The Alpha’s Rejected Mate

Chapter 4: The Birth of Selas

The storm raged outside, lightning cutting through the sky. The sound of thunder shook the foundations of the hospital. The air was thick, oppressive, carrying an unnatural weight that settled deep in my chest.

The contractions hit fast and hard, each one more intense than the last. I could barely breathe, squeezing the sheets as Alpha Daryl held my hand, his grip firm, his face filled with determination but I could see the worry in his eyes.

“Tessa, stay with me,” he urged, his voice tight.

“I’m trying,” I panted, each word a struggle. But the storm outside reflected the chaos inside me, and I couldn’t shake the sense that something far greater than this premature labor was unfolding.

My heart raced as the doctor rushed in, giving orders for immediate action. We need to get her to the delivery room now!

I was barely 32 weeks along. Premature birth was never part of the plan, but nature had decided for me. Daryl’s face was filled with worry, but there was nothing he could do but be there for me.

“It’s too early,” I gasped, my voice barely audible over the howling wind.

“It’ll be alright,” he whispered, brushing damp hair from my forehead.

As soon as we entered the delivery room, the chaos of the moment took over. I gritted my teeth, pushing with everything I had.

The delivery was too fast.

Only 15 minutes later, the nurse placed his tiny body in my arms, warmth flooded my chest. He was beautiful, perfect.

The room was filled with the sharp cry of my son, his little body warm against my chest. But as I gazed into his dark, wide eyes, a chill ran down my spine.

A flash of lightning brightened the room, casting strange, flickering shadows followed by a violent clap of thunder. The moon outside suddenly became full, a rare event that has never happened before, and in an instant, it began to pour heavily.

I saw Daryl’s face. He wasn’t looking at me or the baby, his eyes were fixed on the window, his jaw tight. Outside, the storm grew fiercer, the rain hammering against the glass.

“What is it?” I asked, my voice shaking.

Daryl shook his head, forcing a smile. “Nothing. Just the storm.”

But I knew better.

As the nurses wheeled me into the private ward, unease settled over me like a heavy blanket.

Beside me was my bundle of joy lying peacefully as the nurses rode us to the private ward, but I barely noticed their actions. All that mattered was the tiny, precious life in my arms. I couldn’t stop staring at my son.

"Congratulations, Tessa," one nurse said but the warmth in her voice was muted as she handed me a bundle of blankets as we got into the ward.

As they left us alone, I held Selas close, the knot in my stomach tightening. I blinked back tears, barely able to understand what was going on. My son was here. Safe and alive.

When we were finally alone, Daryl rushed into the room, his expression shifting instantly from joy to concern. He kissed Selas’s forehead, then mine, but his shoulders remained tense.

“What name will you give him?” he asked, his voice warm but distracted.

I smiled faintly. “Selas,” I whispered.

The name has been on my mind a week ago, though I never told anyone.

Daryl nodded, but his eyes moved towards the window again, his body moved like a bowstring.

Just as I cradled my baby once more, the overwhelming joy turned bittersweet. The weight of what had just happened hit me. This wasn’t just any birth. The full moon, the storm. Something bigger than us was happening.

“Daryl,” I said softly, breaking the silence. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”

He hesitated, standing close to me. “Tessa, you need to rest. We’ll talk later.”

He kissed my forehead and slipped out, leaving me alone with my son and the relentless storm.

The room was quiet, but the unease hovered in the shadows.

The storm raged outside, I rocked Selas gently, listening to the rhythm of the rain.

I couldn’t shake the memory of the dream I had before I gave birth.

A shadowy figure standing beneath a blood-red moon, whispering the name Selas over and over. I’d woken up instantly, the name filled my mind like a brand.

The full moon outside glowed brighter than I had ever seen, its silver light seeping through the curtains and filling the room in silver. My unease worsened, and my pulse increased as the storm seemed to grow louder.

Then I heard a soft creak, like the sound of footsteps.

My heart skipped a beat.

“Daryl?” I called out, my voice trembling.

No answer.

The air in the room felt heavier and colder. Clutching Selas tighter, I strained to hear over the pounding rain. The footsteps grew louder, and closer. My pulse raced as the door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside.

