Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, tracing the mate mark on my neck that had brought me nothing but pain for seven years. The mark that should have been a symbol of love and devotion had instead become a brand of rejection.

"Luna Elena?" My handmaiden's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "There's news from the pack gathering."

I turned, smoothing my expression into the neutral mask I'd perfected over years of public humiliation. "What is it, Lily?"

She hesitated, her eyes darting nervously to the door. "The Alpha has purchased an extravagant diamond necklace for Scarlett. It's said to be worth more than our annual pack budget for healing supplies."

My stomach clenched. Another gift for his chosen mate, another public declaration of his obsession.

"There's more," Lily whispered, stepping closer. "He plans to present it to her at the upcoming pack gathering, in front of all the allied packs."

The room seemed to tilt slightly. I gripped the edge of my vanity to steady myself. Seven years of rejection, of watching him parade his obsession before our pack, and now he would humiliate me before other Alphas as well.

"I need to speak with Beta Grant," I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite the storm raging inside me.

* * *

Grant's eyes widened when I closed the door to my private study behind us. As Beta, he was one of the few who still treated me with the respect due to a Luna, despite Byron's example to the contrary.

"Luna, this is highly irregular," he said, his voice low. "The Alpha could punish us both for meeting without his knowledge."

"He's too busy planning Scarlett's coronation to notice," I replied bitterly. "But I need your help, Grant. I can't bear another public humiliation."

Grant's expression softened slightly. "What do you need?"

"I need you to investigate Scarlett's background," I said, the words tumbling out before I could lose my courage. "There must be something—something that might explain his obsession or perhaps even break it."

"Are you suggesting she's not who she claims to be?" Grant asked carefully.

"I don't know what I'm suggesting," I admitted. "But a pack healer should have records, references, a history. And Scarlett appeared out of nowhere after the attack that injured Byron."

Grant nodded slowly. "I'll be discreet. Flynn can help—he has connections with neighboring packs."

"Thank you," I whispered, relief washing through me.

* * *

The pack meeting hall buzzed with tension as I took my seat beside Byron's empty chair. He would make an entrance, of course—he always did.

When he finally strode in, Scarlett followed two steps behind him, her fingers brushing his arm possessively. My mate mark burned at the sight.

"Border patrols," Byron announced without preamble. "The rogues are growing bolder."

I straightened, thinking of my father's business near the eastern border. "Alpha, there have been three attacks near Robinson territory in the past month alone. Perhaps we should increase patrols there?"

Byron's eyes