Fated to the Wrong Alpha

Chosen Mate Pt. 2

IVY POV

The suggestion hung in the air like smoke after an explosion – heavy and toxic. My heart raced at the thought of Rowan rejecting Clara, but it also sent a chill down my spine. And before I could process it fully, Luna Gwendolyn’s voice emerged from the chaos, sharp and clear.

“That isn’t the answer!” she said with authority that silenced everyone momentarily. Her gaze turned piercing as she fixated on Eamon. “You cannot simply dismiss their bond because it makes you uncomfortable! This is not just about feelings; it’s about fate. Think of the anger of the Moon Goddess if we tossed the bond she hand-crafted away! Fated mates are incredibly rare. We haven’t had one in our pack in decades, at the very least, and you want to make them reject it? Especially after it’s already been completed?”

The Luna took a small step forward, her presence so intense it almost sucked all the air out of the room. But she didn't give my father a chance to respond, her words growing more and more heated. "What about Clara? Have you forgotten that she is also your daughter? Rowan has already claimed her as his mate and marked her. If we force them apart now, it will be nearly impossible to find another suitable mate for her in this unforgiving, egotistical-male-dominated world. And that's assuming she even survives! You did mention she was sickly, correct?" Luna pointed an accusing finger at our father's chest, causing him to flinch. "A rejection could potentially kill her! Or do you not care about that at all?"

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms as I stood there, the tension thick enough to slice through. The air crackled with palpable energy, and I could feel the heat of father’s frustration radiating off him like a furnace.

Rowan looked around at all of us, his brow furrowed deep in thought. "What if," he began cautiously, "I maintain my bond with Clara but still take Ivy as my wife and true Luna? I know it won’t fix all of this but… Ripley and I would get to keep our fated mate by our side to strengthen us, we won’t have to risk any harm to Clara because of a rejection, but Ivy will be the true Luna of this pack." His voice was steady, as if he believed this could somehow placate both parties.

The room fell silent once more as the implications settled like dust after a storm. My heart raced at the notion. Clara may have been the one bound by fate, but she didn’t know how to wield that power like I did. With her insecurities and childish timidity, she wouldn’t last long against me. If Rowan was still willing to be with me…

Eamon’s face paled at Rowan’s suggestion, disbelief morphing into frustration that simmered just beneath the surface. “You cannot be serious,” he scoffed, running a hand through his dark hair as though trying to comb out the mess of this situation. “You want to juggle two mates? That’s madness! It will weaken you and our pack.”

“Or strengthen it,” Rowan countered, a fire igniting in his eyes as he squared his jaw defiantly. “If I can bring Clara into our fold without rejecting her outright, we can unify our strengths. Ripley needs her… and I need Ivy.”

“If you sleep with Ivy while keeping Clara marked, it will cause her pain.” Alpha Aldric growled, his face set in stone. The idea of Clara feeling the pain of Rowan sleeping with me was quite a pleasant thought, though.

Concern etched across Rowan’s features, but he was quick to mask any emotion as he spoke softer. “It’s fine. We have medicine for that sort of thing anyways, right? I’ll make sure Clara is comfortable.”

“Rowan,” Father sighed, pinching his brow. “What do you really want? Can you truly see yourself leading two mates? Think about how this will affect Ivy – a mate should never have to share. Especially a Luna.”

“I don’t want to lose Ivy,” Rowan breathed out, his voice low and earnest. “But I can’t deny what has happened between me and Clara.” He paused as if weighing his next words carefully. “If there’s a chance we could unite rather than fracture—”

Alpha Aldric raised a hand for silence, and everyone turned their attention back to him. “It’s a risky move,” he finally admitted, his voice deep and steady. “But… perhaps there is merit in what you say. After all, if it’s true Clara is… disabled… it would be an embarrassment to have her as the face of our pack, as our Luna. Ivy is truly a better choice between the two.”

Father seemed to relent finally; his shoulders slumped ever-so-slightly as though accepting defeat. “Then we’ll make it work,” he conceded quietly. “For Ivy’s sake… and for our pack. But only if my daughter agrees to this.” Father said firmly, putting an arm around my shoulders to show his support.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, the salty remnants leaving streaks on my cheeks like the marks of a battle lost. I could feel Rowan’s gaze boring into me, filled with hope and a touch of desperation.

“Okay,” I breathed out slowly, every syllable heavy with hesitation yet laced with resolve. “I’ll try… for us.”

I wasn’t keen on sharing my mate, but I could worry about the details later. First, I needed to secure my spot as Luna… then, I needed to find a way to dispose of Clara.

A radiant smile broke across Rowan's face. “That’s all I ask,” he said softly before pulling me into his arms.

“I promise you,” he murmured into my hair, “I will not let you down.”

Alpha Aldric’s gaze bore into Rowan. “Now then, we must decide on when this union will take place – a wedding date for yourself and Ivy. We’ll discuss the finer details, why don’t you and Ivy go talk things out in private?”

Rowan released me from the hug, his familiar hand finding mine. Wordlessly, he swept me out of the Alpha’s office and led me straight to his private chambers like an eager puppy.

The door clicked shut behind us, sealing out the world and its chaos. It was just us now, and in this moment, I could almost forget about Rowan’s betrayal. Almost.

The walls were adorned with rich tapestries and soft shadows danced across the floor. Rowan pulled me close, his muscular body pressing into me. Specter gave a grunt of disapproval in the back of my mind, but she just didn’t understand we were going to be a Luna because of this union.

“Ivy,” he murmured, cupping my face with both hands as if he were afraid I might shatter under his touch. “You have to know how deeply I care for you.” His gaze burned into mine, fierce and unwavering. My breath hitched as he leaned down, brushing his lips against mine softly at first.

Then it deepened.

The kiss transformed from gentle exploration to something more urgent; our lips moved in perfect harmony as though they had always known their place together. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as a low growl rumbled from deep within him – a sound that ignited every nerve ending in my body.

“Rowan…” I breathed against his mouth, feeling intoxicated by the taste of him – warmth and desire mingling like fire and smoke. He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes again, searching for something there only he could define.

“I love you,” he said it like a promise, each word dripping with sincerity. “I can’t wait for you to be my Luna.” His voice was husky with longing, and in the past it might’ve had me falling head over heels for him.

“I love you, too,” I murmured back to him, mirroring his sincere tone. But beneath the surface, he had already lost me and my love. Rowan had made a grave mistake, and Clara had made her move; she’d dared to take what belonged to me. And now… now it was time for me to reclaim what was rightfully mine.