Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 201: Chapter 201

The grand hall was heavy with silence, broken only by the sound of rustling papers as the votes were being counted.

Kimberly, standing at the center, held an air of authority, her expression calm and unreadable.

But the tension in the room was suffocating. Every gaze was locked onto her, waiting, anticipating.

At that moment, Alpha Theo walked back into the hall after excusing himself earlier.

His sharp eyes swept across the room, sensing the shift in energy. Something had changed in his brief absence.

He instinctively knew that whatever was about to happen would alter the balance of power forever.

Kimberly finally exhaled and looked up. "We are done counting the votes..." She paused for a second, letting the weight of the moment sink in before delivering the next words.

"And we have a tie."

A collective gasp rippled through the hall. Shock washed over everyone like a crashing wave.

Mona’s fingers curled into fists beneath the table. Her heart slammed against her ribs.

*What? A tie? This is impossible. I had this in the bag.

I made sure of it!* She forced herself to remain composed, but the frustration bubbling beneath the surface was undeniable.

Across the room, Lucian sat frozen, his mind whirling. *A tie? After everything?* His jaw tensed.

He had braced himself for victory or defeat, but not this. This uncertainty was unbearable.

Kimberly let the murmurs die down before she spoke again, her voice steady and composed.

"As the Moon Goddess, I do not have the right to cast a vote in this matter. My role is to ensure that the process is conducted fairly and justly.

The same applies to the Supreme Chief Priest."

Mona’s eyes darkened slightly. *Of course. And now she’s about to throw in some ridiculous twist. I can feel it.*

Lucian leaned forward slightly, his muscles stiff. *This could go either way. I need to stay alert.*

her words carrying an air

Alpha would retain the seat. However, due to the

new wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some nodded in understanding, while others

held back a sneer. *Convenient. Just when I

heartbeat accelerated. *This

remained seated with a calm yet

vote falls to you," Kimberly declared. "You

settled over the hall. Every pair of eyes turned toward Theo. The pressure in

rose from his seat. His movements were deliberate, exuding an aura of absolute

over the room, pausing briefly on both Mona

the corner of his lips, one that held

fingers twitched. *Why is he smiling? What’s going through that damn mind

*This is it... This moment

the ceremonial box, his boots echoing across the floor. Without hesitation, he took a single slip

word. The hall remained silent, waiting for Kimberly to

box, opened it, and pulled out the

a flicker of surprise flashed in her

she masked it immediately with

turned to

cast

erupted

burst into

of disappointment and disbelief filled

heads, whispering among themselves, but none dared to question the outcome, the

forming on her lips. But as she met Theo’s gaze, something in her chest tightened. *Why

his body rigid. His mind couldn’t process the words he

*Mona... won?*

turned white. *This isn’t happening... I had it. I was

sting of defeat settled

anyone, Lucian pushed his chair back and walked out of

of her lips twitching upward. But beneath the

What game are you

unreadable as he finally stood, glancing at Kimberly. Without saying