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.

handwriting," he said

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

it," the physician said, handing

wouldn’t send a message

trembled slightly. She clenched them into fists. "He wants

can’t just come back and take it, right? I’ve earned this. I fought, I suffered, I

said. "But power... true

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

rising. "Kill him first? Set

"Because if you

understand his alliances,

going to be for three years, and

name like

it’s not," the physician said gently. "But this is not about fairness. It’s

are weak?" she snapped, stopping in

he replied. "Some of your strongest allies only

remember his reign. They’ll compare. You need

into her

the alpha who builds a future

back,

asked, "What if he doesn’t

the

you. He’s waiting

eyes narrowed.

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

ones you trust. One crack, and the whole wall

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

someone’s

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

up again, her jaw clenched. "If I

sure when you

softer. "Thank you. For not treating me

"But

his robe, and gave her

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

down at the note once more.

saw you in

more threatening now than ever

hidden box, placed the note inside, and locked

she walked over to her window

laughing. At the council members chatting like the world

think peace is permanent. But they don’t see the storm

Her thoughts grew louder.

But this time, I won’t

she was about to close the window, she saw something strange in the distance, standing

A tall figure.

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

heart skipped