Rejected by My Fated Alpha

After my sister’s mate bond with Everest was confirmed, he broke off our engagement.

He removed the engagement ring, his guilt written plainly across his face. “Logan, Artemis is pregnant. If she terminates it, it might be her only chance at motherhood. She’s your sister; you wouldn’t want her to regret it for life, would you?”

I stood frozen, strange words swirling through my mind:

[Just agree to it, or you’ll end up mated to someone horrid!]

[They’ll make it a spectacle, forcing you to accept him. If you refuse, they’ll ensure you’re punished!]

[You’ll be trapped, while your dear sister mates into the Ross family, becoming the Beta’s mate!]

Terrified and unable to comprehend this bizarre vision, I hastily agreed.

He grabbed my hand, his voice desperate. “Don’t worry. Once the pup is born, I’ll come for you. I’ll look after you forever!”

The words persisted:

[Be his unpaid caretaker, you mean?]

[Wake up, Logan! Have you noticed Alpha Javier’s physique? Quite the sight, isn’t it?]

I was taken aback; wasn’t he Everest’s rival, the Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack?

“Since it’s settled, you’ll call Everest your brother-in-law from now on,” my father said, his tone firm.

My parents glanced at me, only exhaling in relief once I nodded.

As I ripped the Thanksgiving dinner invitation, I exhaled deeply, oddly relieved.

Everest was ecstatic, reaching out to embrace me.

I stepped back just in time. “Brother-in-law, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.”

Lost in his euphoria, Everest didn’t notice my cold indifference. “Logan, I know this has been hard on you, but don’t worry. Once the pup is born, I’ll bring you back!”

“Even though I can’t mate with you, I’ll make sure you have everything you deserve, except the title.”

“Artemis agrees too. You both can shower little Denver with love, and we’ll all be so happy!”

The sarcastic tone of the words was louder than before:

[Breaking off the engagement but still wanting her as a mistress? How shameless!]

[Run, Logan, run! This family will devour you!]

I did want to leave.

But the Ross family held a long-standing prestige in the Blue Moon Pack, and Everest’s father, Alpha Ross, wielded considerable influence. Alone, I couldn’t possibly fight them and would end up under their control.

As I struggled with how to escape, more words flashed:

[The sleaze actually spread rumors that you were promiscuous, forcing Artemis to mate with him.]

[He even claims you’re involved with many wolves.]

Fear chilled my spine as I stormed towards the kitchen to confront Everest.

On my way, I was met with judgmental stares, and some even threw lettuce leaves at me.

I kicked open Everest’s door, demanding answers. “Did you start those rumors? Why would you do this?”

His eyes darted away, though he spoke with his usual calm. “What rumors? I’ve been really busy; don’t stir up trouble.”

I knew him too well. My suspicion was now a certainty. Why, even with everything going his way, wouldn’t he let me be?

He was willing to fabricate lies to protect Artemis, pushing me into the abyss, costing me my position as a Gamma in the pack.

Our more than twenty years of affection seemed so fragile.

I let out a bitter laugh. “I agreed to call off the engagement, but that doesn’t mean I’ll accept this slander!”

“You know how important reputation is to a she-wolf, yet for Artemis, you’d destroy mine!”

My words touched a nerve. Everest leapt from the sofa, roaring with anger:

“Enough! How can your small sacrifice compare to Artemis’ reputation?”

“She endured so much with that scoundrel; as her sister, can’t you show her some empathy? If it got out that she stole her sister’s mate, how could she live with herself?”

“Besides, you’ll eventually return to the Ross territory to care for little Denver; your reputation doesn’t matter.”

“If it weren’t for your mother’s scheming ways with my uncle, she and Auntie wouldn’t be in such a pitiful situation now; this is what you owe them!”

Back then, they had forced my mother to her death through their affair and plotting.

How had it become my mother’s fault?

Listening to him insult my mother, my eyes burned with fury. “My mother treated you well; you knew how she died. How could you insult her like this?”

When my mother took her life, Everest had shielded my eyes, telling me not to look.

I thought it was because he cared about me.

But now, he was calling my mother despicable and unscrupulous, labeling her as a she-wolf fighting for status.

I couldn’t understand how someone could change so much.

Even realizing he’d misspoken, Everest remained arrogant, asserting: “Is it really worth dredging up old grievances?”

“Spend this time learning to care for pups. Once we’re back from our honeymoon, Denver will be born.”

“Wait at home for me to send someone to fetch you.”

His words echoed in my mind as I turned and left, the weight of betrayal pressing heavily on my chest.