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

the seat.

through the crowd. Some

I thought I had this locked down,

accelerated. *This might be

to Theo, who remained seated with

falls to you," Kimberly declared. "You alone will cast the deciding

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

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

pausing

played at the corner of his lips, one that held no warmth,

is he smiling? What’s going through that damn mind of

it... This moment

floor. Without hesitation, he took a single slip of paper and cast his

word. The hall remained silent,

approached the box, opened it, and pulled

of surprise flashed in

immediately with

turned to

cast his

erupted into

into

side, murmurs of disappointment and disbelief filled the

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

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

motionless, his body rigid. His mind couldn’t

*Mona... won?*

fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. *This isn’t happening...

sting of defeat settled deep in his

a glance at anyone, Lucian pushed his chair back and walked out of the hall. His silence spoke

leave, the corners of her lips twitching upward. But beneath the surface, unease crept

What game are

glancing at Kimberly. Without saying a word, the two of them walked out of