Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

I drifted in and out of consciousness, the world a blur of hospital lights and hushed voices. The river's chill still clung to my skin, a reminder of how close I'd come to death. How close Oliver had allowed me to come.

"Luna Sunny," Dr. Sarah's voice pulled me back. "You're stable now. The water in your lungs has been cleared."

I turned my head, avoiding her concerned gaze. "Thank you."

"The Alpha has been informed of your condition," she added carefully.

"He was there," I whispered, my throat raw. "He saw me drowning."

Sarah's expression tightened, but she said nothing. Everyone had seen. Everyone knew what Oliver had chosen.

When I was finally released from the medical wing, I returned to our chambers alone. Oliver was nowhere to be found—probably comforting Summer, I thought bitterly.

My wolf stirred within me. *We need to leave, Sunny. He'll kill us both eventually.*

"But where would we go?" I asked aloud, my voice echoing in the empty room.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I sat at my desk, searching through old pack records until I found what I was looking for—a mention of an underground network that helped abused wolves escape their packs. A name caught my attention: Elena Rodriguez.

The next morning, I slipped away to the neutral territory café where Elena reportedly conducted business. The place was crowded with wolves from various packs, providing perfect cover.

"You're the Luna of Moonveil," Elena said when I approached her table. Her eyes were sharp, assessing. "What brings you here?"

"I need to escape," I said simply.

She gestured for me to sit. "That's not easily done. Especially for a Luna with a mate bond."

"I know." I slid a folder across the table. "But I've done my research. There are ways."

Elena examined the documents, her expression unchanging. "Faking death is the only way to break mate bond tracking. You understand what that means? You can never return. Never reclaim your position. Pack law wouldn't protect you if you sought revenge."

"I understand," I said firmly.

---

Two weeks later, I sat in a small clinic in neutral territory, the scent of antiseptic burning my nostrils.

"You're certain?" Dr. Reeves asked gently. "This is a difficult decision, Luna."

"I'm not a Luna anymore," I said, my hand resting on my still-flat stomach. "And I can't bring another child into this."

The confirmation had come three days ago—I was pregnant with Oliver's second child. The news had sent me spiraling into despair.

"I can't do it," I'd told Elena over a secure line. "I can't have another child with him."

She'd arranged everything quickly, efficiently. No names, no pack affiliations. Just a healer who helped wolves in trouble.

"The procedure is simple," Dr. Reeves explained. "But the emotional aftermath can be complex. Are you sure you don't want to—"

"I'm sure," I interrupted. "Any child would just be another tool for his manipulation."

The procedure itself was quick. What followed was not.

I spent three days in a small apartment Elena had arranged, crying until I had no tears left. My wolf howled within me, mourning not just the lost pup, but everything we'd lost.

---

The news came at dawn—a rogue attack on the pack borders.

"Multiple casualties," Marcus informed me grimly. "The Alpha wants all ranking wolves at the northern perimeter immediately."

I dressed quickly, my mind racing. Something felt wrong. The timing was too perfect.

When I arrived at the scene, chaos reigned. Wolves were shifting back and forth, searching for survivors among the wreckage of what appeared to be a small safe house.

"Luna!" A young Delta ran toward me. "They found a child's body inside!"

My blood turned to ice. "A child?"

Summer appeared suddenly at my side, her face streaked with tears. "It's Hope," she sobbed, clinging to me. "Oh, Sunny, it's Hope!"

I pushed her away, staring in horror at the small form being carried toward us.

"No," I whispered, my legs giving way beneath me.

The child was barely recognizable—bruised and broken, with a deep wound across her throat. But I would know that face anywhere.

"My baby," I moaned, reaching for her.

Summer pulled me back, her grip surprisingly strong. "Don't touch her," she hissed, her tears instantly drying. "You'll contaminate the evidence."

"Evidence?" I echoed numbly.

"The rogues did this," she announced loudly enough for others to hear. "They targeted the safe house specifically. I tried to save her, but..."

Her voice broke perfectly, tears welling again as Oliver appeared beside us.

"My poor mate," he murmured, pulling Summer into his arms. "You tried so hard to protect our daughter."

I stared at them both, something cold and terrible settling in my chest as I watched Summer bury her face against Oliver's shoulder—her eyes meeting mine over his back, gleaming with triumph.