Cast Aside by her Mate… Now She’s the Alpha’s Only Hope
Part 2
Drumming a frantic rhythm against my ribs, my pulse threatens to deafen me.
My trembling fingers grip the frayed edge of the thick blanket.
Desperate to hide my exposed skin, I pull the heavy fabric tightly around my bare shoulders.
Craig saw me.
He saw the daughter of the man who helped destroy his life.
He saw the woman whose family poisoned him.
He saw me in his bed, vulnerable and exposed.
And he left.
He went straight to his fiancee.
Tumbling out of the massive four-poster bed, my knees strike the hard floor.
I blindly yank my discarded shirt over my head with violently trembling fingers.
The walls of the bedroom seem to close in on me, making every ragged gasp feel like swallowing glass.
My instincts scream at me to shift into my wolf form and flee into the safety of the trees.
Facing the pure disgust in his newly healed eyes would completely break my spirit.
Witnessing him hold another woman with love would shatter my heart into a million pieces.
Ignoring Brenda’s frantic calls for me to stop, I rush past her and sprint down the grand spiral staircase.
The loud slap of my boots against the polished marble floor echoes my racing heartbeat.
Throwing open the heavy oak doors with all my remaining strength, I finally escape into the bright morning sun.
The crisp autumn air bites at my flushed cheeks.
I hear loud voices coming from the main iron gates.
I creep closer to the towering stone wall.
I hide behind a large marble pillar.
I peer through the wrought-iron bars.
Craig stands tall and commanding in the courtyard.
His broad shoulders block the sunlight.
His storm-gray eyes are sharp and focused.
He can see everything perfectly.
A beautiful woman with sleek black hair stands rigidly in front of him.
Her knuckles turn stark white as she crosses her arms tightly over her chest.
Her jaw clenches so hard that a muscle jumps beneath her pale skin.
Wait.
I blink hard.
That is not a fiancee.
That is my older sister, Heather.
Her pregnant belly protrudes beneath her loose knit sweater.
Heather points a shaking finger directly at Craig’s chest.
“Where is she?”
Heather screams at the top of her lungs.
Her voice echoes across the entire estate.
“What the hell have you done to my sister?”
Frozen in shock, Craig stares at her in complete silence.
Turning his head slowly, he sweeps his intense gaze across the sprawling courtyard.
His eyes flick past the armed guards before locking directly onto mine.
He recognizes me.
The air rushes completely out of my lungs.
My wolf whines in both terror and longing.
Will he hand me over to my angry sister?
Will he punish me for deceiving him all this time?
Or will he finally claim me as his true mate?
Part 3
Craig takes a heavy step toward the marble pillar.
He ignores the pregnant woman screaming at his back.
His boots strike the cobblestone courtyard.
Each footstep echoes like a drumbeat in Megan’s ears.
Pressing her spine against the cold stone, Megan digs her fingers into the rough surface of the pillar.
A desperate urge to shift into her wolf form and run wars with the trembling in her knees.
Closing the distance between them in seconds, Craig stops mere inches from her face.
His massive frame completely blocks out the morning sun.
He reaches out with a large, calloused hand.
His knuckles brush against her cheek.
Megan releases a shaky breath.
She leans into his warm palm.
He traces the line of her jaw.
His storm-gray eyes search her face.
He maps every feature with absolute reverence.
“You,” Craig whispers.
His voice cracks with raw emotion.
He inhales deeply.
His chest expands against his dark shirt.
“Your scent.”
“It is the exact same.”
Megan nods.
Tears burn the corners of her eyes.
She blinks them away.
Heather marches across the courtyard.
Her boots stomp on the stones.
“Excuse me!”
Heather grabs Craig’s shoulder.
She tries to spin him around.
Craig does not budge.
He keeps his eyes locked on Megan.
Heather huffs in frustration.
She steps around his massive body.
She stops dead in her tracks.
Her jaw drops.
Her eyes widen in shock.
“Megan?”
Heather staggers backward.
She places a protective hand over her pregnant belly.
“You are here?”
“You are human?”
Megan steps out from behind the pillar.
She wraps her arms around her own torso.
“I am here, Heather.”
Heather looks from Megan to Craig.
Confusion twists her features.
“I thought he locked you in a dungeon.”
“I thought he was torturing you in retaliation for our pack’s attack.”
Craig finally breaks his gaze from Megan.
He turns his head toward Heather.
He drops his hand to his side.
“I would never harm my mate.”
Silence falls over the entire courtyard.
