Alpha's reclaimed mate

Monica Hamilton lazily fluttered her eyelids to the sound of her phone. Propping against the pillows, her glance darted around the familiar room she'd been in on more casual grounds until last night. The night swirled up in her mind. 'Mate,' her wolf purred, sending graphic details of a blissful night. Cringing inwardly. Her fingers raked through her dark brown hair to the crook of her neck down to her shoulders, only to find herself unmarked. Seth. She was with Seth last night in a way they believed was going to etch on their minds forever, yet she woke up to empty sheets, to his musky scent luring her, tempting her to lay in the heat where he laid and basked in it all morning. Her phone rang again, reminding her of where she needed to be in a few more hours. Grabbing her discarded dress left a mess on the floor, she quickly got dressed. Her eyes roamed the luxuriously furnished room with mixed feelings of disappointment, lust, and disgust. Hoping he'd answer her calls with vivid reasons why he'd chosen to abandon her in his room in the pack house after a night that had started casually until things heated up. Heaving a heavy sigh at the sound of Seth's tone, she left for the bathroom. It was the Moonsardé, a festival of transformations done before the crowning of Syzygy Pack's new Alpha and the appointment of new commanders. It was the only thought that kept her sane, mentally reminding her Seth would never desert her. As she soaked in the lathered tub, her mind sought the possible reasons he didn't mark her as his mate, yet he'd made love to her. Waiting for the eclipse to mark her on a most special occasion as the Moonsardé twitched her lips with smiles. It was the safest explanation. Leaving the comfort of his room, she hurried to the North end of the pack house where she spent most of her days, juggling between doing the laundry, cooking, and cleaning. It was where the omegas inhabited, a place she'd grown to loathe for the pain it bore. Stepping into the enormous kitchen to resume her duty, work was in progress, the frantic omegas went about their assigned chores with skilled hands, slacking was never an option. As the day went by, her anxiety grew. Seth was nowhere to be found and her calls were redirected to the tone. 'So much for last night!' Ray, her wolf huffed in silent rage. "Relax, I think he's just busy with the patrol. He's the Gamma to-be, it's only natural he's got obligations today!" She reasoned, Ray seemed to be buying it. She sauntered to the East wing of the pack, the wing known for its power, luxury, and glamor where the commanders of Syzygy Pack inhabited. She stopped by Brianna, her cousin's condo unit to admire the work done on her. Two stylists were fitting her into a midnight blue dress, her hair swept into a nice bun securely held up with hairpins. Her makeup sleek, and her skin perfect. Brianna, the only daughter of Alpha Alexander, was the only friend she had in the pack. They were inseparable until the death of her parents in a rogue attack took a heavy toll on her. Even though forced to live as an Omega, her friendship with Brianna thrived. "You look...spectacular!" Monica gaped at the final look in awe. "I know, right?" Brianna beamed, staring delightfully into the dressing mirror then to her face, "Marcus would be crowned the Alpha in a few more weeks and the Moonsardé celebration tonight, with Alphas and commanders streaming in from other packs, I can't help but look my best. Has Seth called you yet?" "Nope, he's probably busy with the warrior's patrol." Monica tried to convince herself. "Tsk!" Her cousin didn't see the need to hide her frowns. "What?" "Err, nothing. I'm just worried about you." "There's nothing to worry about. Other than you, Seth's the one pack member that treats me nicely, so it's only fair the Goddess turned my boyfriend into my fated mate. Or was destiny trying to tell us something?" Releasing an audible breath, she added, "I'll get back to the Herculean task of picking out that debris." "Sounds like you're not coming?" "I can't miss it, even the Goddess might never forgive me!" She teased. "Perfect! Don't stray off too far, I'll be needing you to pick my dresses, I've got three dresses to change into for the Moonsardé." "I've got you! I'll go get ready!" Monica wore the only dress she had, a brightly multicolored dress Seth had given her on their second date. It was a nice option although there was nothing to choose from but since it covered her scars and freshly torn skin, she was happy to wear it. Ray was not just a slow bloomer but a slow healer. She was content with that at times. If not for anything, her wolf was the only true companion she had and she had to stick with her for better or worse even though it meant feeling the pain a little longer than every other wolf. As they approached the enormous pack hall descending a flight of stairs, the now familiar musky scent hit her. She could feel his presence amongst the sea of other pack members meeting and mingling. It was almost midnight, and everyone beamed with excitement at the arrival of Alpha Alexander. The chattering ebbed instantly replaced with loud applause. His musky scent was heavenly, it wrapped around her as a blanket. Ray cried out in delight as she scanned the vast hall for him. She got a glimpse of Seth's raven head as he made his way