Mated to the Alpha King After Rejected

Chapter 1: The Kiss with Alpha King (Charlotte's POV) I stared into the glass in front of me, my trembling hands clutching it tightly. The nearly-empty drink shimmered under the low lights of the Silver Moon Bar, a pathetic reflection of my emotions tonight. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, but to me, it was a buzzing void I couldn’t escape. How could Gabriel do this to me? Gabriel Cross, the Alpha heir our our pack, my childhood sweetheart and my fated mate, was now engaged. But not with me. The pain of rejection twisted deep in my chest. We loved each other for four years since our wolves haven't awakened. When we were 18 years old, our wolves recognized each other as our mate, I though I had everything. But he rejected our mate relationship because I was only a wolf adopted by an ordinary family in Crescent Valley Pack. He chose to engage to a more powerful she-wolf, the Alpha King's sister, who would strengthen his pack’s alliances. The power mattered more than our bond. The betrayal burned hotter than any whiskey ever could. "Another one for you, sweetheart?" The bartender leaned over, his voice carrying a tone of gentle concern. I nodded, barely looking at him. I didn’t care if he or everyone else here saw my misery. They all already knew, didn’t they? I was "her." The rejected mate. The one who wasn’t good enough. Gabriel’s choice of bride tonight was just another confirmation that I would never measure up. The bartender placed the fresh glass in front of me, but this drink would do little to drown out my humiliation. What was I even doing here? The neutral ground of Silver Moon Bar sat at the edge of Stone Pack territory, a meeting point for wolves from various packs. The air was thick with the mingling scents of wolves and the weighty energy of dominance clashing in the room. I needed air. My chest felt like it would burst. Sliding off the barstool, I stumbled slightly, swaying as the alcohol hit me harder than expected. I laughed bitterly. How fitting for me to lose control on the one night I most needed to hold myself together. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin, as though protesting my actions. For once, her timid nature had nothing to say. The dimly lit corridor leading to the back door blurred before my eyes as I tried to steady myself. But then, I stopped. I froze in place as his scent hit me—a rich, powerful storm laced with something dangerously alluring. My wolf immediately perked up, her unease vanishing in an instant, replaced by intrigue. The air seemed to thicken as the sound of footsteps reached my ears. I turned toward the source, my breath catching when I saw him. Emerging from the shadows was a man—a wolf, one clearly nothing like the ones I knew. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and radiated power. His sharp features were illuminated by the faint flicker of light overhead, but his electric blue eyes... they drew me in. They glowed faintly, their intensity piercing through my drunken haze. Dominance rolled off of him in waves, suffocating yet addictive. It sent a strange thrill through me, and my wolf whimpered softly, but not in fear. I didn’t think. My emotions, the alcohol, and something buried deep within me took over. He was the most handsome man I have ever seen. His eyes darkened as he looked at me, and I knew he was interested in me too. I thought, if Gabriel can abandon me, why can't I abandon him? I stepped forward, reached up, and pressed my lips to his. The moment our lips met, a surge of heat rushed through my body. It was unlike anything I had ever felt before. His scent enveloped me completely, sending tingles down my spine. His lips were firm, demanding, and they moved against mine with a confidence that made my knees weak. To my surprise, he kissed me back. His large hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer as if he needed to feel every inch of me against him. The sparks flared brighter, and my wolf howled in approval, her usually timid nature lost in the intoxicating connection. When he finally pulled back, his face hovered close to mine, his warm breath fanning across my cheek. His glowing blue eyes locked onto mine, now filled with something I couldn’t name. His voice was a rich, low growl. "Are you certain about this, little wolf?" The sound of his words sent a shiver through me. It wasn’t just a question—it was a challenge, one laced with authority and a warning. My rational thoughts were hazy. But