Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 196: Chapter 196

Lucian sat alone in the garden of his estate, staring at the moonlit sky.

His fingers tapped against the armrest of the stone bench, a restless rhythm that mirrored his racing thoughts.

The scent of damp earth filled the air, but he was too deep in contemplation to notice.

*I’ve won over so many alphas. The Alpha King favors me.

The Moon Goddess wouldn’t have allowed me to come this far if I weren’t meant for the seat.

The path should be clear... but Mona, she’s the problem.*

His jaw tightened at the mere thought of her.

*Mona is reckless, but she’s not stupid. She knows how to play this game. If I underestimate her, I’ll regret it.* Lucian thought to himself.

Frustration burned in his chest as he stood up and began pacing, his boots crushing the fallen leaves beneath him.

"I need to be careful. Every move I make from now on has to be precise.

If I fail, it won’t just be my loss, it’ll be my destruction." Lucian muttered those words to himself under his breath.

The sound of hurried footsteps snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned sharply to see one of his guards approaching, his breathing slightly uneven.

"Boss, you have a parcel," the guard announced, stopping a few feet away.

Lucian’s eyes narrowed. His entire body tensed.

"Who sent it?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with suspicion.

"I... I don’t know, sir," the guard stammered, shifting uneasily. "I found it near the entrance. Your name was on it."

Lucian’s fingers curled into fists. He had received messages before, threats, warnings, false alliances, but something about this unsettled him.

"Give it to me," he ordered.

you? It might be something

it over to me." Lucian ordered with a

for a moment before stepping forward

plain brown paper, but there was

tore

he saw what was inside,

cloth—soaked in

a small, folded

as he reached for the note, unfolding it with steady

you don’t back out... the next blood will

silence stretched between him and the

paper, crumpling it slightly. The rage that

entire perimeter!" he barked, his voice slicing through the stillness like a

whoever delivered this and bring them to me! Check all

sprang into action, disappearing into the shadows of the estate. Lucian

this you? Or was

sneer. *Whoever it is... they’ll

vibration of his phone in his

but he answered. "Who

chuckle came

child," a deep, mocking voice

think the Alpha’s seat was meant for someone

himself to remain composed. "I may be young, but at least I don’t hide

this one sharper, almost

it won’t save you.

flared, his fury barely contained. "Say that

warning. The

The call went dead.

ear, his grip so tight his knuckles turned

there, unmoving, as his rage twisted into something

stop me," he muttered under his breath, his voice thick

out a roar, his anger echoing through

and falling with