CHAPTER THREE : The Alpha's Regret

MARCUS

“Baby, you said you were going to take me with you,” My girlfriend, Beth, asked.

“I'm sorry, Beth," I replied, my voice filled with regret and anguish. "I've reconsidered our plans. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to accompany me to such a prestigious event. You're not meant to be my Luna or Queen."

“Beth you can’t go with me to this event, you’re not my Luna I made a mistake by saying you could come so leave my room now,” I said to her using my Alpha tone making her leave the room immediately.

This was what I liked about Beth, she knew when to obey me. She had been my girlfriend from the beginning though she had a bad temper. She was wise. Though she thinks she’s going to be my Luna, I didn't plan on giving her that position. Only my Mate can be the appropriate one for the position. I’m the Alpha King so my Mate would be the Luna and the Alpha Queen and I don't trust Beth to be in such a position, carrying another wolf's mate would cause trouble.

Today was the ball ceremony that only the Alpha and Luna of all packs would be attending. I never once attended since the death of my father but today for no reason my wolf wants me to attend.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my royal attire. The crown on my head felt heavy, a constant reminder of the responsibilities that came with being the Alpha King. The ball was a grand event, meant to celebrate unity and strength among the werewolf packs. Yet, my heart was heavy with a feeling I couldn't quite understand.

I left the pack with my Beta in charge, this would be the first time I would be leaving the pack for more than a day, as the alpha king majority of the meetings were held at my pack land. I trust my beta, Andrea, to do a good job.

As I made my way to the ball, surrounded by my trusted advisors and guards, my eyes scanned the room. The hall was filled with alpha and luna pairs, their presence commanding respect and admiration. Though surrounded by the sounds of laughter and music, my mind was preoccupied. My agitated wolf was becoming more and more annoying.

Just when I picked up a glass of drink I received a call from my Beta and proceeded to go outside. He just knew the right time to call if there was anything I hated in this world, it should be small talk during ceremonies like this. I left the hall heading straight to the small building at the back of the hall.

But as the call connected, a scent wafted towards me—a scent so captivating, so alluring, that it brought me to a halt. Just when I took a step to follow the scent she approached me, her steps purposeful and confident. As I stood before her, I took in her delicate features—the lustrous black hair, the captivating violet eyes. At that moment, everything around me faded, and it felt as if time stood still.

"Mate," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of awe and longing. Her wolf's recognition of me sent a surge of possessiveness through my veins.

But then reality crashed down upon me. She was an omega—a lowly rank in our society. And I, as the Alpha King, couldn't afford to have an omega as my queen. The weight of tradition and duty settled heavily upon my shoulders, forcing me to make a decision that tore at my heart.

"You're an Omega," I stated, my voice laced with a touch of disgust. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to suppress the conflicting emotions within me.

Her head bowed in submission, her whispered confirmation of her status as an omega reached my ears. And in that moment, I made a choice that shattered both our worlds.

"I don't have time for all this. I'm the Alpha King, and I can't afford to have an Omega as the queen. I, Marcus Danielson, Alpha King, reject you as my mate," I declared, my voice colder than I intended.

The pain in her eyes, the single tear that fell, tore at my heart. I turned to walk away, the weight of my duty heavy upon me. But as I took those steps, guilt gnawed at my conscience. I couldn't leave her completely defenseless, vulnerable to the harsh realities of our world.

Stopping midway, I glanced back at her, my voice softer but no less firm. "Don't utter any word to anybody about being my mate," I warned, my protective instincts taking over.

With that, I continued my path, leaving her behind. It pained me to do so, but it was for the greater good—or so I tried to convince myself.

With each step, I left the ball and the woman who had stirred something deep within me.

As I arrived back at the pack territory, a sense of emptiness filled me. The weight of my decision bore down on me, and I needed to escape. Without a second thought, I transformed into my wolf form and ran. The wind whipped through my fur as I sprinted through the forests, trying to outrun the torment of my own choices.

Hours later, I returned to the pack territory, exhaustion seeping into my bones. But as I neared my pack, a familiar scent lingered in the air—a scent that made my heart race. It couldn't be true. She couldn't be here.

As I stood in front of my pack's territory, overlooking the vast expanse that belonged to us, I caught a glimpse of movement. My heart skipped a beat as recognition washed over me. There she was, laying on the grass naked and unconscious.

Instinctively, my legs carried me toward her. As I reached her, I couldn't help but notice the bruises on her body, evidence of the trials she had faced before our encounter. Anger welled up within me, directed towards those who had hurt her.