Rejected the Alpha, Now I'm the Most Beloved Luna

Perry's POV

I turned around and headed straight back to the guest room. Francis was on the sofa, his legs bouncing like crazy. The moment he saw me, he sprang to his feet. "So? Did Alpha Richard agree?"

"No. He already has someone he loves, and I've got my own mate too. There's no way for us to be mates."

"What?" Francis stared at me, completely stunned. "Why not?"

He clutched his chest like he was in actual pain. I just stood there, watching him fall apart. He'd been running all over the place these past few days, even trying to butter me up-all because he thought I'd end up with Richard. But I turned it down.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting it to be that easy to say no to Richard. Maybe he'd never planned to say yes either. Francis was just too sure of himself, and I misread everything.

"No! No way!" Francis took a few deep breaths before shouting. "You, come with me!"

He grabbed my wrist and yanked me forward. I tried to pull away, but he dragged me back anyway. He shoved the door open and started pleading with Richard. "Alpha Richard, I'm so sorry! Perry's just stubborn like that. But she doesn't have a mate. Never has!"

The Ashen Pack had just gotten hit hard by a rogue attack not long ago. The damage was brutal. If Francis couldn't get help from another pack, the Ashen Pack would fall apart, and he'd lose his Alpha title.

Yeah, I knew all of that. Watching him put on this pitiful act, though? Made me feel nothing but bored.

What I didn't expect was that Richard actually didn't get pissed. He looked at Francis calmly and said, "I don't care about that. Miss Lake doesn't want to be my mate, and I've already found my mate. If the Ashen Pack needs help that badly, talk to Byron. Show what you're offering. I'll think it over."

I couldn't help but scoff inside. Francis didn't just want a favor-he was aiming for something way more, to basically tie the Ashen Pack to Bloodmoon and make them their biggest ally.

Too bad. That's not happening anymore. I already shut that door on Richard for good.

Francis looked totally crushed. He lowered his head like someone pulled the ground out from under him. He followed Byron outside and talked for a bit, then came back in and looked at me, disappointed. "Let's go home, Perry."

He had to keep up the act in front of Richard, playing the role of a decent dad-not someone scrambling for power.

My plan worked out, just not in the way I thought it would. But honestly? I didn't feel happy at all. I felt agitated. What happened last night was still playing on a loop in my head, and all I could think about was finding that Alpha again.

Now that Gina wasn't around to help, I'd just have to be patient-and keep looking.Francis didn't say a word as we left the Bloodmoon Pack. He looked tense and annoyed, which honestly worked in my favor-I didn't have to listen to him talk or pretend to care. When I told him to drop me off at the hotel, he just nodded absentmindedly.

I wasted no time getting out of his car and headed straight up to my room, spending the whole afternoon lying low, recharging.

That evening, my phone rang-Francis. This time, I picked up pretty quickly. His voice was scratchy but calm, almost like he was trying too hard to act normal. "Perry, come back to the Ashen Pack for dinner tonight. We're waiting on you."

Right. We all knew the Richard thing was history. But Francis was still trying to butter me up. That surprised me for a second, but then it clicked-he probably thought Richard had been in a decent mood today because of me. Like, maybe getting shot down didn't piss him off because he was crushing on me or something. Francis always was good at seeing what he wanted to see.

After chilling for most of the day, I was feeling way better, and his invite didn't instantly irritate me. I hesitated for a couple of seconds, then said, "Sure. I'll swing by."

It's been forever since I stepped foot in the Ashen Pack territory. Maybe now's the time. Time to revisit the place my mom and I once called home-the house that Francis and his new "queen" have taken over. I guess at some point, I've gotta face them.

So yeah, I dressed up. Picked out a soft, flowing dress. Nothing too flashy, but just enough. More importantly, it covered up the marks someone left on my skin-ones I really didn't want anyone here to see.

When I got to the Ashen Pack, people around didn't recognize me. No one figured out I was Francis's daughter. Not until I got to the front of the house, and he came out to greet me himself.

He gave me a once-over, half impressed, half regretful. "You look beautiful, Perry. Come on, Irene cooked dinner herself tonight."

I followed behind him silently. Lucky for him, he couldn't see my expression-my face was twisted in disgust. Irene Morgan... no, Irene Lake now. The same wolf who'd sunk her claws into Francis back then.

She used to be the sister of Silverfang's old Alpha. That gave her some major backup, so she didn't even try to hide her relationship with Francis. My mom? She didn't matter to Irene in the slightest. Irene flaunted that affair like a badge of honor-even in front of my mom.

After Francis kicked Helena out of her own house, Irene made it clear she didn't want me sticking around either. So Mom had to pack us both up and leave. I was ten when she died. After that, Irene was crowned Luna, and my grandpa took me out to the countryside to raise me.

Haven't heard from Francis since. Not until a few days ago, anyway.

I took a deep breath, trying to cool the emotions boiling in my chest. At the doorway, a girl with soft brown hair was standing there, giving me a once-over like I smelled bad. Her eyes were full of judgment.

Sarah Lake. Francis and Irene's daughter. She used to be called their mistake-now she was their pride and joy. Guess their relationship was so passionate they couldn't even wait till my mom was gone before popping out Sarah and Jonathan.

