REJECTED YET CHOSEN

Chapter 24

_Dorian's POV_

I sighed as I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. The weight of the day pressed on me, but I couldn’t afford to rest yet. Camilla had been pressing me about our wedding, and I knew I had to deal with her before she threw another tantrum.

She wanted to marry as soon as possible, but I needed time. My wedding couldn’t be rushed. It had to be grand—an event that every Alpha would remember. A show of my strength and power. Nothing less would do.

As if on cue, the doors to my office swung open, and Camilla stepped in, her sharp heels clicking against the wooden floor. Her blonde hair was styled perfectly, her dress hugging her curves in a way that I found enticing.

“Dorian,” she said with a pout and crossed her arms. “We need to talk.”

I sighed. “I am listening.”

She stepped closer and sat on the edge of my desk. “Why are we delaying the wedding? We should be married by now.”

I chuckled, reaching out to trace a finger down her arm. “Impatient, aren’t we?”

She huffed. “Of course, I am! I want to be your Luna. The sooner we marry, the better.”

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “Camilla, we can’t just throw a simple ceremony together. My wedding has to be the event of the year. Every Alpha, every Luna—they all need to see the greatness of our union. We will have a grand affair, something no one will ever forget.”

Her eyes lit up. “How grand?”

I smirked, leaning back. “Massive. We will have a ballroom filled with golden chandeliers, tables covered in the finest silks. Hundreds of guests will attend. We will feast like kings and queens, and the whole pack will celebrate for days.”

Camilla’s expression softened. “That does sound amazing.”

I reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Patience, my dear. I promise it will be worth the wait.”

She sighed but nodded. “Fine. But we start the preparations immediately.”

I chuckled, pulling her onto my lap. “You’re so demanding.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck. “You love it.”

I smirked. “Maybe I do.”

We talked about wedding details for a while longer—flowers, music, the seating arrangements. Camilla was particular about everything, but I let her have her way. If this was what she needed to be satisfied, then so be it.

After she left, I spent the next few hours handling pack affairs. My Beta, Marcus, gave reports on border security, and I met with the warriors to discuss upcoming training schedules. It was late when I finally decided to retire for the night.

As I walked toward my chambers, I passed by Camilla’s room. I wasn’t going to stop, but then I heard her voice. She was speaking in a hushed but urgent tone.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I will do everything to get married to him as soon as possible so that I can become the Luna and rule over this pack.”

I frowned, my body tensing. I stepped closer, careful not to make a sound. Slowly, I lowered my gaze to the keyhole and peered inside. The light was on, casting a warm glow across the room. Camilla sat on the edge of her bed. She held her phone to her ear, her expression serious and determined.

My heart pounded in my chest. She was speaking to someone on the phone.

“As soon as that happens, you need to keep your promise and help me get rid of Dorian. I can’t stand him. He is such a pain in the ass.”

The air left my lungs.

For a moment, I stood frozen. My mind refused to process what I had just heard. Camilla—my chosen mate, the woman who had been so eager to marry me—wanted me dead?

She wanted to get rid of me.

She was using me.

I clenched my fists, rage boiling inside me. I had trusted her. I had thought she was the right choice for Luna. But all along, she had been planning my downfall.

I wanted to burst into the room, grab her by the throat, and demand answers. I wanted to slap that smug look off her face. But I forced myself to stay still. I needed to know who she was talking to. Who was helping her? Was it another Alpha? A rival pack?

I had no known enemies.

So who was it?

Carefully, I placed my ear against the door, straining to hear more. But the voice was too muffled. Whoever it was, they were being careful. I moved lower, trying to get a better angle.

“…must be patient,” the voice finally said. “Dorian is not a fool.”

That was all I could catch before Camilla lowered her voice again.

I stepped back, my heart pounding. This was betrayal of the highest order. She had played her part well, convincing me she was worthy of being my Luna. But now I saw her true colors.

I took a slow, steady breath, forcing the rage down. I had to be smart about this. If I exposed her now, she might run. Or worse, whoever she was working with might slip through my fingers.

I turned on my heel and walked away, my mind racing.

Camilla thought that she could betray me?

She was wrong.

I would play along. I would let her believe I was still the fool she thought I was. But when the time came, she would pay for this betrayal.

No one deceived me and got away with it.

Not even my future Luna.