Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

The auditorium buzzed with excitement as I smoothed down the front of my graduation gown for the tenth time. My fingers trembled slightly, a mixture of nerves and anticipation making my heart flutter against my ribs. Today was supposed to be the beginning of everything I'd worked for these past four years.

I scanned the sea of black caps until I found him—Ethan Sterling, valedictorian and future Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. My Ethan. His broad shoulders stood straight as he waited at the side of the stage, index cards clutched in his hand. Even from this distance, I could see the confidence radiating from him like an aura.

"He's going to nail this speech," whispered Jessica beside me, squeezing my hand. It was one of the rare occasions Ethan had allowed her near me in the past year. "And then you'll finally get what you deserve."

I nodded, swallowing hard. What I deserved. After four years of organizing his schedule, helping him study, taking notes at pack meetings, and enduring the sideways glances from pack members who thought a wolfless omega wasn't worthy of their future Alpha's attention. Today, he would announce me as his chosen mate. Today, I would finally belong somewhere.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you our class valedictorian, Ethan Sterling," the dean announced.

The crowd erupted in applause as Ethan took the stage, his presence commanding immediate attention. My chest swelled with pride. His speech was perfect—eloquent reflections on our years at Northwestern, inspirational words about the future, and the perfect amount of humor. I'd helped him practice it a dozen times in our apartment.

"Before I conclude," Ethan said, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone that made the audience lean forward, "I'd like to take this moment to make an announcement."

My breath caught. This was it. I straightened in my seat, my eyes fixed on him. The moment I'd be validated in front of everyone who had ever looked down on me for being wolfless, for being an orphan, for not having a proper pack.

"As many of you know, I will be taking over as Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack this summer," he continued, a smile playing at his lips. "And every Alpha needs a Luna by his side."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. I felt Jessica's hand tighten around mine.

"I am honored to announce that Madison Walsh, daughter of Alpha Walsh of the Northern Pines Pack, has accepted my proposal to be my Luna and mate."

The world stopped.

I watched in horror as a stunning blonde in the front row stood up. Madison Walsh—the girl I'd seen in photos at pack gatherings, the daughter of a powerful Alpha. Ethan extended his hand, inviting her onto the stage. The crowd exploded in applause as she gracefully ascended the steps.

"Madison and I will be cementing our packs' alliance and our future together," Ethan announced, pulling her close.

And then, right there on stage, in front of hundreds of people—in front of me—he bent down and bit into her neck, marking her as his mate. Madison's face flushed with pleasure as she accepted the mark, her hand possessively gripping his arm.

"No," I whispered, the sound drowned by the thunderous applause. "No, no, no."

Jessica was saying something, her face contorted with anger and shock, but I couldn't hear her over the roaring in my ears. Four years. Four years of my life given to a man who had just discarded me like I was nothing.

I stood up, my legs unsteady beneath me. People were looking at me now, their expressions ranging from pity to thinly veiled satisfaction. The wolfless omega had finally been put in her place.

I stumbled into the aisle, desperate to escape. As I hurried toward the exit, I heard the whispers starting:

"Did you see her face?"

"She actually thought he would choose her?"

"A wolfless omega as Luna? Please."

Tears blurred my vision as I pushed through the heavy doors and fled down the corridor, the weight of my humiliation crushing me with each step. Behind me, I could still hear the celebration continuing, the sound of Ethan and Madison's new beginning drowning out the end of mine.

I had given him everything. And in return, he had shown me exactly what I was worth to him—nothing.