The guards by the gate shift on their feet.
Heather gapes at the Alpha.
“Mate?”
Heather points a finger at Megan.
“She is your mate?”
Craig reaches for Megan’s hand.
He intertwines his thick fingers with hers.
He pulls her gently against his side.
His body heat radiates through her thin shirt.
“Yes.”
“She is my mate.”
Heather lets out a breathless laugh.
She presses her hands against her face.
Her shoulders shake.
Megan steps forward.
She pulls her hand from Craig’s grip.
She throws her arms around her older sister.
Heather hugs her back tightly.
“I was so worried about you.”
“You did not call.”
“You did not return to the territory.”
“Dad thought the peace treaty was broken.”
Megan buries her face in Heather’s shoulder.
“I am sorry.”
“I got stuck in my wolf form.”
“I could not shift back.”
Heather pulls away.
She examines Megan’s face.
“Stuck?”
“Because of Tyler?”
Megan flinches at the name.
Her stomach twists into a tight knot.
Craig growls low in his chest.
The sound vibrates through the courtyard.
He steps closer to Megan.
He wraps an arm around her waist.
He pulls her back against his solid chest.
“Do not speak his name.”
Craig glares at Heather.
“That man destroyed enough lives.”
Heather nods in agreement.
She rubs her swollen belly.
“He is gone now.”
“But his ghost still haunts her.”
Craig looks down at Megan.
He tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.
“Not anymore.”
“I will protect her.”
Megan closes her eyes.
She leans her head against his chest.
His steady heartbeat thumps against her ear.
It is the most comforting sound in the world.
Brian pushes through the heavy oak doors.
The second-in-command scans the courtyard.
He stops when he sees the small group.
“Alpha.”
Brian approaches them cautiously.
He looks at Megan with wide eyes.
“You can see.”
Craig nods.
He does not let go of Megan.
“I can see.”
“And we have guests.”
Craig gestures to Heather.
“Prepare a guest room for the Alpha’s daughter.”
“And fetch some food.”
“My mate is hungry.”
Brian bows his head.
He hurries back inside the manor.
Craig guides Megan toward the entrance.
Heather follows close behind.
They step into the grand foyer.
The crystal chandelier glimmers in the sunlight.
Megan looks up at the towering ceiling.
She spent weeks in this house as a wolf.
She navigated these halls in complete darkness.
Now, the world is bright and vibrant.
Craig leads them into his private study.
He closes the heavy double doors.
He guides Megan to a leather sofa.
He sits beside her.
He keeps his arm wrapped tightly around her waist.
Heather lowers herself into an armchair.
She sighs in relief.
She props her swollen feet on an ottoman.
“And care to explain why your housekeeper announced me as your fiancee?” Heather asks, raising a dark eyebrow.
Craig groans, realizing Brenda must have seen her from a distance and jumped to conclusions.
“Never mind that,” Heather sighs, folding her hands over her stomach.
“Care to explain how the blind Alpha suddenly regained his sight?”
Craig looks at Megan.
His gray eyes soften.
“She healed me.”
Megan looks down at her hands.
She picks at a loose thread on her jeans.
“I snuck into your room every night.”
“I shifted back into my human form while you slept.”
“I used my magic to repair your optical nerves.”
Craig reaches out.
He captures her restless hands in his.
He rubs his thumb over her knuckles.
“Why did you hide?”
“Why did you stay in your wolf form during the day?”
Megan swallows hard.
She meets his gaze.
“I was terrified.”
“You hate my pack.”
“You hate my family for what we did to your people.”
“I thought you would kill me if you found out who I was.”
Craig shakes his head.
He cups her face with both hands.
He forces her to look directly into his eyes.
“I could never hate you.”
“You stayed by my side.”
“You guided me through the darkness.”
“You gave me my life back.”
Megan’s bottom lip quivers.
A single tear escapes her eye.
It trails down her cheek.
Craig catches the tear with his thumb.
He wipes it away.
“I knew you were my mate from the first moment I touched your fur.”
Megan searches his face for any sign of deception.
She finds only pure honesty.
Her chest expands with a deep breath.
She places her hands flat against his chest.
She feels the steady rhythm of his heart.
Craig leans in closer.
His breath ghosts over her lips.
He smells like pine and rain.
The mating bond clicks into place inside her chest.
It feels like a heavy padlock snapping shut.
She closes her eyes.
Craig presses his mouth against hers.
His lips are soft and warm.
He kisses her with absolute reverence.
He moves his mouth over hers in a slow rhythm.
