Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

Kaitlyn Rhodes has everything under control - her thriving event design business, her chic apartment in Pinewood Estate, and a carefully curated life that leaves no room for chaos. But control shatters the morning a phone call changes everything. Her company is suddenly on the verge of collapse, thanks to a scandal she didn't see coming. And before she can find her footing, an unexpected proposition arrives from the last man she ever thought would notice her - Miles Howard. The elusive billionaire CEO of Howard & Co. Corporate is as infamous for his ruthless deals as he is for his guarded heart. To the world, Miles is untouchable. But behind the tailored suits and cold precision lies a man with everything to lose... and a secret plan to save it. His offer? A marriage of convenience. His reason? Business. His real motive? Something he's not ready to admit. Drawn into his world of power, luxury, and dangerous rivalries, Kaitlyn finds herself walking a razor's edge between independence and desire. The more time she spends in Miles's orbit, the harder it is to tell where the arrangement ends... and something far more real begins. In a city of secrets, one thing becomes clear: in love and business, nothing stays purely transactional for long.

During my maternity leave, I found myself scrolling through the pack’s online forum to pass the time. That’s when I stumbled upon a post that was rapidly climbing in popularity. The headline read, "I Don’t Envy His Mate Because He Reserves All His Love for Me." Curious, I clicked on it. The profile picture was a butterfly—the same butterfly that matched the tattoo on my mate’s arm. --- Exhaustion from childbirth clung to me like a heavy fog, and the gnawing pain in my back felt like it could snap at any moment. In an attempt to distract myself, I aimlessly scrolled through the pack’s online forum and stumbled upon a post buzzing with activity. The profile picture was a butterfly, identical to the tattoo on Edison’s arm. Intrigued, I opened the post, and each word radiated the brazen audacity of an Omega trying to claim what wasn’t hers. "My mate’s Luna just had his child, and she’s home recovering. I casually mentioned wanting to visit Venice, and he booked a flight immediately.

The bass from the karaoke bar pulsed through my chest like a second heartbeat, each thump making my temples throb. I watched Lucca laughing with his pack brothers, his arm slung casually over Delta Marcus's shoulder as they belted out some terrible rendition of an old pack anthem. The crowd was a sea of familiar faces from Silvermoon, all here to celebrate our territory's founding anniversary. I'd been smiling for two hours straight, playing the perfect Luna-to-be, but the noise was finally winning. 'I need some air,' I murmured to Mira, who nodded with understanding before turning back to her own conversation. The cool night air hit my face like a blessing as I slipped through the bar's side door. Silvermoon territory at night was beautiful—the trees rustled gently, and moonlight painted everything in silver and shadow. I took a deep breath, letting Selene, my wolf, stretch contentedly within me. For just a moment, I could pretend I was alone with the night sky. Then I heard Lucca's voice.

“This game of yours is barbaric. How dare you make me play it?” Her anger boiled over again as she realized that it was his own fault because she was sore, tired, and bleeding. She could have died if not for that son of a bitch. “You'd better pull your finger out, Karenina, and talk to me in a more ladylike manner,” Xavier warned. She lowered her hand, but she wouldn't back down. What he had done was beyond unacceptable. “Why did you leave me to fight those werewolves if all that senseless bloodshed was to find a mate? I'm a hybrid, half-wolf! Obviously I shouldn't be there,” she said furiously. “I have my reasons,” he replied nonchalantly. “Damn it!” she clutched his fur again to vent her frustration. ****************************************************************** Karenina Mason, a headstrong and independent young woman, is not just an ordinary human-she is a rare hybrid with a powerful lineage. Unknowingly, she becomes entangled in a perilous game of political intrigue, where the coveted prize is to become the mate of the enigmatic and all-powerful Alpha of Westwood. Karenina resists this unwanted destiny, but fate seems insistent on thrusting her into this union. In her vulnerable state, Karenina finds herself surrounded by adversaries, and her once-trusted friends remain beyond her reach. Forced to rely on Xavier Westwood, a mysterious and captivating figure with his own hidden agenda, Karenina is drawn into a world of danger and desire. As they navigate the treacherous path together, an intense attraction grows between them, unraveling long-concealed secrets that should have remained locked away-secrets that may unleash powers too volatile to control.

