Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

The crisp morning air filled my lungs as I pushed myself faster through the dense forest surrounding Silvermoon territory. My wolf, Luna, was jubilant beneath my skin, reveling in the freedom of our dawn run. Today marked three years since Marcus and I had completed our mate bond, and despite the growing distance between us, I was determined to make this anniversary special.

*He's been so cold lately. Maybe today will be different.*

I cut the pack run short, slipping away while the others continued their patrol. Marcus had stayed behind at the pack house, claiming Alpha duties needed his attention. I wanted to surprise him with breakfast in bed—a small gesture to rekindle what we once had.

As I approached our pack house, I twisted the silver ring my mother had given me—a nervous habit I'd developed whenever anxiety crept in. The mansion loomed ahead, grand and imposing, just like its Alpha master. I shifted back to human form, quickly dressed in the clothes I'd hidden behind a boulder, and entered through the side door.

The house was unusually quiet. I made my way upstairs, anticipation building with each step. When I reached the door to our master suite, I heard rustling inside. Smiling, I pushed it open.

"Marcus, I thought we could—"

The words died in my throat.

Lily Chen stood in the center of our bedroom, unpacking a suitcase on our bed. *Our bed*. Her dark hair was pulled into a messy bun, and she wore a thin tank top that revealed far too much skin. Clothes—her clothes—were already hanging in my closet.

"Isabella!" she exclaimed, her voice syrupy sweet. "You're back early."

Marcus emerged from our bathroom, his powerful frame filling the doorway. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of me, but his expression quickly shifted to casual indifference.

"What's going on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Lily needed a place to stay," Marcus replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "I offered her our home."

"In our bedroom?" The words felt like glass in my throat.

"Don't be dramatic, Isabella." Marcus's voice hardened. "Lily is like a little sister to me. She's had a rough time, and I'm helping her out. That's what Alphas do—we protect those who need it."

Lily smiled at me, but the expression didn't reach her eyes. "I'm so grateful to both of you. Isabella, you've always been so kind to me."

I stared at her, at the wolfless human girl I'd sponsored through college out of compassion. The same girl who now stood in my bedroom, claiming my space, my Alpha's protection.

"I'll just finish unpacking," she said, turning away dismissively.

Three hours later, I found myself in the pack dining hall, picking at my food while pack members celebrated various achievements around me. Marcus sat at the head of the table, with Lily perched beside him in what should have been my seat. I'd been relegated three chairs down, like an afterthought.

"Marcus," I said during a lull in conversation, "can we discuss the sleeping arrangements? Today is our anniversary, and I thought—"

His eyes flashed dangerously, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. "Not now, Isabella."

"But—"

"I said, not now." His voice dropped into that low Alpha tone that made my wolf cower inside me. His freezing aura crushed against mine, a public display of dominance that left me breathless. Conversations around us halted as pack members sensed the tension.

Lily placed a gentle hand on Marcus's arm. "It's okay," she whispered, loud enough for me to hear. "I understand if Isabella is uncomfortable. I can find somewhere else to stay."

Marcus covered her hand with his. "You're staying right where you are. Isabella will adjust."

The intimacy of the gesture wasn't lost on me, nor was the possessive glint in his eyes as he looked at her.

That night, unable to sleep in the unfamiliar guest room, I wandered the halls of what had once been my home. A soft light spilled from beneath Marcus's study door. As I approached, I heard voices—his and hers.

"You're all I think about," Marcus whispered, his voice husky with desire. "I've never felt this way before."

"What about Isabella?" Lily's voice was barely audible. "She's your mate."

"A mistake of fate," he replied. "You're the one I want."

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces. I pushed open the door to find them embracing, her body pressed against his. They sprang apart when they saw me, but the damage was done.

"How could you?" I demanded, my voice breaking. "Today of all days?"

Marcus's expression hardened. "You're overreacting. Lily needed comfort."

"Comfort? Is that what you call betraying our mate bond?"

"You should get some rest," he said dismissively. "You're clearly emotional."

I turned to leave, dignity in tatters, when Lily's voice stopped me.

"Oh, Isabella? I hope you don't mind, but I moved your things to the blue guest room. It seemed best, given the circumstances."

I didn't turn back to see her triumphant smile. I didn't need to. The sound of my mate's betrayal was already echoing in the hollow space where my heart had been.