Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

The man's hand slid higher up my thigh, his fingers digging into my skin with deliberate slowness. I bit my lip until I tasted blood, fighting the urge to lash out.

"That's enough," Catherine's voice cut through the haze of my humiliation. For a moment, relief flooded through me—until I saw her face.

She wasn't looking at the man. She was looking at me.

"Be more accommodating," she hissed, stepping closer and keeping her voice low enough that only those nearest could hear. "These are VIP guests. Do you have any idea what would happen to this ceremony if you caused a scene?"

I stared up at her in disbelief. "He's—"

"I don't care what he's doing," Catherine snapped, her eyes narrowing. "What I care about is your attitude. These men have Alpha-level access, which means they outrank everyone in this room except the actual Alpha himself."

The man's hand stilled momentarily, a smug smile spreading across his face as he listened to Catherine's words.

"If you disrupt this ceremony with your... sensitivity," Catherine continued, "I'll make sure you're removed from the Omega program entirely. Is that what you want?"

Luna growled inside me, her fury matching my own. How dare this woman threaten me when I was being assaulted?

"I understand," I managed to say, my voice barely audible.

"Good." Catherine straightened her supervisor badge with a self-important tug. "Now make yourself useful and get more wine for our guests."

As she walked away, the man's hand resumed its exploration. "Your boss is very... understanding," he murmured against my ear.

Before I could respond, a commotion at the entrance drew everyone's attention. The massive double doors swung open dramatically, and a figure strode in with calculated elegance.

She was stunning—tall and willowy with long dark hair that cascaded down her back in perfect waves. Her dress clung to every curve, designed to draw attention to her assets. But it was her aura that made me freeze. Similar to Max's, but somehow more refined. More dangerous.

"Max!" she called out, her voice musical and light. "There you are!"

Max straightened immediately, his expression shifting from cruel amusement to something almost reverent. "Poppy! You made it."

The man beside me withdrew his hand as Poppy Cruz glided across the room. I recognized her name immediately—Max's sister. The other half of the Cruz sibling duo that had been causing trouble across three territories.

"Sorry I'm late," Poppy pouted, leaning in to kiss her brother's cheek. Her eyes scanned the room with predatory interest before landing on me. "I see you've been keeping yourself entertained."

Max laughed, the sound harsh in the suddenly quiet room. "Just teaching some of the locals about proper respect."

Poppy's perfectly manicured hand reached out to touch my shoulder, her nails extending slightly into claws. "Oh, poor thing. Has my brother been too rough with you?"

Before I could respond, she turned toward the entrance again, her face lighting up with genuine pleasure. "Devon! You actually came!"

My heart stopped. Devon? My Devon?

I turned slowly, disbelieving, as a familiar figure appeared in the doorway. His golden hair caught the light from the stained glass windows, his tall frame dressed in the formal attire of a pack member of high standing.

"Devon," I whispered, Luna whimpering inside me.

He didn't seem to hear me. His eyes were fixed on Poppy, a smile spreading across his face that I'd never seen directed at me. It was warm, intimate, familiar.

"You look beautiful tonight," he said, crossing the room to her side.

Poppy laughed, a tinkling sound like breaking glass. "You're too sweet." She reached up to touch his face with familiar ease. "I wasn't sure you'd come after our last... discussion."

"Wouldn't miss it," Devon replied, his hand settling at the small of her back.

Something twisted painfully inside me. The mate bond stretched thin and brittle as I watched them together.

"Some wolves just don't know their place," Poppy said suddenly, her eyes finding mine again. "Do they, Devon?"

Devon's gaze finally shifted to me, but there was no recognition in his eyes. No acknowledgment of our bond. Just polite indifference.

"No," he agreed. "Some don't."

Poppy smiled triumphantly and took a step toward me. "Oh!" she exclaimed as she stumbled slightly, her hand shooting out to steady herself against my arm.

I felt the sharp sting of her claws breaking skin as they raked across my forearm. Blood welled up immediately, bright red against my pale skin.

"Oh my!" Poppy gasped, her eyes wide with false concern. "I'm so clumsy! Are you alright?"

Luna howled in rage inside me as I stared down at the bloody scratches on my arm. They weren't accidental—I'd seen the deliberate way she'd extended her claws before making contact.

"I'm fine," I managed to say, my voice steady despite the fury coursing through me.

"Good," Poppy smiled sweetly. "Because things are just getting interesting."