Claimed by the Alpha King

Chapterfour

Elena’s POV

I stared at the small window in my room, feeling like everything was crashing on me. It was just the beginning of a new day and I couldn’t pretend that everything was fine with me. The result of the test strip was causing me trouble.

“I can’t be pregnant,” I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. It was just a one-night stand with a stranger and here I was, carrying his child.

I pressed a shaky hand against my stomach as if it was going to take the pregnancy away. I didn’t even get to know his name, and it was obvious that he wasn’t from there. Maybe I should have waited until they chased after me four weeks ago.

I couldn’t believe I was in such a mess, it was supposed to be a one-time thing. A way to forget my heartbreak over Rex. I only wanted to feel free for once and escape the sadness that was all over me.

It was the first time and I couldn’t believe that I lost my virginity because of all of this. The thought of it made me want to cry, but how long was I going to cry? Maybe the moon goddess was punishing me for making such a decision to sleep with a stranger and not allowing Rex to have me.

But I had a thought about it. The girl he claimed to be his mate was already pregnant with him. I shouldn’t be blamed for my actions.

Now the consequences weren't something I could just brush off, it was something that had a big effect and would change my life completely.

Being pregnant in the pack without a mate was like a curse. Everyone treasures the idea of a mate bond, having someone special, someone chosen by the moon goddess.

It was an unspoken rule that even those who strayed managed to follow. But I broke it.

I could already hear the whispers, the judgment. Women who had children without a mate were treated like outcasts, ignored, avoided, and sometimes even insulted in their faces. And now, I am one of them. I bit my lip, the sharp pain keeping me from crying. I couldn’t be weak now; I had to think. But how could I even face my father, let alone the whole pack?

“Elena,” I heard his voice calling from outside my room door.

“Yes father,” I replied at once, trashing the test result. “Give me a second,” I quickly wrapped myself in a blanket and opened the door.

“Good morning father,” I greeted him.

“Good morning sweetheart, I am leaving already,” he replied, kissed me on the forehead, and left. “I will see you later,” his voice echoed as we walked away.

The tears I had been holding finally got to roll down my cheeks. I couldn’t believe I had let my father down. I had to think of something to do.

My father had always been strict, always reminding me of my duties as a Beta’s daughter. “You have to set an example, Elena,” he’d say whenever I made a mistake, even something small. “You have to show strength, pride, and respect for our traditions.” I could almost see his face if he found out about this. No, he wouldn’t understand. He wouldn’t support me. He’d probably tell me to get rid of it, to hide the shame from everyone. And if he couldn’t get me to do that… he’d cast me out himself.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I could feel fear spreading through me, cold and relentless. I didn’t want to leave my pack, my home. This was where I grew up, where my friends were, where I belonged. But now, all of that felt like it was slipping away. All because of one mistake, one night.

I couldn’t go to Rex either. The thought made me sick. He had chosen her over me because I was just Beta's daughter without a wolf. And now, I was about to be a single mother, without a mate, without anyone.

I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. I needed to think, to decide what I wanted. Could I even keep this baby? Could I go against everyone’s expectations and raise a child alone? The thought scared me, but there was a small flicker of strength inside me, something telling me that maybe… maybe I could do it.

I closed my eyes, letting the tears fall, because I didn’t know what else to do. I felt trapped, cornered by choices I never wanted to make. I wanted to talk to someone, to pour out all these thoughts and fears, but who would listen? Who would understand?

“Maybe I should tell Joan about it. She was the only one I could talk to,” I murmured. I picked up my phone and quickly texted her.

“I need your help, Joan.”

Ten minutes later, I heard a knock on my room door. I didn’t hesitate to open it because I knew she was the one.

“Elena? What’s wrong? Have you been crying?” She asked, using her hands to wipe away my tears. “Is there something I should know about?”

I swallowed, my throat tight. “Joan, I… I need to tell you something. It’s… it’s bad. Bad.”

She didn’t say anything, just nodded, pulling me down to sit beside her. She held my hands, waiting patiently, letting me take my time.

“I am pregnant, Joan.” I managed to let it out.

“What? How did this happen?” She exclaimed.

“Remember the guy at the bar? We had s*x that night. I didn’t know how it happened, but everything happened fast.” I replied, tears rolling down from my eyes.

“Why are you just telling me this now? We could have sorted it out,” Joan exclaimed again. I could see the disappointment in her eyes.

“I don’t know what to do, Joan. I don’t want to give up this baby, but… I don’t know how I can keep it. Everyone will turn against me. Even my father.”

“That’s not even a problem now, we have a bigger situation at hand.” She gasped.

I froze at once, wiping away the tears that welled in my eyes. What other problem could be bigger than me being pregnant with a stranger? “Is there something I need to know?”

Joan sighed and got up from the bed where we were sitting. “I overheard your father talking to the Alpha, my father, about getting you mated to another Alpha.”

“They said the Alpha asked for you to be his mate, and he’ll be here tomorrow night for the mating ceremony,” she added.

“What?” I gasped. “How is my father setting all this up without asking me?”

“How can I even be mated to someone when I’m carrying another man’s child?” I frowned. “It’s going to be more shameful to express myself in public.”

“It’s difficult, Elena, but… I think I have an idea.” Joan snapped, biting her lips. “You could run away from all of this, get another life outside this pack.”