Rejected And Claimed By The Alpha

Alina’s Pov

“You’re pathetic, Alina.”

Marcus’s voice rang loud and cruel in the courtyard, echoing off the brick walls as if it wasn’t enough to break me once. My knees almost buckled beneath me, but I forced myself to stand, clenching my shaking hands into fists so they wouldn’t show my weakness. The whole pack was watching. Every face held either amusement or disgust.

“Did you really think I’d want someone like you?” he went on, the corners of his mouth curling in a sneer. His hazel eyes, once warm, now looked cold and distant.

My voice got stuck in my throat. The faint pull of the mate bond still lingered, tugging painfully at my chest even when his words should have destroyed it.

“Marcus…” My voice broke, barely louder than the whispers around us.

“Don’t say my name,” he growled, stepping closer. “I, Beta Marcus of the Silvercrest Pack, reject you, Alina, as my mate.”

My wolf whimpered inside me as the pain hit. I stumbled back, clutching at my chest as if I could hold myself together. The bond snapped, leaving behind a deep emptiness, like something inside me had been torn away.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. Tears blurred my sight, but I forced myself to look at him. “Please… you can’t do this.”

Marcus only sneered. “I just did. And why not? You’re just an Omega. Weak. Worthless. A shame to this pack.”

Laughter spread through the crowd. The sound twisted my heart. These were people I grew up with, people I cared about. Now they laughed at me.

“Enough!”

Alpha Richard’s voice cut through the noise. The crowd fell silent at once and moved aside as he stepped forward. His tall frame and cold expression sent a chill down my spine.

“Marcus has spoken,” he said, a faint smile on his lips. “You are no longer his mate. And as far as I’m concerned, you are no longer one of us.”

My heart dropped.

“Alpha, please,” I begged. “I’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve served this pack loyally—”

“Loyal?” He laughed softly. “You call yourself loyal while your family plots against me? You’re lucky I’m being merciful, Alina. If it were up to me, you’d rot with them.”

“With them?” I repeated, fear creeping into my voice.

His smile widened. “Oh, you haven’t heard? Your parents are in custody for treason. They were caught working with rogues to overthrow me.”

“No!” I screamed, shaking my head. “That’s not true! My parents would never—”

“Take her away,” he said with a careless wave.

I didn’t wait.

I turned and ran toward our house, my thoughts spinning. This had to be a lie. My parents were loyal. They would never betray the pack.

I rushed forward, my breath coming in broken gasps. Then I saw them.

I froze.

My mother and father were on their knees in the dirt. Their hands were held behind their heads, mouths gagged. Two enforcers stood over them, pressing them down.

“No!”