Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the King

The evening breeze carried the scent of pine and wildflowers through the Silver Moon Pack's grand gathering hall. I smoothed down the silver silk dress that Alexander had insisted I wear for tonight's celebration—a rare gesture that had momentarily rekindled a flicker of hope within me. Ten years as Luna to Alpha Alexander Sterling had taught me to cherish these small moments of consideration.

"You look beautiful tonight, Luna Melissa," whispered Elara, our pack healer, as she passed by with a tray of ceremonial wine.

I offered her a gentle smile, though we both knew the compliment was merely a kindness. The years of Alexander's infidelities had hollowed something inside me, leaving shadows beneath my eyes that no amount of preparation could conceal. Still, I held my head high as befitting the Luna of the prestigious Silver Moon Pack.

Alexander stood across the room, his powerful frame commanding attention as he addressed the gathered wolves. His voice carried that natural Alpha timbre that had once made my heart race. Now, I simply watched him perform his duties, wondering which of the she-wolves in attendance might become his ninety-ninth or hundredth chosen mate.

"The Silver Moon Pack welcomes our neighboring territories for this seasonal gathering," Alexander announced, his gaze briefly meeting mine. "May the Moon Goddess bless our continued prosperity."

The crowd raised their glasses in unison, and for a heartbeat, Alexander's eyes held mine with something resembling our old connection. My wolf stirred hopefully within me.

Then came the sound of carriage wheels on gravel outside.

The great oak doors swung open, and conversation died as a young woman stepped into the hall. She couldn't have been more than twenty-five, with chestnut hair that cascaded down her back in loose waves and eyes the color of amber honey. But it wasn't her beauty that silenced the room—it was her scent.

The floral fragrance hit me like a physical force, sweet yet somehow primal. I watched as male wolves throughout the hall stiffened, nostrils flaring. But none reacted like Alexander.

My mate's body went rigid. His glass slipped from his fingers, shattering on the stone floor. Nobody moved to clean it. His eyes dilated, fixed unblinkingly on the newcomer as though she were the moon itself.

"Isabella Monroe," she introduced herself with a curtsy that seemed both practiced and deliberately innocent. "Alpha Blackwood's cousin, from the Eastern Territories. I hope I'm not too late for the celebrations."

Alexander moved before she'd finished speaking. He crossed the room in long, purposeful strides, completely abandoning the speech he'd been giving. Completely abandoning me.

"Welcome to Silver Moon territory," he said, his voice dropping to that intimate timbre I'd once believed was reserved only for me. "I am Alpha Alexander Sterling."

I stood frozen as he took her hand, bringing it to his lips in a gesture he hadn't offered me in years. My wolf whimpered, recognizing the shift in his attention—the absolute focus he was granting this stranger.

"You must be tired from