Rejected by the Alpha Mate

The morning sun streamed through the windows of the pack house as I arranged fresh flowers in the main hall. My fingers worked mechanically, placing white lilies and blue forget-me-nots in crystal vases—Eleanor Alexander's favorite arrangement. Harry's mother never missed an opportunity to criticize my modern tastes, but today I'd prepared everything exactly as she preferred.

"Luna Amira." Eleanor's voice cut through the quiet like a blade. "How thoughtful of you to prepare the hall for our arrival."

I turned to find her standing in the doorway, her silver hair pulled into a severe bun, her eyes already scanning for imperfections. Behind her stood three pack elders, their expressions equally disapproving.

"Elder Eleanor," I greeted her with a respectful nod. "Welcome to the pack house. I've prepared tea in the solarium."

"Tea?" Eleanor's eyebrow arched. "During summer gathering preparations? I would think you'd be overseeing the sacred arrangements."

Before I could respond, the main doors opened wider as more pack members filed in—all elders and their spouses, the most influential families in our pack. My heart sank as I realized this wasn't a casual visit. This was a formal inspection.

"Where are the ceremonial herbs?" Eleanor asked loudly enough for everyone to hear. "The sacred circle should be prepared by now."

"Sol has been handling those arrangements," I explained, keeping my voice steady despite the humiliation burning in my chest.

Eleanor's lips thinned into a hard line. "I see. And where is our Alpha?"

As if summoned by his name, Harry appeared from his office, his powerful frame commanding immediate attention. "Mother," he greeted Eleanor with a respectful nod before turning to me. "Amira, why wasn't I informed about the elders' visit?"

"I wasn't aware they were coming," I admitted, feeling Aria stir restlessly within me.

Eleanor stepped forward, her voice carrying to every corner of the hall. "I've come to discuss the summer gathering arrangements. Or rather, the lack thereof."

I felt dozens of eyes on me as Eleanor continued, "Three nights of celebration, and our Luna couldn't even prepare the sacred circle? What kind of message does that send to our pack?"

The silence that followed was deafening. I waited for Harry to defend me, to explain that he had reassigned my responsibilities.

Instead, he nodded slowly. "Sol has proven to be quite valuable in maintaining our traditions."

Something snapped inside me. Aria's growl vibrated through my chest, so faint only I could hear it, but it was the loudest sound in my world.

---

"Today we learn about proper pack hierarchy," Sol announced to the circle of young females gathered in the training yard. Emma sat in the front row, her eyes bright with interest.

I watched from the edge of the yard, having come to collect Emma for her studies. But my daughter had waved me away, eager to continue Sol's lesson.

"The Alpha's word is law," Sol explained, her voice carrying easily across the yard. "And the Luna's duty is to support that law without question."

She demonstrated a traditional bow, her movements graceful and precise. "This is how we show respect to our Alpha and his family."

Emma mimicked the gesture perfectly, earning Sol's approving smile.

"Many legendary Lunas sacrificed everything for their packs," Sol continued, her eyes finding mine briefly. "They never complained about their duties or asked for special treatment."

The implication hung in the air like smoke.

"Sol," Emma called out, "tell us about Luna Victoria again. The one who walked three days through the snow to bring medicine to her pack."

Sol's smile widened as she launched into the story of a mythical Luna who had supposedly saved her pack through absolute devotion and sacrifice.

I turned away, unable to watch my daughter's admiration anymore.

---

The healing ceremony was my last chance to reclaim some authority as Luna. I'd spent hours preparing the ritual space in the pack's sacred grove, arranging crystals and herbs in the traditional pattern of healing.

Pack members filtered in, their injuries from recent border patrols visible on their bodies and faces. This was my domain—healing had always been my strongest gift.

"Everyone gather around," I called, motioning them toward the center of the grove.

But before they could move, Sol appeared at the edge of the clearing.

"Stop!" she called out. "The crystals are placed incorrectly!"

All eyes turned to her as she strode confidently into the sacred space.

"The healing stones should form a perfect pentagon," she announced, already rearranging my carefully placed crystals. "And the sage should be burned before the ceremony begins."

I stood frozen as pack members nodded in agreement, moving to help Sol.

"Sol," I began, "these arrangements are traditional Moonstone Pack healing patterns. They've worked for generations."

"Perhaps," Sol replied with false sweetness, "but we are Silver Moon. Our traditions matter most."

Harry appeared behind her, his presence immediately commanding attention. "Sol is right," he said firmly. "We should honor our own traditions."

As Sol continued directing the pack members, Harry turned to me with golden eyes that held no apology. "Thank you for organizing this, Amira, but Sol's corrections will ensure we maintain the proper rituals."

And as my mate walked away to stand beside Sol, I felt Aria's rage building inside me like a storm waiting to break.