Mated to the Alpha King After Rejected

Chapter 3: I Need Help

Chapter 3: I Need Help

(Charlotte's POV)

My heart pounded as I followed Alexander into the Stone Pack headquarters. His leather jacket felt heavier around my shoulders, its strong scent weaving through me like an unshakable presence.

My fingers clutched the soft leather tightly as if it could shield me from the storm swirling inside.

The lobby was sleek and imposing, all marble floors and towering black columns. Pack members moved through the space quickly, their heads dipping in respect as Alexander passed.

Every step he took seemed deliberate, powerful, and in control, while I stumbled silently behind him, unsure if I made a colossal mistake coming here.

Inside the elevator, the silence pressed down on me. Alexander’s presence filled every corner of the small space. I told myself not to look, but my eyes betrayed me.

The reflection in the mirrored walls betrayed him too. His sharp jawline clenched slightly. Those glowing blue eyes stared straight ahead, unreadable.

The elevator dinged and opened into the top floor. His office was massive—walls of glass that opened to a view of Stone Pack territory, polished mahogany furniture, the faint scent of cedarwood lingering in the air.

The walls held ceremonial weapons and old, gleaming tribal symbols. Everything about it screamed power, authority, control.

Alexander moved to his polished desk with effortless grace, not even sparing me another glance until he was seated, his electric blue eyes focused on me.

“Sit.” The word was calm, an order more than a request.

I hesitated, trying to suppress my fast-beating heart. Then I perched nervously on the edge of the leather chair, my back stiff and my hands gripping the jacket tighter.

“Speak.” His voice was measured, cold.

I took a shaky breath. “King, I came to speak to you about my– my father’s situation.”

His eyes darkened slightly, his expression unreadable. “Your father,” he repeated, as though testing the word.

“Yes.” My voice cracked slightly, and I hated myself for it. “He’s been accused of theft, but it’s not true. Gabriel is using this as leverage to punish my family because of me. You’re the only one with the authority to intervene in internal pack decisions.”

For a moment, I thought he might actually consider my words. But then Alexander pushed back from his desk, standing so abruptly that I flinched. Crossing the room, he leaned casually against the edge of the desk.

“Little wolf,” he murmured, his voice dangerously low, “you came all this way to ask for my help, wearing my jacket no less, and all you wish to speak of is pack politics?”

Every word sank deep, the underlying amusement and bite in his voice making my cheeks flush.

“This isn’t about you and me,” I said firmly, trying to keep my gaze steady.

His lips curved into a slow, crooked smile as though amused by my declaration. “No?” he mused. “Your scent tells me otherwise.”

I stiffened at the implication, mortified. “Stop.”

He chuckled lightly, the sound sending shivers across my skin. “The way your wolf reacts to mine… It’s quite telling. Far more honest than the words you’re struggling to say.”

I clenched my fists in frustration, feeling heat crawl up my neck. “Please, this is serious. My father—”

“Your father.” His voice turned colder, sharper. “Who happens to be a member of Crescent Valley, led by Gabriel Cross. The same Gabriel who rejected you, correct?”

The mention hit deep, and I flinched despite myself. “This isn’t about him—”

“Yet his name keeps coming up.” Alexander leaned closer, his blue eyes pinning me in place. “He’ll be my brother-in-law soon. Do you truly think I’d tangle myself in your old lover’s petty revenge games?"

Anger flared in me, hot and unwavering. “This isn’t a game!” I stood abruptly, my nails digging into the leather of his jacket. “This is my father’s life!”

Alexander straightened, his towering frame even more intimidating up close. His face remained calm, controlled—only his eyes giving away any hint of something burning underneath.

“And what exactly would you give me in exchange for such a favor?” His hand suddenly reached out, grasping my chin gently but firmly, forcing me to meet his gaze.

Heat surged, and my wolf whined at the touch. His proximity was overwhelming, the way his scent invaded every part of my mind and left no room to breathe.

“Or…” He tilted his head slightly, his voice softer now, almost mocking. “Are you asking for my help out of duty? Or something more primal?” His thumb brushed lightly along my jaw.

I jerked my head back, stepping out of his reach. “Don’t twist this into something cheap,” I spat, my voice trembling under the weight of his command.

“I’m not twisting anything, little wolf.” He smirked, taking a step closer. “Your wolf’s response is clear, whether you admit it or not.”

I opened my mouth to retort when a firm knock interrupted the charged moment.

