The Alpha King's Rejected Bride

Morning After

Sunlight filtered through the heavy black curtains, casting soft golden stripes across the massive bed.

I woke up wrapped in heat and muscle.

Damien’s arm was locked around my waist like a steel band, my back pressed flush against his bare chest. His steady breathing brushed the back of my neck. One of his legs was thrown over mine, completely caging me in.

For one dangerous second, it felt… safe.

Then reality crashed back.

I was in the Alpha King’s bed. Wearing nothing but one of his oversized black shirts. The same man who had rejected me in front of hundreds of wolves three years ago.

I tried to slip out of his hold.

His arm tightened instantly.

“Don’t,” he murmured, voice rough with sleep. His lips brushed the shell of my ear. “Stay.”

My heart betrayed me with a hard thud. “I need to breathe, Damien.”

He loosened his grip just enough for me to turn and face him. Big mistake.

In the morning light, he looked unfairly beautiful. Messy black hair, sharp jaw shadowed with stubble, those intense dark eyes half-lidded and watching me like I was the only thing in his universe.

“You regret last night?” he asked quietly.

“Last night you almost—” I stopped myself, cheeks burning. “You washed me. Held me. Nothing more.”

A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips. “Trust me, little mate. If I had done everything I wanted to do, you wouldn’t be able to walk this morning.”

I shoved at his chest. He didn’t budge.

“Get over yourself,” I snapped. “This marriage is fake. A contract. I’m here for my pack, not for you.”

His expression darkened. He rolled us suddenly, pinning me beneath him with his powerful body. Not crushing, but impossible to escape. The mate bond flared hot between us.

“Tell me you don’t feel it,” he growled, lowering his head until our noses brushed. “Tell me the bond isn’t pulling you toward me right now.”

I bit my lip hard.

He was right. The bond was humming, warm and insistent, especially after he gave me his blood last night. My wolf was practically purring inside me.

But I refused to give him the satisfaction.

“I feel nothing but anger,” I lied.

Damien’s eyes flashed with pain before the mask of arrogance slipped back on. He rolled off me and got out of bed, completely naked and unashamed. I quickly looked away as he walked to the closet.

“Breakfast is in twenty minutes,” he said, pulling on black pants. “We’re meeting with your uncle and my Beta. The Crimson Fang situation needs to be handled.”

He paused at the door, back muscles flexing.

“And Elara?” His voice dropped. “This marriage might have started as a contract… but I’m going to make sure it becomes real.”

Then he was gone.

I took my time getting ready.

I chose a simple but elegant silver-gray dress — modest, professional, armor. When I walked into the private dining room, three men were already seated.

Damien sat at the head of the table like a king, wearing a perfectly tailored black shirt, sleeves rolled up to show his tattoos. Beta Kane was on his right — tall, serious, with kind eyes. My uncle, Alpha Marcus, looked nervous on the left.

The moment I entered, Damien stood up. He pulled out the chair beside him.

I sat. He pushed it in gently.

The meeting began.

My uncle cleared his throat. “The Crimson Fang is demanding reparations. They want… access to Elara’s bloodline. They believe her silver resistance can create stronger warriors.”

Damien’s hand under the table found my knee and squeezed possessively.

“They will get nothing,” he said coldly. “Elara is mine. Any attempt to take her will be considered an act of war.”

Beta Kane nodded. “We’ve doubled patrols. But there’s something else.” He glanced at me. “We found a traitor’s scent at the border last night. Someone from inside Blackthorn Pack helped the Crimson Fang plant those silver bombs.”

The room went silent.

My stomach dropped. Someone close to Damien had tried to kill me?

Damien’s grip on my knee tightened almost painfully. “Find them,” he ordered, voice deadly. “I want a name by tonight.”

Breakfast continued in heavy silence. Damien kept serving me food — eggs, fruits, toast — making sure my plate stayed full. Every time our eyes met, the tension crackled.

After the meeting, he pulled me aside in the hallway.

“I have to go to the Tower for a few hours,” he said, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Stay in the estate. Train with the warriors if you want. Just… don’t leave without security.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Am I a prisoner now?”

“You’re my mate,” he corrected, stepping closer. “And someone is trying to hurt you. Let me protect you.”

For a moment, his mask slipped again. I saw real fear in his eyes — fear of losing me.

I hated how much that affected me.

“Fine,” I muttered.

He leaned down slowly, giving me time to pull away. His lips brushed my forehead in the gentlest kiss I’d ever received from him.

“I’ll be back before dinner,” he whispered. “And tonight… we talk. Really talk. No more hiding.”

Then he was gone, leaving me standing in the hallway with my heart racing and my mind spinning.

I spent the day training with the warriors. Pushing my body hard helped clear my head. But when evening came and Damien still wasn’t back, Beta Kane found me in the garden.

“Alpha is running late. Emergency meeting at the Tower.” He hesitated. “There’s something you should know.”

He handed me a tablet.

On the screen was a photo — Damien at a fancy restaurant earlier today… sitting across from a beautiful woman I recognized.

One of his old flings. A high-ranking she-wolf who had been at my rejection party three years ago.

The caption beneath it read: Alpha King spotted with former lover. Is the engagement already in trouble?

My blood ran cold.

The mate bond twisted painfully in my chest.

So this was how he “protected” me? By having lunch with another woman the morning after pinning me to his bed?

I gripped the tablet so hard the screen cracked.

When Damien finally returned that night, I was waiting for him in the master bedroom, fury burning hotter than the mate bond.

He stepped inside, loosening his tie, and froze when he saw my face.

“Elara—”

“Save it,” I cut him off, throwing the tablet at his chest. “I want a separate room. Now.”