Rejected by the Beta, Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 209: Chapter 209

"Derrick, what are you doing here? And... are you finally back home?" Mona asked softly, her face calm and strangely warm.

Derrick stood still, blinking slowly as he watched her.

*What game is Mona playing now?* he wondered.

*She doesn’t look angry. She doesn’t even look surprised. Is she really happy to see me?* With an unreadable facial expression, Derrick thought.

He tilted his head slightly, reading her like a book, though a few pages still seemed blurred.

"That’s not the kind of question my beloved wife would ask me if she truly meant it," he said slowly, stepping closer.

His eyes locked on hers. "What are you up to, Mona?"

Mona’s lips curled slightly, not a smirk, not quite a smile.

"I can lie and manipulate many people. I’ve done it easily," she said in a calm voice.

"But it doesn’t work with you. You know me too well, Derrick. You always could read between my words... even when I didn’t speak."

She paused, lowering her eyes for just a second.

*Make him feel needed. Make him feel important. That’s all he ever wanted. If I do that... I’ll get what I need,* Mona thought.

Derrick’s stare darkened.

"What exactly do you want?" His voice was firmer now, colder and sharp like ice.

She looked up at him again, this time with what looked like honesty.

"I want you to return. Take back your seat as alpha. I’ll be your Luna again. I won’t fight you anymore."

"Together, we were untouchable and no one dare come against us, but everything started falling apart when we stopped having each other’s back." Mona said with a hint of sincerity and concern in her voice.

That shocked Derrick for a moment. He didn’t show it, but Mona saw the flicker in his eyes.

He quickly straightened his stance, bringing back his aura of control.

ago, you wanted me gone for good,"

were cooking up

miss me? Mona... you honestly

should know better than to try deceiving me, I’m too smart for

stepped a little

Maybe I got ahead of myself. But the truth is..." She paused,

still love you. I always have. And the

voice soft, sincere, almost vulnerable hit him deeper than he

into her, waiting to

games... I

the weight

he say anything? Is he

briefly before meeting

to stay," she asked carefully, "then why are you here?

things. That’s all," Derrick replied. His tone was cold and flat, like he had buried all emotion somewhere

enough," he

footsteps echoed from a short distance. A group of guards patrolling the area

you? Reveal yourself now!" Alvin barked, not

head toward the sound, a sly, dangerous smile forming on

moonlight revealed his face

and he dropped

didn’t know it was you.

he bowed his head

what I hate the most...* Mona

of

breath, then walked over

you and your men can

quickly

turned to

he asked, his voice

Mona didn’t back down.

back. Not as my enemy,

who made people tremble with just a stare. I want him back. We need him

there was desperation hidden behind each syllable.