“You know what,” she started, “I’ve had enough of this farce. Alpha Jasper of Bloodlust is the strongest, richest and most powerful Alpha of the Eastern Region. He wants me and fucks me way better than you ever did. He wants me as his Luna and I am leaving this hell hole today.”

She stands and squares her shoulders at me. With a spiteful glare, “I, Giselle Breyer, Luna of Winter Moon, reject Jaxon Docker, Alpha of Winter Moon, as my fated mate and Alpha!”

I feel the impact of her words hit me. Drax is howling in pain, again. I grab my chest and stare at her. I square my shoulders and look her dead in the eyes, “I, Jaxon Docker, Alpha of Winter Moon, accept your rejection.

******************************************************************

Five years later, Jaxon still remembers the rejection of his fated mate. He has no desire to have another mate, fated, chosen or otherwise, Until he meets his second chance mate, Sable Embers. She is a warrior from an enemy pack and is nearly killed by Jaxon during battle.

Jaxon needs to learn how to open his heart again and Sable has to learn to trust her mate and learn the truth on her own.

: Betrayal

Jaxon POV

“Yes, Alpha. You have such a large cock. I love it when you feed it to me.” I hear Giselle. My fated mate.

Lately, I’ve been having pains in my chest. When I went to the pack doctor, he was hesitant to tell me that it was betrayal pains. I didn’t want to believe him. I met Giselle when I was nineteen years old. She had just turned eighteen. She was the most beautiful woman I ever met. Her scent was a calming lavender and sage. Her eyes were a deep blue and her hair was a golden blonde. Like the sun shining on wheat fields. She had naturally pink lips that were lush and her body was delicate and petite. She was precious to me and now I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I treasured her and she is talking about getting fed another man’s dick.

My wolf Drax has been howling in pain almost every other night. I can feel him weakening and it’s breaking my heart. I only just became Alpha of Winter Moon six months ago. I’m strong and capable, but the pack was appointed to me by the Elders after the last Alpha was found to have embezzled pack funds.

“Let’s meet at our usual place tonight. I really need you to fuck me.” She giggles and my stomach is filled with nausea.

“Jaxon? Don’t worry about him. He can’t make me feel the way you do. I love how you dominate me. Promise me you will fuck me like that when you make me your Luna.” She said seductively.

As if my heart couldn’t break any further, not only is she insulting me, but she is talking about being this Alpha’s Luna. I suddenly can’t take any more of this betrayal. I open the door quietly.

“Will you spank me again tonight, my Alpha?” She says seductively. She has no idea I’m listening to her conversation.

I let the words fall out of my mouth before I could stop myself, “Why wait until tonight?”

“Jaxon!” She jumps from the unexpected question. She quickly hangs up the phone. “Baby, let me explain -”

I cut her off, “No need. I heard you. You want him to feed you his dick and spank you. I never thought of you nor treated you like a whore, but here we are Giselle. Why?”

“WHY? WHY?!” she says loudly, “BECAUSE WE ARE BROKE JAXON! WHEN I SIGNED ON TO COME HERE WITH YOU, I DIDN’T THINK THE PACK WAS THIS BROKE! YOU HAVE ME LIVING IN POVERTY! YOU WANT ME TO BE A LUNA TO BEGGARS?!”

I roared, “I DIDN’T HIDE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PACK FROM YOU! NOR DID I TWIST YOUR ARM GISELLE. I TOLD YOU I NEEDED SOME TIME TO TURN THINGS AROUND! IT’S ONLY BEEN SIX MONTHS. WERE YOU EXPECTING A MIRACLE?!” I don’t hold back, “I LOVED YOU! I WANTED TO BUILD MY LIFE HERE WITH YOU! WE ARE FATED MATES! DOES THAT MEAN NOTHING TO YOU AT ALL?!”

“THE MOON GODDESS FATED ME TO A WEAK AND BROKE ALPHA! CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING, ALPHA OF THE BEGGARS! She spat.

What the hell? Was this always about money for her? Did she ever love me? How can I trust the Moon Goddess ever again? Why would she pair me with this fucking woman?

“You know what,” she started, “I’ve had enough of this farce. Alpha Jasper of Bloodlust is the strongest, richest and most powerful Alpha of the Eastern Region. He wants me and fucks me way better than you ever did. He wants me as his Luna and I am leaving this hell hole today.”

She stands and squares her shoulders at me. With a spiteful glare, “I, Giselle Breyer, Luna of Winter Moon, reject Jaxon Docker, Alpha of Winter Moon, as my fated mate and Alpha!”

I feel the impact of her words hit me. Drax is howling in pain, again. I grab my chest and stare at her. I square my shoulders and look her dead in the eyes, “I, Jaxon Docker, Alpha of Winter Moon, accept your rejection. All ties between us are broken and you are banished from Winter Moon, effective immediately.”

