Rejected by Her Mate, Claimed by Four Alphas

Clara’s POV Two days. Just two days until I would finally become Luna of the Shadowcrest Pack. I sat at the grand oak table in the dining hall, my wedding planner sitting before me as we finalized the arrangements for the wedding. The soft afternoon light spilled through the tall windows, casting a golden glow on the detailed lists and schedules I'd spent months perfecting. "The flowers will arrive at dawn," said Elsa, the pack's event coordinator. "White lilies and blood roses, just as you requested." I nodded, my finger tracing over the timeline. "And the ceremonial chalice? Has it been cleaned?" "Polished until it shines like the moon itself," Elsa confirmed with a smile. A flutter of excitement danced in my chest. After years of preparation, of molding myself into the perfect Luna, of tamping down my warrior instincts to become the gentle support Jaden needed, the day was finally approaching. The dining hall doors swung open. The room fell silent. Every wolf present rose to their feet, heads bowed in respect. But not me. My lips curved into a warm smile as I watched Jaden stride toward me. Tall, confident, with that familiar glint in his hazel eyes that had captured my heart years ago. "Alpha," the others murmured. I moved around the table and wrapped my arms around his neck, breathing in his pine and earth scent. "You're early," I whispered against his ear. Jaden's hands settled on my waist, but something felt off. His touch was light, almost hesitant. His usual warmth seemed dampened. "I need to speak with you," he said, his voice low enough for only me to hear. "It's urgent." A cold sliver of unease crept up my spine. "Now? We're finalizing the—" "Now." The word wasn't harsh, but it left no room for argument. With a quick nod to Elsa to continue without me, I followed Jaden out of the dining hall. We walked in silence, through the pack house and into the gardens beyond, stopping only when we reached the old oak tree where he had first asked me to be his mate. Jaden turned to face me, his eyes darkening as they roamed over my body. He stepped closer, backing me against the rough bark of the oak tree. "You look beautiful today," he said, his voice dropping to that husky tone that always made my knees weak. His hands slid around my waist, his fingertips pressing into my skin through the thin fabric of my blouse. I felt the heat of his palms as they slowly trailed upward along my sides, his thumbs brushing the undersides of my breasts with deliberate care. A shiver ran through me at his touch, my body responding despite the unease still lingering in my mind. Before I could question him, he pulled me against him, eliminating any space between us. His lips found mine in a heated kiss that stole my breath. I melted into him, my fingers threading through his soft blonde hair as his tongue slipped past my lips, tasting me with urgent need. His hands continued their journey, now tracing down my back, following the curve of my spine until they reached the hem of my blouse. With ease, his warm palms slid beneath the fabric, his calloused fingers skimming over my bare skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. One hand moved higher, tracing my ribs before cupping my breast over my bra, while the other gripped my hip firmly, keeping me pressed against him. I could feel his hardness against my stomach, his desire unmistakable. "Jaden," I gasped when he finally broke the kiss to trail hot, wet kisses down my neck. "What is this about?" Instead of answering, he nipped at the sensitive spot below my ear, his teeth grazing my skin before his tongue soothed the slight sting. His thumb found my n****e through the thin fabric of my bra, circling it before brushing over the hardened peak, sending sparks of pleasure through my body. "I've been thinking," he murmured against my skin, his breath hot and teasing on my neck. His touch became more insistent as his fingers slipped beneath my bra, skin against skin now. He cupped my bare breast, weighing it in his palm before his fingers skillfully worked my n****e, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger. His other hand slid to the small of my back, pressing me harder against his arousal. My body responded traitorously, heat pooling between my thighs despite the warning bells ringing in my head. "About?" I managed to ask, my voice breathless as he sucked at the pulse point on my neck, marking me as his. "About us. About the wedding." His fingers traced maddening circles around my n****e before giving it a gentle pinch that made me arch into him, a soft moan escaping my lips. He wedged his thigh between my legs, the pressure exactly where I needed it. I bit my lip to stifle another moan as he rocked against me, creating delicious friction. His hands continued their sensual assault, one teasing my breast while the other slipped from my back to the buttons of my blouse, deftly undoing them one by one until he could push the fabric aside and press his lips to the swell of my breasts above my bra. Something in his tone cut through the haze of desire. A lump formed in my throat. "What about it?" He pulled back slightly, his eyes avoiding mine even as his hands continued their seductive assault on my senses. "I think we should move the date." The words hit me like a physical blow. Air rushed from my lungs, leaving my chest tight and aching. I pushed him away with both hands, shoving hard against his chest. The spell of desire shattered instantly. My fingers fumbled with the buttons of my blouse, hastily closing them as my cheeks burned with humiliation. "Move it?" I echoed, my voice barely a whisper. "Again?" His hands reached for me, but I stepped back, putting distance between us. The heat that had pooled low in my belly turned to ice. "Baby, come on," he coaxed, trying to pull me back into his arms. "It's not the right time. There's tension with the northern packs. Security concerns." I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, suddenly disgusted by the taste of him. The marks he'd left on my skin, which moments ago had been badges of passion, now felt like brands of betrayal. "That's what you said three months ago," I spat out, straightening my clothes. "And before that, it was diplomatic issues with the eastern territories." "This is different." "How?" Heat rose to my cheeks, my carefully controlled emotions threatening to spill over. "How is this any different from the last two times, Jaden?" He finally looked at me, his expression unreadable. "Clara, you know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important." My warrior instincts, the ones I'd worked so hard to suppress, surged forward. "Then tell me what's really going on. Because I don't believe this is about security." Silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. "I can't," he finally said. My hands trembled. Three years of preparation. Three years of molding myself into someone else. Three years of waiting. "You can't, or you won't?" I challenged. Jaden's jaw tightened. "Don't do this." "Do what? Ask for honesty from my future mate? From the man who's asked me to postpone our wedding for the third time?" He dropped to one knee before me, taking my hand in his. The gesture that once would have melted my resolve now only fueled my anger. "I promise, Clara," he said, his voice soft. "This will be the last time. After this, nothing will stop us from becoming mates." I wanted to believe him. The desperate part of me that had invested everything into becoming his Luna wanted to nod and accept his words. But my wolf, usually so quiet when I suppressed her, suddenly snarled to life inside me. “He never takes you seriously,” she growled, her voice sharp in my mind. “How many times will you fall for this? You've become the lordess of the ring, pining and waiting for a wedding that will never happen.” I wanted to silence her, but the truth’s in her words stung too deeply to ignore. I pulled my hand from his grasp. "You've made promises before." Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked back toward the pack house, each step burning with the effort not to run. Behind me, I heard him call my name, but I didn't stop.