Rejected, Claimed by the Cursed Alpha King

Lily's POV I wake up with a blissful smile on my face. The first thing I feel is warm, and it spreads all over my body. I keep my eyes closed, just letting myself enjoy this moment, the feeling of Aiden's scent all over me. His arms are wrapped around my waist, pulling me against his warm chest. I let myself believe this is real, that what we have is real.That I'm more than the omega girl that sneaks in and out of the alpha’s chamber every night. His fingers tracing the curve of my shoulder. That simple touch sets me on fire. My heart always flutters every time I’m with him. I jump out of the bed and gather my clothes from the floor where we left them last night. He watches me dress with those dark eyes that make me forget how to breathe. These stolen moments are all we have, and I treasure every single one. Two years ago, I found out Aiden was my mate during the summer festival. The pull was so strong I nearly fell over right there in the crowd. When our eyes met, I knew he felt it too. But instead of marking me, he asked me to keep it secret. He told me to wait for him until the right time. I slip out of his room and walk back to the omega quarters. They are already awake, getting ready for work. None of them know where I spend my nights, and I intend to keep it that way. They think I just go to bed early. I was just an omega, an orphan with no family or connections. He was just enthroned as the young alpha of our pack. He asked me to wait for the right time to announce our relationship. I didn't understand pack politics or alpha duties, so I agreed we should keep it secret until the right time comes. I was so happy to find my mate that I agreed to everything he said. The day passes slowly like it always does. I clean the pack house, help in the kitchen, and do whatever the higher-ranking omegas tell me to do. This is my life, and it's always been my life. I dream of the day Aiden will announce our relationship and I will stand beside him as his luna. When evening comes, there's excitement buzzing through the air. Tonight is our monthly pack celebration, and everyone will be there. I put on my best dress, though it's not much to look at. It's just a simple blue dress that Nova gave me last year. That's good enough for an omega like me. I stay in my usual corner because omegas don't dance at these events. We serve drinks and clean up afterward, nothing more. I watch Aiden from across the room, and he looks so handsome in his black suit. My heart swells with pride and love every time I look at him. Several female wolves try to get his attention throughout the night, but he ignores them all. Sometimes he glances my way. Then I notice a lady standing close to Aiden. Too close. She looks stunning with her golden hair and a red dress that probably costs more than I make in a year. Her hand rests possessively on Aiden’s arm. Ice forms in my stomach as I watch them chatting together. "Who is that?" I ask Nova. "Salena Jackson," she says. "She is Alpha Jackson's daughter from the Blackstone Pack." Aiden's father steps forward with a huge smile on his face. The room goes quiet, and everyone turns toward the stage. "Honored guests and pack members. Tonight marks a new chapter for Silver Moon Pack. My son, Alpha Aiden will be getting married. I’m glad to introduce Salena Jackson, daughter of Alpha Jackson, as his chosen mate and Luna." The words hit me like physical blows, stealing the breath from my lungs. The room erupts in cheers and applause, but all I can hear is the roaring in my head. This can't be happening. This has to be some kind of nightmare. I watch in complete horror as Aiden pulls Salena close and kisses her deeply. The crowd cheers even louder, celebrating what feels like the destruction of my entire world. I stumble backward, and Nova grabs my arm to steady me. "Lily, are you okay?" I can't breathe. I push through the crowd with tears blurring my vision. I need air. I need to get out of here. The cool night air hits my face as I step out of the hall. The air doesn't help the pain crushing my chest. Nothing could help this kind of pain. How could he do this to me? How could he choose another mate? His father announced his engagement to someone else. What happened to all the promises he made with me? Telling me that I should wait for him. I believe his words. I trust him. I am so stupid. The political alliance, the power… of course that mattered more than whatever we had. But the way he looked at me, touched me, called my name every night making love with me… They all felt real. Then the pain hits. It burns through my whole body, and my knees give out. I fall against a tree, gasping for air. What is happening to me? Then I feel the bond. It is burning me up. It is tearing my soul apart. I close my eyes as more pain hits me. It feels like my soul is being ripped apart piece by piece. I feel every touch he gives her, I feel every kiss he gives her. I scream. My wolf cries out in pain. I claw at my skin, I want to tear the bond out. I want to rip it away. But there's no escape from this kind of pain. There's no way to stop feeling what he's doing with her. Why would he do this? For two years, I gave him everything. My heart. My body. My trust. All along, I was just his secret lover. His toy to use and throw away. "Why?" I look up to the moon. Tears run down my face. "Why let me love him if this would happen? Why let me trust him if this would happen?" The moon goddess does not answer. She never answers omegas like me.Why did she give me a mate like Aiden? I hear footsteps. For a moment, I hope it's Aiden, that he'll say it was all a mistake. But it's not Aiden. Aiden didn't come after me. It's Nova. Nova finds me collapsed against the tree, sobbing and shaking uncontrollably." "What's happening?" she asks, panicking in her voice. "The mate bond," I gasp between waves of pain. My sight grows darker and everything fades to black. "Lily!" I hear Nova's voice sounding distant, like she's calling from the end of a long tunnel. "Stay with me! Lily!"