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

council were cooking up schemes to keep me

miss me? Mona... you honestly

better than to try deceiving me, I’m

and stepped a

ahead of myself. But

the pack...

almost vulnerable hit him deeper than he

speak. He just stared into her, waiting to

could still be playing games... I need to wait

the

won’t he say anything? Is he still

down briefly before meeting his

plan to stay," she asked carefully, "then

to check on things. That’s all," Derrick replied. His tone was

enough," he

A group of guards patrolling the area had caught sight

yourself now!" Alvin barked, not

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

revealed his face

eyes widened, and he dropped to his knees

didn’t know it was

he

most...* Mona thought bitterly, watching

so afraid of him. Even

then walked over

your men can go.

shot up in shock, then quickly bowed again and left

turned to

who said I’m back home?" he

Mona didn’t back down.

back. Not as my enemy,

with just a stare. I want him back. We need him

vines. They weren’t just sweet, there was desperation hidden behind each syllable. He heard it.