Rejected By My Fated, I Claimed His Future

As I steadied my emotions, a healer informed me that my mother had regained consciousness. By the time I entered her room, I had composed myself, the weight of the Alpha’s aura masking the turmoil within.

"You’re a wonderful daughter," my mother said, her voice frail but warm as she looked at me. I leaned in to adjust her blanket, keeping my demeanor steady despite the ache in my chest.

"Really, it’s nothing. The most important thing is your health and safety," I replied, my tone calm, the practiced ease of an Alpha concealing the storm beneath.

A faint worry creased her brow. "Where’s that Kolton boy?"

My hand hesitated for a fraction of a second, but I quickly resumed smoothing the blanket, forcing a casual smile. "Oh, he was here earlier. He got called away for an urgent pack matter. He said he’ll return later to see you."

She studied me closely, her sharp eyes piercing through my façade. "Be honest, how are things between you two…"

I cut in gently, my smile unwavering. "That’s the truth, Mom. Kolton’s tied up with pack duties, but he feels guilty about not being here."

Feigning busyness, I tidied the room, turning so she wouldn’t notice the flicker of pain in my eyes. In reality, Kolton hadn’t visited my mother, and certainly not me. His betrayal cut deeper than I cared to admit.

After my mother dozed off, I returned to my office. As Alpha, there were always pressing matters demanding my attention. While reviewing the pack’s financial reports, I discovered Kolton had unilaterally terminated a major alliance with another pack.

"Why wasn’t I informed about something this significant?" I demanded, my voice sharp with authority.

"Well, isn’t your mating ceremony to Beta Mendez coming up? And didn’t you authorize him to make decisions on your behalf?" one of my Gammas replied hesitantly.

My anger momentarily froze. It was true, I had passively allowed him that power. After my father’s unexpected passing, I hadn’t yet fully stepped into my role as Alpha. Kolton had offered to help, citing my inexperience as a reason to take on more responsibilities. I thought, since we were to be mates, it would be fine. But I hadn’t realized how far his overreach would go.

I mind-linked him immediately, my tone cutting through the connection. "What happened with the alliance? We’ve been negotiating for months, nearly finalized, and you just decide to end it?"

Kolton’s response was dismissive, his voice cold in my mind. "Zendaya’s mating ceremony is soon. We’re friends, so consider it a gift."

Barely containing my anger, I replied, "That alliance is crucial. We’ve invested so much and are nearly finished. You can’t just dismiss the losses with a simple explanation."

"What kind of gift is so special, Kolton, that you—"

"Enough!" Kolton snapped, his voice cutting through the mind link like a whip. "Alpha Martinez, when did you become so petty? You even made Zendaya cry today—shouldn’t you apologize and make things right? This conversation is over."

Before I could respond, he severed the link, leaving me seething.

Silently, I clenched my fists, my wolf stirring in the back of my mind, a low growl of frustration echoing within me. Fueled with anger, I shifted into my wolf form and ran straight to Kolton’s territory, the forest blurring around me as I moved with the speed of an Alpha on a mission.