The Alpha's Rejected Mate

Episode 4: First Task

"Clean my room."

That was the only order Damian gave me before he left for pack training.

His room. The Alpha's private chambers. Nobody was allowed in there except him.

My heart pounded as I stood outside the massive oak doors. Two guards looked at me like I was garbage. "The rejected one," one of them muttered.

I pushed the door open.

It smelled like him. Pine, leather, and something dangerous. Cold. Everything was black and gray. No warmth. Just like him.

A huge bed. A weapons wall. And on the desk... a photo.

I wasn't supposed to look. But my feet moved on their own.

It was a photo of a little girl. Maybe 8 years old. She had Damian's eyes. Silver. Cold. But she was smiling.

On the back, written in messy handwriting: *To my big brother. Come home safe. - Emma*

My chest hurt. The feared Alpha had a sister.

The door slammed behind me.

"Looking at things that don't concern you?"

Damian. He was back. And he was furious.

I dropped to my knees immediately. "I-I'm sorry, Alpha. I was just cleaning."

He walked to the desk and picked up the photo. His whole face changed for one second. Pain. Then it was gone.

"Don't touch what’s mine," he said quietly. Too quietly.

He tossed me a rag. "If you want to clean, then clean. Start with the floor. On your hands and knees."

Humiliation burned my cheeks. But I nodded. "Yes, Alpha."

As I scrubbed, I felt his eyes on my back. Watching. Waiting for me to cry.

I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Not yet.