The Alpha I Rejected

The Blood Moon Pack had been waiting for its Alpha. For three months, the northern war had kept Damian Blackthorn away from home. Tonight, he was finally returning. The entire pack had gathered outside the packhouse, waiting for the convoy approaching through the forest. At the top of the marble steps stood Elena Blackthorn, Luna of the Blood Moon Pack. She wasn't pacing. She wasn't nervous. And she certainly wasn't one of those wives who trembled with excitement at the thought of seeing her husband again. Elena stood perfectly still, her long dark hair falling over one shoulder, her posture straight and her expression calm. Three years as Luna had taught her one thing. An Alpha's wife could not afford to be fragile. She had stood beside Damian through political disputes, pack attacks, territorial negotiations, and countless challenges to his authority. She had earned the respect of the pack. She had never needed Damian to protect her reputation. She had built it herself. Still, when the distant sound of engines reached her ears, something inside her stirred. Not weakness. Expectation. She had married Damian three years ago because they were mates. The bond between them had once felt undeniable. She had loved him. And although Damian wasn't a man who expressed his emotions easily, Elena had never doubted that he loved her too. At least, she hadn't doubted it until tonight. The convoy entered the gates. The pack erupted in cheers. "Alpha!" "Welcome home!" "Long live the Alpha!" The first black SUV stopped. Several warriors stepped out. Then the rear door opened. Damian emerged. He looked exactly like the man Elena remembered. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Commanding. His black hair was slightly longer, and a faint scar crossed his cheek, but his presence was unmistakable. The entire pack bowed. Elena didn't. She was his wife, not his subject. Their eyes met across the courtyard. For a moment, neither moved. Then Damian's gaze shifted away. Elena noticed. Interesting. Before she could think about it, another door opened. A woman stepped out. The courtyard became strangely quiet. She was beautiful. Long dark hair. Elegant features. Expensive clothing. And one hand resting protectively over a visibly pregnant stomach. Elena's eyes moved from the woman to Damian. Damian walked toward her. Then he placed a hand on her lower back. Not casually. Protectively. Possessively. Elena's expression didn't change. The pack, however, had already begun whispering. "Who is she?" "She's pregnant." "Is that Alpha Damian's child?" The woman looked uncomfortable beneath the attention. Damian didn't. He looked directly at Elena. "Elena." His voice was calm. Too calm. Elena descended one step. "Welcome home, Alpha." She deliberately called him Alpha. Damian's jaw tightened. "This is Sophia." Elena looked at the woman. Sophia gave a small smile. "Hello." Elena returned the smile politely. "Hello." No anger. No jealousy. No scene. Then Elena looked at Damian. "Why is she here?" Damian didn't answer immediately. Instead, Sophia's hand moved over her stomach. Elena understood. Still, she waited for Damian to say it. He finally did. "Sophia is carrying my child." Silence fell across the courtyard. Several pack members gasped. Elena remained completely still. She looked at Sophia. Then at Damian. "How long?" Damian's expression hardened. "Elena." "How long have you been sleeping with her?" The question was so direct that several warriors lowered their heads. Damian's eyes darkened. "Almost a year." Elena nodded once. Almost a year. While she had been serving as his Luna. While she had been defending his name. While she had been waiting for his return. He had been building another family. "Does the child belong to you?" Elena asked. Damian looked almost offended. "Of course." "Good." Sophia blinked. Damian frowned. "Good?" Elena nodded. "At least you've answered the important questions." Damian stepped closer. "You are still my wife." Elena's eyebrows lifted. "Am I?" "Yes." "And she is?" Damian's eyes flickered toward Sophia. "She will be staying here." A few shocked murmurs rose from the crowd. Elena gave a small, humorless smile. "So you brought your mistress into my home." Damian's Alpha aura suddenly spread across the courtyard. Several wolves immediately lowered their heads. Elena didn't move. His power washed over her. She simply looked him directly in the eyes. "Don't use your Alpha aura on me." Damian's expression changed. Elena took another step toward him. "I am your wife, Damian. I am also the Luna of this pack. If you want to humiliate me, you can do it without hiding behind your title." His jaw clenched. "I didn't come home to fight with you." "No." Elena glanced at Sophia. "You came home expecting me to accept your betrayal." Damian remained silent. Elena looked around at the pack. Every face was watching her. Waiting. Perhaps they expected tears. Perhaps they expected her to scream. Perhaps they expected the Luna to collapse in front of the man who had betrayed her. Instead, Elena smiled. Calmly. Confidently. "Very well." Damian frowned. "What?" "You've made your choice." She stepped aside. "Bring her inside." Sophia looked surprised. Damian stared at Elena as though he couldn't understand her reaction. "You aren't going to argue?" "No." "You aren't going to ask me to send her away?" "No." His eyes narrowed. "Then what exactly are you saying?" Elena met his gaze. "I'm saying that you are free to live with the consequences of your choices." Damian's expression hardened. "You are my wife." "And you are my husband." Elena's voice remained steady. "That was your privilege when you honored our marriage. You surrendered that privilege the moment you decided another woman deserved a place beside you." Damian's face darkened. "Careful, Elena." She smiled. "Why?" Her eyes were cold now. "Because you might finally hear something you don't want to hear?" Damian said nothing. Elena turned toward the packhouse. Then she stopped. Without looking back, she said, "Enjoy your welcome-home celebration, Damian." She glanced over her shoulder. "Tomorrow, we will discuss the consequences of your decision." Then she walked inside. Not running. Not crying. Not broken. She walked with the same confidence she had possessed when she first became Luna. But there was one difference. Tonight, Elena had stopped thinking like Damian's wife. She had started thinking like a woman who was about to reclaim her life. And Damian had no idea what was coming.