Rejected by my mate, Claimed by Alpha Ryder

CHAPTER 4

~ Ryder’s POV ~

I’d be lying if I claimed yesterday wasn’t still weighing on my mind during the mating ritual. The painful scene of Julius rejecting Doris kept replaying over and over in my head.

Part of me had felt a strange sense of satisfaction and relief. She had been out of his reach now, and for reasons I couldn’t explain, that made my chest tighten in a bizarre kind of happiness.

But there was also guilt. The rejection had been brutal, and I had seen how badly it hurt Doris.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I said, straightening up.

The door swung open. Julius and Blade walked in—my closest friends since childhood.

“Don’t tell me you’re not going to the ceremony today,” Julius teased, leaning against the doorframe with his signature smirk.

Blade chuckled, giving me a light punch on the shoulder before sliding into the chair opposite my desk, a calm in contrast to Julius’s energy.

“Obviously, I’m going to the claiming ceremony,” I replied evenly, my voice steady.

Julius raised an eyebrow. “But come to think of it, Alpha Ryder,” he emphasized the title with a mock bow, "you don’t even have a fated mate, let alone a girlfriend. How exactly are you going to choose a Luna today? The elders made it clear. It's compulsory. You can't rule this pack without a Luna. You know the law."

Blade leaned back, smirk tugging at his lips. "Unless he's finally going to pick Clara."

Julius’s eyes widened in mock horror. "Clara? Seriously? The girl who has rejected every single male who ever tried to court her? Yeah, she’s probably been waiting for you this entire time. Classic."

Blade laughed quietly. “It’s going to be a hell of a show. Clara Anthony doesn’t even know what’s coming.”

I rolled my eyes and stepped closer, catching Julius by the shoulder and giving him a playful shove.

“Who says I don’t have a Luna in mind, huh?” I said, letting the challenge hang in the air. “And who says it’s going to be Clara Anthony? You’ll see. It’s going to be a surprise for both of you.”

They laughed, but I held my ground, smiling faintly. "Now, get out of my room."

No way," Julius protested, flopping onto the edge of my bed with dramatic flair. "We're not leaving until you spill. Come on, Ryder, just tell us who she is. We’re your Beta and Gamma. We have a right to know first."

Blade crossed his arms, grinning faintly. “Yeah. We’re your left and right hands, Alpha. Transparency is part of the job.”

I shook my head, laughing softly. “No. Not until the ceremony because I want it to be a surprise for everyone.”

Julius groaned dramatically. “You’re impossible.”

Blade simply shook his head, smiling faintly, as if he had expected nothing less.

I brushed past them toward the door. “Consider this your only warning…leave my room, or I’ll drag you both out myself.”

They exchanged a look, amused but exasperated, and slowly heading out. Julius threw a teasing wink over his shoulder, and Blade gave a quiet nod of respect.

The door clicked shut behind them.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Today, at the ceremony and I would finally claim her.

A few hours later, the claiming ceremony began.

By the time I stepped onto the grounds, everyone was already assembled and seated. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, but as I walked forward, murmurs died down.

All eyes fell on me.

I paused, letting the weight of the moment settle, then raised my voice.

“Today, I will be choosing my Luna, following the rules of our pack,” I announced.

The crowd erupted in cheers. I raised a hand, calling for order, and continued.

"But first, we will honor those who have already found their fated matches. If you have found your mate, come forward now so the elders and I may bless your bond before I select my own Luna."

Immediately, pairs stepped forward.

Julius took his mate Veronica by the hand, leading her confidently.

Together, they stood before the elders and me, their union blessed and bound by tradition. Their proud smiles spoke of the ceremony’s promise reserved only for the worthy.

And then my focus shifted.

I scanned the crowd, searching for the quiet girl who had completely captured my attention. Finally, my eyes found her.

Doris.

She stood at the very edge of the clearing, almost invisible, quietly observing everything.

The moment our eyes met, she quickly looked away, hands tightening at her sides.

No one dared meet my gaze.

“I, Alpha Ryder Stone, take Doris Charles as my Luna and chosen mate of the Moon Park Pack,” I declared.

Absolute silence fell over the grounds. Every whisper, every movement froze as the crowd processed what had just been announced.

I walked toward her, ignoring the murmurs and whispers. Doris’s eyes widened, and instinctively she covered her ears, shaking her head as if she’d misunderstood.

She even stepped back, ready to flee.

I stopped right in front of her, my gaze never leaving hers.

“There’s no running from this,” I said softly, but firmly.

I held out my hands. She hesitated, pulling back, but I stepped closer and gently took her hands in mine.

Her fingers trembled as she walked beside me toward the center of the ceremony.

Then I noticed she was barefoot, her feet cold against the ground, exposed.

I lifted her into my arms without a second thought. She stiffened, startled, but I held her tightly against my chest, steadying her as I carried her straight to the center.

Once we reached the center, I set her gently on the floor. She pressed herself against my chest, as if trying to hide from the world.

I noticed just how scared she really was, and my gaze softened. She had never felt protection like this before.

I lifted my head, letting all eyes fall on us. “As promised, I present to you the Luna of Moon Park.”

The grounds fell silent and all eyes were on us. She pressed closer, hiding against my chest, every inch of her body tight with tension.

Then I raised my hand, signaling the end.

“The ceremony is concluded, everyone may now celebrate with their mates—visit your mate’s family or any place you wish to honor your bond.”

I walked with the elders, Doris remained quiet at my side, leaning lightly against me. She barely moved, simply letting me lead her where we needed to go.

That’s when her family came into view. I led Doris toward them, ensuring she remained safe under my watch.

I could feel her fear, even without a word, and it was her family that frightened her most.

This was only the beginning, from now on, my Luna would never face fear without my protection.