Rejected Mate’s Redemption

My body trembled uncontrollably, and before I could stop myself, I surged to my feet, ready to storm into the private pavilion and put an end to the spectacle. But the other pack members crowded in, blocking my path, their laughter and jeers echoing in my ears.

Gregory—Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack—glanced at me with a smirk, his deep voice dripping with mockery. "What’s the rush, Omega? Aren’t you curious to see if your mate will stay true to his vows?"

I opened my mouth to retort, but my words caught in my throat as I caught sight of Gregory inside the pavilion. His hand rested lightly on Lena’s bodice, a subtle yet unmistakable gesture. Lena, a Delta in our pack, wore a Victorian-style dress that clung to her curves, the snug fit accentuating her figure. Gregory’s hand seemed to blend seamlessly with the fabric, his fingers alternating between grasping and releasing in a way that made my stomach churn.

Even from a distance, I could see Lena’s flushed face, the way her body trembled under his touch. It felt as though a heavy stone was pressing on my chest, suffocating me. The bond between us—the mate bond—burned painfully, a constant reminder of his betrayal.

I closed my eyes, but it didn’t help. The sounds were worse—Lena’s heavy breathing, her soft, flirtatious murmurs, and the mocking laughter of the onlookers. It was an agonizing eternity before Lena finally emerged, her dress slightly disheveled, a faint trace of something glistening at her lips. Gregory, on the other hand, looked as composed as ever, as if nothing had happened. He even had the audacity to reach for my hand, his Alpha aura pressing down on me like a weight.

I stepped aside, avoiding his touch, and his expression darkened. "Eleanora, stop overreacting!" he snapped, his voice sharp with irritation. "We were alone for an hour, nothing happened!"

Nothing happened? Did he truly think I was so naive? The bond between us screamed otherwise, a searing pain that twisted deeper with every word he spoke.

Before I could respond, the host of the gathering—a Beta from the Silver Fang Pack—stepped in, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Alright, alright, next up, Omega Eleanora, it’s your turn."

Gregory, however, blocked my path, his tone dismissive as he addressed the host. "Let’s skip it. My mate is... traditional. She wouldn’t enjoy this sort of game."

Traditional? I nearly laughed. He had been so eager to chase after Lena, and now suddenly I was too traditional? The hypocrisy of it all was almost too much to bear. Anger and bitterness churned within me, and I stepped forward, maneuvering around Gregory with a defiance that surprised even me.

"I’ll join," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

Gregory’s eyes widened, and the crowd murmured in surprise. I ignored them, reaching for a pavilion number. Number five. The pack members exchanged uncertain glances, but no one stepped forward to claim it. Gregory seemed relieved, his hand brushing my shoulder as he tried to pull me back. "Come on, Eleanora, what’s gotten into you?" he said, his tone softening, though it still carried an edge of condescension. "You wouldn’t even let me stay over before we were mated. How could you possibly join a game like this? If you’re just trying to make me jealous, it’s childish. See, there’s no one—"

"It’s mine."

Gregory’s words were cut off by a deep, commanding voice that sent a shiver down my spine. The crowd parted, and a man stepped forward—Alpha Keith Walker of the Blue Moon Pack. His presence was overwhelming, his muscular frame and commanding aura drawing every eye in the room. Gregory was considered attractive by most standards, but Keith was on another level entirely. He looked like a figure straight out of the graphic novels I’d loved in my youth—strong, imposing, and undeniably handsome.

Keith’s gaze met mine, a hint of amusement in his piercing eyes. "I’m staying in pavilion number five," he said, his voice low and smooth. "So, would you care to join me?"