Rejected by Fate, I Chose the Beta’s Heart

The holiday season was in full swing, and our pack had planned a small gathering at one of the city's upscale lounges. Running late, I stopped to pick up some antacid for Alpha Colter Cox of the Cox Pack—the mate I had once thought was destined for me. As I approached the entrance to the private room, I overheard snippets of conversation drifting through the door.

"Alpha Colter, between the two Grant sisters, who do you prefer—the older one or the younger one?"

I peeked through the slightly ajar door just in time to see Colter light a cigarette, his Alpha aura filling the room with an intimidating presence. He smirked but remained silent, his towering frame exuding dominance. The questioning persisted.

Before I could step inside to diffuse the awkward moment, my sister Zora, who always seemed to be at the center of attention, leaned in to kiss him.

"Of course, he only likes me," she declared boldly, her voice dripping with confidence.

Colter raised his eyebrows in playful agreement, his muscular arms flexing as he leaned back casually. Their packmates erupted into laughter, teasing them about how perfectly matched they were—an Alpha and the daughter of the Grant Pack's Alpha. The hierarchy was clear, and no one dared to question it.

Seething, I pulled out my phone and texted my grandmother, Carolina, a respected elder in our pack:

[Grandma, I'm on board with the mating ceremony arrangements with Hayes Mitchell from the Mitchell Pack.]

After pocketing my phone, I couldn’t resist glancing back through the door. Zora stood up to pour drinks, and one of the packmates playfully nudged her. She stumbled right into Colter's arms. His protective reflexes kicked in, his Alpha instincts commanding the room as he secured her waist with ease. Another round of cheers followed.

Zora flashed a coy smile and perched herself on his lap, raising her glass in a toast to him. "To the Alpha," she said, her voice smooth and alluring.

Colter stubbed out his cigarette, his Alpha tone lowering as he leaned closer to her. "You smell amazing, Zora. No wonder I'm so drawn to you."

Zora's cheeks flushed, and she playfully swatted at him. "Alpha Colter, stop talking like that—everyone's watching!"

"We can pretend we're invisible if you want," someone quipped. "Or if we're really bothering you, we can make ourselves scarce, right guys?"

"Sure thing!"

The room was filled with laughter and teasing, the energy rising and falling with their banter. Zora and Colter locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. Just then, a waiter passed by and opened the door to deliver the food, catching Colter's attention. His piercing eyes flickered with surprise as he noticed me standing there.

"Arianna, when did you get here?"

A hush fell over the room as everyone turned to look at me, their expressions shifting from amusement to awkwardness. With a calm smile, I walked in, placed the antacid in front of Colter, and said, "Here's the stomach medicine you wanted, Alpha Colter. Have fun—I'm heading out."

"Arianna, just because you're here, must you act all high and mighty?" Zora interjected before Colter could respond, her tone sharp. "Do you really have to ruin the mood for everyone? Just stay."

Their packmates quickly backed her up, their voices overlapping in a chorus of agreement.

"Come on, Arianna, they're just fooling around. No need to be a killjoy, right?"

I stopped and looked directly at Colter, my gaze unwavering despite the Alpha aura he radiated. "Is that really what you think too, Alpha Colter?"

Colter's earlier panic transformed into calm as he poured a glass of wine, his Alpha tone commanding the room. "Arianna, be reasonable. Have a drink and let it go. No one's judging you."

All eyes were fixed on me, entertained by the unfolding drama. But I was focused only on Colter's reaction, my heart pounding despite my outward composure.

"Alpha Colter," I said, my voice steady, "if you don’t come with me right now, we’re finished."

Barely had the words left my mouth when Zora let out a mocking laugh. Colter's frown deepened, his Alpha tone sharpening. "Arianna, cut it out."

The tension in the room rose again, with everyone criticizing me for overreacting. Feeling my anger intensify, I turned on my heel and left it all behind, the weight of the pack's judgment heavy on my shoulders. My wolf stirred within me, a quiet presence that whispered, *You deserve better.*

I didn’t look back.