The Alpha’s Rejected Mate

Chapter 02: Night of Chaos

I stumbled through the dense forest, my feet dragging against the uneven ground. Not having a clue where I was going. Every direction looks the same dark and endless.

The towering trees loomed above, their branches knotting to block out the pale light of the moon.

My breath fastened when a sharp snap echoed behind me. A branch.

Someone was following me.

Adrenaline surged through my veins as I sprinted forward, my footsteps breaking the silence of the night. My body protested with every step; hunger gnawed at my stomach, and my limbs trembled from days without food. The divinity shrine I had fled from was long behind me, but its shadow clung to me like a curse.

Glancing behind, I couldn't see anyone. I pressed my back up against a large tree, sliding down it trying to catch my breath. My chest heaved as I tried to silence my gasps, ears straining for any sound.

The memories of my life in the Mooncrest pack flooded my mind like a wave.

I looked through the tall windows of the Mooncrest Pack’s magnificent hall, radiating long shadows across the polished wooden floors. This had been my home for years.

I had married Lucian under a contract arranged by his father, the late Alpha. The pack needed a Luna, and Lucian’s father found me worthy.

Lucian has never hidden his disapproval. He had agreed to the contract reluctantly, he signed his signature with the bitterness of a man who was trapped. I tried so hard to win his affection, but he didn't care about me.

I did all I could. I did everything the pack demanded of me and more. I learned their traditions, understood their ways, and poured out my heart into serving them. However, it was never enough for Lucian and his mother.

Despite the challenges I encountered over the years, I could feel a hidden obstacle I could never breach. Lucian was distant and more insensitive to me.

But I remained because I thought maybe someday, he would change. That, possibly, he'd learn to love me. But it never existed.

That hope crashed the day Lucian’s mother was poisoned. I had served her breakfast that morning, as I had always done out of respect and care as a mother I never had.

Hours later, Lucian’s mother slumped, her face became dull, and her breaths were shallow. Before you know it the news spreads like wildfire.

“Tessa poisoned her,” they said. Some of them said I wanted to secure my place as Luna. That was why I had tried to kill the only person Lucian loved.

I tried to plead and let them know I wasn't guilty. But no one cared to listen, not even Lucian, my husband. He was already in fury and disappointment

Standing in the magnificent hall, Lucian walked in front of me with rage as his charges pierced me as sharp as a dagger. I felt humiliated. I had lost the pack's respect, Lucian’s trust, and my place as Luna.

For the first time, I began to wonder if leaving was my only option.

I could have been Luna, a cherished wife to Alpha Lucian. But instead, I was rejected, tortured, and got rid of.

For three agonizing years, I survived his cruelty. Lucian had chosen Helena over me, and with that choice, he had stolen not only my dignity but my will to stay. Now, I was a rogue, cast out and roaming with no destination, no family, and no hope. If only my father were alive...

Living as an orphan with no one to go to has never been easy for me and I pray to face this challenge and come over it.

I couldn't remember how long I had left the Mooncrest pack, but I struggled to think of a time when I hadn't been moving around constantly.

My childhood hadn't been the greatest. My father gave me up to Mooncrest pack when I was still tender, entrusting Alpha Lucian's father to me and that was the last time I heard from my father before his death.

The itchy feeling of bark against my back brought me back to the present moment, and I pushed strands of hair away from my face.

The forest had gone silent.

Forcing myself up, I continued to walk. I needed to leave this forest and move into the town to find shelter. A storm was on its way and I wondered how I would be able to get out of this forest because as it stands now I had missed my way out.

I began to trudge through the forest, whipping my head around every few seconds to check my surroundings, my body complaining.

Suddenly, a force hit me so harshly that my breath was knocked out. I gasped, landing on the wet muddy ground, My breath hitched as I twisted to face a massive black wolf. Its eyes gleamed with malice, saliva dripping from its bared fangs. My heart thundered in my chest as I summoned the last of my strength.

With a growl of my own, I shifted, my body trembling from the effort. My wolf was weaker than I’d ever felt, but I couldn’t give up. I lunged, my claws raking against its side, but the beast was relentless. Its jaws clamped down on my shoulder, and a searing pain tore through me. Blood seeped into the ground as I yelped in agony.

Rain began to pour, soaking us both as we circled each other. My vision blurred, but I refused to back down. Just as the wolf lunged for another attack, a blur of fur and muscle knocked it aside.

A colossal wolf loomed over us, its coat a silvery sheen under the rain. It was a beast of unimaginable power, its glowing eyes locked onto my attacker. In a single, savage motion, it tore into the black wolf’s neck. Blood sprayed across the forest floor as the wolf went limp, lifeless.

