Rejected By The Alpha, Crowned By Fate

The first time I saw Lycan Prince Leo Mills was when he and my sister, Capri Jordan, confirmed their mate bond during the marking ceremony.

At that moment, I knew.

No matter the cost, no matter the means, I would become his mate.

Because he was the stepping stone I had chosen for myself.

I would climb over him, step by step, until I reached the highest position.

From then on, my word would be law.

No one would ever use me, enslave me, humiliate me, or trample me again.

I was grateful that the Moon Goddess had finally taken pity on me.

Capri had been spoiled rotten by Angie Carr.

She was rebellious, unconventional.

She loved books, especially those filled with tales of rogue werewolves and their adventures, and she idolized the characters within them.

Running through the forests, howling at the moon, hunting with abandon, drinking without restraint.

And above all, pursuing true love.

At first, our father, Alpha Carmelo Wilson, was furious. He confined her, punished her with endless pack training.

He broke three canes trying to discipline her, but her will never wavered.

She would shift into her wolf form and escape through the woods.

Father fell ill several times from stress, sighing deeply in frustration.

Meanwhile, I had always adhered to the standards of a perfect Omega.

I excelled in pack duties, training, and obedience, with a temperament and appearance that were beyond reproach.

Father feared that Capri would bring disaster to the royal pack if she became the Lycan Prince’s mate.

So he discussed with Leo the possibility of breaking the bond or choosing another mate.

When I heard this news, my heart pounded like a drum.

I thought my chance had finally come.

All those years of relentless effort had not been in vain.

Finally, I could be the one my father proudly presented to the world.

I looked at the calluses on my hands, tears of emotion welling up in my eyes.

Until Leo firmly declared:

"I find Capri to be exceptional, unlike any other female in the pack.

"They are lifeless, rigid, and dull, lacking even a fraction of Capri’s vivacity, honesty, and innocence.

"I admire Capri for who she is, and I will protect her unique spirit. Alpha, you need not worry. I will ensure she remains true to herself."

So, Capri forcing me to act as her mount was vivacity? Making me fight with a rogue for food was honesty? Secretly replacing my medicine, nearly killing me, was innocence? Holding my head underwater to see how long I could survive was her unique spirit?

Moon Goddess.

You truly are unfair.

After a long silence, Father tried again.

"My second daughter, Shay, is the epitome of pack decorum. She excels in all aspects of pack culture, and even Lycan Queen Marilyn Jones has praised her grace and composure, saying she would make an exemplary mate."

Leo dismissed me without hesitation, negating everything I had worked for.

"As for Shay, she is no different from the statues in my courtyard.

"She may be the model Omega, but to me, she is just a stone with no thoughts or desires of her own, destined to be shaped by others.

"Females like her are as common as summer cicadas.

"I want only Capri, the one who is truly unique."

That night, I sat before my mother’s memorial, watching the incense burn to ashes, watching the dawn break.

Seeing the courage I had lost ignite like embers bursting into flames before me.

A cicada lives for eight days, born from death.

Until the very end, there is always a chance.

I could not surrender, I could not falter.