Rejected By My Mate, Claimed By His Uncle

“Ryan…?” Selena’s voice shook badly. The silver tray in her hands slipped and crashed to the floor. Glass shattered everywhere. The sound echoed inside the dark bedroom. But nobody cared. Not Ryan. Not Vanessa. Selena stood frozen at the door like her soul had left her body. On the large bed… Ryan Woods was on top of Vanessa. Kissing her. Touching her. Holding her tightly like she was precious. Vanessa wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed softly while kissing him. Their clothes were scattered across the floor. The smell of roses and wine filled the room. Candles burned around the bedroom. The room Selena had decorated herself. For tonight. For Ryan. For their mating night. “No…” Selena whispered weakly. Her breathing became painful. Ryan suddenly lifted his head. His eyes widened in shock. “Selena!” Vanessa slowly turned toward the door without fear. Instead… She smiled. A cruel smile. “Oh,” Vanessa said lazily. “You’re here already?” Selena stared at the mark on Vanessa’s neck. Fresh. Red. Mate mark. Her whole world was shattered instantly. “No…” Selena stepped backward. “No… this isn’t real…” Ryan quickly pushed himself away from Vanessa. “Selena wait—it’s not what you think!” Vanessa burst into laughter. “Not what she thinks?” she mocked. “Ryan, she literally caught us mating.” Selena felt tears burning her eyes. Her hands trembled violently. Tonight was supposed to be special. She spent hours getting ready. She wore the white dress Ryan once said looked beautiful on her. She curled her hair. She even cooked his favorite meal downstairs. Because tonight was the full moon. The night mates usually completed their bond. She truly believed Ryan was hers. For four years. Four whole years. Ryan dated her. Held her hand. Kissed her forehead. Promised to marry her. Came to family dinners. Told everyone she was the woman he loved. But now… He was in bed with her step-sister. Vanessa slowly stood from the bed and wrapped the blanket around herself proudly. “You really thought Ryan wanted someone boring like you?” Vanessa asked coldly. Selena looked at Ryan desperately. “Ryan…” her voice cracked. “Tell me this isn’t true.” Ryan looked guilty. But he said nothing. That silence hurt more than a knife. Selena’s heart broke completely. Vanessa walked closer. Her eyes glittered with victory. “You know what’s funny?” Vanessa whispered. “Ryan has been my mate all along.” Selena froze. “What?” Ryan closed his eyes painfully. Vanessa smirked. “That’s right. We discovered it months ago.” Selena felt dizzy. Months? “You lied to me…” Selena whispered. Ryan finally stepped forward. “I wanted to tell you.” “When?” Selena cried. “After humiliating me like this?!” “It wasn’t supposed to happen this way!” “But it did!” Selena shouted. Tears streamed down her face now. Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Oh please stop crying. It’s embarrassing.” Selena looked at her in disbelief. “You’re my sister.” “Step-sister,” Vanessa corrected coldly. The words stabbed deeply. Ryan tried reaching for Selena. “Please listen to me.” But suddenly— Something strange happened. Ryan froze. His body stiffened. His wolf growled loudly inside him. A sweet scent suddenly filled the room. Warm. Soft. Addictive. Ryan slowly lifted his eyes toward Selena. And for one terrifying second… His wolf went crazy. Mine. The word slammed into his head violently. Ryan grabbed his chest painfully. “No…” he whispered. Vanessa frowned. “Ryan?” But Ryan kept staring at Selena. His breathing became ragged. His wolf clawed wildly inside him. Mate. Mate. Mate. Selena stepped backward nervously. “Ryan…?” Vanessa noticed the way he looked at Selena. And her face darkened instantly. “Why are you staring at her like that?” Vanessa snapped. Ryan looked confused. Panicked. His wolf had never reacted this way before. Not even with Vanessa. But Selena’s scent… It drove him insane. Selena wiped her tears quickly. “I hate both of you.” Then she turned and ran. “Selena wait!” Ryan shouted. But Vanessa grabbed his arm immediately. “You’re not going