Rejected by my Alpha mate. Claimed by a vampire king

“You’ll wear it tonight, right?”

Simon’s voice was gentle, coaxing—but there was steel beneath it. His hand brushed against mine, warm and possessive. I stiffened.

My gaze dropped to his phone screen. A dress. Crimson silk kissed with gold threading, elegant and expensive—too extravagant for someone like me.

I hesitated. “Babe… don’t you think it’s a little early for that?”

His smile faded slightly, the edges tightening. “We’ve been together for nearly a year, Lisa.” He stepped closer, his scent washing over me—cedarwood and danger. “You’re my mate. What’s the point in waiting?”I swallowed. “It’s not that I don’t want to—”

“Then don’t make this difficult.” His voice was still soft, but it cut like a knife. Then, a pause. His eyes narrowed, tone darkening. “Unless... you’re seeing someone else.”

“No! Never!” The denial tore from me before I could stop it. Panic bubbled up like bile. Why did he always go there?

He exhaled slowly, placing both hands on my shoulders. “You’re the only one, Lisa. You know that, right?”

I nodded, my lips trembling. But a sliver of doubt lodged in my chest like a shard of ice. His warmth didn’t reach his eyes.“I’m the Alpha of Ember Pack,” he continued, tilting my chin up. “I chose you. And once you’re pregnant, no one can argue. Not the elders. Not even the council. Omega or not, they won’t reject the mother of my heir.”

The words hit like a slap—wrapped in silk, but a slap all the same.

“I… I’m just scared,” I whispered.

“Don’t be,” he murmured, pulling me into his arms. “Trust me.”

And I did.

I gave him everything that night—heart, body, soul. I lay in his arms, believing for once that maybe love could win over bloodlines, titles, and expectations.I woke up glowing, hopeful. Foolish.

The Beta’s house was quiet when I returned. I hadn’t even taken off my scarf when Mira’s voice drifted down the hallway.

“Coming back from a secret lover’s bed?” she teased, appearing in the archway. Her long black braid rested neatly over one shoulder, and her smile was easy, warm.

I forced a laugh, cheeks flushing. “Maybe.”

“You’re still not telling me who he is?” she pressed.

“Soon.” I smiled faintly. “You’ll know everything in three days.”“Three days?” she echoed.

“Clans Gathering,” I said. “Big night.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Mine too.”

I blinked. “Oh?”

Mira beamed and did a playful twirl. “He hasn’t announced it yet, but… I think I’ll be chosen as Luna.”

I froze.

The air around me turned cold, too tight to breathe.

“I—I’m happy for you,” I managed. “Really.”

We laughed together, but my stomach twisted into knots.It had to be someone else. A different Alpha. There were many. It couldn’t be Simon. It couldn’t.

_________

The next day, I went to pick up the dress Simon had ordered for me. The boutique clerk handed me the sleek, satin box with reverence, as if she knew it was meant for something sacred.

When I opened it at home, I couldn’t speak. The red was deeper than blood, the gold threading catching light like flame. Bold. Royal. A Luna’s color.

“Red?” I had asked when he showed me the design.“It’ll look like the fire in your blood,” Simon had said, cupping my cheek.

I smiled at the memory, hugging the box to my chest as I walked home, my heart blooming with fragile hope.

The Clans Gathering arrived under a full moon. I dressed carefully, slipping into the silk as if wrapping myself in dreams. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

I looked… worthy.

Worthy of an Alpha. Of Simon.The Beta’s living room buzzed with voices and perfume and excitement. I stepped inside—

And stopped cold.

Mira stood by the door, radiant in red.

My red.

My dress.

Only her shoes were different.

She turned, eyes widening slightly when she saw me. “Wow,” she laughed nervously. “Guess we have the same taste.”

“Yeah,” I said, heart pounding. “Guess so.”

But my gut screamed something else.

Something was wrong.The moon was high when the announcement was called. The Alphas of each pack were to present their chosen Luna before the council.

I stood by the stage, waiting.

The whispers began before I saw them—murmurs, rustling, excitement. I looked up.

And my world stopped.

Simon walked out.

Not alone.

His hand was clasped around Mira’s.

Mira.

In my dress.

Wearing my smile.The ground tilted. My ears rang.

He raised her hand.

“This is my Luna.”

The crowd erupted in applause.

And I shattered.