Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

I couldn't sleep that night, Chloe's words echoing in my mind like a twisted lullaby. *Ryan Sterling is my true fated mate.* The very thought made my stomach churn, threatening the delicate balance I'd maintained throughout my pregnancy. My hand instinctively moved to my swollen belly, feeling the gentle kicks of our son—Ryan's heir, the future Alpha of Silvermoon Pack.

Lily, my wolf, paced restlessly within me. *He wouldn't choose her over us. He couldn't.*

*Then why didn't you tell him about the wager?* a small voice whispered in my mind.

I had no answer. Pride, perhaps. Or fear of what his reaction might reveal.

Morning came too quickly, bringing with it an urgent council meeting. Border disputes with the Eastern Ridge Pack had escalated overnight, and Ryan had called all ranking members to the great hall. I dressed carefully in my formal Luna attire—a silver-blue dress that complemented my eight-month pregnant form as best it could—and made my way down the winding staircase of the pack house.

That's when I saw her. Chloe, standing in our foyer like she belonged there, dressed in tight black leather that hugged every curve of her body. The sight of her in our home sent a jolt of anger through me.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, one hand on the banister, the other protectively over my belly.

Chloe's amber eyes gleamed with malice. "Alpha Ryan invited me to the council meeting. As a former... intimate of his, I have valuable insights about the Eastern Ridge Alpha."

My heart stuttered. "Ryan wouldn't—"

"Wouldn't what? Invite his true mate to help protect his pack?" Her smile was razor-sharp. "Ready for our first test, Luna?"

Before I could respond, she turned and sauntered toward the council chambers, leaving me frozen on the stairs.

---

The council room was tense, filled with the top-ranking wolves of our pack. Ryan stood at the head of the long oak table, his powerful frame commanding attention as he outlined the threat from Eastern Ridge. I took my place at his right side, trying to ignore Chloe's presence across the table.

Midway through the strategy discussion, I felt it—a strange tingling at the base of my skull. Chloe was staring at me, her eyes narrowed in concentration. Then I understood. The first test had begun.

I closed my eyes, focusing on our mate bond. *Ryan, I need you,* I sent through our mental link, infusing the message with urgency and love. *Please, it's important.*

Across the table, I could sense Chloe doing the same, her eyes now closed, her lips moving in silent communication.

Ryan stopped mid-sentence, his body going rigid. His eyes darted around the room, but they didn't land on me. Instead, his gaze locked with Chloe's, a flash of recognition passing between them.

"Excuse me," he said abruptly to the council. "We'll continue in a moment."

He crossed the room—not to me, but to her. Leaning down, he whispered something in Chloe's ear, his hand briefly touching her shoulder. The gesture was intimate, protective.

My mind-link plea hung unanswered in the void between us.

The council members shifted uncomfortably, exchanging confused glances. Beta Marcus caught my eye, his expression troubled as he witnessed my public humiliation.

When Ryan returned to his position, he continued as if nothing had happened, but something fundamental had shifted in the room. My Luna aura, usually a warm, comforting presence, felt diminished, like a candle struggling against a cold draft.

Chloe's triumphant smile told me everything I needed to know. Test one, failed.

---

Two days later, Ryan announced mandatory combat training for all ranking pack members. "The threat from Eastern Ridge requires us to be at our strongest," he declared at breakfast.

I nodded, determined to prove myself despite my advanced pregnancy. As Luna, I was expected to participate in some capacity, even if modified for my condition.

The training field was muddy from recent rain, the scent of wet earth and sweat heavy in the air as pack members paired off for sparring. I stood to the side, demonstrating defensive postures for the younger females, when Chloe approached.

"The Luna should lead by example," she announced loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Perhaps a light demonstration?"

Ryan looked up from where he was correcting a young warrior's stance. "Madison is pregnant, Chloe. She's exempt from physical training."

"Just forms," Chloe insisted with false sweetness. "No contact. Unless the Luna is... unable?"

The challenge hung in the air. I could feel the pack's eyes on me, assessing, judging.

"It's fine," I said, stepping forward. "I can demonstrate basic defensive forms."

We took positions across from each other. What was supposed to be a simple demonstration quickly escalated as Chloe's movements became increasingly aggressive. When she lunged forward with more force than necessary, I instinctively countered, my wolf's protective instincts flaring.

In that moment, I felt it—Ryan's Alpha aura surging across the field. But it wasn't shielding me. It was protecting Chloe, pushing against my counter-attack with enough force to make me stumble backward.

I caught myself before falling, one hand flying to my belly. The pack had gone silent, watching as their Alpha's power had chosen to protect a rogue over his pregnant Luna.

Ryan was beside Chloe in an instant, his hand on her arm. "That's enough for today," he announced, not even glancing in my direction.

As they walked away, I stood alone in the mud, my cheeks burning with humiliation. Test two, failed.

And still, the worst was yet to come.