Rejected by the Beta, Crowned by Fate

Dustin, who had been silent for what felt like forever, finally took action, quickly pulling Bella behind him. His towering frame, a clear mark of his Beta status, loomed over her, his muscles tense under the strain of keeping his sister in check.

"Keep quiet!" he hissed, his voice low but laced with the commanding edge of an alpha tone. "We can’t let her find out about this. What if she ruins everything? Idiot!"

When he called her "idiot," I almost felt like applauding him. For years, he let his sister, a Delta in their pack, cause chaos unchecked, and now it seemed like he finally saw reason. But Bella, ever defiant, shook off his hand, her sharp features twisted in disdain.

"What’s there to worry about?" she spat, her voice dripping with arrogance. "Even if she finds out, so what? The heiress is head over heels for you. If she tries anything, the heiress could crush her with just a snap!"

She shot me a look so full of contempt it could’ve cut glass. "Get lost. Once my brother mates with the heiress, who’ll care about your measly contributions?"

From their conversation, I realized Dustin was planning to mate someone else behind my back. But seriously, how many high-ranking heiresses are there in the city? Could this one be a rogue playing a con?

Trying to reason with someone committed to their own downfall is pointless. I pulled out my phone and called several major allied packs, instructing them to sever ties with Dustin’s pack. Not just temporarily, but permanently. The alphas on the other end were so outraged they barely hesitated before agreeing.

Dustin seemed indifferent, his cold demeanor unshaken. As I turned to leave, he casually tossed out a final remark, his voice dripping with condescension.

"All these years, I’ve just been toying with you. Don’t take it seriously. You better not pull any stunts to hang on to me. Don’t come crying when things blow up!"

I let out a couple of cold laughs, turning my back on him as I pressed the elevator button. The air around him carried the faint scent of pine, a reminder of the mate bond that still lingered, though it now felt like a mockery.

As I stepped into the elevator, I overheard Emerson, the Gamma in charge of resources for Dustin’s pack, frantically asking for him. "Beta Cook, when will the payment for our territory be made? The rival pack is breathing down our neck."

Wade, a Delta, also rushed up, sounding panicked. "Beta Cook! Bad news, the high-ranking pack member is demanding a refund. We’re going to lose big!"

Bella’s sharp voice cut through the chaos, her tone grating. "What’s the hurry? Can’t wait to be reborn? My brother’s about to mate with the heiress of the Graham Pack. Why sweat the small stuff?"

Just as the elevator doors closed, I caught Dustin’s voice answering his phone, his usual composure cracking under the strain.

Satisfied with the turn of events, I descended to the ground floor and dialed another number. "Kaleb, I’m not paying for their territory anymore. Start the eviction process right away."

The next day, Dustin caught me at the gym I frequent, his presence imposing even in casual attire. The lack of heartbreak on my face seemed to enrage him. His expression twisted with fury, his dark eyes blazing.

Sarcastically, he sneered, his alpha tone sharp and cutting. "You really can’t live without a mate, huh? Now that you can’t latch onto me, you’re here trying to pick up someone at the gym?"

I glanced at him sharply, my voice calm but firm. "Cut to the chase. No small talk!"

His face flushed with anger, and he struggled to find his words before finally stating his grievance. "You’re not part of my pack anymore. What gives you the right to tell those allied packs to sever ties with us?"

I chuckled, playing innocent. "As you said, I’m not part of your pack anymore. Those alphas trust me and follow my lead. That’s none of your concern, right?"

"Aren’t you set on mating some heiress? If you’re short on resources, go ask your heiress."

Seeing I wouldn’t budge, he stormed off in a huff, his broad shoulders stiff with frustration. As he left, he threw a parting shot over his shoulder: "You better never show up in front of me again!"

Watching him leave, I let my smile fade. Years of emotions—claiming I wasn’t hurt would be a lie, but more than anything, I was perplexed.

Are there really that many high-ranking heiresses in the city? As far as I know, I’m the only one.

Mate stealing is one thing, but pretending to be me crosses the line.

I’m eager to find out who this so-called heiress really is.