My Alpha Rejected Me for a False Pregnancy

# Chapter 1: The Eve of Betrayal

## The Summit Crisis

The hotel ballroom buzzed with restless energy as Nexus Pack warriors paced like caged animals. Three days before the Grand Alpha Summit in Seattle, and our Alpha had vanished.

"Collins! Where the hell is he?" Delta Marcus slammed his fist against the table, scattering the tactical maps I'd spent hours preparing.

I straightened my spine, channeling the authority I'd inherited from my father. "Alpha Wagner is in deep meditation preparing for the combat trials. He'll join us shortly."

The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. Rhett hadn't just disappeared—he'd severed our mind-link. The hollow ache in my chest where his presence should be felt like a physical wound.

"He better be," Marcus growled. "We can't go into the Summit without our Alpha."

I turned to Beta Crawford, whose calculating eyes missed nothing. "The warriors are restless. Perhaps you could—"

"I'm handling it," I cut him off before he could undermine me further. Seven years I'd spent building this pack from nothing, transforming Rhett from a nameless rogue into a territorial power. I wouldn't let Crawford's ambition destroy what I'd created.

"Form up!" I barked, my Alpha bloodline lending weight to my voice. The warriors reluctantly fell into position.

For three hours, I drilled them mercilessly, demonstrating combat techniques my father had taught me since childhood. Sweat dripped down my spine as I sparred with our lead warrior, dodging his impressive swing before sweeping his legs from under him.

"Again," I commanded, ignoring the burning in my muscles. If Rhett wouldn't lead them, I would.

## The Return of the Alpha

Three days later, the door to our hotel suite finally opened. Rhett strode in, his Alpha aura filling the space like a storm front. But something was wrong. His scent carried traces of stale motel air and medicinal herbs.

"Where have you been?" I demanded, relief warring with fury. "The warriors are a mess. Crawford's pushing boundaries. And we missed the strategic briefing."

Rhett loosened his tie with casual indifference. "I was needed elsewhere."

"Needed?" I echoed, disbelief coloring my voice. "The Summit starts tomorrow. We're scheduled to compete for territorial recognition—something we've worked seven years for."

"This couldn't wait," he replied, his tone dismissive. "Violeta had another anxiety attack. She needed me."

My stomach clenched at the name. Violeta Dunn—the she-wolf from Rhett's past who'd returned three months ago claiming some mysterious "fading sickness" only his Alpha aura could soothe.

"You missed the warrior briefing," I said through gritted teeth. "They're questioning your leadership."

"They wouldn't dare." Rhett's eyes flashed gold. "And neither should you."

"The Beta is—"

"Enough!" His voice cracked like a whip. "I don't need lectures from you about pack management. I'm still Alpha."

Silence stretched between us like a chasm. The Rhett I'd fallen for—the one who'd promised we'd build an empire together—felt like a distant memory.

"I was worried," I finally admitted, hating the vulnerability in my voice.

"You're not my mother, Parker."