My husband chose my sister over me at the darkest point of my life. They left me to die of asthma after throwing my inhaler away. But like a shooting star would appear to the sky, Geoffrey Cohen appeared. I thought I'd forgotten him and would no longer have anything to do with him but FATE said NO

Chapter 1 It was their seventh wedding anniversary. Carolyn found the divorce agreement in Roger’s nightstand. The pages were covered in scribbles and corrections, as if he’d agonized over them for years. *"If, during the marriage, I fall in love with another person, I voluntarily relinquish all assets and leave with nothing. Asset details as follows…"* His first impulse had been to walk away empty-handed. But the asset section told a different story—a mess of revisions. First, he’d crossed out the property he intended to give her. Then, the fifty million earmarked for her was scratched out and replaced with five hundred thousand. Finally, as if in penance, he had written a single line. *"Better to have Carolyn leave with nothing. No choice, Catherine is pregnant."* … Carolyn sank onto the bed, disbelief washing over her. On the agreement, Roger’s signature was clean and decisive, without a hint of hesitation. And the document had been drafted seven years ago—the very year they married. That year, Roger had been willing to give up everything for her. Yet every year after, he had crossed out another piece of their shared life. Now, seven years later, the one leaving with nothing would be her. Her phone buzzed abruptly. A message from Roger. *"Urgent business. Won't be back."* She called, only to find his phone already switched off. Another notification flashed—a screenshot from a friend. Catherine, the student she sponsored, had posted on social media. *"Wow, got praised! To commemorate my first period without a leak, the big boss said we should celebrate properly!"* In a nine-photo collage, Roger gazed at her, eyes crinkling with affection as he fastened a dazzling gemstone necklace around her neck. The post was tagged at a couples-themed hotel. Carolyn’s breath caught. He couldn’t remember seven years of marriage, of weathering storms together—but he could find the energy to celebrate Catherine’s… leak-free period. And that pendant… she’d seen it at an auction just last week. It was her mother’s lost heirloom. She’d been ready to bid when her bank card was frozen. She’d asked Roger why. A long time later, he finally texted back, telling her not to waste money on such impractical things. Clutching her bidding paddle, she’d sat helplessly in the auction hall. In the end, she resolved to sell one of her own designs to raise the funds. But someone on the phone swooped in with an unbeatable offer and took it. For weeks afterward, Carolyn hated herself—hated that she couldn’t protect her mother’s last keepsake. She never imagined the one who snatched it away was Roger. He knew exactly how much that pendant meant to her. Yet he gave it to Catherine. Even on their seventh anniversary, Roger had lied about being busy with work, while wining and dining the girl she’d sponsored. The anniversary gift he left her was a divorce agreement demanding she leave with nothing. Seven years of marriage. Seven years of infidelity. And Carolyn had known nothing. She’d even introduced the other woman to him herself. Catherine was the impoverished student Carolyn sponsored. The first time Catherine came to their home to give thanks, Roger found her intrusive and disliked her on sight. *"That girl has no manners. Tracked mud all over my cashmere rug."* *"If her grades aren’t up to par, cut the sponsorship."* Back then, Carolyn had teased him, saying not to be jealous—it was good the girl had a grateful heart. She never once suspected Roger and Catherine. For seven years, everyone in their circle believed Roger never played around. That he loved only Carolyn. But by their next meeting, Catherine had become Roger’s personal assistant. Roger explained, *"The girl’s had it tough. You’ve sponsored her for years. Giving her a job is just helping you out."* Carolyn had laughed it off. Now, hands trembling, she opened Catherine’s social media feed. Catherine had always hidden her posts from Carolyn. Now, she seemed desperate to flaunt everything. While Carolyn drank until her stomach bled to secure a deal for Roger, Catherine was using Roger’s card to buy her first Louis Vuitton. While Carolyn changed bedpans for Roger’s bedridden grandmother, Roger was taking Catherine to a perfume atelier for a blending class—calling it a business trip. Catherine had even complained online. *"Your wife is such a pampered princess. Can't handle the tiniest thing without you running back. Can she not live without a man?"* And Roger had replied beneath it. *"If she were half as independent as you, I’d have an easier life."* But that day… Carolyn’s mother had lost her battle with cancer. She’d cried until her heart felt shredded, scrambling to handle the arrangements. All the while, Roger kept checking his phone impatiently, eager to leave. Not for work, she realized now—but because he was desperate to get back to Catherine.