Rejected By The Beta, Chosen By The Alpha

"At 33, I’ve decided to find my mate and start a family," I said, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my chest.

Gage, the Beta of the Blue Moon Pack, let out a derisive laugh, his broad shoulders shaking slightly as he leaned against the headboard. His muscular frame, a testament to his high rank, seemed to dominate the room. "Sure, if that’s what you want," he replied, his tone dismissive.

Three months later, he crossed paths with me at the pack hospital. His sharp eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of me, his lips curling into a sarcastic grin. "Alexia, was this your plan from the start?" he taunted, his voice carrying the weight of his authority.

But behind me stood Kamden Nguyen, the Gamma of the Silver Fang Pack, his tall, imposing figure radiating strength and confidence. His hand rested gently on my shoulder, a protective gesture that spoke volumes. Gage’s eyes flicked to him, his expression shifting from mockery to disbelief.

I smiled faintly and held out my hand, the mate mark gleaming on my ring finger. "At 33, I found my mate," I said, my voice calm but firm.

---

After a night together, I ignored the soreness in my body, got up, and sat at the edge of the bed to get dressed. Gage lounged against the headboard, his chiseled chest bare, a cigarette poised between his fingers. His presence was commanding, as befitting a Beta, but I no longer felt the pull of his dominance.

I spoke softly, though my fingers clutched the bedsheet anxiously. "At 33, I’ve decided to find my mate and start a family."

Gage paused, the cigarette halfway to his lips, then let out a lazy, gruff chuckle. "What’s that supposed to mean? You’re asking me to be your mate?"

The reflection of Gage in the bedroom window showed his face, his mocking expression clear as day. I saw it all—the arrogance, the dismissal.

When I remained silent, he smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Alexia, you know my Luna could never be someone of your standing."

A flicker of hope within me sank into the depths, leaving only resignation. After a long silence, I said, "Wish me luck, then."

Gage quickly grasped my meaning, responding casually, "Sure, if that’s what you want."

He threw off the covers and headed to the bathroom, the sound of the door slamming loudly separating us into two different worlds. I picked up my leather satchel and walked over to the closet to gather some clothes.

The clothes and jewelry that Gage had given me were left behind; they weren’t mine. The money he’d given me over the years was enough for me to live well—a trade for my youth.

When Gage emerged from the bathroom, the room was eerily quiet, the floor littered only with his own clothes. It was as if no woman had ever been there.

But Gage wasn’t bothered. I had thrown tantrums before, but I always came back, never staying away for more than three days.

So, he wasn’t worried at all. He was sure I couldn’t live without him. He wasn’t certain if he loved me, but he knew I was deeply in love with him.

The next day, I quit my job at the pack’s administrative office and booked a flight to the Bahamas. There’s nothing a vacation can’t fix, and if one doesn’t do the trick, two will.

By the time I reached the Bahamas, the evening was setting in. I booked a room at a cozy guesthouse nestled in the heart of the island, far from the pack’s influence.

The guesthouse had a pool; Gage had taken me to places with private pools before. But his friends—mostly high-ranking warriors and their mates—never warmed up to me, so I always ended up sitting alone by the pool with a drink.

This time was different. I wore the bikini I had just bought from a nearby shop and jumped into the pool. I’d learned to swim as a child—not expertly, but well enough to stay afloat.

While swimming, I discovered a small opening at the edge of the pool, leading to a larger pool that emanated a faint lemon scent.

Excited, I realized the guesthouse held a hidden surprise for me. I crossed the opening and arrived on the other side. No wonder I smelled lemons—there was a lemon tree in a flower bed near the pool.

The fresh lemons emitted a gentle fragrance that was very soothing. As I swam, I noticed the straps of my swimsuit were a bit tight.

This was the boldest swimsuit I’d worn in years, and aside from covering the essentials, the rest was all black straps. It made my fair skin look even paler.

I stood up to adjust the straps, but they weren’t cooperating. Thinking I’d just take it off and put it back on, I removed the top, only to hear a deep, commanding voice from behind me. "Miss, are you undressing at my house?"

The voice startled me, making me jump. Reflexively, I turned towards the voice.

Though I covered my chest, I knew there was no hiding the cleavage of someone as well-endowed as I was.

The man behind me paused, his strikingly handsome face momentarily frozen before he quickly looked away. His tall, muscular frame and the aura he exuded marked him as someone of high rank, though I didn’t recognize him.

"You’ve swum into my yard," he said, his tone firm but not unkind.

I stood up and apologized quickly, "I’m sorry, I made a mistake. I’ll leave right now."

I turned to leave the way I’d come, but I could still feel the man’s intense gaze on my back.

That night, as I lay in bed, the image of the man from earlier kept resurfacing in my mind. His tousled hair, sharp nose, crimson lips, and muscular build—all exuded the charisma of a high-ranking werewolf.

Shaking off the chaotic thoughts, I drifted into sleep.

But later, I was jolted awake by a sudden ringing. Groggily, I reached for my phone and answered.

On the other end was Gage’s familiar voice. He sounded drunk. "Alexia, come get me from the bar."

In the past, I would have rushed to play nursemaid for him, but now, all I felt was irritation at my interrupted rest.

I rubbed my tired head, replying without emotion, "Gage, we’re done. You should call your current mate."

With that, I hung up the phone and turned back to sleep.