Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

The sleek black limousine glided through the night, carrying us toward the Moonveil Gathering. I smoothed down my silver gown—the one I'd spent weeks selecting for tonight—and tried to ignore the knot in my stomach. This was supposed to be our night, the prelude to our official marking ceremony.

"Corey," I ventured, my voice barely audible above the purr of the engine. "I wanted to discuss the mark ceremony. The healer suggested—"

My words died as Corey's phone lit up again. His eyes darted to the screen, his jaw tightening in that way I'd come to recognize—and dread.

"Emily says she's feeling faint again," he muttered, fingers already typing a response. "She's alone at the pack house."

I twisted my promise ring around my finger, the diamond catching the passing streetlights. Seven years. Seven years I'd worn this ring, waiting for the day Corey would finally mark me as his Luna.

"She's been 'faint' three times this week," I said carefully, watching his profile. "Perhaps she should see the healer?"

Corey's eyes flashed gold as he glanced at me. "You don't understand her condition. She's fragile."

Fragile. The word he always used to describe Emily. What about me? What about the anxiety that kept me awake at night, wondering if I'd ever truly be his?

"We're here," he announced as the car stopped before the grand entrance of the Moonveil estate. "Remember, this is important for pack alliances."

As we stepped out, Alpha pairs from territories across the region approached. I recognized Marcus Thorne from Bloodpine, his Luna clinging to his arm. Diana Chase from the Eastern Ridge offered a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Alpha Ward," they greeted, nodding respectfully. "And your... future Luna."

The pause before "future" wasn't lost on me. My fingers found my ring again, spinning it frantically.

"Stop fidgeting," Corey hissed through clenched teeth, his Alpha tone vibrating through my bones. "You're disrespecting our hosts."

I froze, my wolf cowering under the command. Around us, other Lunas whispered behind jeweled hands, their eyes following my every move.

---

The grand hall sparkled with crystal chandeliers and silver moon lilies—the traditional flower of mate bonds. We sat at the head table, Corey's hand resting possessively on my knee beneath the tablecloth. To anyone watching, we were the perfect Alpha pair. If only they knew.

"Next," announced the Grand Alpha, his voice echoing through the hall, "we present the Bond of the Future—a tradition dating back to our ancestors."

My heart fluttered as Corey and I were invited to stand on the dais. This was our moment—the official presentation before all the ranked wolves in our territory.

"The Silverfang Pack," the Grand Alpha continued, "proudly presents Alpha Corey Ward and his chosen Luna, Solana Williamson."

Applause rippled through the hall as the lights dimmed. Behind us, a giant screen illuminated, ready to display our formal portraits—images taken last month during the full moon.

But what appeared on the screen made my blood run cold.

Instead