Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha

The Moonlit Gala was supposed to be our night. Seven years of loving Colson Hill, three years as his chosen mate, and now—finally—I carried his pup. My hand rested protectively over my still-flat stomach as I navigated through the glittering crowd of Alphas and Lunas from neighboring packs.

"Have you seen Colson?" I asked a passing Beta, smoothing down the simple blue dress I'd chosen. Unlike the elaborate gowns around me, I'd always preferred simplicity—another thing that made me different from the power-hungry she-wolves who circled Colson like vultures.

"He was heading to the gardens last I saw," the Beta replied, barely glancing at me before continuing on.

The garden. Perfect. I wanted privacy for this announcement anyway.

The moonlight bathed the meticulously manicured grounds in silver, casting long shadows between the sculpted hedges. I followed the stone path, my heart racing with anticipation. Colson would be so happy—he'd been talking about starting a family once he became Alpha.

"Colson?" I called softly as I rounded the corner into the secluded alcove.

The words died in my throat.

Colson stood with his back against the stone wall, his hands tangled in Valeria Gibson's raven hair. Her body pressed against his, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. The high-ranking Beta female's hands roamed possessively over my mate's chest—territory that should have been mine alone.

"Colson?" My voice cracked, louder now.

They broke apart, but neither looked particularly concerned at being caught.

"Delaney." Colson's voice held irritation rather than guilt. "You shouldn't be here."

Valeria's red lips curved into a smile that never reached her eyes. "Yes, this is a private moment."

I stepped forward, my promise ring catching the moonlight. "Private? Colson, we're mates. I came to tell you—"

"To tell me what?" Valeria interrupted, her gaze dropping to my hand. "That you still believe this means something?" She reached out and knocked the ring from my finger with a flick of her wrist.

I gasped as it fell to the ground, rolling beneath a bush.

"Valeria." Colson's tone held a warning, but not for her—for me.

"Is there a problem?" Alpha Marcus Sterling's voice boomed from behind me. I turned to find him and several other pack leaders watching the scene unfold.

"Actually," Valeria purred, "there is. This... human-scented omega keeps claiming to be Colson's mate."

My heart pounded. "I am his mate. We've been paired for three years."

"Is this true, son?" Alpha Sterling asked, his eyes narrowing.

I looked to Colson, expecting him to confirm our bond, to defend me. Instead, he straightened his jacket and met his father's gaze.

"I do not recognize this woman as my mate," he said, his Alpha tone reverberating through the garden. "She has been delusional about our relationship."

The world tilted beneath my feet.

"You're lying," I whispered, tears blurring my vision. "Colson, please—"

"Remove her," he ordered, turning away. "She's disrupting the gala."

Two enforcers materialized beside me, their hands rough as they grabbed my arms.

"No!" I struggled against them. "Colson! Please!"

Someone else was shouting—Nia. My sweet Omega friend pushed through the crowd.

"Stop this!" she cried, throwing herself between me and the enforcers. "You can't do this!"

One of the enforcers shoved her aside with brutal force. I watched in horror as Nia's head struck the stone pillar with a sickening crack. She crumpled to the ground, blood pooling beneath her.

"Nia!" I screamed, fighting harder. "Stop! She's hurt!"

But they were dragging me backward now, away from the garden, away from Colson's cold stare and Valeria's triumphant smile.

"The pup," I gasped as a sharp pain lanced through my abdomen. "Please—I'm pregnant!"

No one listened. No one cared.

The night air grew colder as they hauled me beyond the pack borders, my body bruising under their grip. When they finally released me, I collapsed to the ground, another wave of agony tearing through me.

Something warm trickled down my thigh.

"No," I whispered, looking down at the dark stain spreading across my dress. "No, please, no."

But the Moon Goddess wasn't listening tonight.

* * *

Days later, I opened my eyes to sterile white walls and the steady beep of monitors.

"Delaney." My brother Fletcher's voice, tight with controlled rage.

I turned my head to see him sitting beside the bed, his Lycan King regalia replaced with simple clothes, his face haggard with exhaustion.

"The pup?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

His eyes darkened. "You lost it."

"And Nia?"

"She's here in the Royal Infirmary, but..." He hesitated. "The head injury was severe. She's in a coma."

I closed my eyes, feeling the hollow space inside me expand.

"Let me die," I whispered.

"No." Fletcher's hand gripped mine with crushing force. "You will live, and they will pay."

As I looked into his eyes, something shifted inside me—the last remnants of the gentle, naive Delaney Rose crumbling away.

"Prepare my return," I said, my voice steady for the first time in days. "Not as a mate, but as a Royal Proxy."

Fletcher nodded slowly, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "It will be done."

In that moment, as I lay broken in the Royal Infirmary, I made a vow to the Moon Goddess: Colson Hill and Valeria Gibson would learn what happens when you betray a Lycan Princess.