Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Supreme Alpha

“For five whole years, I masked my noble White Wolf royal bloodline by swallowing bitter herbs, playing the part of a fragile orphan with no trace of wolf-scent about me-all to test how true my boyfriend Caleb's heart really was. But today, in the sacred Moon Temple, I walked in on him and my best friend Selena completing the permanent marking ritual right before my eyes. A temple priest, smiling warmly, approached them with a silver chalice in hand. "Congratulations, you two. You are the one hundred and forty-third couple to bind a soul contract at our sacred site this year." "Please accept the key card to our complimentary suite." That suite was an exclusive retreat reserved for fated mates to ride out their heats. As Caleb's mate, I could only stand there and watch him enjoy the privilege with another woman. Selena turned, saw me frozen in place, and cried out with wounded innocence, "Layla, it's all Caleb's fault! He said this was just some interactive game the Moon Temple was running!" Far from showing a shred of guilt, Caleb snorted, wrapped an arm around Selena's waist, and drawled, "Don't make a scene here, Layla. It's not like you even have heats." He put on that false authority of an Alpha, his voice cold. Casually, he tucked a golden suite key card into Selena's collar. "Let's see if you've got the guts tonight to come absorb the spiritual energy in that suite with me," Caleb said, taunting. Selena's cheeks flushed crimson. She bit her lower lip. "Hmph, if it raises my bloodline rank, I couldn't want it more," she murmured, melting softly into his embrace. The two of them went right on with their sweet bickering, too stingy to spare me even a single apology. I didn't scream. I didn't weep. I simply set down the bucket I was carrying, walked down the mountain path, and opened a telepathic link to my father-the most powerful Wolf King in all of North America. "Father, I accept Alpha Griffin's proposal of marriage." The poor little orphan act was over. It was time I retired it.”