I see her crumble to the floor and scream out in pain. I want to feel sorry for her, but I don’t. She did this, not me. She wants power and wealth, well, that comes with blood, sweat and tears. She will need to experience pain to get there.

“GUARDS!” I scream out.

“Yes, Alpha.” They say as they come in and see Giselle on the floor shaking.

“Grab this whore and throw her off the pack lands. She is banished from Winter Moon, effective NOW!” I bark.

As they drag her away, I look at her and say one last thing, “Stay the fuck away from this pack. Never show your face here again.” I turn to the guards, “Take her.”

She is crying in pain as they drag her out. Once she is out of my line of sight, I collapse on the floor. I’m in double the pain. I didn’t just accept her rejection, I banished her from the pack. Two tethers snapped. Still, I would rather feel this pain then the betrayal pains I have been feeling for the last two months.

Drax has gone silent. My wolf and I have both suffered. We didn’t deserve this betrayal. We didn’t do anything to warrant her cruelty. I loved her and she betrayed me.

I look out the window and to the stars, “Moon Goddess, if this is how you pair mates, then never pair me with anyone else, ever again. Let me be alone and die alone. Anything would be better than this pain.” I put my head in my hands and let the tears come. It may not be the Alpha thing to do. It may not look manly, but this pain is searing scars on my soul and on my wolf’s soul.

I will never trust another woman again.

: Five Years Later

Jaxon POV

“Yes! Harder Jaxon!”

“You like that, don’t you, you little wench?” I say pounding into her harder.

“Yes! Goddess, Yes! More Alpha! More!” Diane screams out.

I feel her legs shaking and I know she is close. She’s a good fuck. The only thing a woman is good for now. At least for me.

I roll my hips and hear her scream as she comes. She is milking my cock with her pussy. I thrust into her two more times before I cum. After the aftershocks of our orgasms, I pull out of her and get up to clean myself off in the bathroom. I pull off my condom and tie it off and throw it in the trash. I won’t be siring any heirs with Diane or any other she-wolf. I don’t want to be tied down to another woman ever again in my life.

‘Hey, you done fucking Diane yet, alpha?’ Matt asks through the mind link.

‘Fuck off.’ I start, ‘what do you want?’

I appointed Matt as my beta after I got to Winter Moon over five years ago. He is as solid as a beta as they come. Loyal and always getting under my skin. He is smart, brave and a kick ass warrior.

‘Elder Crane is coming in the next thirty. I suggest you clean the sex off and get dressed.’ He says as I groan internally.

‘What does Crane want now?’

‘Who knows. He is making it a habit to do house calls lately.’

‘Meet me in my office in twenty.’

‘Yes, sir.’ He says sarcastically as I cut off the mind link.

I finish showering and as I’m drying off, I walk into my bedroom and see that Diane is still on my bed. “Why are you still in here?” I ask coldly as I get dressed.

“My Alpha,” she purrs, “I know you said you never wanted to be in a relationship again, but you and I feel so good together. I like to think we get along too. I always accompany you to important pack events. I could be your Luna, if you would just give me a chance.”

“No.” I cut her off quickly, “You knew what you signed up for when you agreed to be my personal tool for release. That is your station with me in this pack. In return, you are afforded certain, privileges. I will not take on another Luna and as I have told you many times, I will not take on a chosen mate either. Stop fantasizing on something you have always known was never going to happen.” I say curtly. “Now grab your shit and get out of my bed chambers.”

I walk over to the door and open it. I look at her coldly and expectantly. She huffs and throws her dress on before grabbing everything else. Just before she walks out, I tell her, “Diane, if we have this discussion one more time, then I will dissolve this arrangement. I’m tired of repeating myself, understood?”

She looks down and quietly says, “Yes, Alpha” and leaves the room and makes her way down to her floor.

I shake my head and sigh. I’ve kept Diane around the longest because she is a good fuck and knows how to behave in front of important people. She is pretty enough and has a nice body. I have no need for her past the physical.

In the five years following the rejection with Giselle, I have taken Winter Moon to heights never before seen in this region. It is the largest and wealthiest pack not only in the South Region but in the North Region too. I’m about to surpass the Eastern Region and a part of me feels vindicated at knowing that I will be larger and more powerful than the Alpha she left me for in the East.

Drax took almost a year to reappear. He hasn’t been the same since the rejection. He, like me, doesn’t trust mate bonds or women or the Moon Goddess. It’s hard when you know you did everything right the first time, only to be betrayed at the end. And why? Because of greed. Even Diane wants to be Luna for the power and status. Some of the warriors have told me about what she says to the omegas. Trying to treat them like they are less, simply because she is fucking the Alpha. If there was another, she-wolf around here that could fuck better than Diane, I would toss her aside. That’s why I treat her coldly about being a chosen mate. She isn’t Luna material for me or any other Alpha.

