Rejected By Him, Claimed By His Uncle

The Ruthless Alpha

Nyra Hale

I couldn't breathe. The man standing before me was the most feared Alpha in all territories.

Alpha Rhaedric Voss, also known as the Ruthless Alpha. And he was standing inside my bathroom while I sat naked in a bathtub, desperately trying to cover myself with water.

My heart pounded against my ribs.

"Please don't kill me" I said, my voice barely audible.

I had expected death. Instead, he simply stared at me.

"Who told you I was going to kill you?" he asked.

I swallowed.

"Everyone" I answered. "They said you were ruthless and you don't show mercy."

His eyes narrowed.

"I don't."

My lips trembled.

"Then why am I still alive?" I asked, boldly.

For the first time, something almost resembling amusement appeared in his eyes.

"Because you haven't given me a reason to kill you" he replied.

I stared at him. That wasn't the answer I expected.

He turned away.

"Put on the dress waiting for you. The bath is over" he ordered.

He walked toward the door and I stared after him.

"You're not going to..."

I couldn't finish then he looked over his shoulder.

"Kill you?"

I nodded.

"No" he said then he walked out.

The door closed while I sat there in stunned silence.

What had just happened?

I remained in the bathtub for several minutes before finally stepping out.

The white dress waiting for me was beautiful. It was made from soft silk and fit perfectly. There was even a silver comb decorated with tiny crystals beside it.

I picked it up and my fingers brushed through my completely white hair.

It had always been the strangest thing about me.

While every other wolf in Silvermere had black, brown, blonde, or red hair, mine had been white since birth. My mother used to tell me it was beautiful but everyone else called it cursed.

I had learned to hide it beneath scarves whenever I could. But tonight, for some reason, I left it loose.

The white strands fell down my back like moonlight as I stared at my reflection.

I barely recognized myself. The girl in the mirror didn't look like the rejected omega who had been dragged out of the royal palace.

She looked like someone important, someone who belonged here.

That thought frightened me.

I quickly left the room to find a servant was waiting outside. She looked at me and smiled.

"Much better" she said.

I frowned.

"Why are you being kind to me?" I asked.

She paused.

"Because you're our guest" she answered.

I almost laughed.

"No. I'm the rejected mate of your Alpha's nephew" I said.

The servant's expression changed.

"That isn't what Alpha Rhaedric said" she revealed.

I stared at her.

"What did he say?" I asked.

She lowered her head.

"He said you are under his protection" she replied.

My heart skipped. Before I could ask anything else, she bowed and left.

Under his protection? Why would the Ruthless Alpha protect me?

A knock sounded and the same silver-haired woman from earlier entered.

"Dinner is ready" she announced.

"I'm not hungry. Can I decline?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"I'm afraid not" she replied.

The words almost made me cry but I had no other choice. I followed her downstairs and the dining room was enormous.

A long table stretched across the room with food covering nearly every inch of it.

I hesitated.

"Is it poisoned?" I asked.

She blinked then laughed.

"Of course not" she replied.

I looked down and my stomach betrayed me. After not getting something edible to eat in what felt like years, I gave myself away to temptation and ate.

I had expected Alpha Rhaedric to join me but he didn't show up.

After dinner, I returned upstairs. I wanted to stop thinking of Alpha Rhaedric, Instead, I found myself wondering about him.

Why had he protected me? Why had he given me a beautiful room? Why had he ordered servants to treat me kindly?

A knock sounded at my door then I opened it. Alpha Rhaedric stood outside and my breath caught.

He looked different now. He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing muscular forearms.

His expression was unreadable.

"Walk with me" he said.

I attempted to talk but he walked away so I had to follow him.

We walked through several corridors before reaching a large room lined with books then he closed the door.

"Sit" he offered a chair which I obliged.

However, he remained standing.

"Tell me what happened at the palace" he said.

My throat tightened.

"I already know but I want to hear it from you" he continued.

His voice was calm but there was something dangerous beneath it so I told him everything. He didn't interrupt once but by the time I finished, his jaw was clenched.

"How long did they abuse you? People of your padck, I mean" He asked.

I hesitated.

"Most of my life" I answered.

His eyes darkened.

"And what about your family?" He asked.

"My parents died a long time ago. I was left with my sister whi betrayed me" I replied.

Silence filled the room then Alpha Rhaedric walked toward me.

He stopped directly in front of me.

"Look at me."

I obeyed and his eyes dropped to the rejected mate mark my wrist then his gaze moved upward. He stared at my face, then my white hair and his expression suddenly changed.

He reached toward me but I flinched and his hand stopped in midair.

He slowly lowered it.

"What is your mother's name?" He asked.

I frowned.

"Elena Hale" I answered.

"And your father?"

"Orin Hale" I said.

His face went completely still. For several seconds, he said nothing then he turned away.

"What is wrong?" I asked.

He walked toward the door but before leaving, he stopped.

"You will remain here" he said.

I blinked.

"Am I your prisoner?" I asked.

He looked over his shoulder.

"No, you're under my protection" he said, his voice firm.

He left but I remained standing in the middle of the study.

I didn't understand him, I didn't understand this place and I certainly didn't understand why the Ruthless Alpha seemed to know something about my parents.

But I was about to get an answer because the moment Alpha Rhaedric stepped outside the room, one of his guards approached him.

I couldn't hear everything. Only a few words through the slightly open door.

"Alpha, we found the records."

Alpha Rhaedric went completely still.

"Are you certain?" He asked.

The guard nodded then whispered the words that made Alpha Rhaedric's expression turn murderous.

"Nyra Hale isn't who the royal family thinks she is" he said.

My heart stopped and before I could hear anything else, the door slammed shut.