THE ALPHA'S WOLFLESS MATE

ANNA’S POV My hands trembled slightly, but I kept them steady, pretending not to feel all the eyes that always judged me. Then my gaze moved, and my heart sank. Selena was sitting on Alpha Dominic’s lap, kissing him. My chest tightened. I froze. He’s my mate, not hers. We were once in love. How did it come to this? Selena looked up suddenly and raised her empty glass toward me. “Come and pour some drink,” her voice was sharp, filled with arrogance. I moved slowly toward them, my heart pounding so loudly I thought everyone could hear it. I tried to keep my hands steady as I poured into her glass, but I was lost in thought. Before I realized it, the drink spilled over, flowing onto Selena’s dress and down her legs. She jumped up, her face twisting in rage, and without hesitation she slapped me hard across the face. “You wolfless b***h!” she shouted. “Can’t even pour a damn drink properly? Do you have any idea how expensive this dress is? filthy omegas like you have never worn anything fashionable in their lives, have they?” My cheek stung. I swallowed hard, my voice trembling but strong enough to be heard. “I might be a low-born wolf,” I said, my eyes burning, “but I am still Alpha Dominic’s mate. You cannot treat me like this.” Her eyes widened before narrowing again, and then she slapped me once more, harder this time. My face whipped to the side, tears burning the corners of my eyes. One of the pack members nearby sneered. “I heard she was born into the rogues. Alpha Dominic’s parents took her in. She’s got an ugly face.” Another laughed. “But… Alpha Dominic’s mate is a rogue-born omega? What a joke!” Dominic suddenly stood up, his deep voice echoing across the hall. “That’s enough. Anna, today is the Alpha gathering. All the Alphas in the country are going to be here. So why don’t you stop making a scene and apologize to Selena right now.” My lips trembled as I looked at him, the man who was supposed to side for me. “Dominic, please… don’t do this to me.” Selena’s smirk widened, her voice sweet but dripping with venom. “Are you deaf? The Alpha gave you an order. Go on your knees and say you’re sorry.” I turned my gaze toward her, fire burning in my chest even as pain tore me apart. “I’ll never kneel to you,” I whispered. Selena smiled coldly, placing her cup down as she picked up a tray. “I’ll make you kneel and apologize.” She raised it high, ready to strike me. But before the tray could land, a blur of movement appeared between us. A powerful hand stopped Selena’s arm midair. My breath caught. The tray slipped from her grip. I looked up slowly, my heart racing, and met the face of the man who had just saved me. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with eyes so sharp they seemed to pierce through the entire hall. He reached out gently, brushing my hair from my face. The crowd gasped in shock, but I barely heard them. Then his Beta rushed in and bowed deeply. “Alpha Nick.” The room fell silent. Everyone looked at each other in surprise. “That’s Alpha Nick of the Blue Lake Pack,” someone whispered. “He’s here for the Alpha gathering too?” another said in disbelief. “He’s gorgeous,” I heard a girl murmur. “He’s the strongest among all the living Alphas,” someone else added quickly. “Some believe he’s destined to be our next Lycan King.” I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe. I was carried away looking at him, the Alpha who had just saved me. His eyes didn’t leave mine either. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low but firm. My eyes widened. A perfect, powerful Alpha like him actually… cared about me? He turned, facing the entire pack, his presence demanding respect. “Is there no honor in the Half Moon Pack? Even a slave deserves dignity from a noble werewolf. I came to an Alpha ceremony, not to watch you bully somebody weaker than you, Dominic.” Dominic’s jaw clenched. His eyes flickered with anger as he snapped, “Take her away. A low-born omega shouldn’t even be here.” Immediately his guards moved forward, gripping my arms roughly and dragging me away. I struggled, my heart breaking, The guards threw me back to my room and ordered me not to see me outside until the ceremony was over. When I woke up the next day, it was my birthday. I sat quietly and lit up a small candle. “Happy twenty-first birthday to me,” I whispered, my voice low, almost breaking. My wishes hadn’t changed since I was a little girl. I folded my hands and closed my eyes. Moon Goddess, if you can hear me, please grant me my wolf. I blew out the light, my chest rising with a heavy breath. The moment my eyes opened, I froze. I saw my wolf standing right in front me, white and breathtaking, glowing like a spirit