Matt enters my office, “Alpha.”

“Hey Matt. Close the door.” I say as I sigh.

“What? Trouble in paradise with Diane?” He smirks.

“She was trying to get me to agree to making her a chosen mate again.” I sigh.

“She’s not happy with her current role? Hoe with benefits?” Matt chuckles. “You know you are not the only one she fucks, right?”

I look up at Matt, “Do I look like I give a fuck?”

“I didn’t think so, I would just make sure that you DNA check any baby she is claiming is yours, should she turn up, well, knocked up.”

“Do you know anything about Crane’s visit?” I say, changing the subject. Honestly, more than five minutes thinking about any woman is a waste of my time.

“Nah. Only that he was coming on official business.” He says rolling his eyes, “I mean, what other business would he have here other than, ‘official’?”

“Well, let’s try to make it a quick visit. I have things to do today. I’ve also heard that Dark Flame is starting to stir trouble with some of the packs. Keep an eye out that there are no scouts from his pack around. If you find any, kill them on the spot.”

I see Matt’s eyes glaze over and I know he is being mind linked. “Alpha, Crane has arrived.”

“Have him brought to my office.” I say.

I get up and go to my liquor stash in my office and pull out a bottle of ‘Blanton’s Bourbon’ and some bourbon glasses and put them on my desk. Crane always enjoys sharing a glass of bourbon when he is here. He knows I don’t skimp on the good liquor.

The door opens and I stand up. Crane appears through the door with Matt as he closes the door behind him. Crane seems to be frozen in time. He looks old and wrinkled and well past his prime but is still as active as a young wolf. His eyebrows stand up like they were electrocuted and his nose is slightly crooked. I’m sure in his prime he was better looking. Now, he looks like life has fucked him every day and he can’t remember the safe word.

“Alpha Jaxon, I’m sorry for coming with such a short notice, but it is official pack business, you know.”

“Elder Crane, no worries. Luckily, I don’t have any other appointments for the next hour. Bourbon?” I offer.

“Blanton’s? You always have a good selection. Yes, please.” He answers.

As I pour two finger widths for him, I ask, “So, what is this official business you needed to discuss?”

As he takes the glass from my hand, he sighs, “The Elders have been discussing your position as Alpha of Winter Moon.”

The glass of bourbon is about to reach my mouth when I stop. Putting the glass down, I look Crane in the eye, “What about my position?”

“Well, you have grown this pack very well on your own Alpha Jaxon. No one can deny it, however, you have no heir to leave it to should you pass away. You have no Luna either.”

I can feel my temperature rising. I try to tamper it down but Drax is also growling in my head, and it’s making it hard for me to reel in the anger that I feel bubbling to the surface.

“Elder Crane, I had a Luna. Remember? She cheated on me with another Alpha who wanted to feed her his dick. I have no desire to have another Luna, nor do I wish to sire an heir. Women are a poison that seeps into your very fiber and tries to stomp on your soul.”

The shocked expression on Crane’s face from my answer is exactly what I am looking for, so I continue, “My ability as the Alpha of this pack has surpassed the power and wealth of the Northern region and it has almost surpassed the Eastern Region. I have done it all without a mate, fated, chosen or otherwise. Should I die, then Matt would be next in line to be Alpha. I see no reason to continue with this ridiculous conversation.”

Crane’s expression hardened and his eyes turned cold, I have to admit, it looks intimidating, "Unfortunately, it's not up to you alone. This decision is being made for the future of the pack. It will help to solidify the stability of the Southern Region.”

“Decision? What decision?” I ask. I really do not like the sound of where this is leading.

“The Elders have decided that Alpha Jaxon of Winter Moon will pick a suitable Luna in the next thirty days, or we will do it for you, if you refuse, then we will strip you of your title.”

“WHAT?!” I roar. I’m going to be stripped of my title. I have done it all by myself and now I have to bend to the will of five old fuckers or I can’t be the Alpha anymore? What kind of archaic bullshit is this!?

“This decision is final Alpha Jaxon. I suggest you start reviewing candidates since your fated mate rejected you and second chance mates are rare.” Crane finishes his drinks, sets the glass on my desk firmly and makes to leave. “Remember, thirty days, Alpha Jaxon.”

: Not Happening

Sable POV

“Come on Sable, join me for dinner tonight.” Alpha Darius said.

Usually, any she-wolf would want to have the attention of their Alpha. Especially, one as handsome as Darius Steel. Not me though. I have never thought of entertaining a man that wasn’t my fated mate.