The giant wolf turned its gaze to me.

I froze as it pinned me beneath its massive paw, its eyes studying me with an unsettling intensity. Why wasn’t I fighting back? It released me, stepping back, and I scrambled to my feet, trembling.

Before I could move, the wolf shifted into a man.

I removed my gaze, heat rising to my cheeks as I took in his naked form. He was tall, his muscular frame exuding power. His brown hair clung to his face, raindrops tracing the sharp lines of his jaw.

“You’re close to my land,” he said, his voice deep and steady. “We heard the fight. It’s not often we see a lone female wolf out here.”

“I... I didn’t know,” I stammered, hugging my coat tighter around me. “From what I knew, this was unclaimed territory.”

His gaze softened as he stepped closer, his nostrils flaring as he caught the scent of my blood. My legs wobbled beneath me, and I shut my eyes, bracing myself, standing naked with no shame. I didn’t know him and I wasn’t going to see him ever again. Who cares if he saw all of me? However, one thing I did make sure to cover was the mark on my neck. I couldn’t allow him to see it.

What’s your name?” he asked.

“Tessa,” I replied weakly.

“I’m Daryl,” he said, his voice calm yet commanding. “You’re hurt. Let me help you.” You look a little young and weak to be out here by yourself.

I shrugged the action causing me to hiss in discomfort. My shoulder was messed up, Before I could protest, my vision blurred, and darkness consumed me.

I woke up to the sharp sting of needles tugging at my skin. I found myself in Daryl’s bed with a man, Daryl’s pack doctor suturing the wound on my shoulder.

Daryl kept his eyes on me the entire time I was being stitched up, my body flinching now and then at the pressure of my skin being jerked.

“Keep the area clean to avoid infection. “You’ll heal, but it’ll take time,” the doctor said, disposing of his gloves.

I sighed and closed my eyes briefly.

I could feel my baby kicking in my stomach already.

Daryl followed the doctor out of the room, getting up off Daryl’s bed. I followed them to the door, thankful that the coat I was wearing was covering my butt.

Thank you doctor Gabriel, Daryl said waving at him.

I’ll take you home, Daryl said, continuing to glance at me every few seconds, looking as if he wanted to offer to carry me. I have no home, I said, bending my face. But how? Did you come out from where? You should have a pack. You are not a human but also a werewolf. Daryl said.

I sighed and continued. Yes, you are right Daryl. I once had a pack, a husband, and a roof over my head. But I was rejected by my mate! I cried tears brimming from my eyes.

Do you just have a mate without being marked? Daryl asked in surprise.

I shifted the coat from my neck and showed him the mark. Oh, I see. So what do you intend to do? Nothing for now Daryl. Like I said, I don’t have a place to go and I’m an orphan.

You’re safe here,” I am the Alpha of Silver pack he said softly. “Stay as long as you need.”

“I can’t,” I murmured. “I don’t belong here.”

His expression darkened. “You belong somewhere, Tessa. And until you figure that out, this is your home.”

I can’t live under your roof, Daryl. I said.

He made arrangements for me to stay in a vacant apartment within the pack’s territory, but his insistence and protectiveness unsettled me. Who was this man?

It was already midnight and I had no place to sleep, I wasn't sure where else I was supposed to sleep, and I had no doubt that even if I objected, Daryl would insist that I stay in his room. Alpha’s were protective and yes he’d protect me.

So I obliged and we both slept together in his room that night with him watching over me all night. I could feel a sense of love and care on his end. And I’m beginning to trust him. Exhaustion overtook my fears, and for the first time in years, I slept soundly.

But the peace didn’t last.

A piercing scream shattered the night.

Distant screams pierced the air, mingling with the deep growls and the clash of bodies. The ground trembled beneath the weight of the battle outside, and my heart raced as I sat up, straining to make sense of the commotion.

Daryl’s men were fighting fiercely but who were they fighting? The noise grew louder, and closer until it felt as though the walls themselves were shaking.

Then came the footsteps.

Heavy, unrelenting, and getting closer.

I clutched the blanket tighter, my mind screaming at me to move, to hide, but my body was frozen in place. The door burst open with a deafening crack, slamming against the wall, and shadows spilled into the room.

Before I could react, a bloodcurdling scream echoed through the air.

It wasn’t mine.

The sound cut through me like a knife, chilling my blood as I stared into the darkness. I froze, every instinct telling me to run but I couldn’t. The shadow loomed closer, and the icy grip of fear wrapped around me as I realized...

I wasn’t alone.