The Alpha’s Unwanted Mate

Selene's POV I froze, my heart pounding as Alpha Darius' words sank in. He couldn’t be serious. Marry the future Alpha of the Silverclaw Pack? “Are you listening to me, Selene?” His sharp tone pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. I swallowed hard. “What do you want me to do, Alpha?” My voice wavered. “I want you to marry him,” he repeated, his words like iron bars locking me in place. I clenched my fists. “But why me? Evelynn was supposed to—” “She found her mate. I will not force her to reject him,” he cut in, cold and unyielding. “But this alliance must happen, and you will take her place.” It didn’t make sense. I was an Omega, a servant. Not an Alpha’s daughter, not someone of worth. “Would the Silverclaw Pack even agree to this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “They already have. You will do your duty.” His gaze darkened. “Or have you forgotten the debt you owe this pack?” My throat tightened. Of course, I hadn’t forgotten. The whispers, the stares, the constant reminder that I was an outsider, a rogue’s daughter they had allowed to live. I forced myself to bow. “I will obey, Alpha.” “The wedding is in four days. You are dismissed.” Tears burned my eyes as I left his office. Four days. In four days, my life would no longer be my own. I am Selene Voss. An Omega. An orphan. A servant to the Bloodmoon Pack, taken in as a child but never truly accepted. I was a debt repaid, a burden tolerated. Four months ago, I met my mate—a future Alpha. He rejected me without hesitation. Now, I was being handed off to another Alpha, one who had no reason to want me. The Bloodmoon Pack was desperate. Rogues had been attacking for months, killing warriors, weakening our defenses. The Silverclaw Pack was our best chance at survival. Their price? A bride for their future Alpha, Kieran. It was supposed to be Evelynn. But when she found her true mate, I became the replacement. When I reached my small quarters, Aunt Helena, the only person who had ever shown me kindness, was waiting. Her face paled at my expression. “Selene, what’s wrong?” I sat on my cot, laughter bitter in my throat. “I’m getting married.” Her breath hitched. “To whom?” “Alpha Kieran.” Shock flashed across her face. “But why—” “Because they need a bride, and I have no right to refuse.” She took my hands, squeezing them gently. “The Moon Goddess has a plan, child.” I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I believed it. “I just want to sleep.” She kissed my forehead. “Rest, my dear.” As I lay down, my mind drifted back to a memory, a face from my past— A boy with piercing blue eyes who had once saved me. When I was thirteen, I had been sent to deliver a message to an elite Alpha training academy. There, a group of she-wolves had pushed me into a river, laughing as I struggled to stay afloat. I thought I would die. Until he pulled me out. A boy, older and stronger, had scolded my tormentors, carried me to a healer, and made sure I was safe. He had been my hero, my fleeting dream. Now, years later, I was about to meet my betrothed. My heart pounded as I dressed in the best garment I owned, a blue dress gifted to me by Evelynn. I pinned my dark curls, steadied my breath, and made my way to the private dining hall. The door opened, and my breath caught in my throat. It was him. The boy from my past, now a man. Alpha Kieran. His piercing blue eyes locked onto me, his expression cold. “Are you done staring?” I looked away, my heart hammering. Silence stretched between us until he spoke again, his words like ice. “I don’t want this marriage. So, you will refuse.” I lifted my chin. “I can’t. If you don’t want this, you should refuse.” His jaw clenched. “If I do, my father will take my title. But you? You have nothing to lose. Name your price—I’ll pay you to walk away.” I stared at him, stunned. Before I could respond, he stepped closer, his voice a low warning. “If you marry me, you will regret it.” Then, before leaving, he delivered the final blow. “I already have a mate. And I will never give her up for you.” The words echoed in my mind long after he left. I sat there, frozen, unsure whether to feel anger or devastation. By the next morning, the entire pack seemed to know about our meeting. Warriors watched me with pity, servants whispered behind their hands. Even Aunt Helena seemed more hesitant than usual. “He’ll come around,” she said, offering me tea. “Not all arranged mates start with love.” “This isn’t about love,” I murmured, stirring my cup. “He has a mate. He’s already chosen someone else.” Aunt Helena frowned. “And yet, he didn’t refuse the wedding outright.” That was the part I couldn’t understand. He had every reason to reject me, yet he hadn’t. What was stopping him? I had my answer later that day when I overheard two warriors talking. “Alpha Kieran’s father gave him an ultimatum,” one murmured. “If he refuses the marriage, he loses his right to lead the Silverclaw Pack.” The pieces clicked into place. Kieran wasn’t refusing the marriage because he couldn’t. Neither could I. And in four days, we would be bound together, two unwilling souls caught in a fate neither of us wanted. But one thing was certain. I would not let this marriage break me.