Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King
Chapter 1
My father, Alpha Ezekiel Jenkins of the Moonstone Pack, had provided a substantial dowry of land and resources when I mate paired with Eden Richardson, a Delta warrior from a lesser pack. Yet, he spoke of Eden with such disdain, as if the man who shared my mate bond was beneath even the lowest Omega.
In defiance, I told Eden that my family had given nothing. Why should I share this with him? He’d done nothing to earn it.
But his reaction shocked me. The man who had always been gentle, who had once whispered sweet promises in my ear, now lashed out with a venom I’d never seen.
“I’ll tell you this,” he snarled, his voice dripping with contempt. “I’m sick of living like some whipped dog, constantly catering to you.”
“Now that you’re pregnant, you can’t run away. I don’t have to keep up the act anymore!”
I sneered, my wolf stirring in the back of my mind, growling low with anger. Using the pup as leverage against me? Not a chance. I turned on my heel and headed straight to the pack’s Healer, Dr. Dean, to terminate the pregnancy.
The morning sickness had been unbearable, a rare condition among werewolves, and I’d agreed with Eden to spend Thanksgiving at the Moonstone Pack’s territory so my parents, Alpha Ezekiel and Luna Alessandra, could care for me. My mother had already promised to prepare nutrient-rich meals to help me recover.
“Mother called,” I said, scrolling through my phone for remedies to ease the nausea during the trip. “She suggested we leave early to avoid getting sick on the way.”
Eden, however, seemed oblivious. He was devouring a greasy roast turkey, the smell of it so overpowering it made my stomach churn. At three months pregnant, the nausea was at its worst, and just the sight of that turkey made me queasy.
Before I could say anything, he spoke up, his mouth full. “Why go to your parents’ place? We’re going to my pack’s territory. My mom wants to see your belly!”
I glared at him, suppressing the urge to vomit. “We already decided. I’m pregnant, and my parents should be the ones looking after me.”
“Your mom prepared so many things to help me through this. How could you change your mind so suddenly?”
Eden tore into the turkey, the greasy, pungent smell filling the air. Ignoring my pale face, he took another large bite, bits of turkey skin spraying onto my sleeve.
I couldn’t stand it any longer. I staggered to the bathroom, vomiting until I was dry heaving.
Eden rolled his eyes, muttering, “Pregnant, and so dramatic! My mom went back to work the day after having me without all this fuss!”
My heart sank. His attitude had become unbearably indifferent, and I felt my wolf whimper in the back of my mind.
During the worst of my morning sickness, I could barely keep any food down. My mother-in-law, Yara Richardson, an Omega in her pack, insisted it was normal and I should just endure it.
My mother, Luna Alessandra, couldn’t bear to see me so sickly and sent over a jar of homemade jam from the Moonstone Pack’s territory. That jar got me through the month, but the jam lacked nutrition. I told Eden I wanted to spend the holidays with my parents this year.
He had easily agreed, wrapping his arms around me sweetly, lamenting the trouble caused by the little one. He joked that once our son was born, he’d give him a good talking-to for causing me so much misery.
So, why the sudden change?
Swallowing his mouthful, Eden said, “Elizabeth, are you wondering why I’m no longer tender and considerate?”
I looked up at him, my wolf growling low in warning.
He smirked at me condescendingly. “It was all an act! Just to get you to have my pup.”
“Now you’re pregnant, you’re not going anywhere, so why should I pretend?”
“I’m telling you, I’m done playing the doting mate, revolving around you like some devoted pet!”
His words cut deep, but my wolf’s growl grew louder, a fierce reminder of my strength. I stood tall, my eyes locked on his.
“I, Elizabeth Jenkins, Beta of the Moonstone Pack, reject you, Eden Richardson, as my mate.”
The words hung in the air, the bond between us burning with a searing pain. But I didn’t falter. My wolf and I were one, and we would not be broken.
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