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.

you wanted me gone for good," he said with

were cooking up schemes to keep me

Mona... you honestly expect me to believe

than to try

and stepped

of

always have. And the pack... they need you now

Her voice soft, sincere, almost vulnerable

speak. He just stared into

but she could still be playing games... I

hard under the

won’t he say anything? Is he still

looked down briefly before

she asked

things. That’s all," Derrick replied. His tone was cold and flat, like

enough," he

echoed from a short distance. A group of guards patrolling the area had caught sight of

are you? Reveal yourself now!" Alvin barked, not recognizing Derrick right

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

moonlight revealed his

and he

know it

he bowed his

is what I hate the most...* Mona thought bitterly, watching

of him. Even

took a breath, then walked over to stand beside

you and your men can go. Alpha Derrick

shot up in shock, then quickly bowed again and left

turned to her

home?" he asked, his voice

Mona didn’t back down.

back. Not as my

alpha, the one who made people tremble with just a stare. I want him back. We need him

weren’t just sweet, there was desperation hidden behind