towards them. "You look beautiful tonight!" Her smiles instantly faded when he held up Brianna's hand to his lips. "Thanks, Seth! I must say you look breathtaking in that warrior's outfit!" Brianna's cheeks tinged with pink. "Shall we?" He took Brianna's beautifully manicured hands, gracefully leading her toward the dance floor. Cheers erupted from the exhilarating crowd as they began to sway on the floor. It was a battle of wits with Ray trying to take over her head. Her grunts were a constant reminder it was her place on the dance floor, swaying in the arms of her mate. It was okay since they were royalty but the subtle snub from Seth brought a familiar sting to her heart. Her eyes glint green watching them smile into each other's faces, acting as lovers. Not just Ray was jealous but her entire being. She needed to speak with him. Privately. When the opportunity surfaced, she pulled him by the arms to the most deserted part of the hall. Ignoring the tingling sensation from their contact. "You've not been replying to any of my messages. Are you mad at me?" "Why would I be?" He shrugged negligibly. "You left without saying a word considering last night, makes me wonder if I was horrible?" Colors flooded her cheeks. "You were good but there's much to..." "I get it, the patrol. But you're my mate and you need to make out time for me. A ton of time." "You're not getting me..." He was infuriated. "I miss you, that's all I'm saying. I feel happy and content now we're together. feels like Ray wants to jump out of my skin this instance just seeing you!" "Let her!" He deadpanned. "What? Come on, don't joke that way!" She cooed l, looking around to see if anyone paid attention. Relieve washed through her as there was none. "Let her!" He repeated, this time enunciating the words. "You know that's impossible, I can't shift! Don't embarrass me!" Nudging his arm playfully with her elbow, basking in the heat it generated. "That's the issue here! I'm the Gamma to-be of Syzygy pack and a mate that fit is of great essence..." Monica muffled the rest of the words with her palm softly pressed against his lips. "Don't say that, my love, have you forgotten? You promised if we're each other's mate then you'd be patient until Ray's comfortable enough to shift. Ray might be a late bloomer but that doesn't mean she won't bloom someday." "Well, that was the safest thing to say when I thought you'd be fated to some other guy who would be patient enough to wait another decade for Ray to come out, do you know how pathetic that sounds? Do you know how pathetic you are? You can't defend yourself, let alone the pack if it were to be attacked by rogues!" "Don't insult me! Did you drink? It's way too early to be smashed out, or have this argument!" "What's up?" Brianna filed herself before them. "It's nothing, we just got into a row!'' Monica hung her head. "Have you told her yet?" Brianna raised her brows at him. "Let me handle this Bri!" He said flatly. "Better make it quick, Marcus has an announcement to make. He needs you by his side." She gave him a quick kiss on his temple. Although it was too much for one night, she let it slide with the dread of things escalating into a blazing row. "Seth, please give Ray a little more time, that's all I ask. We conquered our fears last night, don't you remember..." "The s*x? C'mon Monica, people hop into bed all the time!" He scorned amusedly. "Make it make sense, Seth." Her heart tightened. "All I'm saying is that I want a mate who fits. Not some pathetic Omega," his voice kicked up a note, drifting attention their way, "I want a beautiful mate that's perfect in every way." "You can't back paddle now, I can be everything you want me to be. We know that!" "Shift! Now. In front of everyone, do it now! That's all I want." He growled. Ray curled up the more inside, dreading his tone, the rage that blinded his vision, and his clenched jaws. "Stop! Please!" "C'mon! Defend yourself!" His hand wrapped around her throat, hurling her against the wall." "Let me go!" She whimpered. "See? You're pathetic, you can't defend yourself. I have tried to endure you this long," He quickly broke the contact. Only to grasp her throat again. This time squeezing hard. She clawed on his hand trying to ease his fingernails which dug into her flesh. All the blackness approaching her vision blurring out the rest of the pack watching with rapt interest. Desperately, she gasped for air. Seth stood above her with a scowl on his face, his eyes becoming darker than usual. Brianna placed her manicured fingers on his chest in an attempt to ease his rage. "I, Seth McMahon, son of the most respectable Gamma in the whole Syzygy Pack, find you unfit as a mate! As a future Gamma of this great pack, I must protect the borders of this territory day and night, I can't have a mate that doesn't have a f*****g wolf!" Laughter erupted from the thrilled pack members. He continued with no emotions. "I reject you, Monica Hamilton, as my fated mate and future Gamma female." She felt her wolf howl in agony. The pain cut through her heart to her entire frame. She watched him stumble in pain too. Brianna held him for support as he recovered way faster than she ever could. "I, Monica Hamilton, accept the rejection." The minutes he walked away, she gathered herself from the floor, making her way through the exit. Running without looking back.