Rejected by the Alpha: Saved by the King

Chapter Two

When Celeste got to the pre party for the mating ceremony, everyone was already excitedly chatting about the ceremony. How they couldn’t wait to see their new Luna and Alpha paired together. How romantic it was because it was clear that there was genuine feelings between the two. Celeste couldn’t help but brighten at the words others said before realizing she was even around to hear them.

“Celeste!” Her friend, Abigail, shouted when she saw Celeste weaving through the crowd.

Instantly, everyone was cheering. Many were throwing out their congratulations and shouting out “Luna Celeste” despite her not officially being a Luna yet. Her wolf preened at the attention, relishing it. For so long she had been overlooked, underestimated, and now people were looking to her as a leader. As someone to trust. It was more than she had ever expected.

However, soon the cheers and excited chattering had died down. Where was Darius, and why wasn’t he here yet? The ceremony should have started by now. Anxiety seemed to be seeping through the Pack.

“I’m sure he’ll be here soon. He probably just got tried up with something,” Celeste said, trying to keep a smile on her face. “Let’s just keep the party going. He’ll be here eventually.”

That seemed to placate the Pack, who quickly went to partying and celebrating. However, Celeste decided to find Candice. Weaving through the crowd again, she found the older she wolf, smiling slightly. “Hey.”

“Hello there darling. Excited?” Candice smiled, embracing Celeste for a moment before letting go of her.

“Yeah, and nervous,” Celeste laughed, biting her lower lip as the women parted. “I wish I knew where Darius was.”

“Oh, you know how he is. He probably got tied up with paper work,” Candice sighed giving a slight wave of her hand, as if to wave off Celeste’s worry.

“Yeah, yeah of course. You’re right,” Celeste let out a sigh, nodding. “He probably found something at the border and wanted to deal with it immediately.”

“Exactly,” Candice agreed, patting her shoulder. “So, take your own advice, sweetheart. Enjoy the party! Wait for my troublesome son and think about how happy you’ll be baring his mark by the end of the night.”

Celeste’s wolf nearly purred at the idea of finally baring Darius’s mark. They had been waiting so long, for an entire year, that the idea of finally being able to properly claim to be Darius’s mate was nearly weakening. A low hum escaped Celeste’s lips as she nodded.

“You’re right. You’re always right,” Celeste laughed to Candice.

Before Candice could respond, all the laughter was sucked out of the room, leaving it in silence. Celeste turned, smelling Darius. Her face split into a wide smile as she whirled around, eager to greet her mate, but her smile fell off her face as soon as the crowd parted for her to see the front door.

Yes, Darius was there, looking as dangerous and handsome as always, but he wasn’t alone. Lyra Storm, the daughter of the former Beta, was standing beside him. Normally, that wouldn’t cause Celeste to feel tears prick in her eyes. Lyra was being considered to be Darius’s Beta, after all. They spent a lot of time together. They were friends too, after all.

But Lyra was pressed against Darius’s side, with his strong arm wrapped around her waist. He looked down, not meeting Celeste’s eyes Lyra didn’t have that problem, her light eyes finding Celeste’s immediately, a cruel grin curling the corners of her lips.

“Hello Celeste,” Lyra purred, putting a hand on Darius’s chest.

“Darius,” Celeste whispered, her knees feeling weak. “No. No don’t tell me this is true.”

Darius didn’t say anything for a moment. He didn’t have to. Everyone knew. That’s why no one was saying a word. Was everyone even breathing? You could hear a pin drop in the silence. Candice made her way to your side, looking between you and Darius.

“Darius, don’t embarrass yourself like this,” she hissed, her eyes fixed on Lyra and glaring. “Get over here so we can begin the mating ceremony.”

For a moment, Celeste thought that Candice had snapped Darius out of it. She felt relieved for just a moment. Darius was just having cold feet. That was normal, right? Surely he wouldn’t just have thrown away the last year. Surely he wouldn’t have cheated on her. She was his fated mate. Rejecting a fated mate almost never happened unless one had already marked a chosen mate. Rejecting your fated mate for a chosen mate you hadn’t even marked? Cheating on your fated mate? It was almost unheard of.

“I’m sorry Mom,” Darius said, his voice low and gruff.

“No,” Celeste whispered, the tears starting to trickle down her face. “Darius, Darius no. I love you. Don’t do this.”

Darius squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, guilt evident on his face, but Lyra was grinning almost manically. “She’s pregnant,” Darius said quietly, finally meeting Celeste’s eyes. “And she knows how to be a Luna, a fighter. You’re soft, Celeste. You’re too kind. Too weak. How will you help protect the Pack?”

Shouts broke out. Candice was scolding her son, her wolf nearing the surface as she described how poorly this would reflect on him, on the Pack. Abigail was trying to pull Celeste away from Darius and Lyra, who was doing nothing but stare at her. Darius was trying to explain himself, but failing.

“Enough!” Darius shouted, and everyone fell silent.

After a few more moments, Darius walked over to Celeste, cupping her face. “If you were stronger, I wouldn’t have to do this,” he whispered, running a calloused thumb over her soft cheek. “I, Darius Blackwood, reject you, Celeste Thorn, as my mate and Luna.”

Celeste had heard stories of how it felt to be rejected by your mate, but nothing could have prepared her for this. It was like something in her chests physically broke. Darius let out a low gasp, pulling her against him for a moment, burying his face in her hair as if to soothe the pain. The tears trickled down Celeste’s face faster.

“I, Celeste Thorn,” her voice wavered as she felt Darius’s arms tighten around her, as if in a silent, agonized apology. “Accept your, Darius Blackwood’s, rejection. I give up my claim as your mate and Luna.”

Darius groaned against her hair, and she felt hot tears litter the top of her head. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, squeezing her one last time before letting her go. “But you’re weak. You were never meant to be a Luna.”