Rejected By My Alpha, Chosen By The Lycan King

The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the Silver Pine Pack’s main kitchen. Aurora Ashcroft smiled slightly as she pulled the last baking sheet out of the stone oven. Warm steam rose from inside the oven, carrying the scent of butter and rosemary that instantly filled the room. Beside her, a large pot of venison soup was still simmering gently, while several other omegas were busy chopping vegetables.

“Aurora!” A young warrior appeared in the kitchen doorway, his face beaming with anticipation.

“Is your apple pie ready yet?”

Aurora chuckled softly. “It’s been out of the oven for less than five minutes. If you steal that apple pie right now, your tongue is definitely going to get burned.”

The warrior scratched the back of his neck, laughing sheepishly. “But it’s the Moon Goddess Festival, Aurora. Everyone’s dying to taste your special apple pie.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know that.”

Aurora picked up a small slice of apple pie with slightly crumpled edges.

“Well, this one’s for you, then.”

The warrior’s eyes immediately lit up. “You really are the best, Aurora!”

Aurora just smiled as the man ran out happily carrying the pie. That’s how Aurora’s daily life went. Everyone always loved whatever she cooked. Everyone also always sought her help. But not everyone was able to appreciate her. From a corner of the kitchen, two omega women whispered to each other in hushed tones.

“Have you seen the dress Aurora’s wearing tonight?”

“Yes, I’ve seen it.”

“But still, no matter what dress she wears, it’ll just make her look even more plump.”

“That’s something that won’t be easy to change just like that.”

“Poor thing. What werewolf would want a mate like her?”

They giggled derisively under their breath. And Aurora heard every word clearly, as usual. Even so, Aurora just took a deep breath and went back to her work. Comments like that had been a part of Aurora’s life since she was a child.

Her body was indeed different. Her cheeks were much rounder. Her hips were wider. Her arms were fuller than those of other girls her age. Aurora had also tried various ways to lose weight and change her body shape.

From working out harder to cutting back on her food portions. Aurora had even drunk a bitter concoction for weeks to help her body transform. But her body shape remained the same. And eventually, Aurora gave up on trying to meet other people’s standards.

Aurora chose to focus on what she truly loved. And that was cooking. Food always made Aurora happy. Food also always made others smile with joy. Or at least, that’s what Aurora had always believed.

“Chef Aurora!” A little girl ran into the kitchen.

“My dad said your soup helped his wound heal quickly.”

Aurora smiled warmly. “In that case, I’ll make you some more soup later.”

The child immediately hugged Aurora’s waist before running back outside. That sight always brought smiles to the faces of the other chefs in the kitchen. Everyone knew very well that Aurora had an extraordinarily gentle heart. Unfortunately, not everyone was able to see beyond her physical appearance.

As evening approached, the entire Silver Pine Pack began preparing to attend the Moon Goddess Festival. The festival was held only once a year. But tonight felt far more special. That’s because every werewolf who had turned twenty-two would find out who their mate was.

Aurora stood in front of a small mirror in her room. She was wearing a simple dark green dress she’d sewn herself. The dress wasn’t fancy, nor did it stand out, but at least it felt comfortable enough for her. Aurora smoothed her long brown hair into a loose braid once more. Just then, there was a soft knock on her door.

Knock

Knock

“Are you ready yet, Aurora?”

Her best friend, Lila, walked in carrying a bouquet of wildflowers.

“Wow... you look beautiful.”

Aurora chuckled. “Stop lying, Lila.”

“No, I’m serious.” Lila tucked a small white flower behind Aurora’s ear.

“If the Moon Goddess is truly fair, then tonight you’re bound to meet someone who can see you just as I do, Aurora.”

Aurora looked at her own reflection again. To be honest, she didn’t have high hopes for what would happen at the Moon Goddess Festival tonight. A mate wasn’t something you could just choose. But Aurora still felt afraid.

What if that man would also look at her body with a gaze full of disgust and contempt?

What if she heard those same words again, but this time from the man destined for her by the Moon Goddess herself?

Aurora bit her lip gently. “Let’s go now.”

Lila took her hand. “Don’t keep the Moon Goddess waiting too long.”

The main field of the Silver Pine Pack was bathed in the light of torches. Traditional music played softly in the background. Children ran around, laughing. The warriors stood in neat formation surrounding the stone altar in the center of the field. Standing atop the altar was Alpha Ryder Thorn. Aurora unconsciously stopped in her tracks.

Ryder always looked impressive. He was tall with a chiseled jawline, and his cold blue gaze was enough to make anyone feel intimidated. As the pack’s head chef, Aurora often prepared meals for the Alpha. Yet their interactions never went beyond a brief greeting.

To Aurora, Ryder was a leader who was far above the clouds. He was impossible to reach, and impossible to have. The Alpha had never once looked at her as a woman, and Aurora had never once hoped he would.

“Tonight, the Moon Goddess will bring every soul together with their destined partner.” The pack elder’s voice echoed across the clearing, snapping her out of her reverie.

Everyone immediately bowed their heads. Aurora closed her eyes as well. The night breeze blew gently, and then a warm sensation spread from Aurora’s chest. Her heart began to race, and her breath caught in her throat. Something unfamiliar and strange felt as though it were pulling her.

Slowly, Aurora opened her eyes. Before she knew it, her gaze met Ryder’s. The Alpha was also staring straight at her now. Their eyes locked. Aurora froze, her eyes slightly wide with disbelief.

‘No. This can’t be.’

That warm bond grew stronger. It was as if an invisible thread was connecting the two of them right there. Whispers began to spread around the field.

“That’s a mate bond!”

“The Alpha has found his mate!”

Aurora felt tears welling up in both her eyes now.

‘Moon Goddess, is this real? Is Alpha Ryder really my mate?’

Aurora’s heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt. For a split second, she allowed herself to believe in the Moon Goddess’s destiny. Perhaps her life would finally take a turn for the better. Aurora looked at Ryder with trembling eyes. The mate bond wrapped around her like warm sunlight after a lifetime of winter. For the first time, someone was meant to be hers.

But Ryder didn’t move. His expression remained frozen. Confusion, disbelief, then hesitation. The entire clearing waited, and no one dared to breathe. Ryder’s eyes searched Aurora’s face. Then, they drifted lower. To the curves she had spent years trying to hide. His jaw tightened. Behind him, a few pack members had already started whispering.

“The Alpha’s mate is Aurora?!”

“The fat chef?!”

“It’s impossible!”

The whispers reached Ryder’s ears. His fists slowly clenched. Until, a short while later, Ryder stepped down from the altar. One step, two steps, three steps, until finally, Ryder was standing right in front of Aurora. They were so close that Aurora could hear Ryder’s own heavy breathing.

A small glimmer of hope began to grow in her chest. Maybe Ryder was just startled. Maybe everything would turn out all right after all. But the very first words that came from the Alpha’s lips caused Aurora’s entire world to crumble in an instant.

“I can’t accept this.”

Ryder stared at Aurora’s face for quite a while. Then his gaze drifted down over her entire body. That look was filled with doubt and shame. Aurora felt her chest tighten. Ryder took a deep breath, then, in front of the entire pack, he spoke.

“I can’t have Luna the way she is. I can’t make someone like her as my Luna.”

Aurora held her breath. Silence enveloped the entire clearing. Aurora’s face was now deathly pale. Ryder looked at everyone before uttering the words that would change their lives forever.

“Alpha Ryder... are you really rejecting your fated amte?” The Elder asked, whispering.

 “Yes. I refuse!”