Megan parts her lips.
She welcomes his taste.
She tastes like mint and morning dew.
He slides his hand to the back of her neck.
He tangles his thick fingers in her blonde hair.
He holds her head in place.
He deepens the kiss.
Megan grips the fabric of his shirt.
She pulls him closer.
She wants to merge their bodies into one.
A polite cough interrupts them.
Craig pulls back.
He rests his forehead against hers.
He releases a heavy sigh.
Heather smirks from the armchair.
She taps her fingers against her pregnant belly.
“I am still in the room.”
Craig chuckles.
The sound vibrates against Megan’s chest.
He presses a final kiss to her nose.
He turns back to Heather.
“You can stay as long as you like.”
“My home is open to my mate’s family.”
Heather smiles.
She shifts her weight in the chair.
“I think I will stay until the baby comes.”
“My husband is driving me crazy with his hovering.”
Megan laughs.
She leans her head against Craig’s shoulder.
He wraps his arm around her.
He holds her tight.
The next few weeks blur together in a haze of domestic peace.
Megan moves her belongings into Craig’s bedroom.
She fills his closet with her clothes.
She places her medical books on his shelves.
She sets her toothbrush next to his on the bathroom counter.
Craig watches her every move with a soft smile.
He memorizes the curve of her waist.
He traces the delicate line of her collarbone.
He never pushes for more physical intimacy.
He lets her set the pace.
He understands the deep scars Tyler left on her soul.
Tyler used magic to manipulate her emotions.
He twisted her love into a weapon.
He made her believe she was worthless without him.
Those invisible wounds do not heal overnight.
Some nights, the nightmares return.
Megan wakes up screaming.
She thrashes against the bedsheets.
She fights invisible demons in the dark.
Craig pulls her into his arms.
He holds her thrashing limbs.
He whispers soothing words into her ear.
He rocks her back and forth until the panic subsides.
He stays awake to watch over her.
Other times, the fear strikes during the day.
Craig presses a kiss to her neck in the kitchen.
His warm breath hits her skin.
A flash of Tyler’s cruel sneer fills her mind.
Panic floods her veins.
She shifts into her wolf form in a split second.
She cowers under the wooden dining table.
She whines in pure terror.
Craig does not get angry.
He does not shout.
He drops to his hands and knees.
He crawls under the table.
He shifts into his massive black wolf form.
He curls his large body around her smaller frame.
He rests his heavy head across her paws.
He stays there until she stops shaking.
He stays there until she feels safe enough to shift back.
To help her heal, they spend hours in the forest.
They run together under the canopy of ancient trees.
They dodge fallen logs and jump over babbling brooks.
They chase each other through the thick underbrush.
Craig always lets her win.
He bounds after her with playful nips at her tail.
He rolls her in the soft moss.
He covers her muzzle with affectionate licks.
The fresh air clears her mind.
The physical exertion drains her anxiety.
She learns to trust her own instincts again.
She learns to trust him.
One evening, they return from a long run.
The sun dips below the horizon.
The sky bleeds in shades of orange and purple.
They shift back into their human forms behind the manor.
Megan stands completely bare in the cool air.
She does not rush to cover herself.
She looks at Craig.
He stands a few feet away.
His muscular body is covered in sweat and dirt.
He watches her with hungry eyes.
He steps closer.
He reaches out and traces her jawline.
Megan leans into his touch.
She feels a spark of pure desire ignite in her belly.
It is not coerced by magic.
It is not twisted by manipulation.
It is entirely her own.
She reaches up and cups his face.
She pulls him down for a kiss.
He groans into her mouth.
He wraps his arms around her waist.
He lifts her off the ground.
Megan wraps her legs around his waist.
She buries her hands in his thick hair.
He carries her through the back door.
He marches up the stairs to their bedroom.
He kicks the door shut with his heel.
He carries her to the bed.
He lays her down on the soft mattress.
He follows her down.
He hovers over her.
He braces his weight on his forearms.
He looks into her eyes.
He searches for any sign of hesitation.
“Are you sure?”
His voice is thick with restraint.
His muscles tremble with the effort of holding back.
Megan nods.
She trails her fingers down his chest.
She traces the hard ridges of his abdominal muscles.
“I am sure.”
Megan pulls his head down.
She captures his lips in a fierce kiss.
He yields to her demand.
He covers her body with his.
His rough skin slides against hers.
He trails kisses down her neck.
He bites gently at her collarbone.
Megan arches her back.
