Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

On Thanksgiving, my mate suggested a night skiing trip, and along the way, we picked up his "blast from the past." What was meant to be a romantic getaway for two suddenly became an awkward trio.

Sensing my frustration, Alpha Legacy Clark of the Silver Fang Pack tried to ease my mind with a smile, "Luna Estrella, don't overthink it. I'm just doing this as a favor for her brother."

But Arabella Elliott, a rogue werewolf and a skiing novice, refused to hire an instructor and instead begged Legacy for lessons. Without hesitation, he started giving her private coaching.

As expected, Arabella lost control and crashed into me, despite my pregnancy. Her ski pole pierced my abdomen, leaving me in a pool of blood, my life hanging by a thread. Meanwhile, Legacy didn't even glance my way, his focus entirely on comforting Arabella, who’d merely taken a minor spill.

In that instant, I realized this mate bond was beyond saving.

As I lay on the ground, feeling the blood drain from my body, Legacy was oblivious. His attention was solely on soothing the teary-eyed Arabella. Only the onlookers, alarmed for my well-being, finally called for the pack healer.

Overwhelmed with pain and fear, I weakly called out to Legacy, "Alpha... it hurts so much... Save me, save our pup..."

But he ignored my pleas, his eyes full of empathy for Arabella, murmuring to her, "Don’t worry, Bella, I'll stay right here with you."

Cold, pain, and fear engulfed me as I watched him lavish attention on someone else. Despair consumed me, and I closed my eyes.

The sound of the pack healer approaching came closer, and they rushed over. Just as I thought help was at hand, Legacy pulled one of them aside, looking frantic, "You have to help Arabella first; she's in shock! Check if she's seriously injured!"

His frantic demeanor was etched into my memory. The healers were directed towards Arabella without a chance to speak.

Finally, when he paused, a healer tried to explain, "Alpha, please, I need to attend to the Luna first, she's severely injured..."

Legacy didn't even look my way, insisting loudly, "I'm her mate. She’s fine. You must check Bella first!"

Tears began to fall as I quietly accepted my fate. After my parents' passing, Legacy had been my emotional anchor. But now, I felt no will to live.

Only after the minor scrape on Arabella's forehead was tended to did they come to assess me. By this point, I was barely conscious and was rushed into the healing den.

As the healers requested a family member to accompany me, Legacy showed no concern, taking Arabella and leaving the slopes behind.

While I was being prepped for surgery, Legacy was soaking in the hot springs with Arabella. As I underwent a major operation, he was lulling Arabella to sleep.

When the healers issued a critical condition notice, Legacy finally took the call. Upon hearing the situation, he merely said, "I know, I’ll be there soon."

But as time passed, he never showed up. With urgency in the air, I mustered the strength to sign the consent forms myself.

The healers were both anxious and gentle as they consoled me. Seeing my silent tears, one of them turned away, her emotions spilling over.

Signing those papers drained every ounce of energy I had left. As I lay on the healing bed with unfocused eyes, I made my final decision:

Legacy, this time, I'm truly letting you go.