It wasn’t Daryl.

Alpha Derek stood in the doorway, his piercing eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. He was tall and imposing, his presence filling the room with an almost tangible darkness.

“Alpha Derek,” I whispered, my voice cracking. What are you doing here?

He stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate, a predatory smile curling on his lips.

Tessa,” he said, his voice low and smooth, like a predator toying with its prey. “You’ve brought something extraordinary into this world.

I tightened my hold on Selas. “What are you talking about?”

Derek’s smile was chilling. “The prophecy, Tessa. Your son is no ordinary child. He carries power beyond your comprehension. And I must have him.”

“No,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

“Oh, but you will. You have no choice.” He cracked up darkly, his gaze flicking to the bundle in my arms.

My blood ran cold.

“You’re not taking him,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt.

The prophecy spoke of this child as an extraordinary breed destined to unite or destroy. And you think you can keep him safe?

Derek’s smile widened. You can’t stop me. Not you, not Daryl. No one can.

He lunged toward me, his hand extended. I stumbled out of the hospital bed, embracing Selas as panic rushed through me. As he tried to snatch my baby from me, the door slammed open.

Alpha Daryl appeared out of nowhere, stepping between us. His posture was protective, his eyes shining with rage.

“Get away from her!” Daryl’s voice roared through the room.

"You’re not supposed to be here," he roared, his voice laced with a wild edge

Derek turned, his expression twisting into a snarl as Daryl stepped inside, his eyes blazing with fury.

“You dare to challenge me in my territory?” Daryl growled, his posture tense, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring.

Did I not warn you to stay away from her? Alpha Derek, you are looking for war, and war you shall get, Daryl threatened.

Derek laughed, the sound sharp and cold. You can’t protect them forever, Daryl. The child’s destiny is already written.

“Do you really think you can stop me? The storm, the moon, and everything that happened tonight has aligned for his arrival. You can feel it, can’t you, Tessa? He spat.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. The weight of his words pressed down on me, he was right after all.

Daryl didn’t respond with words. Instead, he moved, faster than I could follow, slamming into Derek with a force that shook the room. The two Alphas collided in a blur of strength and fury, their growls echoing above the storm.

I backed into a corner, holding Selas close, my heart pounding as I watched the fight. The air crackled with power, the tension almost unbearable.

Derek managed to throw Daryl off, his eyes wild. This isn’t over, he spat, trying to step closer to me, don't come close to me I warned but he refused.

In a fit of rage, I raised him without touching him, his legs were hanging in the air as he

choked looking for air but finding none.

Let go of me, Alpha Derek begged. I could see the surprise in Daryl’s face, an expression filled with wonder and unanswered questions based on the powers he saw originating from me.

I refused to let go of Alpha Derek, as he stuttered holding his throat while still hanging in the air.

Tessa, Daryl’s voice broke through the chaos, a mix of awe and alarm. Stop. You’re going to kill him.

I hesitated, my glowing red eyes meeting Derek’s panicked gaze. Slowly, I released him, and he crumpled to the ground, coughing and gasping.

Derek’s gaze flicked to me one last time, this isn't over I promise he said, a dark promise lingering in his eyes. Then he was gone, disappearing into the storm.

Daryl turned to me, his eyes wide with unspoken questions. “What just happened?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered, trembling as I looked down at Selas.

But I did know. Deep down, I understood. Selas wasn’t just my son, he was something far greater.

“Tessa,” he said, his voice softer now. Are you alright?

I nodded panting, though my hands trembled as I held Selas.

Why does he want my son so badly? I asked.

Daryl’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he crossed the room, placing a protective hand on my shoulder.

“We’ll talk about it later,” he said. For now, you need to rest.

But as he led me back to the bed, I knew rest was impossible. Derek’s words echoed in my mind, and the storm outside seemed to mirror the chaos inside me.

Selas stirred in my arms, and I looked down at him, his tiny face serene despite the turmoil around him.

Whatever Derek wants, he won't get it. I would do whatever it took to protect my son.

Even if it would cost me my blood.