Alpha Rejected Mate

ChapterThree

CHAPTER 3

THE IMPOSSIBLE BOND

DANE

I crushed the engagement contract in my fist and tossed it onto Paxton's desk.

"Tell me again why I agreed to this."

My Beta, Paxton Underwood, didn't even look up from the documents he was reading. "Because you're a reasonable man who understands the importance of political alliances."

"Try again."

"Because you're an Alpha who occasionally makes decisions that don't involve ripping someone's throat out."

I stared at him. He slowly lifted his head with a grin on his face. "What? You wanted honesty."

"I wanted a reason not to murder you before we leave."

"Then stop asking questions you already know the answers to."

I leaned against the edge of his desk, folding my arms across my chest.

Outside my office, the Bloodclaw warriors were preparing for our departure. Their voices filtered in through the open windows, mixed with the sounds of horses being saddled and guards exchanging orders.

Everything was ready.

The ceremony, the alliance, and the engagement that would bind Bloodclaw to Oathwood for generations.

And I was already sick of it.

"How long have we been negotiating this marriage?" I asked.

"Eight months? Nine?” he responded without raising his head. “But the real number is eight months and three weeks. Forgive me for losing track of the days you've spent complaining about it."

"Do you know her father wants control of the trade routes and access to our warriors? What exactly does Morigana want?"

Paxton considered that. "Maybe your title, territory, and probably a crown to match her ego."

I snorted. "At least she's honest about what she wants."

"Is she?"

My amusement disappeared. Paxton put down his papers and turned toward me fully.

He had served beside me for seven years, long enough to recognize when my patience was wearing thin.

He was also one of the few people in this pack who could question my decisions without worrying about losing his head.

Unfortunately, he enjoyed that privilege far too much.

"Are you sure about this, Dane?" he asked with a very serious face.

I straightened. "Don't start."

"I'm serious."

"So am I. The marriage secures our eastern borders, strengthens our trade agreements, and prevents Oathwood from supporting the smaller packs that have been challenging our authority. What part of that sounds like a bad decision?"

"The part where you're marrying a woman you don't love," he grumbled back at me.

"Love doesn't hold down landmarks, dummy."

"Neither does a marriage certificate." he snapped back and I gave him a cold look. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Look, I'm not saying the alliance is useless. It's actually a brilliant move politically. But you're talking about binding yourself to someone for the rest of your life. You could at least pretend the thought bothers you."

"Why would it bother me?"

"Because you're a person, not a cold-blooded animal."

I laughed once, without humor. "That's where you're wrong, Paxton. An Alpha doesn't get to be a person first. He gets to be a leader. Everything else comes after."

His expression tightened. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

My father had taught me that lesson long before I inherited his title. He had also taught me that weakness was an invitation, that enemies never needed a reason to attack when they could simply invent one, and that a leader who hesitated could bury an entire pack.

I had watched him die because he trusted the wrong people. I wouldn't make the same mistake.

"Bloodclaw needs stability," I continued. "The packs are watching us and want to know whether I'm capable of maintaining what my father built. This marriage answers that question."

"And what happens when the Moon Goddess might answer a different one tonight?"

My jaw tightened. "What are you talking about?"

"The ceremony tonight is for finding mates. Every unbonded wolf in Ash Veil will be there. What happens if you find your fated mate?"

I stared at him for a long moment before laughing. "That's your concern?"

"It's a legitimate question."

"No, it's a pointless question. I've attended four Moon Ceremonies. Nothing happened."

"Maybe tonight will be different."

"It won't."

"You sound very sure." he leaned back into his chair with his arm folded.

"Because I know what I want."

Paxton's eyebrows rose. "Do you?"

I stepped toward him. "Careful."

He raised both hands, but his expression remained serious. "All right. Let's say you're right and there is no fated mate waiting for you. You complete the ceremony, announce the engagement, and return home with your political alliance secured. Everyone is happy. Is that what you want me to tell you?"

"Yes."

"Fine. That's what I'll tell you."

“Thank you."

"But for the record, I think you're making a mistake."

I grabbed the contract from his desk and shoved it into my coat. "For the record, you're still my Beta because you're useful. Don't push your luck."

He grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it, Alpha."

I turned toward the door to leave but he called me.

"Dane?"

I stopped without looking back.

"Whatever happens tonight, don't make a decision you'll regret just because you're afraid of losing control."

My fingers curled around the door handle. "I'm never afraid of losing control."

"That's exactly what worries me."

I left before I could decide whether to punch him.

***

The journey to the Moon Shrine took nearly two hours. By the time our carriage reached the sacred grounds, the sky had darkened, and the full moon hung above the mountains like a silver coin.

Paxton sat opposite me, looking far too pleased with himself. "If you keep staring at the window, you'll wear a hole through it," he said.

"Then stop talking."

"We have been silent for the entire ride."

