Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

The full moon hung like a silver medallion in the night sky, bathing the clearing in ethereal light. I stood at the edge of the gathering, my fingers nervously twisting the hem of my dress. Major pack gatherings were always intimidating, but tonight felt different. My wolf, usually quiet within me, paced restlessly.

"Hattie, you should try to mingle more," whispered Elena, one of the few friends I had in the Crimson Fang Pack. "These gatherings are important for—"

Her words died on her lips as a ripple of murmurs swept through the crowd. The sea of wolves parted, and my breath caught in my throat.

Antonio Richards strode into the clearing, his broad shoulders squared and his presence commanding immediate attention. The Alpha of the Crimson Fang Pack had returned from his border patrol.

My wolf suddenly howled within me, a primal recognition that made my knees weak.

*Him. Our mate.*

The scent hit me like a physical force—pine and storm, wild and intoxicating. My fingers pressed against my chest as my heart thundered against my ribs.

"You okay?" Elena asked, concern etching her features.

"I—" My voice failed me as Antonio's gaze swept across the crowd. When his eyes met mine, something electric sparked between us.

Time seemed to slow as he crossed the clearing toward me. His dark hair fell across his forehead, and those piercing eyes—the same ones I remembered from childhood when he'd protected me from bullies—locked onto mine with an intensity that stole my breath.

"Hattie Dean," he said, his voice deeper than I remembered.

"Alpha Richards," I managed, dropping my gaze respectfully.

His hand caught my chin, forcing me to look up. For one breathless moment, I saw something flicker in his eyes—recognition, perhaps even desire.

Then his expression hardened.

"I feel it too," he said coldly. "The mate bond."

My wolf rejoiced, but the triumph died quickly as Antonio's next words sliced through me like ice.

"I, Alpha Antonio Richards of the Crimson Fang Pack, reject you, Hattie Dean, as my mate and future Luna."

The formal words echoed across the suddenly silent clearing. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"You appear weak," he continued, his voice carrying to every ear. "Perhaps even wolfless. You are unworthy of standing beside an Alpha of my caliber."

Pain exploded in my chest as the mate bond twisted and burned. I dropped to my knees, a cry escaping my lips despite my efforts to remain dignified.

"The Moon Goddess has made a mistake," Antonio declared, stepping back from me.

Whispers erupted around us. Rejection of a fated mate was rare—almost sacrilegious.

"How dare he?"

"What about the Goddess's will?"

"Such dishonor..."

I couldn't breathe as waves of agony pulsed through me. My wolf howled in anguish, clawing at my insides as if trying to reach our mate.

"Antonio," a female voice called out.

Mikayla stepped forward, my half-sister's beautiful face a mask of false concern. Her wolf's aura flared powerfully around her as she moved to