Jonathan Lake was still off traveling abroad, hadn't been home in ages. Sure, I only had to deal with Sarah, but that didn't make her some innocent little angel. The nasty glare she threw my way proved that much.

"So, you're Perry?" Sarah gave me this fake-smiley look, her eyes scanning my face with undisguised envy.

I didn't bother playing nice. Just gave a short nod, didn't even offer a handshake. "Yeah."

Honestly, I couldn't care less about anyone in the Ashen Pack-especially not Francis, his mate, or their precious kids.

Sarah curled her lip and gave the faintest eye roll, clearly not thrilled either. "Oh, Perry, come on in."

Francis acted oblivious to our icy vibes. He tugged me into the living room and I dropped onto the couch.

"Perry, you're a wolf of the Ashen Pack. It's time to come back home. I'll have a few wolves tidy up a room for you. From now on, you'll live here with us," Francis said in that gentle tone he liked to use when pretending we were a happy family.

Before I could respond, he turned and tossed a line at Sarah. "Sweetheart, show your sister some respect."

And then he was gone-pulled away by Irene calling him from the other room.

Sarah watched him leave, then shot me a smug little grin. "Living with us? Please. You've been out in the sticks for way too long. Think you can handle how we live here?"

"Yeah, no thanks," I shot back, mocking her with an eye roll of my own. "You guys enjoy your fancy lifestyle. I'm good with a room at the Crown Regent."

I said it just to get under her skin-and it worked. Sarah's eyes narrowed, and her whole expression curdled. "Crown Regent? What, did some money fairy pay for that? Do you even know what's happening with the Ashen Pack right now? Don't you feel the slightest bit guilty?"

"Where I live is none of your business," I said coolly, not even blinking. "I've never used your money. I don't now. And I never will."

I hated this pack, hated everything they stood for. I didn't want a single thing from them. What I had, I earned.

But somehow, that seemed to please Sarah. She perked up, chin tilted arrogantly. "Good. Hopefully you stick to that and don't get greedy for what's ours."

"Sarah, Perry." Irene strolled in, all fake warmth and sugary smiles like she hadn't just heard her daughter's insults. "Looks like you two are getting along just fine. Time for dinner, let's go."

I knew all too well there were plenty of wolves to handle such errands. Irene didn't need to come herself. But she always did this-put on the perfect act for Francis.

"Sure, Mom." Sarah puffed up, clearly feeling victorious as she moved to Irene's side.

Irene looked my way, clearly waiting to see if I'd react to what just happened. If I dared say anything, she'd probably guilt-trip me, painting Sarah as some innocent girl who I was picking on unfairly.

I trailed behind them with a gloomy face. As soon as we reached the dining room, I sped up and dropped into the seat right next to Francis. No doubt that was Sarah's usual spot. The look on her face when she saw me there totally made my day.

"You-" Sarah started, clearly about to snap, but Irene grabbed her arm and shot her a warning look. Sarah bit her tongue and, fuming, picked another seat. I casually picked up my fork, throwing her the same smug look she'd given me earlier.

She looked like she was going to explode, but with both Irene and Francis watching, she had no choice but to simmer down.

Irene didn't look thrilled either. She glared at me, her plastic smile barely hanging on. "Perry, did you upset Alpha Richard? Is that why the two of you didn't end up becoming mates? We could go back tomorrow and try again."

"No," I said lazily, picking at my food. "It wasn't just him. I didn't want it either."

"You didn't want to?" Sarah looked even more pissed, practically losing her cool. "That's hilarious. What makes you think you're too good for an alpha? Who do you think you are?"

I stared at her dumb, bitter face and let out a cold chuckle. "If you want him so bad, why don't you go for it?"

To my surprise, Sarah lit up like she just heard the greatest idea ever. She turned to Irene, excited. "Mom, she's actually right. The deal with Bloodmoon never said it had to be Perry. I could do it!"

"Exactly!" Irene looked thrilled. "Alpha Richard probably didn't like Perry because she's just some backwoods girl who doesn't have the aura of an alpha's mate. But my sweet Sarah? She's perfect luna material..."

The more they hyped themselves up, the harder it was for me not to roll my eyes so hard they got stuck. I was being sarcastic, and they actually took it as a plan?

Francis finally snapped. "Enough! Don't you have any shame?" he barked.

His alpha energy flared out without him even meaning to, instantly shutting Irene and Sarah up. I lowered my head, laughing quietly.

Francis slammed his utensils down and stormed off toward his study upstairs, still clearly seething.

Once he was gone, Sarah flipped her hair with an arrogant huff. She looked over at Irene and said with a sneer, "Whatever, Mom. As if I'd want someone Perry got rejected by. I'm going to find myself someone way better."

I couldn't believe she was for real-like she honestly thought she could find someone stronger than Richard Scott. The way she glared at me, full of scorn, it was like she hated my entire existence. Honestly, she was so delusional it was laughable.

I rushed through dinner. I'd had more than enough of this place. I stood up and left without a second thought. I didn't feel a shred of attachment to the Ashen Pack, and their wealth couldn't tempt me even a bit.

I'd never forget the pain Irene and Francis had put my mother through, and I was done pretending. One day, I'd make sure they paid for it.