Claimed by the Alpha Beast

04: Alpha's special one

Kerris POV

My hands grow restless the moment I step out into the crisp night air. Even from the hospital, I can hear music drifting in the distance. It reminds me of the birthday party at the Alpha’s house.

I had taken the day off to help the omegas make everything perfect.

Tyrel and everyone else will be enjoying themselves now.

I pull out my phone and dial Emily’s number without hesitation this time. She can’t be celebrating while I go through this alone.

I’ll tell her about Dad, then hang up.

She was only four when my father married her mother. She’s called him Daddy ever since. It isn’t fair that she isn’t here.

As the phone rings unanswered, I think about how distant she has become from Dad and me lately. We both assumed her work was simply more demanding than mine.

Today, I found out it was more than that.

The call is about to go to voicemail when I hang up.

The party must have started without me.

I decide to walk and clear my head.

It doesn’t take long before I find myself near the Alpha’s villa. My guess was right. The celebration is in full swing. Laughter and voices spill into the night, blending with music as wolves move in and out of the brightly lit house.

“What am I doing here?” I mutter.

I have no intention of going inside. So why did I come?

The few people I call friends are all in there. None of them have tried to call me to find out why I'm not at the party. Maybe I’m the only one who didn’t realize how little I meant to the new Alpha of Moon Shadow.

I turn to head back toward the hospital. I’m not going home to an empty house tonight. Not while half the pack is celebrating at Tyrel’s place and Dad lies hooked to a machine fighting for his life.

I’ve just reached the edge of the garden and am about to step onto the road when I hear,

“Kerris, baby, where are you going?”

It’s Gavin, Tyrel’s Beta. His tone is full of amusement as he approaches with Tyrel and Gamma Curtis beside him.

“You were right, Ty,” Curtis says. “She showed up.”

“I told you she would,” Tyrel says. “I know her.”

I want to keep walking. But Tyrel is no longer the Alpha heir. He is Alpha now, and his Beta and Gamma are standing beside him. Turning my back could be seen as disrespect. Disrespect to one’s Alpha is a serious offense.

“Why didn’t you come inside?” Tyrel asks.

“I’m just passing by,” I reply for the sake of the ears nearby.

“I don’t think so.” He gives a short laugh. “I think you want to come in, but you’re shy.”

As Alpha, he must know Dad is in the hospital. He knows nearly everything that happens inside the pack. Was he ever planning to call and ask how Dad was doing?

I doubt it. Hours have passed.

“I’ll be on my way, Alpha.” I can barely stand looking at him.

When I turn to leave, he catches my wrist.

“Wait.”

Then he dismisses Gavin and Curtis with a glance. They drift away, giving us privacy.

I pull my wrist free and step back.

“I said we’d talk in the house, Kes. I’ve been expecting you.”

“We have nothing to talk about, Tyrel.” My voice thickens with tears. I should have been able to rely on him tonight, but instead he’s been sleeping with my stepsister.

“I heard your dad is in the hospital again,” he says calmly. “I spoke to Doctor Miles. He said it’s serious this time. Is that why you’re so upset?”

For a moment, I’m speechless. Is he pretending I didn’t catch him with Emily?

“I’m not upset about that! I’m scared and worried. What I'm m upset about is the fact that you cheated on me with my sister!”

I wait for denial. For guilt. For anything that could make this less monstrous.

He only sighs.

“When will you grow up, Kerris?” he says. “You said you're not ready. That’s the problem. You still think love is some perfect fairytale. You won’t let yourself be claimed until your mating night. Did you really think I’d wait forever? I’m an Alpha wolf. I have needs. Responsibilities. How could you think you’d be enough for me?”

Each word lands like a slap.

“You’re twenty-one with weak senses. Still can’t shift. And as if that wasn’t enough, you’re ‘saving yourself’ and refusing me.”

He mocks the words with his fingers.

“Talking about waiting until the Goddess binds us. News flash, Kes: we’re not fated. We never will be. The clock is ticking, and you’ve got, what, six months left? Show me a Beta-born female who still can’t shift at your age. It’s never happening for you.”

“But you promised we’d be mated no matter what.”

I touch the ring hanging from my necklace.

“You chose me.”

His eyes drop to the chain. Something flickers there before he reaches for my hand.

I let him take it.

“I still choose you, Kes. That’s why I’ve been waiting for you all night.”

He lifts my hand and kisses it softly.

“Look, just pretend you didn’t see me with your stepsister earlier. You and I aren’t mated. I’m not tied to anyone. But no matter who becomes my Luna, you’ll still be my special one. Everybody knows that.”

My stomach turns.

“What do you mean?” I try to pull away, but he tightens his grip.

I yank free, disgusted with myself for letting his soft voice affect me for even a second.

He’s a cheat. How did I forget that so quickly?

“You’re acting like a child again,” he says sharply. “Look around you, Kerris. How many monogamous Alphas do you know?”

“Your father.”

“He’s no longer Alpha, and you know nothing about that male. You have no idea what happens in our house. You’ve built silly fantasies about the kind of life we’d have. Sorry to ruin them.”

He steps closer.

“You have no idea what other females would give to be in your position. To have the Alpha want them. Count yourself lucky and keep being the good girl you’ve always been. I’m willing to wait until you’re ready to be claimed. Just don’t blame me for finding relief elsewhere. Plenty of females are offering.”

I retreat another step.

“Then let me make it easy for you,” I say. “Go back to your harem, Alpha Ty. I’m no longer yours. Take as many females as you want. They all throw themselves at you anyway.”

I lift my chin. “We are done.”

“We are far from done, Kes.” He smiles and brushes a finger over the tears on my cheek. “We are anything but done, sweetling. You’re emotional. It’s been a rough evening, so I’ll give you time and space.”

He starts backing away.

“The next time we have this conversation, you’ll answer sensibly.” Then he turns and strolls off, leaving me staring after him.

It’s hard to believe this is the same Tyrel who once promised me forever.

What shames me most is that part of me had hoped he would apologize. Promise to leave Emily alone. Become the male I thought he was. That foolish part of me is still clinging to a fantasy.

I’m still standing there when Emily emerges from the villa with two glasses of wine. She’s laughing as she walks up to him and kisses his cheek, oblivious to me.

I duck behind a tree before she notices. Then I reach into my purse and pull out my phone.

I turn on my mobile data.

In the search bar, I type: The Flower Den.

Tyrel is right about one thing. I’ve been naive. I may never get my wolf. May never find a sacred mate bond. I’ve been saving myself for a wolf who doesn’t exist. No more.

Right now, I need money. I need Tyrel out of my system before this ache in my chest kills me.

I open the brothel website and tap the menu. Click Here to Become a Flower stares back at me.

My thumb hovers only a second. I don't think anymore. I just tap the menu and begin filling out the form.