Rejected By The Alpha Beast Who Marked Me

Only a thin line separated love from hate—and Alpha Callum had already chosen his side. Two years ago, hunters slaughtered his parents before his eyes, leaving behind nothing but rage and a vow of vengeance. Since rising as Alpha of the Silvervein Pack, Callum had ruled with ruthless control, silencing mercy and burying the part of himself that once believed in love. To him, hunters were enemies, forgiveness was weakness, and revenge was the only justice that mattered. Standing before the statues of the fallen Alpha and Luna, Callum renewed the promise that drove him: he would hunt down every last enemy responsible for his loss, no matter the cost. He had already begun. A powerful hunter was within his grasp—one he had searched for for years. Tonight, he would strike. Tonight, revenge would taste sweet. He had tracked the man’s route, waited for the perfect moment. And now, the moment had come. After this one, the rest would follow, one by one, until not a single hunter remained alive. His wolf twisted in anticipation, coiled and ready beneath his skin. The hunter’s scent finally hit him again, and Callum knew he was near. The same scent from two years ago, the night his parents and the pack had been slaughtered. How could he forget? He could never forget that night. Never forget the blood, the screams, the stench of those who had ignited the war that stole everything from him. As the headlights tore through the darkness, a low growl escaped his wolf, Devil. He was ready. The car sped down the deserted road. Callum’s eyes met the hunter’s for a fraction of a second, and then the man swerved. The vehicle missed him by inches before slamming into a tree. He approached slowly. His senses were sharp. The hunter was already weakened from the impact, groaning in pain. Callum could smell another human nearby, but he ignored it. He was here for one purpose—and one purpose only: to kill this man. To finally get his revenge. Glass crunched under his hands as he shattered the driver-side window. The hunter tried to scramble, but Callum’s grip was iron. He dragged the man out and into the dark woods, ignoring his screams. Then he threw the man to the ground. “Please… I’m sorry… Forgive me. I knew you would find me. I just didn’t know it would be today. It is my daughter’s birthday. Please let me spend one last time with her.” he begged. “When you killed my parents, they also begged like this. You didn’t consider they had a child,” Callum said angrily. He picked the man up and slammed him down again. But he kept begging, even in pain. “My daughter… she had nothing to do with this!” “I don’t care about your daughter. I am here for you.” “I am sorry. I—” Before the words could finish, Callum’s hand shot forward, piercing the man’s chest. He ripped out the heart with brutal precision. Satisfaction coursed through him as he stared at it in his palm. His gaze fell on the dead man in front of him. Shifting back into human form, he drew a deep breath of the forest air, the taste of iron and blood lingering. A cruel, predatory smile tugged at his lips. Even in human form, he radiated power—6’2”, dark-haired, piercing brown eyes, broad shoulders, a jaw sharp enough to cut through steel. Every movement commanded attention, every breath spoke dominance. Three days later, Callum stood, clad in a black T-shirt and worn-out jeans. Every time he passed those stones, he was reminded of the past, the weight of his hatred for the hunters pressed down on him anew. As he continued staring at his parents' statue, his hands tucked into his pocket, his thoughts drifted far from the present until a familiar voice pulled him back. “Alpha, I knew I would find you here.” It was the voice of his best friend, Ronan. After his younger brother Flint, Ronan was the only person Callum would willingly lay down his life for. Callum turned and saw Ronan walking toward him. A faint smirk touched his lips. Ronan's slight frown formed. “Alpha, you should have taken me with you,” he said quietly. “You know Flint will be furious if he finds out what you did, and you hate it when your brother is upset with you.” Callum gave a small nod. “Ronan, I had to do it. I’ve been searching for him for a long time… and I finally found him. I had to—” “It’s been two years, Callum. Isn’t it time to let it go?” Callum drew in a slow