She gasps at the sudden spike of pleasure.
She runs her hands over his broad shoulders.
She maps the heavy muscles of his back.
She pulls him closer.
She needs to feel his weight against her.
Craig moves slowly.
He pays attention to every shift in her breathing.
He watches her facial expressions.
He ensures she is completely comfortable.
He worships every inch of her skin.
He traces the curve of her hip with his thumb.
He presses soft kisses against her stomach.
Megan twists her fingers in the bedsheets.
She lets out a soft moan.
The sound shatters his remaining control.
He positions himself over her.
He meets her gaze.
His gray eyes burn with pure adoration.
He claims her as his mate.
He moves inside her with agonizing slowness.
Megan cries out at the fullness.
She wraps her arms around his neck.
She holds onto him tightly.
He sets a steady rhythm.
The bedframes creaks against the wall.
The sound echoes in the quiet room.
Megan matches his pace.
She moves her hips against him.
She loses herself in the sensation.
Tyler’s memory fades completely from her mind.
There is only Craig.
There is only this profound connection between them.
The pleasure builds like a rising tide.
It crashes over her in a wave of pure ecstasy.
She screams his name.
Her body shakes with the force of her climax.
Craig follows seconds later.
He buries his face in her neck.
He groans loudly into her skin.
He collapses against her.
He rolls to the side.
He pulls her firmly against his chest.
He wraps the thick blanket over their bare bodies.
He kisses the top of her head.
“You are mine.”
His voice is a low, possessive rumble.
Megan smiles against his skin.
“And you are mine.”
They fall asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.
The next morning, chaos erupts in the manor.
A loud crash echoes from the downstairs hallway.
Bolting upright in bed, Megan frantically scrambles for her discarded shirt.
Throwing the thin fabric over her head, she races blindly out of the bedroom.
Pulling on a pair of sweatpants, Craig follows closely behind his mate.
They rush down the grand staircase.
Heather leans heavily against the foyer wall.
A shattered ceramic vase lies in pieces at her feet.
She clutches her swollen belly with both hands.
Her face is pale and covered in sweat.
She pants in short, rapid breaths.
“The baby.”
Heather groans through clenched teeth.
“The baby is coming.”
Megan shifts into healer mode instantly.
She runs to her sister’s side.
She wraps an arm around Heather’s waist.
She supports her heavy weight.
“Craig.”
Megan points toward the sitting room.
“Carry her to the sofa.”
Craig nods.
He scoops Heather into his arms.
He carries her with ease.
He places her gently on the long leather sofa.
He grabs a pile of pillows.
He tucks them behind Heather’s back.
“Brenda!”
Craig shouts for the housekeeper.
Brenda rushes into the room.
She wipes her hands on her apron.
“Boil water.”
Megan issues rapid commands.
“Bring me clean towels.”
“Bring me my medical bag from the upstairs bedroom.”
Brenda nods frantically.
She scurries toward the kitchen.
Megan kneels beside the sofa.
She grabs Heather’s hand.
She checks her sister’s pulse.
It is racing.
“Okay, Heather.”
“Take deep breaths.”
“In through your nose.”
“Out through your mouth.”
Heather squeezes Megan’s hand.
Her grip is strong enough to break bone.
She lets out a loud scream.
Her back arches off the cushions.
“It hurts!”
Megan rubs her shoulder.
“I know.”
“You are doing great.”
Brenda returns with a stack of fresh towels.
She drops the heavy medical bag on the floor.
Megan unzips the bag.
She pulls out a stethoscope and sterile gloves.
She presses the stethoscope to Heather’s belly.
She listens to the rapid heartbeat of the baby.
The sound is strong and steady.
“The baby is fine.”
Megan snaps the sterile gloves onto her hands.
“But we need to get ready.”
Craig paces back and forth across the room.
He runs a hand through his messy hair.
He looks completely out of his element.
“Should I call for the pack doctor?”
Megan shakes her head.
“There is no time.”
“The baby is coming right now.”
Heather lets out another blood-curdling scream.
She bears down.
Megan positions herself at the end of the sofa.
She places a clean towel under Heather.
“Push, Heather.”
“Push on the next contraction.”
Heather grates her teeth.
She pushes with all her might.
Her face turns dark red.
Sweat drips into her eyes.
“I see the head.”
Megan encourages her.
“One more big push.”
Heather screams again.
She grips the edge of the sofa cushions.
She gives one final, massive push.
A sharp cry fills the room.
Megan catches the slippery newborn in her hands.
