Pregnant After Rejected by My Alpha Mate

Chapter 3

　　Noah's POV

　　Four months later...

　　"Alpha Noah, your father's pack attorney just called. Luna Paige is in the hospital."My Beta Oliver entered. Oliver grew up with me—he’s not just my Beta, but my closest friend.

　　My brow furrowed in irritation as Oliver still referred to Paige as Luna—a title she no longer rightfully held. I slammed the dumbbell down hard enough to c***k the floor mat. "Did I ask you to track my ex-mate?"

　　Oliver dropped his gaze in submission, his Beta instincts forcing him to submit slightly. "Forgive me, Alpha Noah. I just thought you needed to know."

　　Ryder paced restlessly as I wiped sweat from my brow.“Why was she sent to the hospital?”

　　Ryder snarled inside my mind at the mention of Paige.Ryder’s been moping ever since Paige and I severed the mating bond.

　　The next words hit like a silver bullet to the chest. "She's pregnant, Alpha Noah."

　　My jaw dropped as I faced him again. He took a step back, scared and intimidated.

　　"Repeat that." The command came from me.

　　Ryder couldn't contain his wild glee at the news—already shoving at me to go see Paige.But I still needed to confirm the news was accurate.

　　Oliver swallowed hard but stood his ground. "Luna Paige carries a pup, Alpha."

　　I gritted my teeth after he repeated those words. Pregnant? Paige is pregnant? It has only been four months since I filed a rejection and she’s already pregnant… Wait, was it mine? It’s possible!

　　Ryder's thoughts were a violent storm. “if that pup was ours, the mating bond couldn't be fully dissolved. ”

　　I knew forcing Ryder to reject Paige with me had pissed him off—but I’d be damned if I’d admit I’d made a stupid f*****g mistake.

　　I swallowed hard and looked at Oliver again."Find out if she’s meeting another werewolves as her mate already.”

　　Oliver's eyes flashed in shock,"Alpha Noah, surely you don't think-"

　　I unleashed just enough Alpha power to make his knees buckle. "Do I have to repeat myself, Oliver?"

　　“N-No, Alpha Noah. I’ll go now.”

　　I sat on the bench and squeezed my eyes closed. I swallowed hard as I remembered her gentle eyes and face. The way she smiles. The way her hair danced in the air. The way she moves her sexy body. I admit, I missed her.

　　I remember the day we met in college. Her fresh rain and wild orchid scent hit me before I even turned around to see her face.

　　“Mate.” Ryder howled before my brain could form the thought.

　　And then I saw her.

　　Paige Lopez was a beautiful she-wolf.Even in the dim light, her beauty struck me. Those luminous amber eyes glowed with an inner fire that felt warm. She moved with the graceful elegance of a willow branch swaying in the breeze, yet there was undeniable strength in that slender frame.

　　Her chestnut hair cascaded in soft waves around her shoulders. But what truly captivated me was her smile—when it came, it transformed her entirely, softening her gaze into something gentle.

　　I was satisfied with her appearance which befitting my alpha status, but she was just an ordinary wolf. She was weak, and her value lay only in giving birth to an heir who may or may not have been powerful. She should not have become my Luna, but she was an important step in accomplishing my pack's goals.

　　I knew that she’s been in love with me so I used her feelings to get her to agree to a contract marriage. We made a deal that I’ll marry her if she agrees to give me a heir. I did my part but she didn’t. She'd failed as a Luna. Failed to give me an heir. The contract was clear - a political mating to strengthen my pack, contingent on producing a successor.It's her fault why we parted ways.

　　I patiently waited for two days, giving Oliver enough time to watch over Paige.

　　“I followed her for two days straight, Alpha Noah. I didn’t see another werewolves hanging out with her.”

　　Ryder preened at the news, but my human side bristled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, I felt guilty for rejecting her—it was embarrassing for an Alpha to admit his mistakes. On the other hand, I missed her. I ached for the way moonlight tangled in Paige’s chestnut hair during full moon, how her wild orchid scent intensified when we made love.

　　I pressed my palms together after Oliver’s report. Finally, I made my decision. A slow nod as I straightened.

