The Alpha's Forbidden Beta

IVORY'S POV After Selene told me that my mate will bring me misfortune, I was dying to know who he was. I wanted to sneak out and search for my mate because curiosity was killing me already. Why did he reject me? Why couldn’t we be together? Above all… who was he? As I pondered these questions, I closed my eyes and the previous night's occurrence came crashing back. Smoke had curled into the night sky, heavy with the scent sage and pine. The entire clearing was tense with anticipation as the pack gathered in a wide circle, silent and waiting. I stood at the outer edge of the circle, watching, arms folded. The moon was almost at its peak —it was almost time for the matching ceremony — when unmated or coming-of-age werewolves found their mates. I lifted my gaze to it—the pale blue, perfect orb hanging above us—and exhaled slowly. Tonight was another night of watching everyone else find what I never found — a mate. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath within me, already agitated. “It won’t happen,” I muttered under my breath. It never did. But then,the moonlight's glow sharpened, turning silver. It was too bright and intense. A high-pitched sound tore through the air, slicing straight into my skull. Pain exploded my senses. I gasped, dropping to my knees as my hands flew to my ears. “What—?” The sound didn’t stop. It grew louder and unbearable. Then suddenly, there was warmth. Soft and gentle warmth pouring into me from above. My breath hitched as it spread—through my veins, my chest, my bones—burning and freezing all at once. My vision blurred, yet everything felt clearer than ever. I could smell the musty scent of the earth beneath me, I could hear the wind moving through the trees, and the heartbeat of every living thing. My wolf surged forward violently. A crack split through my body. I screamed. My bones snapped and shifted, my spine arching as heat flooded every inch of me. My muscles tore and rebuilt. I was breathless with pain. Claws tore from my fingers and a wolf's howl ripped from my throat—raw and powerful, echoing into the distance. And then it hit me. The most irresistible and intoxicating scent I'd ever smelled; a mixture of jasmine and vanilla-honey scent coming from the forest. My body moved on instinct and I ran. The forest blurred past me as I tore through it, faster than I had ever moved. Branches scratched against my fur. All I needed was the scent's owner. Nothing else. Then I stopped so suddenly the earth tore beneath my claws. The wolf stood in the shadows. As I looked at him, it was as if my entire life up to that point had been white and black and suddenly, someone had turned the lights on. I gasped, breathless as an overwhelming ache to touch him, to feel him, consumed me. His grey eyes burned, locking onto mine with an intensity that stole the air from my lungs. He was my mate. My heartbond. My everything. If he got hurt, I would drown in pain. And he would burn the world for me. My mate stepped toward me growling in recognition. My heart pounded wildly as I moved closer too. I wanted to scream for joy because finally, I had found my mate. I could feel him. I could feel our bond, pulsing, pulling us together. We leaned towards each other. However.... he went rigid. Like, completely still. His expression twisted in conflict, something almost like… fear. My steps faltered. What was happening…? For a split second, he leaned toward me again, like he was forced to give in— Then he jerked back again and a sharp, agonized howl ripped from him. “Oh my goddess!—” I stepped back, terrified. However, my mate turned and ran and I lunged after him instantly. “Wait!” My paws slammed against the ground as I chased him, pushing myself harder, faster, ignoring the way my chest felt like it was being torn apart. “Stop!” But he didn’t stop. He ran like I was something to escape from. Like I wasn’t his. Like we were not meant to be. I grimaced with every step he took away from me, because my heart was hurting like a red-hot blade was being pressed into it. My wolf howled, desperate, broken, calling out to him. Come back. Please. But he only ran faster. Farther. Until his silver form blurred into nothing. He was gone. Still, I ran. Even when my lungs burned dry and I was no more a wolf; just a naked young woman. My legs gave out and I collapsed hard, hitting the base of a tree. Pain bursted through me as blood filled my mouth. I couldn’t move. A broken sob escaped me my split lips. Why did he do that? Why did he reject me? Why? Darkness dragged me under. ★ ★ ★ ★ Distant voices pulled me back. “Who is she?” “Turn her over.” A pair of hands touched me. “It’s the Beta.” "What?! The Beta?" Shock rippled through them. “Our Beta? What is she doing out here?" Of course they knew. No one ended up like this from the night before… unless they had gotten rejected. A cloth covered me and two arms lifted me. I pretended to be unconscious. By the time they laid me down, I knew where I was. “I'm wondering how long you’d pretend to be asleep.” I exhaled slowly and opened them. “Selene…” My voice cracked, barely more than a whisper. Selene, a healer, was the closest person to a mother figure I had. She sat beside me, her worn hands gentle as they brushed my hair back. “Easy, child. What happened yesternight?” I turned my face away. I couldn’t say it. But she already knew. “You were rejected… weren’t you?” she asked softly. The words sliced deeper than anything before. I was silent. “…Yes.” Her hand stilled. “Who is he?” she asked. I swallowed hard, my eyes burning with tears. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “But… he wore a gold chain.” Selene froze. “A… gold chain?” she repeated, slower this time. Something in her voice made my chest tighten. She kn ew my mate. “Yes,” I said, frowning. “Why?” She didn’t answer immediately. And that scared me more than anything. “Selene…" I pleaded. "who is he?" "Who is my mate?”