I Reject the Alpha King

My fated mate, Alpha Baton, had once shackled his bloodlust for me.

He’d built a corporate empire from the ashes of his bloody conquests, all to give me a civilized home.

Even when my father was framed for murdering the brother of his first love, Seraphina, he held me gently.

"Don't worry, Tricia. I'll face this with you."

But on the day of the trial, my father was condemned as a murderer and exiled to the North.

And Baton? He was celebrating, with his arm wrapped around Seraphina.

I hunted down the witness, demanding answers, only to find him trembling as he stared at Baton, who stood right behind me.

It was Baton. He had threatened the witness into lying.

He was willing to destroy my father, just to make Seraphina happy.

"Seraphina's brother is dead. Someone has to pay the price."

The mate bond between us didn't just snap—it shattered. Agony ripped through my soul.

If I meant nothing to him, our marking ceremony was a promise. And now, it was one I had to break.

I thought my mate, Alpha Baton, had renounced his savage ways for me. But right before our marking ceremony, he destroyed my father just to make his first love happy.

"He was only exiled, Tricia, not sentenced to death! Now drop it!"

I never thought Baton would speak to me like that.

I lunged forward, grabbing the collar of his shirt.

"That witness lied!" I clenched my fists. "Magnus told me he saw my father acting in self-de—"

Baton stood on the steps above me, his deep blue eyes—once filled with a warmth meant only for me—were now as cold as arctic ice.

"It doesn't matter," Baton cut me off. "The council has made its decision. Your father will be exiled."

I stared at him, the man who had sworn to protect me and my family.

"Why?" My voice trembled. "You know he's innocent. You're the Alpha King. You have the power to stop this!"

Baton was silent for a moment before walking slowly toward me.

"Because Seraphina needs justice." His words were daggers to my heart. "She lost her only brother. And that pain demands a price."

"A price?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "So you sacrifice my father? You sacrifice our vows?"

I took a step back.

"Baton, I am your Mate. You swore to the Moon Goddess that you would protect my family."

A flicker of something crossed his eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by that same cold mask.

"Some things are more important than personal feelings, Tricia."

A vise tightened around my chest.

This couldn't be real. It had to be a nightmare.

"I'll appeal to the Werewolf Alliance," I forced myself to stand tall. "I will prove my father's innocence."

Instantly, a crushing wave of his Alpha’s command slammed into me.

The air grew thick, heavy.

My knees went weak, and it became hard to breathe. It was an Alpha's