　　"Prepare my car." I ordered, already reaching for my jacket - the one that still carried faint traces of her scent despite months apart.

　　***

　　The bell above Paige's coffee shop door jingled as I entered. "Miss me, little wolf?" I grinned at Paige after she opened the door of her closed store. I wonder why her store is closed. This is the best coffee shop in this area, I heard.

　　Her reaction was... unexpected. Instead of the docile mate I remembered, her amber eyes glowed with feral rage.

　　"What the hell are you doing here, Noah?" Her voice roared like thunder. I was taken aback. I knew her as a calm woman. She never shouts at me. She never raises her voice, so this is the first time.

　　Ryder whined in confusion,“This wasn't our meek Paige.”

　　I clenched my jaws. Irritation overpowered me.I tossed the legal folder onto the nearest table. "You know why I'm here."

　　She didn't even glance at the documents. "I already signed your damn mating bond dissolution papers. And I accepted your rejection,left your pack territory.I didn’t ask for money. Took nothing but my dignity. What more could you possibly want from me?"

　　Her anger was overflowing. Her eyes are now reddish. Her jaws are constantly clenching. And her reaction intensified my anger. Does she think I care about money? I’ll have plenty of those if she gives me a heir.

　　The scent hit me then - subtle but unmistakable beneath her anger. Wild orchids and fresh rain, but now... now intertwined with something new, something that made Ryder howl with possessive pride.

　　Pup. My pup.

　　"You think I give a damn about money or property?" I snarled, the Alpha command lacing my words. "What I want is my Luna back where she belongs - by my side."

　　She froze. "W-What?"

　　I stepped forward, deliberately invading her space, forcing her back until the counter dug into her . "Were you ever going to tell me about my pup growing inside you?" My voice dropped to a dangerous purr. "Tell me. Is it a he?"

　　She gasped."You manipulative bastard!"

　　"Call me whatever you want, little wolf," I said, tracing the mating mark on her neck that she couldn't hide beneath her sweater. "But you'll never keep secrets from your Alpha."

　　She moved away. "You are no longer my Alpha. Don't you dare touch me!"

　　I tucked my hands in my pockets before I did something stupid like pin her against the wall. "Tell me the gender of our pup."

　　Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Why should you care?"

　　Her fist punched with my chest twice before she wiped angrily at her face. " How dare you meddle with my life?You rejected me, Noah!"

　　I caught her wrist, inhaling deeply,beneath the anger, her scent had changed.

　　"The rejection isn't final," I murmured, "And it won't be.I haven’t formally announced the end of our bond to the pack yet. Legally, you’re still my Luna."

　　I smirked and shook my head. “Sweetheart,the mating bond dissolution is still in process. The elder council hasn’t approved it yet. And honestly? I might just cancel it.”

　　"I hate you!You're a monster, Noah."

　　I chuckled darkly. "Not the words you used to whisper in my ear, sweetheart."

　　Her entire body trembled, her chest heaving with ragged breaths. She’s so angry. I can feel her rage. I swallowed hard. I felt my heart twitch but I ignored it. She needs me and I need her too. I need her to give me a heir.

　　She pointed to the door. "Get. Out."

　　I firmly shook my head. “I will leave only if you agree to get back with me.”

　　"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?" She shouted at my face. "You cast me aside and now you want me back? Yes! I was a fool but I’ll never be fooled twice. Not by you."

　　The slap landed hard enough.I grabbed her shoulders before she could strike again. "You can run, Paige," I growled, "but you'll never escape from me."

　　She laughed bitterly. "Why don't you go knock up your precious actress? The whole pack knows you're f*****g her.So why are you wasting your time with me?"

　　My voice dropping to a guttural growl. "Don’t tell me what to do. Don’t you dare, Paige. Watch your f*****g tongue, mate."

　　"I'm not your mate anymore!" She shoved me back with surprising strength. "I can live without you.I'll raise this pup alone and he will never recognize you as his father. And you?You'll die regretting how you treated me."

　　The door slammed behind her. Ryder howled in protest, but for the first time in my life, I wondered if I'd made an unforgivable mistake.