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.

it too?" Mona asked, almost desperately. "You think

the physician said,

a message unless he had already made his first

slightly. She clenched them into

take it, right? I’ve earned this. I fought, I suffered, I sacrificed. I led when

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

about fear, loyalty, and perception. If Derrick walks back in with enough fear behind him, some of

"Kill him first?

quickly. "Because if you

learn his moves, understand his alliances, then you gain the

"He said it was going to be for three

name

"But this is not about fairness. It’s about how strong your roots

she snapped, stopping in

of your strongest allies only support you because

returns, they’ll remember his reign. They’ll compare. You need to give them something new to believe

her

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

leaned back,

if he

won’t," the physician said

hiding in shadows just to scare you. He’s

narrowed. "An

back,"

the ones you trust. One crack,

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

think someone’s working

physician said. "And you

jaw clenched. "If I find out who it is,

sure when you strike, it’s with precision.

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

"But

slowly stood, adjusted his robe, and gave her a

that note somewhere safe. It’s not just

turned and walked out, Mona stared down at the note once more. She traced the

you in the

more threatening now than ever

hidden box, placed the

over to her window and looked

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

peace is permanent. But

Her thoughts grew louder.

try. But this time, I won’t just

close the window, she saw something strange

A tall figure.

But something about the stance...

skipped a