Rejected by My Alpha on My Birthday

Andre frowned as he looked at me, his Alpha aura pressing down on me in the way it always did when he was displeased. “Cora, are you feeling unwell? You look… off.”

Yasmin, who had been about to step into the room, paused at his words. She glanced at the basin of water I was holding and wrinkled her nose in exaggerated disgust. “Oh, Luna, really! You should’ve prepared better for this. Look at the mess you’ve made—ruining the sheets like this. How careless.”

Andre’s nose twitched slightly, as if he, too, could sense the faint metallic tang in the air. His expression shifted to one of mild irritation. “Cora, clean this up quickly. It’s embarrassing for the pack to see you like this.”

My steps felt heavy as I walked over to the waste bin and poured the water out. My hands trembled, but I forced myself to keep them steady.

Yasmin let out a soft, mocking laugh before turning back to Andre. Her voice was sugary sweet, dripping with false concern. “Alpha, since the Luna’s sheets are… compromised, why don’t you stay in my room tonight? You need your rest for tomorrow’s pack meeting, after all.”

Andre’s ears turned pink, and he cleared his throat, nodding almost imperceptibly. “Fine. Just for tonight.”

My chest tightened. They had always flirted behind my back, but now they didn’t even bother to hide it. They were shameless, and it made my stomach churn.

Just then, Quinton walked out of his room, his backpack in hand. “Mom, the strap on my bag broke. My packmates are laughing at me. Can you fix it?”

Yasmin immediately reached out, her smile sickeningly sweet. “Quinton, darling, your mother looks exhausted. Let me handle it for you.”

I met her gaze coldly, my voice calm but firm. “Yasmin, your sewing skills are hardly something Quinton’s packmates would admire. I’ll handle it.”

Her smile faltered, but Quinton spoke up before she could respond. “No! Aunt Yasmin shouldn’t have to do this kind of thing. Mom, you’ve been home all day—just fix my bag, okay?”

I stared at him, my heart sinking. This was the child I’d carried for nine months, raised with so much love, and yet he was siding with her. With her. The betrayal burned like a brand.

With a loud crash, I slammed the basin onto the floor. “Tonight, I’m not lifting a finger for anyone!”

I turned on my heel and marched into my room, leaving them all stunned. Quinton stood frozen, his mouth hanging open, while Andre looked momentarily speechless.

In the seven years I’d been mated to Andre, I’d never raised my voice, never lost my composure. But tonight, I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Andre followed me into the room, his voice softer now, almost placating. “Cora, what’s gotten into you? There’s no need to take it out on Quinton. Come on, I’ll stay here with you tonight. Let’s just forget about this.”

I didn’t respond, focusing instead on straightening the sheets on the bed. He sighed and sat down on the edge of the mattress, his presence heavy and suffocating.

Later, when the lights were off, a sharp, feminine gasp came from the room next door. Within moments, Yasmin’s voice floated through the wall, high-pitched and trembling. “Alpha, I think there’s a… a mouse in my room. Could you come check? I’m so scared…”

Andre was up in an instant, pulling on his shirt. “Cora, I’ll just deal with this and come right back. Get some rest.”

But he didn’t come back. Not that night.

Hours passed, and then, faintly, I heard it—a soft, breathy moan from the room next door. My heart twisted, and I gripped the blanket tightly, my claws digging into the fabric. Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Instead, I lay there, silent and still, as the weight of betrayal settled over me like a suffocating fog.