The Alpha's Rejected Blossom

He bought me a gift

For seven years I was bound to Leon Maddox, Alpha of the Stormclaw Pack, he finally brought me flowers for the first time. A sea of incredible moonlight celestial lily , rare in our lands, alongside an ornate box of ceremonial silks meant to mark my birthday. I was swept by a strange joy that perhaps he’d finally acknowledged me. I posted a small photo of the celestial lily in our pack's message board, only to see Elara, his “ideal mate,” comment right below:

“Too bad, Some she-wolves can only be satisfied with the scraps I leave behind”

That comment shattered the illusion. The celestial lily weren’t meant for me—they were hers. It wasn’t long before I learned that Leon had bought a hidden mansion for Elara, tucked just below our pack's house. I couldn’t ignore it any longer, I gathered those flowers he sent me and made my way down to confront him.

There they were, sharing a candlelit feast beneath the stars, Leon’s hand resting easily on hers. He barely glanced at me before his usual scorn surfaced. “Don’t you have anything better to do than stalk, Celeste? Elara and I are discussing important matters for the pack.” His voice was laced with irritation, as if I were an unwelcome intruder.

In the past, I would have argued, pushed for some small scrap of truth. Instead this time, something inside me had already gone quiet. I tossed the celestial lily between them, my engagement band following right after. I said softly, “I hope you both find happiness.”

The ring rolled to a stop at his feet. He didn’t even pick it up. Instead, Leon sneered, grinding the ring beneath his heel. “If you want to be with me, Celeste, you’ll have to get over this ridiculous jealousy,” he muttered, as if I were a burden he was forced to bear. “Now, go back to the den and stop disturbing us.”

“I see then, you don't even care about me, “, I said morosely.

“Well then good luck to you both”, I turned to leave, his familiar voice faded, and I felt a certain calm settle over me.

I returned to my quarters and loogged into the pack’s message group and posted a single, decisive statement:

Leon Maddox is free to pursue his “ideal mate,” Elara. I’m done.

Almost instantly, Leon sent a new message, as though he’d sensed my announcement:

[It’s all a misunderstanding, Celeste. Elara is just a fellow warrior I’m training.]

Yeah right.

Then he shifted the blame onto me:

[Celeste, not everything revolves around you. I didn’t say anything when you spent time with male warriors at the last pack gathering.]

It was only moments before my mother messaged, her anger palpable even through text.

She chastised me, saying I was disgracing the family and demanded that I apologize to Leon. She even threatened to disown me if I let go of such a powerful bond.

I sighed, knowing fully well that nothing I said would change her mind. Since my father’s death, my mother had always pushed for me to pursue the alliance with Leon, imagining it would bring her pride and security.

Looking back, I understood now that I’d been drawn to Leon’s charm, to the careful, poised way he seemed to care for others. But after years of cold indifference and unspoken cruelty, I saw him for what he truly was.

His gentleness was reserved for Elara; his kindness only a mask he wore before others. When he looked at me, all that was left was contempt.

He was a master manipulator, skilled at making me look irrational and overly emotional in front of the pack, always smiling calmly while I broke apart. They saw me as unworthy, unable to hold myself together.

he’d miscalculated this time.

Never again

A heart that has gone numb does not stir to the same game twice.

That night, Leon returned to my quarters, carrying a half-wilted bundle of flowers. He smirked, tossing them carelessly on the table in front of me. “So you’re still sulking, aren't you?” His voice dripped with impatience. “

I went out of my way to get these, you’d better start appreciating the gifts I bring.”

I stared at the bundle of bruised petals. How many times did I watch other wolves exchange gifts, simple tokens of affection, walking hand in hand through our territory with eyes full of warmth? I’d hinted to Leon for years about wanting a small show of love, only to be met with disdain.

“If I’d known you were this needy,” he’d snapped once, “I’d have thought twice before taking you as my mate, you’re unworthy of an Alpha’s time, maybe you’d understand if you spent more time contributing to the pack instead of dwelling on childish fantasies.”

He was the one who’d persuaded me to stay by his side, to dedicate my time to pack duties rather than seeking purpose elsewhere. And yet, in his eyes, I was nothing more than a servant, while I scrimped for the simplest kindness from him, he was lavishing Elara with anything she asked for.

It was only hours ago that I’d seen their private mansion—lavish with decorations, draped in luxury furs, rose petals lining the floor, Elara posted about their moonlit bath, laughing and frolicking together beneath the stars, after ruining those celestial lily , they’d salvaged what few remained and sent them up to me like discarded leftovers.

I looked at the bouquet, barely held together, and kicked it to the side, I fixed my gaze on Leon, my voice low but firm. “I don’t keep second-hand gifts, Leon, and I don’t want a second-hand mate, either.”