Rejected by My Mate, Saved by the Lycan King

The morning sun filtered through the high windows of the training arena, casting long shadows across the polished stone floor. I stood in the center, my legs still unsteady from yesterday's shift. My body felt foreign—weaker than I'd expected after transforming into my White Wolf form.

"Again," commanded Garrett, Roy's Gamma and newly assigned trainer. His voice was firm but not unkind. "Your reflexes need work."

I nodded, taking a defensive stance as he approached with a training staff. My muscles screamed in protest as I tried to block his advance.

Too slow. Too weak.

The staff connected with my ribs, not hard enough to break anything but enough to send me stumbling backward.

"Focus," Garrett said, extending a hand to help me up.

Before I could reach for it, a shadow fell between us.

"That's enough for today," Roy's voice cut through the arena, his displeasure evident in every syllable.

I straightened my spine, irritation flaring unexpectedly. "No, it's not enough."

Roy turned to me, surprise flickering across his features. "Louisa—"

"I need to be strong," I said, my voice stronger than I'd heard it in weeks. "Not coddled."

Something shifted in his silver eyes—respect, perhaps. Or desire.

Garrett cleared his throat awkwardly. "Your Majesty, perhaps I should—"

"Leave us," Roy commanded, never taking his eyes off me.

When we were alone, he approached slowly, like one might approach a wounded animal. "You don't want my protection?"

"I want to be worthy of it," I replied, lifting my chin. "I want to stand beside you, not behind you."

A smile—rare and genuine—curved his lips. "Then I'll train you myself."

---

The nightmares always began the same way.

Snow falling on my skin, cold seeping into my bones. Edward's voice echoing in my mind: "I reject you." Bailey's triumphant smile as darkness closed in.

"Please," I begged in my sleep, thrashing against the sheets. "Don't leave me there."

Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me against a solid chest. A deep vibration hummed through me—not quite a sound, but a feeling that resonated in my very bones.

"Safe," a voice murmured against my hair. "You're safe."

The vibration intensified, a rhythmic pulsing that soothed the jagged edges of my panic. My wolf responded instinctively, curling closer to the source of comfort.

When I opened my eyes, dawn was breaking. Roy's arms were wrapped around me, his massive frame curled protectively against my back. The vibration had been his chest—a deep, sub-vocal Lycan purr.

"You were dreaming," he said softly, his breath warm against my neck.

I should have pulled away. Should have been frightened by his proximity after weeks of careful distance. Instead, I felt... safe.

"How did you know?" I asked, my voice husky with sleep.

"The bond," he replied simply. "I felt your fear."

I turned in his arms, studying his face in the soft morning light. For the first time since the rejection, I didn't flinch at his nearness.

"Thank you," I whispered.

His eyes darkened as I lingered in his embrace. "Anytime, my Queen."

---

"Your Majesty," Marcus's voice broke through our morning training session. The Beta stood at the edge of the arena, his expression carefully neutral. "News from the border."

Roy tensed beside me, his hand finding mine instinctively. "Speak."

"The Silver Mist Pack has sent their RSVP for the Winter Solstice Ball," Marcus reported, his eyes flicking briefly to me. "They will be arriving in three days to pledge fealty."

The name hit me like a physical blow. Silver Mist. Edward. Bailey.

"Cancel it," Roy growled, his aura flaring with sudden violence. "I won't have them here."

"No." The word escaped before I could stop it.

Both men turned to me, surprise evident on their faces.

"They need to see me," I said, feeling my White Wolf stir within me. "They need to know what they did—and what they failed to destroy."

Roy studied me intently. "Are you certain?"

I stepped forward, drawing myself to my full height. The weeks of training had strengthened me physically, but it was the inner change that mattered most.

"I am no longer Louisa the Omega," I declared, feeling my wolf's power flow through me. "I am your mate. The Lycan King's mate."

Roy's eyes flashed with pride and something darker, more primal. "Then they will see exactly what they lost."

As Marcus bowed and retreated, Roy pulled me close, his lips brushing my ear. "Three days," he whispered. "Then we show them who you really are."

For the first time since my rejection, I looked forward to the future—and the reckoning it would bring.