Rejected by the False Mate, Claimed by the Alpha King

Seraphina POV:

Three days crept by, each one a long shadow stretching and fading into the next within the gloom of the forest.

The heavy wooden doors of the manor slammed open, bringing in a gust of freezing wind. Zander had returned from his latest border patrol. He stomped the snow off his heavy leather boots and found me curled up in a velvet chair by the dying fire.

"Still sitting here alone, I see," he mocked, unfastening his sword belt. "Did you really think you could find a male willing to take you in?"

I did not look up, keeping my eyes fixed on the glowing embers.

"You should be on your knees thanking the Moon Goddess for me," Zander said, his voice rising with arrogant pride. "Ten years ago, when those rogues destroyed you, I was the hero who pulled you from the mud."

He walked closer, his boots thudding against the stone floor. "I am the only one who does not despise your ruined body. Remember that."

I slowly lowered my gaze to my lap, where my fingers gently traced the edges of a magical parchment. It had been delivered at dawn by a black raven. The parchment glowed with a soft, golden light, revealing a magical rendering of two tiny, perfect pups growing safely inside my womb.

A small, folded note fell from the parchment, landing softly on my dress. It was written in ancient runes, carrying the scent of crisp pine and winter storms. It was a message from Alpha Silas, the absolute ruler of the Wintermoon Pack. The translation burned brightly in my mind.

"Wait for me. In three days, I will arrive with the grandest ceremony this continent has ever seen, to crown you as my Luna."

I pressed the parchment against my chest, feeling the pups stir for the first time—a silent promise that my life was about to change forever. And Zander’s reign over me was already over.