Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 172: Chapter 172

Alpha Derrick paced the floor of his chamber, his jaw clenched as his mind raced through the possible reasons for the sudden meeting.

The message had been brief, almost cryptic, and that only irritated him more.

He hated being blindsided, especially now when everything was spiraling out of control.

Mona, standing beside him, watched his every move. She had seen him angry before, but this was different.

This was controlled fury, the kind that made her wary.

"What’s happening, Derrick?" she finally asked, crossing her arms.

He exhaled sharply, glancing at his phone again. "I won’t be able to go with you to Katherina’s place."

Mona’s eyes narrowed. "What? Why?"

"There’s an urgent meeting among all alphas. I have no idea what it’s about, but I can’t ignore it." His tone was firm, his expression unreadable.

Mona let out a frustrated sigh. "And you’re just going to leave me to handle Katherina alone?"

"I trust you," Derrick replied, his gaze locking onto hers. "You’re capable, and you know what needs to be done."

Mona scoffed, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. But this doesn’t sit well with me, Derrick."

"Nothing has sat well with us for a long time," Derrick muttered under his breath, before turning away.

He strode toward another vehicle, Alvin and a few of his trusted men already waiting for him. Without another word, he got in and drove off.

Mona stood there for a moment, her fingers twitching at her sides. Her mind swirled with thoughts, doubts, and an odd sense of unease.

*What is really going on? And why do I feel like everything is slipping out of my control?* she wondered.

She shook the thoughts away, slid into her car, and sped off toward Katherina’s place.

The journey took less than twenty minutes, but it felt much longer.

By the time she arrived at Katherina’s lair, her nerves were already frayed.

The air around the place was thick with energy, a very dark magic, pulsing, and suffocating.

Stepping inside, Mona found Katherina seated on a black mat, surrounded by flickering black candles.

The glow of the flames cast eerie shadows across the walls, making the room feel smaller than it actually was.

Katherina’s eyes remained closed, her body motionless, but the moment Mona stepped forward, the older witch’s lips curled into a knowing smile.

"You seek answers," Katherina murmured, her voice dripping with amusement. "But not as much as you crave power."

Mona stiffened. It was unnerving how easily Katherina saw through her.

The witch’s eyes fluttered open, dark and filled with something ancient. "You are predictable, child."

voice steady. "I need to

chuckle. "You already know part of it. Elena and Kimberly’s little friends... they are all

"You took them

Katherina’s smile widened. "Yes."

"Why? What do

her head, regarding Mona as if she were a child asking

still have much to

felt a surge of irritation,

her voice dripping

Mona, and she couldn’t help the small smirk

She will

excitement ran through Mona. "You’re sure

her expression dark and unreadable. "She has

let out a breath she

wanted. Kimberly’s

Mona said, smiling. "Very

in an

clenched.

will not

Mona blinked. "Why?"

gaze hardened. "Because

I have his sister. And I will

this big

commanded. "You are clever enough for that,

nodded slowly. "Of

into a smile once more. "Good.

hammering in her chest. As soon as she stepped outside,

numbered. Everything you have will soon be mine.* Mona thought to herself with deep

★★★

filled with the presence of powerful alphas from

across from each

crackled with unspoken

priest took his place at the center and raised a

but the situation we have at hand is dire. It

the hall as

news yesterday," the chief priest continued, his voice

Derrick’s sister, Elena,

pack, now residing in Alpha Theo’s pack, have

erupted from the

weight of the words settled heavily on both Derrick

we proceed further, I want to hear firsthand accounts from both alphas," the chief priest said, gesturing

you may

but his clenched fists spoke volumes.

while in my chamber, I received urgent news from

when they broke in,

trace. We have been searching since then, but nothing substantial

his report, his sharp gaze fell on Theo, as if daring him to