The Mate of the Alpha
The cold rain hammered Silver Fang Pack territory without mercy, turning every dirt path into a river of thick, sucking mud.
Elena Ashford kept her head down as she crossed the courtyard, a heavy basket of wet laundry digging into her arms. Wolves passed her without a second glance. Those who did look only curled their lips.
“Look at her.”
“The useless Omega.”
“No wonder nobody wants her.”
Their laughter clung to her like a stain she could never wash off.
Elena tightened her grip on the basket and kept walking. She had learned long ago that answering back only made the cruelty sharper.
For eighteen years, she had lived at the bottom of the Silver Fang Pack.
An orphan.
A servant.
A burden.
That was the title they gave her, over and over, until it carved itself into her bones.
She was technically part of the pack, but no one had ever treated her like she belonged.
Especially Diana.
Diana, who had taken over managing the pack house after the Luna’s death.
Diana, who despised Elena with a hatred that needed no explanation.
Maybe it was because Elena had no family to defend her.
Maybe Diana simply enjoyed breaking things that couldn’t fight back.
“Elena!”
The sharp voice sliced through the rain.
Elena froze.
Diana stood beneath the stone archway, arms crossed, irritation twisting her features.
“Where have you been?”
“I was finishing the laundry,” Elena answered quietly.
“Too slow.”
Elena swallowed. “I’m sorry.”
The slap came fast—hard enough to snap her head to the side.
The basket slipped from her hands. Clothes spilled into the mud, soaking instantly.
Nearby wolves snickered.
Her cheek burned, but she didn’t touch it.
“Sorry?” Diana mocked. “The ceremony begins tonight and you still haven’t cleaned the banquet hall.”
“I’ll do it immediately.”
“You’d better.” Diana leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper. “Remember your place, Omega.”
Elena lowered her gaze. “Yes.”
Only when Diana walked away did she kneel to gather the ruined clothes. Her hands trembled—not from fear, but from exhaustion so deep it felt like it lived inside her bones.
How much longer?
How much longer could she survive like this?
A sudden howl echoed across the territory—bright, excited, celebratory.
Tonight was important.
The Annual Moon Ceremony.
The night when young wolves discovered their destined mates.
Every unmated wolf would attend.
Elena usually tried not to think about mates. Hope was dangerous. Hope hurt.
But still…
Somewhere deep inside her, a tiny spark refused to die.
Maybe.
Just maybe.
Tonight could change everything.
Hours later, the rain had finally stopped.
Silver Fang Pack glowed beneath the full moon. Lanterns lit the enormous gathering square, music drifted through the air, and wolves wore elegant clothes and glittering jewelry.
Elena felt painfully out of place.
Her simple dark dress looked like a shadow compared to the others’ finery.
She stood at the edge of the crowd.
Alone.
As always.
Excited whispers rippled through the square.
“The Alpha is coming.”
“I heard Lady Tatiana will attend.”
“They look perfect together.”
Elena looked up.
Tatiana Volkov.
Even Elena knew that name.
Beautiful.
Wealthy.
Born into one of the most powerful werewolf families in the country.
Everyone believed she would soon become Silver Fang’s Luna.
The crowd parted as a luxurious black car rolled to a stop near the platform.
Tatiana stepped out.
Gasps spread like wildfire.
She was breathtaking—long blonde hair, a designer gown that shimmered under the lanterns, a perfect smile crafted for admiration.
Everything Elena wasn’t.
Tatiana’s gaze swept the crowd. For a brief second, her eyes landed on Elena.
Disgust flickered instantly.
Then she looked away, dismissing Elena as if she were dirt beneath her shoes.
Humiliation washed over Elena, familiar and bitter.
She forced herself not to care.
Then the atmosphere shifted.
Every wolf straightened.
Every voice died.
A powerful Alpha aura rolled through the square like a storm.
Elena’s wolf stirred violently inside her—awake, alert, desperate.
For the first time in years.
The crowd bowed.
The Alpha had arrived.
Alexander Blackwood.
CEO of SilverCorp.
Leader of Silver Fang.
The most powerful young Alpha in the region.
Elena had seen him before—from a distance.
Never like this.
Never this close.
He stepped onto the platform.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Black hair.
Storm-gray eyes that seemed carved from winter itself.
The moonlight clung to him as if he commanded it.
The moment Elena looked at him—
Something detonated inside her chest.
Her breath vanished.
Her knees weakened.
Her wolf screamed.
Mate.
The word echoed through her soul like a heartbeat.
Mate.
Mate.
Mate.
Elena stumbled backward.
No.
No.
It couldn’t be.
Her heart pounded so hard it hurt.
Alexander Blackwood.
The Alpha.
The billionaire.
The man every woman dreamed of.
He was her mate.
Tears filled her eyes—pure, overwhelming joy.
For the first time in her life…
Fate had chosen her.
Maybe everything would change.
Maybe she would finally belong.
Maybe she wouldn’t be alone anymore.
Her gaze locked onto Alexander.
And then—
His eyes found hers.
The connection struck like lightning.
He felt it too.
She knew he did.
For one suspended moment, the world disappeared.
Then Alexander’s expression shifted.
Shock.
Then something colder.
Harder.
Dangerous.
Elena’s smile faltered.
Her wolf whimpered.
Why was he looking at her like that?
Why did he seem angry?
The elders began the ceremony. Ancient chants filled the air. The moon glowed brighter.
Alexander stepped forward.
Tatiana moved beside him, proudly linking her arm with his.
Elena’s stomach twisted.
Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
Alexander’s eyes never left her.
Not once.
The Alpha raised his voice.
Silence fell instantly.
Every wolf listened.
Every breath stilled.
Then Alexander spoke words that shattered Elena’s world.
“Before the Moon Goddess and before Silver Fang Pack…”
His voice was ice.
Elena felt her heart begin to c***k.
Alexander stared directly at her.
And said:
“I, Alexander Blackwood, reject you as my Luna.”
