Rejected by the Alpha, Rescued by My True Mate

One week before our marking ceremony, I arrived at the pack house earlier than usual, my arms filled with fresh lilies and ceremonial candles. The scent of pine and sage filled the air as I walked through the familiar corridors, my heart light with anticipation. I wanted to surprise Carson with the preparations I'd made for our special day.

My wolf, Luna, stirred uneasily within me. She'd been weakened since the rogue attack in the northern territories where I'd nearly lost her saving Carson's life, but her instincts remained sharp.

*Something's wrong*, she whispered in my mind.

"It's just nerves," I murmured, trying to calm us both. "Our marking ceremony is almost here."

As I approached Carson's private study, voices drifted through the partially open door. Not just voices—sounds that made my stomach clench with dread. My fingers tightened around the stems of the lilies until thorns pricked my skin.

No. This couldn't be happening.

I pushed the door open with trembling hands.

The candles and flowers slipped from my grasp and crashed to the floor as my world shattered into a thousand pieces.

Carson and Evie lay entangled on the leather couch, their scents mingling in a way that made Luna howl in anguish inside me. His hands were tangled in her hair, her legs wrapped around his waist. They broke apart at my entrance, but not quickly enough.

Evie's lips curved into a smirk as she deliberately caressed her visibly pregnant belly. "Hello, Grace."

I stumbled backward, my chest constricting as if all oxygen had been sucked from the room. "What is this?"

Carson barely disentangled himself from Evie, his expression more irritated than guilty. There was no shame in his eyes—only annoyance at being interrupted.

"Grace," he said coldly, straightening his shirt. "You're earlier than expected."

"Clearly," I whispered, my voice breaking as Luna whimpered inside me.

Evie's hand continued to circle her swollen belly. "Didn't Carson tell you? I'm carrying his heir—the child of his true destined mate."

The floor seemed to tilt beneath me. "But our marking ceremony..."

Carson's eyes hardened. "Was merely a formality I felt obligated to perform given your financial contributions to the pack."

Evie's laugh was like shards of glass. "We've been together for months. Remember that trip to the southern territories? When you thought he was in meetings all day?" She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with malice. "He was with me."

Each word was a dagger to my heart. I turned and fled, ignoring the crash of the ceremonial items behind me. Luna was too weak to shift, too damaged from the attack that had nearly killed us both. All I could do was run.

"Grace, wait!" Carson called after me, but his voice held no real urgency.

I ran until my lungs burned and my legs gave out in the forest beyond the pack house.

---

Hours later, after composing myself as best I could, I returned to confront Carson in his office. The sun had set, casting long shadows across the room as I stood before his desk.

"What is happening with Evie?" I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt. "Why is she back? Why is she claiming to be your destined mate?"

Carson leaned back in his chair, studying me with detached curiosity. "Her wolf was severely damaged during our separation. She's only recently begun recovering."

Something didn't add up. "That's not possible. I remember her wolf being perfectly healthy before you sent her away."

His jaw tightened. "You remember incorrectly."

"I don't think so," I pressed, stepping closer. "Carson, what aren't you telling me?"

His eyes flashed with irritation. "Enough questions, Grace."

"But—"

"ENOUGH!" His Alpha tone vibrated through the room, making Luna cower inside me. "Drop this subject and trust my judgment."

The command hit me like a physical blow. My wolf whimpered at the dominance display from the mate who was supposed to protect us.

I backed away, my hands shaking with anger and betrayal. "You're using your Alpha voice on me?"

"I'm ending this conversation," he replied coldly. "We'll discuss the ceremony arrangements tomorrow."

I left his office with my wolf crying inside me, the bond that had once felt so strong now fraying at the edges. Something was terribly wrong, and despite his command, I knew I couldn't let it go.

What had Carson done to Evie's wolf? And what had he done to mine?