full of pack warriors.

In the drowsy early morning, nothing was more invigorating than a front-row seat to a juicy scandal.

My father’s sworn brothers, his drinking buddies, his rivals.

Doors swung open, and curious heads poked out, all witnessing my father chasing me, disheveled, as we ran out of Kensley’s estate.