Rejected by the heir, Claimed by his Uncle

Arabella POV

My life was going to change today.

Today was the day of the succession ceremony and by the end of it, I would be mated to the one I loved. Lucas.

But most importantly, today was the day I would finally be free from my abusive family.

I lost my mother when I was young and my father had remarried not long after. He brought a new woman into our home, along with her daughter, Sophia. She was a year older than me, and from the very beginning, it was clear who mattered more.

It was never me.

My stepmother made it her mission to make my life miserable. Every broken plate, every small mistake in the house somehow became my fault. Even when Sophia was the one responsible, I was the one who apologized. I was the one punished.

Eventually, I stopped arguing. I learned to accept the blame, to lower my head, to being the scapegoat for everyone’s mistakes. It was easier that way.

And my father? He watched everything happen and did nothing.

To them, I wasn’t a daughter. I was a servant. Someone to order around. Someone to blame.

Being an omega made things worst, I was often bullied by the pack. Whispers followed everywhere I went, about my rank, my family, my place. Omegas were meant to submit, to obey, to be grateful for whatever scraps were thrown our way.

But today changed everything.

I would be mated to Lucas and we will build our own family, living together and making our own decisions. No more being belittled, no more being treated like a nobody.

“Arabella!” my stepmother’s voice snapped from down the hall. “If you’re late, I swear…”

“I’m coming,” I said quickly, already reaching for the door.

When I stepped into the living room, Sophia stood there waiting, arms crossed, her lips curling into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Compared to my simple gown, her dress was stunning. Royal blue, tailored perfectly. Of course it was.

She looked me up and down. “That’s it?” she asked. “You look like you’re attending a funeral”

I forced my voice to stay calm. “It’s fine”

My stepmother scoffed. “Fine isn’t good enough today. Try not to humiliate us”

My father stood near the door, silent as always. He glanced at me for a brief second before turning away. “We don’t have time for this. Let’s go”

The familiar sting settled in my chest, but I swallowed it down. Just a few more hours. After today, none of this would matter anymore.

The ceremonial hall was already full when we arrived. The air buzzed with excitement, whispers echoing off stone walls. This was the day the future Alpha would choose his mate and the future Luna of the pack.

I scanned the room until I found Lucas. He stood near the front, tall and confident, his dark hair neatly pulled back. When his eyes met mine, he smiled and relief flooded me.

The hall fell silent as the Elder stepped forward. “Today, we gather to witness the future Alpha’s choice. A bond that will shape our future”

Lucas moved to the center of the room. I stood a few steps back, hands trembling, barely breathing.

Choose me, I begged silently. You promised.

His gaze swept across the crowd, resting on me and my stomach twisted.

“Lucas” the Elder said, “have you chosen your mate?”

“Yes” he answered.

I took a step forward.

“I choose… Sophia.”

The world stopped. My heart skipped, then sank.

Sophia gasped theatrically, then smiled as she stepped forward. “Oh, Lucas” she breathed.

I looked at him, desperate. “Lucas?” My voice shook. “What are you doing?”

He didn’t look at me. “This is the right choice,” he said coldly. “For the pack.”

“For the pack?” I whispered. “You said you loved me.”

His jaw tightened. “Feelings aren’t enough.”

For a heartbeat, everything went silent. Then the murmurs began.

A soft laugh came from somewhere to my left.

“Did she really think he’d choose her?” a woman whispered, not quietly enough.

“I always knew Sophia was the better match”another replied. “Arabella never had the grace for it”

My chest tightened, each breath harder than the last.

I looked at Lucas, waiting for him to laugh. To say it was a mistake. Anything.

“Lucas?” My voice trembled.

He finally met my eyes, but there was no warmth there. No apology.

“This is the right choice”he said evenly.

“Right choice?” I whispered. “You promised me”

A woman near the front scoffed. “Promises don’t make mates”

“Exactly” another chimed in. “She should’ve known her place”

Sophia stepped forward, one hand covering her mouth as if surprised, though her eyes sparkled with triumph. “Oh, Arabella” she said softly, only I could hear it. “Did you really think he would choose you over me?”

Laughter rippled through the hall.

I felt every gaze on me. Pitying, amused, judging. My stepmother’s smile was sharp with satisfaction. My father stared straight ahead, refusing to look at me at all.

“Poor thing” someone murmured.

“Embarrassing”

“She never belonged here anyway.”

I took a step back, then another, my vision blurring. My ears rang as Lucas reached for Sophia’s hand and the Elder began the bonding words.

I couldn’t watch.

I turned and ran.