1. It All Started With A Rejection

~Sai

I gathered the flowers in my hands and smiled. Today is the day I will be Mated to the future Alpha of Red Moon pack–Theodore.

Last month on my 18th birthday, I discovered that Theodore is my mate.. It was like a dream, especially because he had also been my boyfriend since high school.

Once he claims me as his mate, he will officially become the next Alpha of our pack. Everyone was aware that Theodore would be the new Alpha of Red Moon pack, but they never knew that I am his fated Mate.

As I thought this to myself, a loud voice called out my name violently.

“Sai… Sai!”

Shocked, I turned to see who had called me like that.

And there she was...

Lola's Mom.

She is my stepmother whom Father had announced as his Luna after my mother—his first Luna, disappeared without a trace.

Rumors has it that Lola’s mom, Beatrice, arrived in the pack one fateful night with a child, claiming it was Father’s. Mom couldn’t bear the betrayal, so she ran off. She wanted to take me with her, but Father refused.

“I’ve been calling out to you! Why didn’t you respond?” Beatrice asked, pulling me from my memories.

I opened. my mouth to respond but she brushed the words off my mouth.

I turned without looking at her. I could have easily declined, but no. Beatrice has always been good at lying, and she might twist things to ruin this special day.

So without thinking twice, I left for Lola's room.

As I approached Lola’s room, I started hearing faint noises—something like moaning or was it the sound of skin slapping?

I halted at first to process what I just heard.

Getting closer to the door, the sounds became louder and clearer. I had to peep into the room opposite Lola’s—and there, I saw two naked bodies riding on each other.

“Oh yes, I love it… continue!” the lady moaned.

I tried to place the voice. It wasn’t familiar.

I sighed. At least, it wasn’t my sister. I assumed they were pack maids or someone else. But just when I turned to leave the room, I noticed two things.

One—the man making love had a tattoo I’d seen before.

Two—that room wasn’t for servants. That was…

Theodore’s room!

I shook my head.

This shouldn't be what I'm thinking....Or so I thought until I opened the door— and BOOM—I was right!

Theodore was the one riding the woman.

“Theodore!” I gasped softly and stepped back immediately.

“What is going on here?”

In that instant, Theodore quickly jumped off Lola’s body.

Then I looked closely to see who the woman was…

To my shock, It was Lola. My stepsister!

“I asked you both a question. What the heck is going on here?!"

Theodore's face. was lit with shock. Even Lola hurriedly covered her chest with the bedsheet, and Theodore pulled on his underwear, standing there with that unapologetic expression.

“What are you doing here, Sai? Did you forget how to knock before entering, or have you lost your manners?” he asked coldly.

I was speechless. Was this really Theodore speaking?

“How can you ask me that kind of question, Theodore? I just caught you cheating on me with my sister, and instead of being remorseful, you're scolding me for not knocking? Don't you have any bit of humanity left in you?" I snapped.

Then I turned to Lola in anger. “And as for you! You are really good at stealing what doesn’t belong to you, don’t you? Just like your mother, you’re trying to take my mate away? Are you really that shameless, huh?”

Lola remained quiet. She didn't say any word.

What does she have to say when over the years, Lola had done nothing but stealing the things that brought me joy.

Since childhood, she would turn my friends against me, take my toys, claim everything Father bought for me.

And now she’s sleeping with my boyfriend? My mate?

“Theodore doesn’t love you, Sai!” Lola hissed, finally dropping the act. That was her real self, her rude, unmasked tone.

“He only accepted you as his girlfriend because he wanted to become the Alpha of our pack. Come on, Theodore, tell her the truth. Tell her this was all pretend, and you never really loved her,” she said as she traced a finger along Theodore’s bare chest.

I stared at him, waiting. Waiting to hear the lie.

“Lola’s right, Sai,” he said at last. “She’s the one I love. Whether I mate you or not, I’ll still become Alpha. Besides, you don’t even have a wolf, but Lola does. You’re weak, and she’s strong. She’s a better Luna than you’ll ever be.”

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces. Tears spilled from my eyes as I heard those cruel words from him.

Instinctively, I held my stomach, as the doctor’s voice echoed in my mind. “You are pregnant, Miss Sai. It’s a baby girl…”

Two hours ago, I was only returning from the hospital where I had gone for my check up. I had been feeling dizzy lately so I went for a check up.

It was there the Doctor told me that I was pregnant with a baby girl.

I had planned to tell Theo after our mating ceremony. Even had the intention of sharing this news with him as a wedding gift.

But now he had Lola by his side. How am I supposed to tell this to him?

“It’s always been a joke, Sai!" Theodore's voice cut into my words. "I only wanted the Alpha title by mating you. But Lola promised to make me her Alpha, so I don’t need to pretend anymore. It’s time to end this…”

“What do you mean?” I asked, sniffing through the tears.

Suddenly, Theodore grabbed my hand tightly, and slammed my back on the wall.

He stared into my eyes and declared coldly,

“I, Theodore Kaiser, Future Alpha of Red Moon pack, reject you, Sai Ray, as my mate!”