Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha

The charity auction was supposed to be Colson's moment to shine—the future Alpha demonstrating his generosity to the pack. I watched from the back of the hall as he took the stage, Valeria clinging to his arm like a trophy.

"Today's final item," the auctioneer announced, "is a unique piece donated anonymously."

The lights dimmed as a spotlight illuminated a small glass case. Inside, on black velvet, lay a familiar silver band with a crescent moon setting—Colson's promise ring. The one he'd given me three years ago. The one Valeria had knocked from my finger that night in the garden.

"A trinket of broken promises," I'd written in the donation note. "May it find a worthy owner."

A ripple of recognition moved through the crowd. Someone whispered, "Isn't that..."

Colson froze mid-sentence, his eyes locked on the display. Valeria's grip on his arm tightened visibly.

"This delicate silver ring features a moonstone setting," the auctioneer continued, oblivious to the tension. "Starting bid at five hundred dollars."

I raised my paddle from the shadows.

"One thousand," I called, my voice carrying across the suddenly silent room.

Colson's head snapped toward me, his face paling. "Two thousand," he countered, his voice strained.

"Five thousand," I replied calmly.

The bidding escalated rapidly. Ten thousand. Twenty thousand. The pack members watched in confusion as their future Alpha and the Royal Proxy engaged in a heated contest over a simple ring.

"Fifty thousand," Colson finally growled, his composure cracking.

I lowered my paddle with a small smile. "It's yours."

After the auction, as Colson handed over the pack funds—money meant for infrastructure and security—I approached the microphone.

"Interesting use of pack resources," I remarked, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Buying back personal items at taxpayer expense. I wonder what the Council would think about such... creative allocation of funds."

The whispers started immediately. I caught fragments as I walked away:

"...using our money..."

"...personal vanity project..."

"...not how an Alpha should lead..."

---

"Merit over Rank," I announced to the assembled high-ranking females. "Effective immediately."

Valeria stood at the front of the group, her posture rigid with barely contained fury.

"This means," I continued, "that all positions will be earned through demonstrated ability, not inherited status."

I gestured to the training mat I'd had installed in the main hall. "Starting with combat assessments. Standard for all high-ranking females."

Valeria stepped forward. "I don't need to prove myself to anyone."

"Then you'll hold no rank in this pack," I replied simply.

She spat at my feet. "I'm the future Luna."

"You're an acting Beta with delusions of grandeur." I turned to the others. "Who will demonstrate the assessment first?"

A young Delta stepped forward—Kira, I recalled. Quiet, skilled, but overlooked because of her rank.

"Perfect," I said. "Valeria, you're up."

The fight lasted less than two minutes. Valeria, accustomed to using her status rather than her skills, crumpled under Kira's efficient attack. She lay panting on the mat as the pack watched in stunned silence.

"Results noted," I said, my voice echoing in the quiet hall. "Valeria Gibson, you are hereby stripped of acting Luna privileges."

Her scream of rage made the windows rattle.

"You'll report to inventory management tomorrow," I continued. "Standard Beta duties. You'll work alongside the Omegas on rotation."

"Inventory management?" she choked. "That's—that's menial work!"

"Ah, but you'll be doing it with the same Omegas you used to torment," I replied softly. "How fitting."

---

The hospital corridor was quiet as I made my daily visit to Nia's room. Dr. Chen met me at the door.

"No change," she said gently.

I nodded, taking my usual seat beside Nia's bed. Her face was peaceful in repose, the machines monitoring her vital signs creating a steady rhythm in the room.

"I brought fresh flowers," I told her, arranging daffodils in the vase by her window. "Yellow ones. You always said they reminded you of sunshine."

I took Nia's hand in mine, careful to avoid disturbing the IV line.

"The pack is changing," I whispered. "Little by little."

I caught Dr. Chen watching me from the doorway and gave her a sad smile.

"Did you know," I said, loud enough for her to hear, "that the Moon Goddess punishes those who reject their mates?"

Dr. Chen's eyes widened slightly.

"She takes what matters most," I continued, stroking Nia's hair. "My pup... our future..."

I let my voice break on the last word, watching as Dr. Chen's expression shifted from professional detachment to something closer to sympathy.

"Such a shame," she murmured, glancing at Nia's still form. "All this violence over a mate bond."

"Violence," I repeated softly. "Yes. Violence that cost me everything."

As Dr. Chen left, I noticed the nurses exchanging glances. By tomorrow, everyone would know that Colson's rejection had cost me my unborn child—without me ever having to say it directly.

The whispers had begun.