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.

Your sister’s disappearance is only a

are

gestured toward the fading light on the wall. "I have

walked toward him, her piercing gaze locking

destined to be the Moon Goddess

in her three trials, Alpha Theo will awaken

once that happens... we will

*Theo? The same Theo that I despise?

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

"Good. Then we are in agreement. We must

you suggest we do that? She’s not

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

it

"Everyone has a breaking point, Derrick. We

dangerous silence settled between them as Derrick processed

it. This is

have lost too much already. If Theo and Kimberly win, my power, my legacy, it all crumbles.* Derrick thought

his steps

Katherina called,

"What?"

do not hesitate.

time comes... I’ll burn

chamber, his

With a ferocious

★★★

where darkness

and every breath she took felt heavy,

the louder the mysterious chant became. It was deep, rhythmic, and filled with

the sound, though a part of her screamed to

for her

became visible, all draped in long

glowed with revenge, their expressions carved with the grudges of the

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

took, the chanting grew louder. The dark magic thickened, pressing against her

as she finally got a clear view of the body on the

Theo.

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

ground beneath him was stained with something dark

him, but the women’s chant suddenly shifted, their voices rising in

of wind slammed into her, sending

her hands reaching out, desperation clawing

as if he were taking his

eyes, nose, and ears, painting a horrifying picture

Please, wake up!" Kimberly

within her surge, but no matter

energy, tried reaching into the very core of magic

someone had completely severed his connection to

the robed women rang in her ears, mocking

twisted through her like a knife, and she let out a heart-wrenching

Then darkness.