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.

recognize this handwriting," he said in a low

too?" Mona asked, almost desperately. "You

the physician said, handing

is... He wouldn’t send a message unless he had already made his

slightly. She clenched them

come back and take it, right? I’ve earned this. I fought, I suffered, I

said. "But power... true power... doesn’t care about

walks back in with enough fear behind him, some of your allies will bow

asked, voice rising. "Kill him first? Set a trap? Run a smear

he replied quickly. "Because if you go after him and

his moves, understand his alliances,

to be for three years,

whisper his name like it’s sacred. It’s not

said gently. "But this is not about fairness. It’s about how strong

think mine are weak?" she

water," he replied. "Some of your strongest allies only support you because

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

her chair.

chase ghosts. Be the alpha who builds a future

back, silent,

asked, "What if he doesn’t

the

He’s waiting for something. Maybe a fracture in your

narrowed. "An

be calling him back," the old man said, locking eyes with

trust. One

her just days ago... old council members who were once loyal to Derrick... even

someone’s working

think it’s possible," the physician said. "And you can’t

stood up again, her jaw clenched. "If I

sure when you

to him, her expression suddenly softer. "Thank you. For not treating me like a child. Or

said. "But

adjusted his robe, and gave

keep that note somewhere

Mona stared down at the note once more. She

saw you in the black

felt more threatening now

her drawer, took out a hidden box, placed the

her window and

laughing. At the council members chatting like

But they don’t

Her thoughts grew louder.

him try. But this time, I

the window, she saw something strange in the distance, standing still

A tall figure.

about the stance... the

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