Rejected By The Beta, Chosen By The Alpha

"At 33, I’ve decided to find my mate and start a family," I said, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my chest.

Gage, the Beta of the Blue Moon Pack, let out a derisive laugh, his broad shoulders shaking slightly as he leaned against the headboard. His muscular frame, a testament to his high rank, seemed to dominate the room. "Sure, if that’s what you want," he replied, his tone dismissive.

Three months later, he crossed paths with me at the pack hospital. His sharp eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of me, his lips curling into a sarcastic grin. "Alexia, was this your plan from the start?" he taunted, his voice carrying the weight of his authority.

But behind me stood Kamden Nguyen, the Gamma of the Silver Fang Pack, his tall, imposing figure radiating strength and confidence. His hand rested gently on my shoulder, a protective gesture that spoke volumes. Gage’s eyes flicked to him, his expression shifting from mockery to disbelief.

I smiled faintly and held out my hand, the mate mark gleaming on my ring finger. "At 33, I found my mate," I said, my voice calm but firm.

---

After a night together, I ignored the soreness in my body, got up, and sat at the edge of the bed to get dressed. Gage lounged against the headboard, his chiseled chest bare, a cigarette poised between his fingers. His presence was commanding, as befitting a Beta, but I no longer felt the pull of his dominance.

I spoke softly, though my fingers clutched the bedsheet anxiously. "At 33, I’ve decided to find my mate and start a family."

Gage paused, the cigarette halfway to his lips, then let out a lazy, gruff chuckle. "What’s that supposed to mean? You’re asking me to be your mate?"

The reflection of Gage in the bedroom window showed his face, his mocking expression clear as day. I saw it all—the arrogance, the dismissal.

When I remained silent, he smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Alexia, you know my Luna could never be someone of your standing."

A flicker of hope within me sank into the depths, leaving only resignation. After a long silence, I said, "Wish me luck, then."

Gage quickly grasped my meaning, responding casually, "Sure, if that’s what you want."

He threw off the covers and headed to the bathroom, the sound of the door slamming loudly separating us into two different worlds. I picked up my leather satchel and walked over to the closet to gather some clothes.

The clothes and jewelry that Gage had given me were left behind; they weren’t mine. The money he’d given me over the years was enough for me to live well—a trade for my youth.

When Gage emerged from the bathroom, the room was eerily quiet, the floor littered only with his own clothes. It was as if no woman had ever been there.

But Gage wasn’t bothered. I had thrown tantrums before, but I always