Fated To The Alpha Who Banished Me

JENNA’S POV It was mating season. As usual, everyone was excited, everyone except me. I had never been allowed to feel the joy that came with it. I was twenty now, long past the age when most people found their mates. “Jenna!” Jessie called, bursting into my room like a child who had just been handed a bucket of sweets. “The Alpha is coming to our house!” My heart skipped violently. The Alpha? Even though Father was a beta, the Alpha never visited. His presence could only mean one thing, either a blessing, or a curse. I clasped my trembling hands together and swallowed hard. “G-good,” I stammered. The man who had been my silent crush for over three years. I didn’t know how he did it, but every time I saw him, the world stopped. My thoughts scattered. My body forgot how to function. I always ended up staring like a fool. “Guess what?” Jessie squealed. “He found his mate in this house!” I froze. Mate? Jessie and I were the only children here. Which meant his mate was one of us. My heart began to race uncontrollably as my imagination betrayed me. Him and me walking hand in hand through a flowered garden, smiling softly at each other like a dream meant only for us. Jessie’s excited squeal shattered the fantasy. “I’m going to wear the best gown,” she said. “Mom already went to the boutique to get one.” The dream crumbled instantly. The Alpha and me? That was impossible. If anyone was going to be his mate, it would be Jessie. She was beautiful, effortlessly so. And me? I was a four-eyed nobody with faint wrinkles already forming from stress and sleepless nights. She had long, straight blonde hair that everyone admired. Mine was black, curly, and always unruly. Even though we were twins, we couldn’t have been more different. Jessie was loved by everyone, a social butterfly. I was the quiet one. The invisible one. The one people avoided. Worst of all, I hadn’t had my first transformation yet. It usually happened at eighteen. Two years had passed, and still, nothing. Jessie stepped closer and rested a hand on my shoulder. “When the Alpha and I get married, we will all live in the palace,” she said dreamily. “Just imagine that.” “Live in the palace?” I echoed, forcing a smile. “I would rather stay here and let you enjoy your time with him.” Every word felt like poison leaving my mouth. “You’re right,” she said lightly. “I will need all the time I can get with my future husband.” It was obvious. Jessie would be his mate. She had already rejected three suitors. I had never even been considered. Our lives were complete opposites. “But…” I hesitated, lowering my gaze. “What if, just slightly, I’m his mate?” The thought was ridiculous. Jessie burst into laughter, nearly doubling over. “I know,” I muttered bitterly. “That was crazy.” “Jenna, you really do have big dreams,” she said. “You’re too gentle for a life like that, Jenna. Being Luna isn’t for someone like you.” I laughed too, even though it hurt. She was right. “There’s always been a gap between us,” she continued. “You shouldn’t cling to wishful thinking.” “My mate will come,” I said quietly, cutting her off. “One day.” Mother walked in just then. “Jessie, hurry up. The Alpha will arrive any minute.” She glanced at me. “The maid isn’t here today. The house must be spotless. Jessie needs to get dressed, so you will handle the cleaning.” “Okay, Mother,” I replied. Her lips curved into a proud smile. “This is an honor. We’ve sacrificed too much for this pack to let sentiment ruin our future.” “You will be the Alpha’s mother-in-law,” Jessie added dreamily. “Congratulations,” I whispered, eyes lowered. “Stop being lazy, Jenna,” Mother snapped. “Let’s get to work.” I cleaned while Mother helped Jessie prepare. Every sweep of the floor, every wiped surface, my thoughts drifted back to him. By noon, everything was spotless. “The Alpha is here,” Father announced. “Hurry, Jenna,” Mother hissed. “Go to your room. You can’t be seen like this.” I turned to leave. But when the door opened, and he walked in, the world froze. In that stillness, he was the only thing moving, graceful, powerful, commanding. “My lord,” everyone greeted, bowing. I bowed quickly too. “Please, have a seat,” Father said, and faced me. “Jenna, get the Alpha a glass of water.” “I won’t be long,” he said calmly. “I’m here for a purpose.” I brought the water, hands shaking. As I placed the tray down, it slipped, but he caught it instantly. His hand closed over mine. It was cold, and solid, sending electric waves into my body. I met his gaze, and my heart steadied instead of racing. My body leaned toward him even as my mind screamed for distance. Something deeper stirred. Something far beyond a crush. “Jenna, excuse us,” Mother said sharply. I stepped back, embarrassed. “No,” the Alpha said. “I want everyone present.” Mother stiffened. “I’m here because I found my mate in this house.” Jessie bounced excitedly. “Yes, my lord,” Father said. “She’s ready.” The Alpha rose slowly. His gaze lingered on Jessie, then shifted to me. This time, it stayed. He walked closer. Each step sent my heart into chaos. He stopped in front of us. My knees weakened, and I almost lost my balance. “You,” he said softly, eyes locked on mine. “You are my mate.” The world stopped. Me?