breath, his gaze hardening. “No. It isn’t. Before my heart can rest, every last one of them must die.” Ronan let out a short laugh. “You don’t even have a heart.” Callum’s lips curved slightly at the jab before his expression turned serious again. “Ronan, why are you really here? I know it’s not because you heard about what I did. I—” Ronan cut him off, his voice lower now. “It is because of what you did. I went near the human settlement this morning and saw police swarming the woods. It didn’t look good, Callum.” He paused, glancing around to be sure no one was close enough to overhear. Then he stepped nearer. “They found the hunter’s body—without a heart. Since when did you start tearing out human hearts?” Callum showed no alarm, no hesitation. His gaze remained fixed ahead. They were cold and distant. “I gave it to the birds.” Ronan frowned. “Lies.” “Ronan,” Callum said quietly, before turning his eyes toward him, “remember who stands before you. I am the Alpha. I do what I must.” “I know exactly who you are,” Ronan replied. “And sometimes an Alpha still needs a friend. He still needs someone who helps him see clearly. If you keep chasing revenge like this, you won’t come back from it. You’ll lose yourself.” “Spare me the lecture,” Callum muttered. “I didn’t eat the hunter’s heart. I fed it to the birds. Even I wouldn’t stomach the heart of a wicked man.” A faint smirk touched Ronan’s lips. “You don’t get to decide who’s wicked. You’re not so different from them.” Annoyance flashed across Callum’s face, and he looked away. The last time he had truly argued with Ronan, they had been boys fighting over a rusted toy soldier they’d found in the woods. Ronan had discovered it first, but Callum had wanted it—and being the Alpha’s son had not been enough to claim it. The former Alpha, Flinch, had settled the dispute the only way he believed boys should: with a fight. Callum had won then. And if it ever came to it again, he knew he would win now. “I’m sorry, Alpha,” Ronan said quietly. “I crossed the line this time.” Callum met his gaze. “I’m not angry. You’re the only one who can speak to me like that without fear of punishment—believe me, I won’t punish you. Ronan, you are my only confidant.” He rested a firm hand on Ronan’s shoulder and nodded once. “We are brothers.” And it was true. If Callum ever strayed too far, Ronan was the one person capable of pulling him back. He was loyal. Calm. Steady where Callum was fire. He had always been grateful for a friend so different from himself. “I should leave before Flint finds me. I don’t want to hear another lecture about how you never give him enough training or spend enough time with him.” Callum raised a brow. “Is that true?” Ronan groaned. “Not the way he says it. Rogues have been sighted near the borders. War could break out at any time, and the soldiers need constant training. Flint is in capable hands.” Callum’s eyes furrowed. “Ronan… who did you leave him with?” “Nolan.” The moment the name left Ronan’s mouth, he saw the change. Callum’s brown eyes flashed red, his wolf stirring beneath the surface. “Callum, calm down,” Ronan said quickly. “I know you don’t like Nolan, but he’ll do the job well. He might even manage to bond with Flint.” Callum shook his head, jaw tightening as he struggled to contain the surge of anger rising within him. “Nolan is the last person I want near my brother. He’s poison. Anything he touches rots. I won’t have Flint turning into him.” “He’s also your brother,” Ronan replied carefully. “Since Nolan and Flint also share blood, what harm could he possibly do?” “Turn him against me,” Callum said coldly. “Just like he did with our sister, Odette. She listens to him more and sees me as a villain that I am not.” Ronan hesitated, then gave a slow nod. “Fair enough. I only thought that, as a Beta, he might handle the responsibility better.” “You’re the Gamma, Ronan. Take charge of Flint’s training yourself. If it becomes too much, hand the soldiers over to Gamma Cypher—but Flint stays under your watch.” Ronan snorted. “My brother? You want him to take my job?” “If you can handle both, then there won’t be a need to.” Callum began to walk away. “And where exactly are you going?” Ronan called after him. Callum stopped, turned, and fixed him with a sharp, predatory smile. “I’ve tracked another hunter, Ronan. I’ll end them all, and I bloody mean it.”