Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

I don’t quite understand what divorce means, but ever since Dad left the packhouse, and with Luna Joanna always busy with her duties, there’s been no one to build Legos with me, read me stories, or lift me high into the air. Even the delicious desserts Faye, our Omega caretaker, makes can’t make me happy anymore. I miss Dad’s trifle, the one he used to sneak into my room when Luna Joanna wasn’t looking.

Tonight, Luna Joanna had another engagement to attend, and I desperately clung to her, not wanting her to leave, my face streaked with tears and snot. Even Faye couldn’t bear it anymore: "Luna, why not take Miss Carolina with you? Without her father around and you often being away, it’s tough for her at such a young age."

"But it’s not an appropriate place for her..." Luna Joanna hesitated, looking at my pitiful face, and finally, she gave in. She sighed softly and smoothed my hair with her hand. "Alright, Carolina, you can come. But you must behave, understand?"

I nodded eagerly, wiping my face with the back of my hand. I didn’t care where we were going—I just didn’t want to be left alone again.

---

At the Majestic Entertainment Club.

The dance floor was dimly lit, the music was deafening, and the crowd moved their bodies with abandon. Drinks swirled in glasses, looking as tempting as ever. In the private suite on the top floor, the pack’s elite were gathered, all eyes glued to the TV screen as I held the microphone and sang a popular children’s song.

"Happy Lamb, Beautiful Lamb, Lazy Lamb, Lovable Lamb, Silly Lamb, Fluffy Wool, Red Wolf, Grey Wolf, don’t look at me as just a sheep, the grass is greener because of me, the sky is bluer because of me, the clouds are fluffier because of me..."

When the song ended, thunderous applause erupted.

"Amazing! What a wonderful voice!" exclaimed one of the pack elders, his deep voice carrying authority.

"Indeed, she’s Luna Joanna’s child; like mother, like daughter!" another added, his tone full of admiration.

"Yes, yes, Luna Joanna has raised her daughter well. The child is destined for great things!" a third voice chimed in, her words dripping with flattery.

I beamed, my chest swelling with pride. The kids in Sunflower Class always say I can’t carry a tune and that I sing off-key. This was the first time so many people praised my singing, and I was so excited that I wanted to sing another song.

But then Luna Joanna intervened, her voice firm but gentle, "Sweetie, let Sylas take you outside to play. I’ll finish my business here soon, okay?"

I pouted, reluctantly putting down the microphone, and took Sylas’s hand, walking out of the suite. Oh right, Sylas is the young Delta warrior who, as Faye whispered, was Luna Joanna’s "friend." He’s only ten years older than me, which Faye finds quite surprising!

Sylas took me to the neighboring suite. He was very skilled and even made me two pretty braids. I looked up at him, blinking my eyes, and asked, "Handsome brother, what’s your relationship with my mom?"

He pinched my cheek and smiled gently, "Luna Joanna is my boss and also my patron."

Patron? I don’t quite understand what that means. But I tilted my head, thinking hard, and then asked, "So if Luna Joanna and my dad get divorced, will you marry her?"

Sylas paused for a moment, his expression softening, and then said softly, "If she’s willing."

Uh-oh, suddenly he looked a bit like my dad to me, especially when he smiled, with those arched eyebrows and sparkling eyes. My heart felt a little flutter, but I didn’t quite understand why. Maybe it was because I missed Dad so much. Or maybe it was because Sylas was just so kind, the way he looked at me with warmth in his eyes. Either way, I decided I liked him. A lot.