“King?” A woman’s voice came from the other side of the door.

“Come in,” Alexander called without even glancing away from me.

Emma Woods, his Beta, stepped into the room. Her neat brown hair and professional demeanor were sharp contrasts to the tension in the air. Still, she faltered slightly when her gaze fell on me.

“Apologies, King,” she said smoothly, regaining her composure. “The council is waiting. The territory dispute meeting.”

Alexander sighed and pulled back, running a hand through his dark hair. “Of course they are.” His tone was laced with irritation but resigned.

His piercing blue gaze turned back to me, now colder, calculating. “Our discussion is over. You should leave.”

I stayed rooted in place, desperately trying to think of what I could say to convince him.

But he tilted his head slightly, smirking again. “Consider one thing before you go, Charlotte.” His voice dropped, sending a shiver down my spine. “Perhaps you should figure out exactly what you want from me—because it isn’t just help, is it?”

His dismissal hung heavily in the air. I had no choice but to leave. My head swirled with anger, embarrassment, and unspoken words. I left his office quickly, blinking back tears.

---

The Stone Pack training facilities were sprawling, filled with intense energy as wolves trained and prepared for combat. I stormed through the space until I found Mia Blake.

She was Alexander's trusted warrior and my best friend. She was the only person who could help me to find Alexander.

Her platinum blond hair was tied back, her gaze sharp and focused as she sparred with another warrior. She caught sight of me and called for a break, jogging over.

“Charlotte, what is it?” she asked, adjusting her gloves.

I wasted no time, spilling all the details—the bar, Gabriel's ultimatum, my father's situation, and Alexander's infuriating dismissal. By the end, my words were tumbling over each other in frustration and despair.

Mia raised an eyebrow as I finished. “Wait, wait, wait. Back up. Our King… kissed you?”

My face flushed deeply. “I… I kissed him first.”

Mia’s reaction was nothing but shock. She stared at me, her jaw slightly slack. “And he kissed you back?”

I nodded miserably, wishing the floor would swallow me up.

But instead of a lecture, Mia’s blue eyes sparkled with interest. “Well, well,” she said, grinning.

I frowned. “What?”

“Alexander never shows interest in unmated females,” she replied simply. “It’s kind of his thing.”

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“I mean he’s untouchable. No she-wolf has ever gotten his attention beyond pack business. And yet…” Mia leaned back, folding her arms as her grin widened.

“This isn’t funny, Mia,” I snapped. “He dismissed me like I was nothing.”

Her grin remained smug. “Which is why you’re going to change his mind."

“I can’t just—“

Mia interrupted me with authority. “Listen to me, Charlotte. Men like Alexander Stone only respond to a moment of impact. Something that catches them off guard.”

She moved to her computer terminal and typed quickly. Then she turned the screen toward me, pointing.

“There,” she said. “Alpha King will be at the Combat Arena this afternoon for the monthly dominance demonstrations.”

My stomach flipped uneasily, but Mia waved off my concern. “Trust me,” she added. “You’ll make your case face to face.”

---

When we arrived at the Combat Arena, I could feel the raw energy in the air. Mia’s plan suddenly felt larger than life, especially with wolves packed in tightly to watch the demonstrations.

I adjusted my training gear nervously. The outfit Mia had chosen for me—form-fitting black pants and a cropped tank—seemed incredibly daring now. It revealed just enough to draw attention while still looking practical.

The pit in my stomach grew worse when I spotted Gabriel among the crowd. His piercing golden gaze flicked to me briefly before focusing back on the arena floor.

“Crap,” Mia muttered beside me. “This complicates things.”

The tension in the air shifted abruptly as Alexander arrived.

Every head turned as he strode onto the field in traditional combat leathers, the perfectly fitted material leaving little to the imagination. His black hair caught the sunlight, and his piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd with effortless authority.

Even as he stopped to acknowledge his warriors, I felt his gaze brush over to me—sharp and deliberate.

Alexander's eyes flicked downward, taking in the outfit Mia forced me into, before locking back onto mine with a spark of interest.

Then, of course, his lips slid into a slow, infuriating smirk.

"This she-wolf," Alexander drawled, his voice carrying across the arena, "I don't believe we've been properly introduced."

The words hung in the air, making my wolf bristle with both irritation and attraction.

Around us, the atmosphere thickened. Gabriel’s golden gaze darkened, waves of irritation bleeding through our bond. Inside my mind, his anger pressed heavily, but I tried to ignore it.