Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

“Don’t think of it that way,” he said, waving off my words as if they were ridiculous. “You’ll be fulfilling the bond, and I’ll be securing the pack’s future. It’s a win-win, really.”

My hand moved before I could stop it. The sharp crack echoed in the room, louder than anything I could’ve said.

For a moment, Darius froze, his head snapping to the side. But then, to my horror, he laughed. Low and cold. His smirk widened as he turned back to me, his dark eyes glinting with amusement.

“You really are braver than I thought,” he said, his voice sharp and mocking. “But bravery won’t save you.”

Before I could back away, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist. His fingers dug into my skin just enough to remind me of his strength, his dominance. He pulled me closer, his breath brushing against my ear.

“I’ll have my way, Serena,” he murmured. “Sooner or later, you’ll accept your place.”

The heat of his presence suffocated me, but I yanked my arm free, my heart pounding. “Never,” I spat, my voice trembling with fury.

The cold smirk never left his face. “We’ll see,” he said, stepping back, his expression unreadable now. “Don’t forget—no one else will have you. I’m your mate, Serena. No one else would want a rejected Luna.”

His words cut deeper than I wanted to admit, but I forced myself to lift my chin. “You’re not my alpha, Darius. Not anymore.”

I didn’t wait for his response. I turned and walked away, my knees shaking, my chest heaving.

---

The days that followed were worse than I could’ve imagined.

Darius didn’t touch me again, but his cold disdain was suffocating. He didn’t need to lay a hand on me to make his feelings clear. Every time I entered a room, he acted as if I were invisible. When his gaze did fall on me, it was with an indifference that cut deeper than anger ever could.

But that wasn’t the worst of it.

The pack turned against me, their whispers trailing me everywhere I went.

“Rejected by the alpha.”

“She’s not Luna material.”

“Pathetic.”

Even my so-called friends avoided me. Camila, the one person I thought I could count on, barely acknowledged me. Her loyalty shifted overnight, her laughter now reserved for Liana’s jokes and Darius’s approval.

And Liana...

She didn’t even try to hide her glee. Every time I saw her, she was draped over Darius, her golden hair spilling over his arm, her smile smug and victorious. She didn’t need to say anything most of the time—her presence was enough.

But when she did speak, her words were weapons.

“Oh, Serena,” she said one morning, cornering me in the hallway. “You look so tired. Are you sleeping well? Rejection must be so exhausting.”

I clenched my fists, my wolf Asha growling in my mind. Don’t react. She’s not worth it.

Liana leaned closer, her tone dropping to a mockingly gentle whisper. “You should try accepting it. Maybe then you’ll stop embarrassing yourself.”

I walked away without a word, but her laughter followed me, light and cruel.