She clears the baby’s airways with a small bulb syringe.
The baby lets out a loud, healthy wail.
Megan smiles brightly.
Tears stream down her face.
“It is a girl.”
She wraps the infant in a warm towel.
She places the baby on Heather’s chest.
Heather bursts into tears.
She cradles the tiny bundle against her heart.
She kisses the top of the baby’s head.
“She is beautiful.”
Craig stops pacing.
He steps closer to the sofa.
He looks down at the newborn.
His rough features soften completely.
A gentle smile spreads across his face.
Megan watches him.
Her heart swells with an overwhelming emotion.
She pictures Craig holding their own child.
She imagines a little boy with his storm-gray eyes.
She imagines a little girl with his dark hair.
A deep longing settles in her gut.
She wants to build a family with him.
She wants to create a new life in this pack.
She wants to replace the pain of the past with the joy of the future.
She strips off the bloody gloves.
She washes her hands in a basin of warm water.
She dries them on a clean towel.
She walks over to Craig.
She slips her hand into his.
He intertwines his fingers with hers.
He brings her knuckles to his lips.
He presses a soft kiss to her skin.
“You did amazing.”
His voice is filled with awe.
Megan leans her head against his shoulder.
“I want one.”
The words slip out before she can stop them.
Craig freezes.
He slowly turns his head to look at her.
His gray eyes widen in surprise.
“You do?”
Megan nods.
She places a hand flat over her stomach.
“I want a baby.”
“I want your baby.”
Craig lets out a breathy laugh.
He wraps both arms around her waist.
He lifts her off her feet.
He spins her around the sitting room.
Megan laughs loudly.
She holds onto his broad shoulders.
He sets her back down on the floor.
He cups her face in his large hands.
“I want a dozen babies with you.”
He kisses her deeply.
He pours all his love and devotion into the kiss.
They leave Heather to rest with her newborn daughter.
They retreat to their upstairs bedroom.
Craig locks the heavy wooden door behind them.
He pulls Megan toward the large bed.
He strips off his clothes with hurried movements.
He helps Megan out of her shirt.
They fall onto the mattress in a tangle of limbs.
Their lovemaking is fierce and passionate.
It is driven by the primal urge to create life.
Craig pins her wrists above her head.
He bites down on her neck.
His sharp teeth break the skin over her scent gland.
He marks her as his mate for all eternity.
Megan gasps at the sharp pain.
It quickly fades into a deep, throbbing pleasure.
She wraps her legs around his waist.
She pulls him closer.
She bites down on his shoulder.
She marks him in return.
She claims the Alpha of the northern pack as her own.
Their blood mixes.
Their souls bind together permanently.
Months pass in a blur of happiness and rebuilding.
Megan assumes her role as the Luna of the pack.
She organizes the medical clinic.
She trains new healers.
She works tirelessly to mend the rift between their families.
Craig leads his people with a firm but fair hand.
He rebuilds the destroyed homes.
He strengthens the border defenses.
He proves himself to be a strong and capable Alpha.
He never loses his gentle touch with Megan.
One evening, they sit on the back porch of the manor.
The sun dips below the tree line.
It paints the sky in brilliant shades of gold and crimson.
Megan rests her head on Craig’s chest.
She listens to the steady thump of his heart.
She grabs his large hand.
She guides it down to her stomach.
She presses his palm flat against her belly.
Craig frowns in confusion.
He looks down at her.
“Megan?”
She smiles up at him.
Tears blur her vision.
“I am pregnant.”
Craig’s jaw drops.
He stares at her stomach.
He presses his hand firmer against her skin.
His wolf senses the tiny heartbeat fluttering inside her.
A massive grin spreads across his face.
He pulls her into a bone-crushing hug.
He buries his face in the crook of her neck.
He breathes in her sweet scent.
“I love you.”
His voice breaks with pure joy.
Megan wraps her arms around his neck.
She holds onto him tightly.
“I love you too.”
They sit together on the porch.
They watch the sunset completely.
They healed each other day by day.
Craig suffered terribly at Tyler’s hand.
Megan almost lost herself entirely to Tyler’s lies.
Together, they built something beautiful from the ashes.
They forged a bond stronger than any dark magic.
They proved that true healing is not the absence of scars.
True healing is the courage to love again.
THE END
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Disclaimer
This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Names, characters, and details have been altered. Any resemblance is coincidental. The author and publisher disclaim accuracy, liability, and responsibility for interpretations or reliance. If you would like to share your story, please send it to [email protected].