born of the moon itself. My heart leapt in shock and joy. “I… I have a wolf,” I gasped, covering my mouth. Her voice rang in my mind, soft and powerful. I am Kaleigh, your wolf. Tears filled my eyes instantly. “I have a wolf! I finally have a wolf! Kaleigh, can I shift now?” No, she answered firmly. You are still too weak. You cannot shift until the day you are strong and free. I stood quickly, excitement rushing through me. “I have to tell Dominic. Maybe… if he knows, he will love me again.” I ran out of my room, my feet carrying me fast until I reached Dominic’s door. I didn’t even knock. “Dominic!” I burst out, my voice trembling with hope. “You won’t believe it, I…” The words died in my throat. My eyes widened in horror as I froze at the doorway. Selena was in Dominic’s bed. She was on top of him, her body moving against his, his fingers trailing slowly down her back. Her moans filled the room. Dominic’s low groans followed. My chest burned. My body shook. But they didn’t even bother to look at me. Selena finally looked up, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “Dominic, babe, your mate is here.” He didn’t even glance my way. His voice was cold. “Make her wait outside.” Selena laughed, pulling the covers over herself. I stood at the door, speechless, my heart ripping into pieces. My hand touched the necklace around my neck, the one he gave me three years ago on my birthday. I remembered three years ago on my birthday, Dominic was sitting right beside me with a smile on his face. Dominic pulled out a small box. “A gift,” he said, smiling. “Your eighteenth birthday. So now you know, every time you look down on it, you’ll know… always and forever, just how much I love you.” I smiled so brightly, hugging him. “I love it, Dominic. Thank you.” Back to the present. Selena grabbed the sheet she and Dominic just used and threw it at me. “Wash the sheets. We made such a mess.” My hands tightened. My anger boiled. I threw the sheet right back at her. “Wash your own damn sheets, bitch.” Her face twisted with rage. “You filthy wolfless omega! Rogue-born trash! How dare you speak to me like that?” She stood up, took off her pants. “While you’re washing my underwear, wash out your mouth too.” She forced the pants into my mouth before I could react. The bitter cloth made me gag. I shoved Selena back, pushing her into Dominic’s body. “No!” I cried, ripping the cloth out of my mouth. Dominic just stood there, watching. Dominic’s voice finally came, sharp and cold. “Anna, do as Selena says. Or I’ll throw you out of the pack and leave you to the rogues outside. They’ll tear you apart.” I stared at him, my eyes burning with pain. “Dominic… I have my own wolf now. She spoke to me.” His expression shifted, and then he laughed cruelly. “You? A wolf? Really?” Selena smirked. “Prove it. Shift!” My head lowered in shame. “Well… I can’t shift yet. I’m still too weak. But…” Selena cut me off, stepping closer. “Looks like your ‘wolf’ could use a little push.” Her hand changed into claws, and with one swift strike, she slashed my face. Three burning lines tore across my cheek. I bent down, clutching my face in pain. My blood dripped through my fingers. “That’s enough,” Dominic said finally. His eyes moved to Selena. “I’ll handle it.” She smirked and walked out slowly, leaving us alone. Dominic turned back to me, his voice ice. “Stop the nonsense, Anna. You’re never going to have a wolf.” I reached out and grabbed his hand, desperate. “You are my mate. Why don’t you believe that I have my wolf now?” He pulled his hand away sharply. “Mate? I didn’t choose you to be my mate. Do you know how many times I wished I could reject you?” My heart sank, my whole body trembling. “Then… then do it.” He smiled coldly, raising his hand. “Fine. I reject you.” His grin widened. “What now, huh? Because I know you wouldn’t dare to accept my rejection…” My voice cut through the air before he could finish. “I, Anna, daughter of rogues, hereby accept your rejection.” The bond snapped instantly. We both fell, collapsing in agony. A searing pain ripped through my chest. My heart screamed, my body convulsed. Dominic cried out too, his eyes wide in disbelief. “You severed our mate bond! Are you insane? That kind of heartbreak could kill us both!” he shouted, blood dripping from his mouth. I struggled to my knees, my body shaking, my breath ragged. “Being your mate… is agony. I would rather die.” The door opened. I looked up to see who it was but my eyes were half closed and half opened. I barely saw who it was. Maybe Dominic was finally throwing me out of the pack to die. But as I struggled to stabilize myself. I realised that something else was wrong with my body, like I had been poisoned.