Rejected by Fate's Alpha

The Alpha Queen brought my cousin to the Silver Moon Pack three years ago, and since then, every suitor who came to propose to her met with misfortune—either death or severe injury. The pack began to whisper that she was cursed, a harbinger of doom. Fearing for her, the Alpha Queen decided that Jaycee would marry alongside me, as a co-mate to Remington, the Alpha of our pack.

Remington and I had grown up together, and I couldn’t bear the thought of him falling victim to the so-called curse. I protested fiercely, causing a scene in the packhouse, but my mother, the Alpha Queen, locked me in the storage room. From there, I could only watch as Jaycee was taken to the packhouse as his mate, while I was left to enter in the dead of night as his chosen one.

When he saw me, he whispered, "Evelyn, your mother mixed up the order, but it doesn’t matter. My heart belongs only to you." He explained that Jaycee wanted a child to secure her place in the pack, believing it would shield her from further scorn. "Once she has a child, she’ll step aside, and you’ll take your rightful place," he promised.

But after that night, I never saw him again. The pack members mocked me, treated me with disdain, and whispered that even if I died, Remington wouldn’t care. A month later, he rushed to me, excitedly announcing that Jaycee was pregnant. By then, I had no strength left to even look at him.

---

On the day of the marking ceremony, I was bound and locked in the storage room by my mother. My wrists bled as I struggled against the ropes, crying out and pounding on the door. But no one came. Everyone was too busy preparing for Jaycee’s ceremony.

"Alpha, Luna, the Alpha has arrived to take his mate!" a voice called from outside. Trembling, I tore a hole in the window and watched as Remington, with a bright smile, led Jaycee to the ceremonial grounds. The sound of celebration filled the air, but in the dark, dusty storage room, I could only weep.

Night fell before the door finally opened. My mother entered with a few pack members, quickly dressing me in a crimson gown. Confused, I asked, "Mother, what is this? Why am I being dressed like this now?"

She sighed, her tone sharp. "Evelyn, you’re only his chosen one. You must enter through the back. You must understand. Jaycee’s reputation is already tarnished. If we don’t help her, she’ll be left with nothing."

Tears streamed down my face. "Mother, you only care about her. What about me? My wrists are still bleeding, and you haven’t even asked how I am. Am I not your daughter?"

Her hand struck my cheek before I could finish, leaving a stinging pain. "You’re being selfish. You knew today was the ceremony, yet you injured yourself. Are you trying to make Remington think I mistreat you?" She gestured to a pack member, who stuffed a rag into my mouth to silence me.

I stopped struggling, clinging to the hope that once Remington saw me, he would set things right. The ceremony was held at the packhouse, and as I approached the back entrance, I listened intently, sure he would come for me. Instead, I was met by a guard who sneered, "Hurry up and get inside. I’m missing the feast because of you."

My heart sank, but I told myself Remington was busy with the guests. He would come to me once the celebrations were over. But when I entered, I found myself in a forgotten corner of the packhouse—a room covered in dust, untouched and abandoned. I sat on the cold bed, waiting for the man I loved.

Hours passed, and still, no one came. Parched and exhausted, I ventured out to find water, but the room was empty, and the halls were deserted. I wandered until I stumbled upon the main hall, still adorned with decorations from the ceremony. The sight of the crimson banners and lights pierced my heart—this should have been mine.

I stepped closer, only to be shoved to the ground by a guard. "What’s a chosen one doing here? Don’t disturb the Alpha and his mate!" he barked.

Just then, the door to the Alpha’s chambers opened, and Remington emerged. My heart leapt with hope as I called out, "Remington, it’s me, Evelyn."

He hurried over, helping me to my feet. I began to explain my pain, but he cut me off. "Evelyn, your mother got the order wrong, but it doesn’t matter. My heart is yours. Jaycee just wants a child to secure her place. Once she has one, she’ll step aside, and you’ll be my Luna. Be patient, and go back to your room."

With that, he turned and walked away, closing the door behind him. The guard dragged me back to my room, Jaycee’s laughter echoing behind me, shattering what remained of my heart.