as his scent wrapped tighter around me, another voice in my head whispered his name. Recognition crashed into me, sobering me just enough to realize who stood before me. Alexander Stone. This wasn’t just any wolf. This was the Alpha King of the Northwest Territories. Alexander Stone, the most powerful werewolf in the region. And his sister was marrying Gabriel tonight. Cold fear trickled through me, but the hurt from Gabriel's betrayal outweighed all else. My wolf surged forward again, her need overpowering any sense of logic. Rather than pulling back, I pressed closer, letting my own scent—a soft, sweet fragrance everyone commented on—roll over him. Even the mighty Alpha King wasn’t immune. His pupils dilated as he inhaled deeply, his grip on my waist tightening. He leaned in, his voice a mere rumble now. "Shall we find somewhere more... private?" The sheer power of his presence sent my nerves skittering, but my wolf was practically begging me to follow him anywhere. Trying to ignore her howling approval, I forced myself to appear bold. "Why not here?" I whispered, ignoring the shaking in my voice. His eyebrows lifted slightly as he regarded me, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. I didn’t doubt that his wolf could pick up on my untouched status, the innocence I was fumbling to hide. But wolves were physical creatures, and he didn’t seem inclined to back away. His lips claimed mine again, this time fiercer, more possessive. It was as if he wanted to leave a mark, a reminder that no one else could compare. My head spun, whether from the alcohol, his overwhelming presence, or the storm of emotions raging inside me. I leaned into him for support, my face brushing against his shoulder. In my dazed state, I murmured the name that had refused to leave my mind. "Gabriel..." The moment the word left my lips, I felt the shift. Alexander’s grip loosened instantly, and he stepped back. His glowing eyes had gone cold, his jaw tightening as he stared at me. The warmth and intensity of the moment vanished like a candle snuffed out by the wind. Gabriel’s name hung in the air like a blade poised to strike. Alexander straightened, the calculating expression on his face making my chest constrict. He reached into his pocket and lit a cigarette, the sharp scent of smoke cutting through the tension between us. "Well, well," he said, his tone dripping with mockery. "The unwanted mate of Gabriel Cross. Tell me, did you hope this encounter would reach his ears? Make him regret his choice?" Pain and humiliation surged through me as his words hit their mark. Before I could stammer out a response, a familiar voice pushed into my mind through our pack’s link. "Charlotte!" my mother’s voice cried out, filled with panic and urgency. "Come home now! The Crescent Valley Pack has accused your father of theft! They’re threatening exile!" My legs nearly buckled under the weight of her words. My father. Accused of theft? Exile? Suddenly, the world around me blurred, and terror took over. "I-I’m sorry," I stuttered, looking up at Alexander, my words hurried. "I have to go." Despite my panic, he didn’t look away. Calmly, he shrugged off his leather jacket, holding it out to me with a commanding gaze. "Put this on," he said, his voice low with authority. "Your scent is... compromised. I’ll drive you." I was too stunned to argue. Taking the jacket, I slipped it on, the warmth of it enveloping me as strongly as his earlier presence had. The drive was silent, the tension thick. I tried to gather my thoughts, but my attention kept shifting to him—to the way his profile looked under the passing streetlights, to the sheer presence that made him impossible to ignore. He wasn’t Gabriel. No one could ever be Gabriel to me. Yet... When we reached my territory’s edge, Alexander handed me a small silver card etched with his pack’s emblem. I pushed it back, shaking my head. "Alpha Stone, we shouldn’t—" My words broke off as Gabriel’s voice thundered through my mind. "Charlotte! Where are you? We need to talk." I stiffened, my expression betraying me. Alexander tilted his head, his lips twisting into a slow, knowing smirk. "Still hung up on him, aren’t you?" he said, his tone sharp enough to cut. Shame burned my cheeks. Without answering, I quickly got out of the car, my only focus on getting away. Ducking my head, I hurried off, forgetting to return his jacket. But as I slipped away into the night, I could feel his gaze on me, his presence haunting me even as I vanished from his sight.