"I'm enjoying the peace."

"Wonderful. I was beginning to think you had developed a personality."

I turned my head slowly, making him smile innocently. I should have ordered him to ride with the guards. Instead, I looked outside again.

The Moon Shrine stood at the center of the sacred grounds, its towering stone pillars carved with ancient runes.

Hundreds of wolves had gathered beneath its arches. Their scents filled the night air, mixing with pine, smoke, and the faint metallic trace of silver.

The moment I stepped out of the carriage, conversations died down, heads bowed, warriors straightened up, and even the older Alphas lowered their eyes as I approached.

"Alpha Dane." An elderly councilman approached, bowing deeply. "Welcome to the Moon Shrine. The High Elder has been expecting you."

"Then let's not keep him waiting."

His gaze shifted toward the entrance. "Lady Morigana has already arrived."

"How fortunate."

Paxton coughed behind me, suspiciously resembling a laugh. I ignored him and walked inside.

The shrine was packed with representatives from dozens of packs. Gold chandeliers illuminated the polished floors, and the sacred fire burned at the center of the raised dais.

Morigana stood beside the elders in a silver gown that clung to her figure. Her dark hair fell in perfect waves over her shoulders, and her smile widened when she saw me.

"Dane!" She crossed the floor and slipped her arm through mine before I could object. "You took your time."

"The roads were crowded."

"You could have sent word."

"I didn't realize my arrival required your permission."

Paxton suddenly found the ceiling fascinating.

Morigana's fingers tightened around my arm. "At least pretend to be pleased to see me. People are watching." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Remember why we're here. This alliance matters to both our families."

"I haven't forgotten."

"Because after tonight, there will be no room for misunderstandings."

I looked down at her hand resting on my sleeve. "Then I suggest we understand each other clearly. This marriage is an alliance. Nothing more."

Her smile vanished for half a second. Then she laughed softly and pressed closer. "Of course, darling."

I hated that word.

Before I could respond, the High Elder struck his staff against the stone floor. Three sharp knocks silenced the room.

"Children of the moon," he announced, "welcome to the sacred ceremony where the Goddess reveals the bonds destined for her children."

I barely listened. I had heard the speech before. Every year, the same promises. Every year, hopeful wolves gathered beneath the sacred fire, waiting for the mate who might never come.

I had no intention of joining them. My future had already been decided.

The High Elder continued, "Tonight, we also celebrate the union between Alpha Dane Crowhurst of Bloodclaw and Lady Morigana Nightwood of Oathwood, a bond that promises peace and prosperity for our territories."

Applause swept through the shrine. Morigana lifted her chin, basking in the attention while I stood still.

Then the High Elder raised his staff toward the sacred fire. "Let the Goddess bear witness. Let her flames reveal the truth that lies within every soul."

The staff struck the stone. The fire shuddered making me frown. The golden flames twisted violently, collapsing inward before surging upward in a brilliant flash and turning blue.

The entire shrine erupted in gasps.

"What the hell?" Paxton whispered behind me.

I couldn't answer. Something had seized my chest. It was not pain. It felt as though an invisible hand had reached inside me and closed around my heart.

My breathing slowed down, the crowd blurred and then I smelled it. It was rain on wildflowers, warmth after a winter storm. Something sweet and impossibly familiar that made my wolf slam against the walls of my mind.

I staggered.

Morigana grabbed my arm. "Dane? What's wrong?"

I couldn't hear her. My gaze swept across the crowd, searching for the source of that scent. Then I saw her.

A young woman stood near a marble pillar at the back of the shrine. She wore a simple dress that looked out of place among the silks and jewels surrounding her.

Her eyes were wide, her face pale, and her fingers clutched the fabric at her waist.

She looked terrified as she looked directly at me. The moment our eyes met, blue flames exploded above the altar. The mate bond slammed into me with enough force to drive me to one knee. I caught myself, my fingers digging into the stone.

"What is happening?" Morigana demanded.

I couldn't answer. My wolf was no longer pacing inside my mind. He was awake. And for the first time in my life, I felt something more powerful than my own authority.

A need so fierce it made my bones ache. The woman took a shaky step backward. My chest tightened.

‘Don't move away from me.’

The thought wasn't mine. Neither was the growl that rose from deep inside me.

Paxton seized my shoulder. "Dane, look at me. What is the problem?"

I dragged in another breath. The scent hit me again, and my wolf surged forward so violently that my vision blurred.

"No," I whispered.

Paxton's grip tightened. "What?"

"No. This is impossible."

Because I knew that scent. I had never smelled it before, yet every instinct in my body recognized it. The woman who stood across the shrine was the one person I could never afford to want. The one person who could destroy everything I had built.

My wolf bared his teeth inside my mind, his fury shaking every wall I had ever erected between instinct and reason.

SHE IS OUR MATE. CLAIM HER!