Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 173: Chapter 173

Derrick paced around his chamber, his mind racing with thoughts about Elena.

He had barely rested from all that was happening around him, and the uncertainty of her whereabouts gnawed at him.

His instincts told him that something was off about the entire situation, but he needed to hear Mona’s report first.

Mona entered the room, her face twisted in an expression of false sadness. She had rehearsed her words carefully, knowing that one slip could make Derrick suspicious.

"Mona," Derrick said, his voice heavy with impatience. "What did Katherina say?"

Mona let out a deep sigh, lowering her gaze as if struggling to find the right words.

"I... I spoke to Katherina, Derrick. She was as shocked as we are. She swore she has nothing to do with Elena’s disappearance."

Derrick narrowed his eyes, watching her closely. "Are you sure? Katherina isn’t exactly known for being... uninformed."

Mona nodded quickly, forcing a sad smile.

"She promised to look into it. She said she would use her powers to search for any signs of Elena. But she truly seemed unaware of what happened."

Derrick clenched his fists. *Lies. This doesn’t add up.*

* Katherina always knows what’s happening. If she really didn’t know, it could only mean one thing... She was hiding something.* Derrick thought.

But he didn’t call Mona out on her deception. Not yet. Instead, he nodded, his face betraying no emotion. "Alright. I’ll wait for her feedback."

Mona internally sighed in relief. *That was close.* She bowed slightly before leaving the room, unaware that Derrick had already made a decisio contrary to his reply.

The next morning, as the sun barely peeked over the horizon, Derrick set off alone towards Katherina’s lair.

He left his men behind, not wanting any unnecessary eyes or ears on what was about to happen.

Meanwhile, in her dark chamber, Katherina sat cross-legged in deep meditation.

Candles flickered around her, their flames dancing unnaturally. Her mind was reaching into the unseen, searching for hidden truths.

Suddenly, a blinding light illuminated her wall. She opened her eyes abruptly, watching in shock as an image formed within the light... it was alpha Theo.

His figure radiated power, an aura of greatness surrounding him. And then, as if the universe itself whispered to her, the prophecy unraveled before her.

"Theo... waiting for activation... Kimberly... moon goddess reborn... three tests... The words came to her like an unrelenting storm."

Her hands trembled.

"No. This cannot happen. If Kimberly succeeds in her trials, Theo will become unstoppable. They will be the ultimate force against me." Katherina said angrily.

Katherina gritted her teeth. "I will not allow this," she whispered fiercely. "I have come too far... I have sacrificed too much."

A sudden presence disrupted her thoughts. She turned sharply as Derrick entered her chamber, his expression unreadable.

"You came alone," Katherina observed, her voice eerily calm despite the storm raging within her.

"I need answers," Derrick said bluntly. "About my sister. About everything."

Katherina studied him for a long moment before exhaling.

far greater at stake now, Derrick. Your sister’s disappearance is only a

"What are you

light on the wall. "I have seen

her piercing gaze locking

to be the

will awaken into his true power, one that will

once that happens... we will

Theo that I despise? The same Theo who already stands in my

more powerful?* His hands curled into fists. "No.

"Good. Then we are in agreement.

do you suggest we

trials will test her spirit, her strength, and her heart. All we need to do

"You make it sound easy. Kimberly isn’t

a breaking point, Derrick. We just have

them as Derrick processed her

is it. This is the moment where everything

Theo and Kimberly win, my power, my legacy, it all crumbles.* Derrick

the exit, his steps slow but heavy

called, making

"What?"

comes, do not hesitate. Hesitation is

When the time comes... I’ll burn

he stepped out of Katherina’s chamber, his mind sharper

a

★★★

in a strange place, a place where darkness moved

energy, and every breath she took felt heavy, as though it carried the weight

chant became. It was

her toward the sound, though a part of her screamed to turn back. But

someone, was waiting for her

draped in long black robes, their faces pale and filled with

revenge, their expressions carved with the grudges of

breath hitched when she noticed the lifeless body in the

pounded violently against her ribs. She felt her legs tremble, but she forced herself forward, desperate to

The dark magic thickened, pressing against her like an unseen force

got a clear view of the body on

Theo.

lips, her entire world crashing down around her. He lay motionless, his face pale, his body unnaturally

ground beneath him was stained with something

chant suddenly shifted, their voices rising in

wind slammed

hands reaching out, desperation clawing at

as if

painting a horrifying picture of his suffering. His body jerked once, and then,

Kimberly

no matter what she did, she

energy, tried reaching into the very

something, someone had completely severed

in her ears, mocking

through her like a knife, and she let

Then darkness.