Rejected Runt, Alpha King’s Luna

Chapter 5

Damon's POV

I sat slumped in the back of the car as Callum, one of the pack warriors I'd brought with me, drove us back to the pack. Yet another search through other packs for my mate had come up empty. I've been at this for 2 years now, and every attempt has failed.

What I want most in this life is my mate, someone I can love and cherish and call my own. Someone who will rule my kingdom beside me and bear my pups when the time is right. My own Queen.

I see my parents in love every day, and I wish I could have that for myself. My dad loves my mom so much, and she loves him just as much. They have the kind of love I've always wished for, but I haven't found my mate.

I've been visiting packs under the pretense of checking on them, but my real motive is to find my mate. A mate has already been chosen for me, but I don't want to live that way. I'll be crowned Alpha King soon, and I need my Luna beside me to take that title.

This is my last trip to find my mate. I've been to every pack, and still nothing. My heart felt heavy, and I cursed the moon goddess as I made my way back to the pack.

A mate has been chosen for me in case I don't find my true one; she would be crowned Alpha Queen alongside me. I didn't like the idea, but Dad said it was for my own good, to keep the Alphas from rebelling against me. I guess I have to put my people before my own desires.

When we reached the pack house, my mom came out to welcome me. At 43, she looked no older than 25. Damn werewolf genes. I got my face from her and my build from my dad. She came running out of our home and peered into the car excitedly. Her face fell with sadness when she found it empty.

I shook my head when she looked at me, and she came over to hug me. She took my hand and led me into the house. We found my dad in the kitchen with a newspaper in his hand, and he looked up as we came in. He saw I'd returned empty-handed and came over to give me a sympathetic hug.

My parents have always supported me in everything I've done. I'm not even angry with them for choosing a mate for me; they're only doing what's best for me.

I excused myself and went to my room. Kael sighed sadly in my head, and I felt so sorry for him. I want my mate too, but as my wolf, it's harder for him to be without his true mate.

"We did our best, Kael. Maybe the Moon goddess doesn't have a partner for us, or maybe she's dead. We've searched every pack and found nothing. I'm the next Alpha King; I have to think of my people before my own needs now," I told him through our mindlink, and he withdrew to the back of my mind without even answering.

I was about to undress when I felt my best friend and future Beta, Rowan, trying to reach me through the pack mindlink. I lowered my barrier and heard his voice.

"Yo, man, you're back already. Did you find her?" he asked excitedly. Everyone has been waiting for their next Luna since I turned 14, so I understand why he's so excited.

"Nah, bro. I didn't find her. I guess the Moon goddess doesn't have a mate for me," I laughed dryly through the mindlink, and I heard him sigh.

"I'm really sorry, man. Actually, I linked you to tell you we found a rogue on pack land earlier today. Felix had the men take her to the dungeon. We were waiting for you to get back and decide what to do with her," Rowan said through the mindlink.

"A rogue? A female rogue? We haven't had a rogue attack in forever. What were the patrol wolves doing when she came onto pack land? Did she hurt anyone? And why is she still alive, Rowan?" I said angrily.

We haven't had a rogue attack in 8 years. The last one took something precious from me, and I hate rogues with a passion. They're vile, filthy creatures that don't deserve sympathy from anyone.

"Man, she looked so weak and scared. It was like she was running from something. She wasn't feral, she was scared. And she shifted back into her human form as soon as she was tranquilized. Besides, it was the early hours of the morning, and there weren't many men on patrol," Rowan said, trying to make me see reason, but I wasn't having any of it.

"I don't care, Rowan. Rogues are dangerous creatures and should be killed on sight. I don't want her anywhere near my pack members. Kill her, Rowan," I said angrily through the mindlink and put my barrier back up.

As I took off my shirt, I heard Cora, my chosen mate, come in. Cora is beautiful and loved by everyone, but she isn't my mate. Kael and I feel nothing for her. We want our mate!

"You're back, Damon. I heard you didn't find your mate," she whispered in my ear in what she thought was a sexy voice, and I felt disgusted.

"Get your hands off me and get out of my room, Cora!" I growled in my Alpha voice, and she scurried out. I didn't want to be mated to anyone but my mate. I want to feel everything Mom and Dad have.

I had finished bathing and was about to get some sleep when Mom burst into my room looking angry. Uh oh. I didn't know what I'd done, but Mom can be pretty scary when she's mad.

"I did not raise you to be like this, Damon Elias Thorne!" Mom said angrily, and I knew I was in trouble because she'd used my full name.

"I didn't do anything, Mom. I just got back from my trip and came to my room. I haven't done anything, I promise," I said, looking at her and wondering what I could have done wrong. Was it because I told Cora to get out? Mom doesn't even like her that much; she only agreed because Cora is the best option for me.

"That's exactly it! You didn't do anything! A rogue was caught on pack land for the first time in 8 years, and you weren't even going to find out what brought her onto our land? You're the next Alpha King, Damon. You can't take things this lightly. What if there are more of them and she's a spy? What if we could get more information out of her, and you've ordered her killed?" Mom exclaimed angrily before marching out of my room.

I sighed and mindlinked Rowan that I'd be at the dungeon in half an hour and that nothing was to be done to the rogue. I got dressed and went downstairs to grab something to eat. I'd need the energy to deal with that motherf*****g intruder.

As I left the pack house, I felt Kael grow restless in my head. He's never restless, and that worried me.

"What is it, buddy? Is something wrong?" I asked through our mindlink.

"I don't know. I have a feeling something is about to happen at the dungeon. I can't tell what it's going to be," Kael answered.

I picked up my pace toward the dungeon. I hope I don't shed blood today. Once I start, I'm unstoppable, which is another reason I need my mate. F**k you, Moon goddess.