Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 204: Chapter 204

It had been two days since Mona received the mysterious note, the one signed by Derrick himself.

The words *"Alpha Derrick saw you in the black beautiful dress"* still echoed in her mind like a chant.

The backside had held even more weight: *"I will soon be back!"*

Since that moment, Mona had barely slept.

Her nights were haunted by flashes of Derrick’s cold glare, the tone of his voice when he last warned her about power, and the possibility of him returning to rip everything from her hands.

She had tried to keep up appearances. She smiled at meetings, gave commands with her usual authority, and even joined the warriors during early training sessions.

But behind all that, a storm brewed inside her.

On this new morning, the sun was warm, yet the wind carried a chill.

Mona sat in her private lounge, eyes lost in thought, until a soft knock broke her train of anxiety.

"Come in," she said quietly, already suspecting who it was.

The old physician stepped in with his slow but steady gait.

Dressed in a long brown robe, his face wrinkled with age but still sharp with wisdom, he gave her a small respectful bow.

"Alpha Mona," he said with a gentle smile. "I hope I’m not disturbing."

"Not at all," she replied, trying to straighten up in her seat. "Please, sit. It’s been a while since we last spoke properly."

The physician took the seat across from her, watching her closely before speaking again.

"I heard the celebrations were loud, and the wine poured endlessly. But I also heard... you looked distant," he said, his voice soft but probing.

Mona gave a hollow chuckle. "So the physician now deals in gossip?"

"I deal in truth," he corrected kindly. "And in healing. Sometimes, it’s not the body that needs healing."

Mona paused. Then she let out a long breath.

"You’re right. There’s something I need to talk to you about. But first, answer me something... Were you loyal to Derrick or to the seat of power?"

The physician looked at her for a while, then spoke calmly.

"I was loyal to the spirit of the pack... and to anyone who kept it alive. Derrick once did. Now, that mantle is yours."

She nodded slowly, absorbing his answer. "Then I need your wisdom now more than ever."

"I am listening."

Mona stood up, walked to a nearby table, picked up the note, and handed it to him.

"This came two nights ago. No one knows about it. Read it."

The old man read through it silently, his brows narrowing slightly. Then he flipped the note, saw the back, and froze for a second.

said in a low voice. "He’s

Mona asked, almost desperately. "You

the physician said, handing

wouldn’t send a message

them into fists.

just come back and take it, right? I’ve earned this. I fought, I suffered, I sacrificed. I led when he

did," the physician said. "But power... true power... doesn’t care about

in with enough fear behind him,

do?" she asked, voice rising. "Kill him first?

if you go after him and fail, you

moves, understand his alliances, then you gain

it was going to be for three years, and I’m building something out

his name like it’s sacred. It’s not

said gently. "But this is

weak?" she snapped, stopping in front of

"Some of your strongest allies only support you

reign. They’ll compare. You need to give them something new

sank into her chair. "Like

who doesn’t chase ghosts. Be the alpha who builds a future so strong,

leaned back,

"What if

the

shadows just to scare you. He’s

narrowed.

him back," the

the ones you trust. One

flew through her thoughts, Elena, who mocked her just days ago... old council members who were once loyal to

think someone’s working

physician said. "And you can’t afford to ignore the

up again, her jaw clenched. "If I find out who it is, I won’t

sure when you strike, it’s with precision.

expression suddenly softer. "Thank you. For not treating me like

said. "But even alphas need

his robe,

now, Alpha Mona. But keep that note somewhere safe. It’s not just a

out, Mona stared down at the note once

saw you in

felt more threatening now

to her drawer, took out a hidden box, placed the note inside,

she walked over to her window and looked out at the

servants laughing. At the council members chatting like the world hadn’t

But they don’t

Her thoughts grew louder.

time, I won’t just fight to lead, I’ll fight

about to close the window, she saw something strange

A tall figure.

far to make out clearly. But something about the stance... the

skipped