THE ALPHA’S FATED MATE

Chapter 4:THE ALPHA KING

RUBY’S ’s POV

The next day, Ruby walked down the hall with slow, steady steps. She stopped outside the Alpha’s office, her hand hovering near the knob. Before she could knock, his voice called out sharply from inside.

“Enter.”

She opened the door and stepped in. Tyrus sat behind his desk, the sunlight slicing through the windows and casting shadows across his face. He didn’t look up right away. His fingers ran over the rim of a glass, untouched.

“I came as you asked,” she said quietly.

“Good.” His voice was clipped.

Ruby stood still, waiting. He finally lifted his gaze to meet hers. His eyes were cold again. It still stung.

“Sapphire’s injury hasn’t healed. Her cheek is still swollen.”

Ruby’s stomach twisted.

“You attacked my mate, Ruby. That’s a punishable offence.”

Her voice cracked. “I was your mate before her.”

He leaned back in his chair and exhaled. “You were. But things change.”

“Why?” she asked. “What made you stop choosing me?”

He didn’t answer at first. His fingers tapped the armrest of his chair.

“You did nothing wrong,” he said. “You were strong, reliable, loyal…but Sapphire makes me feel lighter. She’s gentler, softer…she doesn’t argue with me.”

“So that’s it?” Ruby asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “I wasn’t soft enough for you?”

He looked away. “I needed peace.”

His words hit harder than any slap. Her chest tightened, but she refused to let the tears fall.

“You used to say I was your peace.”

“I meant it then,” he muttered. “But not anymore.”

Ruby forced herself to breathe evenly. He didn’t look like the man she remembered. The one who once held her hand and made her believe she was enough.

“I’m not going to push for execution,” Tyrus continued. “I believe your emotions got the better of you. Still, you will take full responsibility for upsetting the Alpha King. Cannon has arranged a party tonight to smooth things over. You’ll organize everything. Every detail.”

Ruby nodded stiffly.

“As Beta, you’re expected to represent us well. Dress accordingly.”

“Understood.”

Tyrus waved a hand toward the door, already done with her.

Without another word, she turned and walked out. Her heart throbbed, but she didn’t look back.

If he could let her go that easily, then she would learn to let go of him too.

Not to move on—but to rise.

And maybe one day, she’d be the one to break him the way he broke her.

---

As ordered, Ruby took care of the preparations and the night of the party arrived.

Ruby stepped into the celebration house through the back patio entrance, avoiding the main doors where the guards stood. The party was already in full swing. The beat of the music pulsed through the air, louder than she expected. Bright disco lights spun in wild colours, washing over the room packed with people dressed in silk, velvet, and shimmering jewels.

She walked past the dancing crowd, ignoring the stares she knew would come her way. Her red dress hugged her curves, the slit showing more than just legs. If she had to play this game, she’d play it like a winner.

At the bar, she pulled her dress aside and slid onto the stool. “Dirty martini. Heavy on the gin.”

The bartender nodded without a word and got to work. Ruby glanced around the room, not searching for anyone, but seeing everyone. She spotted Cannon by the stairs, laughing with a few omegas. Two elders sat stiffly by the long table, probably judging her choice of dress. Good.

Her drink arrived. She took a slow sip, letting it burn down.

“Make it stronger,” she said, tapping the rim.

The bartender raised a brow but didn’t argue. He turned to mix the next one, but before he could place it in front of her, a hand reached past and took it.

“Appreciate the gesture,” a deep voice said.

Ruby turned her head slowly, already annoyed, but the breath in her lungs caught when she saw him. Tall. Built like a fortress. His suit was all black, with clean lines and sharp tailoring, but his presence did more than the clothes. He smelled of rain on dry earth and ripe apricots—too strong to ignore, too bold to forget. Alpha.

He met her eyes without hesitation, and the weight of his gaze made her feel exposed.

“That was mine,” she said.

“And now it’s mine,” he replied, unbothered, as he took a sip. “You’re Ruby, aren’t you?”

“I don’t answer to strangers,” she said coolly.

“Carrick Novak,” he said, flashing a lazy smile. “Alpha king of the Regal Crescent.”

Ruby blinked. “So the rumours were true…you showed up tonight.”

“And you showed up looking like war in red silk,” he said. “People have been watching you since you walked in. You really don’t notice it, do you?”

She ignored the compliment, lifting a hand for another drink. This time, the bartender handed it straight to her, with no interruptions. She raised the glass slightly toward Carrick. “Beta of the White Moon Pack. I suppose I should welcome you properly.”

He clinked his glass against hers with ease. “To alliances. And to interesting evenings.”

They both drank. Carrick leaned slightly closer, eyes landing on the faded scar at the side of her neck. “That burn… How did you get it?”

She tensed. “I thought kings didn’t ask questions they already knew the answers to.”

He tilted his head, eyes narrowing. “I wouldn’t have asked if I knew, little red.”

Before she could answer, the air in the room shifted. Whispers filled the space like smoke, and people turned toward the entrance.

Ruby followed their eyes—and saw them.

Tyrus and Sapphire walked in, dressed in matching purple. He looked like a man in love. She looked like a queen beside him. They smiled, soaking up the attention, unaware—or maybe very aware—of the damage they were causing.

Ruby’s heart twisted. She turned back to the bar and downed her drink in one go. The sting in her throat didn’t matter. Nothing compared to the ache she felt inside.

“Another,” she muttered.

“No,” Carrick said firmly, pulling the glass away before she could get more. “You’ve had enough.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re hurt,” he said. “There’s a difference.”

She didn’t respond. Her eyes stayed on the counter.

Carrick stood and offered his hand. “Come dance.”

“What?”

He nodded toward the floor. “This is my favourite song. Come dance with me, Ruby.”

Her heart raced. People weren’t dancing yet, but they were watching. She stared at his hand. Hesitated.

He leaned closer. “Don’t make me ask again.”

She looked up at him fully then. His slick black hair, his confident smile, those intense hazel eyes. His jawline looked like it had been carved just to mock lesser men. Even his stubble looked purposeful. He was beautiful—unreasonably so—and tonight, for some reason, he was choosing her.

She raised her hand.

Before their fingers touched, someone yanked her back by the wrist.

“What the hell is going on here?”

Her heart dropped at the voice. She didn’t even need to turn.

“J-Tyrus?”