Alpha Darius knows this, but it has never stopped him from pursuing me. “Alpha, that would be inappropriate. Besides, we are not fated mates and you know how I feel about being with any man that isn’t my mate.” I told him, letting him down again for the umpteenth time.

“It’s not a date. It’s two people having a meal together. Come on, what do you say?” He persists.

"Alpha, I appreciate the offer, but I really just want to get home and rest for the night. Training was hard enough today and I feel zapped.” I say, once again letting him down.

He looks at me with his grayish blue eyes and feigns a frown. “Fine. How about tomorrow then?”

“I’m not thinking about tomorrow until it is here.” I say and wave goodbye as I start to walk away towards my small cottage. It’s a small two bedroom and one bathroom. The feel of the cottage is cozy and I have herbs growing in the flower baskets in the windows. I have an old but sturdy rocking chair on the small front porch. It looks worn and the arm rests are smooth from the years of rubbing my hands on the edges as I rock in the evenings with a blanket over me.

I go inside and strip my sweaty clothes from warrior training and let the shower in the bathroom start to steam. As I look in the mirror and see the steam circling around me, I notice the dullness in my eyes. My life is not bad. I am a warrior in the Dark Flame pack. Alpha Darius Steel is a good alpha to his pack, although I am not sure how this pack is funded so well with the only business being agriculture. I understand agriculture pays the pack well, but not for the pack to have several Cadillac Escalades all while remodeling the pack house and pack hospital, at the same time. Either way, he treats everyone respectfully. I only wish he would stop trying to pursue me.

He is good looking with brown hair and grayish blue eyes. He is probably six foot two and has broad shoulders. He is muscular but not overly. He has more of a slender athletic build. I guess I could do worse than him but I still don’t want to compromise myself with someone who isn’t my fated mate.

My parents were fated. They loved each other. They used to talk to me and told me that no matter what, wait. Wait to meet the one the Moon Goddess has for me. They told me that when we meet, it will be when we need each other the most.

As the hot water hits my body, I can feel the tightness of the day unwind. I wash my hair of the sweat and oil and my body of the grime. Then I turn around and let the hot water beat on my back. It gives me the relief to my body that I need.

Once I’m done, I dry off and change in my bedroom. I wear some Capri leggings and an oversized shirt that hangs off one shoulder. After I towel dry my hair as best as I can, I brush it through and tie a lose braid. I go to the kitchen and heat up one of my pre-cooked meals I prepared over the weekend.

I sit at the small table and start eating. My mind drifts back to my parents. When they were alive, we all lived together in this little cottage happily. My mother and I use to cook in the kitchen and my father would help clean the dishes after every meal. They moved in unison with everything they did together. If perfection were two people, they were those two people. Everything with them looked effortless. I remember when I was around sixteen years old, I asked them if they ever argued.

They looked at me and laughed. “Sweet child, no relationship is perfect. It takes work, patience, love and understanding.” My mother said while looking lovingly at my dad, “When you meet your fated mate, he may be going through something you don’t know how to navigate and that’s okay. You just need to remember that the Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes. Everyone is paired with their mates for a reason, even if you don’t understand in the beginning.”

My father chimes in, “When I met your mom, little bug, I didn’t want to take the mate bond seriously. I almost lost your mother. Thank the Goddess I realized it before it was too late or who knows what would have become of me, without your mother. He finishes and smiles at my mother with the most sincere and full love in his eyes.

“Above all,” my mother said, “wait for who the Moon Goddess has for you. You will need him as much as he will need you and the love will only grow from there.”

I brew me some chai tea with cream and go outside to rock in my chair. When I was younger, I swore my best friend, Ethan was going to be my mate. We both were crazy about each other. He turned eighteen first but didn’t find his mate. We both thought for sure we would be mated to each other once I turned eighteen. When I turned eighteen, we realized we were not fated mates, but he was however, fated to Rosalie. The same Rosalie who always made fun of me and bullied me. Just like that, my best friend was gone. I was devastated.

Then two months after I turned eighteen, my mother passes away unexpectedly. My father was inconsolable and fell into a deep depression. Three months later, he died of a broken heart. I was alone after it was all said and done. That’s when I decided to become a warrior. I was strong and athletic and being a warrior seemed like the next logical step since my parents were no longer around.

My wolf Nia was in need of interaction with other wolves. My parents had left me my little cottage and everything there are the memories I have of my parents. It’s been five years. Now, I’m twenty-three and I have worked hard to be the best lead warrior in the Dark Flame pack. While I’m proud of what I have accomplished, I feel incomplete. I would love to find my mate, but one thing is for sure, he isn’t in this pack. It makes me wonder two things. First, which pack has my mate? Second, what has happened to him?