after her.” Ryan looked torn. “Vanessa…” Her eyes became dangerous. “You’re my mate.” Ryan clenched his fists. But his wolf kept roaring for Selena. Meanwhile… Selena ran downstairs blindly. Her chest hurt badly. She couldn’t breathe. Everything felt painful. The house was full of guests downstairs because of the family dinner. Laughter filled the mansion. Music played softly. But Selena felt like dying. She rushed past everyone quickly. “Selena?” her father called out. But she ignored him. She grabbed her coat and ran outside into the cold night. Rain had started falling heavily. She didn’t care. Tears mixed with rain on her cheeks. Her heart felt shattered beyond repair.“How could he do this to me…” she cried softly. She walked down the empty road alone. Memories attacked her painfully. Ryan is smiling at her. Ryan is holding her hand. Ryan is promising forever. All lies. Suddenly— A car stopped beside her. The window rolled down. It was her father. “Get in.” Selena quickly wiped her tears and entered silently. Her father, Richard Hart, looked angry already. “What happened?” Selena stayed quiet. “I asked you a question.” She bit her lips. “I found Ryan with Vanessa.” Silence. Then surprisingly— Her father sighed heavily instead of comforting her. “Well,” he muttered. “If Vanessa is truly his mate, then there’s nothing anyone can do.” Selena stared at him in disbelief. “That’s all you have to say?” “What else do you want me to say?” he snapped. “Mates are chosen by fate.” “But he lied to me for months!” Richard looked irritated. “Enough crying. You’re embarrassing yourself.” Selena’s chest tightened painfully. Even her father didn’t care. “You need to stop acting weak,” he continued coldly. “Find your own mate and move on.” Selena looked down quietly. “You’re twenty-two already. If you cannot find a proper mate soon, people will start talking.” Tears burned her eyes again. Richard’s voice became harder. “And if you continue bringing shame to this family, I’ll disown you completely.” Selena froze. Her own father was threatening her. The car became silent again. Rain hit the windows heavily. Selena quietly looked outside while her heart slowly broke into smaller pieces. When they arrived home, Vanessa and Ryan were already there. Vanessa entered proudly while holding Ryan’s arm. Like a winner showing off her prize. Selena immediately looked away. “Father,” Vanessa said sweetly. “Ryan and I have something to announce.” Richard smiled instantly. “What is it?” Vanessa leaned proudly against Ryan. “We completed our mate bond tonight.” Richard looked pleased. “Excellent.” Selena felt sick. Ryan kept glancing at Selena with guilt. But Selena refused to look at him again. Vanessa noticed. And smiled. “Don’t worry, Selena,” Vanessa said fake sweetly. “I’m sure you’ll find someone too someday.” Selena stood up immediately. “I’m tired.” She turned to leave. But Ryan suddenly grabbed her wrist. The touch sent strange sparks through his body. His wolf growled instantly again. Mine. Ryan’s eyes widened. Selena quickly pulled her hand away. “Don’t touch me.” Vanessa noticed Ryan’s reaction again. And jealousy flashed across her face. Ryan looked shaken. Something felt wrong. Terribly wrong. That bond with Vanessa suddenly felt weak. But when he touched Selena… It felt powerful. Dangerous. Real. Selena hurried upstairs before she could cry again. She locked her bedroom door immediately. Then finally— She broke down completely. Sobs escaped her lips loudly. She fell onto the floor beside her bed. Her chest hurt so badly. “Why…” she whispered through tears. Outside… The moon shined brightly through the dark clouds. And somewhere deep inside Selena… Something ancient slowly stirred awake. A white glow flashed briefly in her eyes. Then disappeared. Far away across the city… Inside a black luxury car… A dangerous man suddenly opened his golden eyes. Alpha Damian Knight. CEO. Billionaire. Feared Alpha. His wolf growled deeply inside him. Mate. Damian frowned slowly. Because for the first time in years… He could smell her scent in the night air. And it was driving his wolf mad.