Rejected Mate's Ultimate Triumph

The cruise ship was sinking, chaos erupting all around us, yet Lucian Gonzalez, Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, was fixated on his cherished Luna, Kathryn Carpenter. His last words to me cut deeper than the cold water rising around us:

"Alianna, your skills mean nothing to me! If I had the chance to do it all over again, I’d never choose you!"

So when I got a second chance at life, and Lucian Gonzalez demanded a mate rejection, I didn’t hesitate. I spoke the vow with a steady voice, even as my heart shattered. "I, Alianna Fisher, Beta of the Moonclaw Pack, reject you, Lucian Gonzalez, Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, as my mate."

I left with nothing, leaving our son, Casen, in his care. He and Kathryn held a grand marking ceremony soon after, the event gossiped about in every pack.

Three years later, Kathryn was taken hostage by a rogue mercenary group during a pack charity mission. As the only negotiation expert capable of handling the crisis, I was called in.

When I arrived at the command center, Lucian blocked my path, his Alpha aura radiating disdain.

"Alianna, what’s your angle now? Think you can worm your way back into the Shadowfang Pack with Kathryn in danger?"

Beside him, our son Casen looked at me with contempt. "Don’t think I’m buying whatever you’re selling! You won’t get the chance to hurt my mom Kathryn! Women like you, who just put on an act, should leave!"

Only after Kathryn was successfully rescued did Casen begrudgingly say to me, "I know you did your best for Dad and the Shadowfang Pack. Mom Kathryn still needs psychological counseling and media handling. Dad and I agree that you can help temporarily."

I ignored him, instead picking up my daughter, Leia, who was eagerly waiting for me to finish work.

Lucian’s face darkened, and Casen screamed, "Didn’t you say I was your only treasure?! Who is this kid?!"

---

I had just completed a grueling 48-hour negotiation with a rogue pack when I received the urgent notice: the Shadowfang Pack’s charity mission in Ireland had been attacked by a rogue mercenary group. Numerous hostages were taken, including Kathryn Carpenter. As the chief negotiation expert, I was dispatched immediately.

Upon arriving at the temporary command center in Ireland, I heard shouting.

"Spare no expense to save my Luna!"

A familiar voice made me pause. Lucian Gonzalez. I couldn’t believe the person I had to rescue this time was Lucian’s cherished mate, Kathryn Carpenter.

But I never let personal feelings interfere with my work. Calmly pushing through the crowd, I prepared to enter the command center. However, Lucian’s warriors blocked my path.

I explained, "Please let me through. I am the chief negotiation expert sent here."

No sooner had I spoken than Lucian appeared, flanked by Casen and several pack advisors. He looked at my travel-worn professional attire with disdain.

"Alianna, do you really think you can handle this? Don’t get ahead of yourself just