Rejecting the Alpha's Claim

Not long after returning home, the promise Karson made to make Tallulah his mate arrived at our door.

A carriage full of lavish gifts—expensive jewelry, rare artifacts, and finely crafted furniture—was delivered straight to Tallulah’s room. My mother, Jacqueline, was furious. She stormed into the room, calling the whole situation absurd, and demanded Tallulah face punishment. She even threatened to use the pack’s disciplinary measures.

When I heard the commotion and rushed over, Karson was already there, shielding Tallulah like a protective barrier. His voice was sharp, his tone commanding, as he glared at my mother.

“If you lay a finger on Tallulah, you’ll have to go through me first!” he snarled.

“Don’t think I don’t know how you’ve mistreated her all these years,” he continued, his voice rising with every word. “If you dare hurt her, I’ll take this straight to the Alpha and Luna. Let them decide what to do with you!”

Tallulah stood behind him, her shoulders trembling as she let out soft sobs, playing the victim to perfection.

I stepped forward, placing a calming hand on my mother’s arm. “Mother, let it go,” I said quietly, though my own heart was racing.

My mother’s eyes were wild with anger as she pointed a shaking finger at Tallulah. “Simone, this girl has been taking everything from you since you were children. Tell me the truth—did you choose to mate with Karson because of her?”

“No,” I interrupted before she could finish. “It was my choice.”

Then I turned to Karson, my voice calm but firm. “My mother acted out of line today. I hope you’ll forgive her.”

He scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. “Don’t play the saint now. You only backed down because I threatened to take this to the Alpha and Luna. Don’t think I don’t see through your act.”

I didn’t argue. Instead, I simply nodded. “You’re right, Karson. I apologize.”

With that, he grabbed Tallulah’s hand and led her away to inspect the gifts he’d brought. Each item was something rare and luxurious, the kind of things that would make anyone’s eyes widen with envy.

I remembered, in my past life, how he’d once told me that if he truly loved someone, he’d give them the most precious things in the world. Back then, he’d tossed me a simple necklace, and I’d foolishly thought it was his way of showing affection.

I’d worn that necklace for years, clinging to the hope that it meant something—until the day he ripped it off my neck and tossed it into a river, his voice cold and mocking.

“It’s just something I got tired of,” he’d said. “Don’t tell me you actually thought I cared about you.”

Now, watching him shower Tallulah with gifts, I finally saw what it looked like when he truly loved someone.

They returned to the room, and Karson’s expression darkened as he turned to me.

“Tallulah says you took something her mother left for her,” he accused, his voice cutting through the air. “Give it back.”

I frowned, confused. “I’ve never taken anything of hers.”

His eyes narrowed, and his tone grew colder. “Are you calling her a liar? She’s already gone to your room to look for it. When she finds it, you won’t be able to deny it.”

My heart sank as I realized what was happening. The Luna’s mark—a symbol of my standing in the pack—was still in my room. Panic surged through me, and I quickly turned to leave.

But before I could step out of the courtyard, Tallulah returned, a triumphant smile on her face.

“Karson!” she exclaimed, holding up a delicate necklace. “I found it! It’s exactly what my mother left for me!”

Karson’s face twisted with anger as he glared at me. “Still going to deny it? What’s this, then?”

I stared at the necklace, something I’d never seen before, and then at Tallulah’s smug expression. I knew exactly what she was doing.

“I’ve never seen that necklace in my life,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.

“Never seen it?” Karson barked. “Fine. I’ll take this straight to the Lycan Queen. Let her see what kind of person you really are!”

With that, he grabbed Tallulah’s hand and stormed off, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding.

I hurried back to my room, my mind racing. The moment I stepped inside, I saw the chaos—drawers pulled open, clothes scattered everywhere. My stomach dropped as I realized the truth.

The Luna’s mark was gone.