Rejected By The Alpha, Crowned By Fate

This time, unlike before, my father ordered me to be dressed in full ceremonial attire.

I was presented to Leo Mills like a gift, awaiting his decision on whether to keep or discard me.

He looked at me, his gaze flickering for a moment, but there was no warmth in his eyes.

After a long silence, he spoke coldly.

"If you promise me that once your sister returns, you will willingly step aside as the Luna of this pack, I will take you as my mate.

"You needn’t worry. At that time, you will still remain by my side as my chosen mate."

I shook my head, uttering words that bordered on defiance.

"Alpha, if I agree, will you allow me to leave the pack when the time comes?

"I have someone I love and a place I wish to go."

He exhaled, visibly relieved, his guard dropping.

"Good. That’s settled then."

When the Luna saw that the Alpha had chosen me, she didn’t object. Instead, she smiled and took the silver pendant from her neck, handing it to me.

"It’s you. I feel at ease with this choice."

When Leo came to fetch me, his eyes narrowed at the sight of the pendant I now wore.

"That was meant for Capri. You’re merely holding onto it for now. Don’t get any ideas."

I responded calmly, my voice steady.

"The Luna’s gift is not something I could refuse.

"To others, Alpha, you may be untouchable, but to me, you’re merely a partner in this arrangement.

"You may not value me, but I don’t value you either."

His face flushed with anger, and he let out a sharp, bitter laugh before turning on his heel and storming away.

I walked in the opposite direction, my steps deliberate and unwavering. I didn’t look back.

But before I had gone far, Leo returned in his wolf form, pulling me onto his back and holding me tightly against him as we ran together.

He was seething, his voice low and furious.

"Shay Mills, you’re something else! Do you know that even your sister wouldn’t dare speak to me like that!"

He was so furious that he forgot to refer to himself as "the Alpha" and instead used "I."

I didn’t respond, my heart as cold as the night air around us. This was a game, and I was no longer willing to play by his rules.