The 5-time Rejected Gamma & the Lycan King

Lucianne got out of bed at 4 a.m., brushed her teeth, dressed up and grabbed a bag with a water bottle before making her way to the ground floor and exited the building through the backdoor. She jogged to the nearby forest behind the hotel and stripped behind a tree. After placing her clothes in her bag, she shifted.

Her white wolf with sapphire eyes had an unusual feature – a striped tail of white and grey. She never knew why. She scoured through any book she could find on the oddities of werewolves but there was nothing on striped tails. Those who had seen her form always pointed out this peculiarity of hers. Some said she had an unknown gift; others said she was cursed. It never bothered her in terms of functionality so she just shrugged off these comments.

When her paws hit the grassy ground, she held onto her bag in her mouth and ran into the forest. The cool breeze was invigorating. The gentle rustling of the wind was a sound she loved, and the endless rows of trees drew her deeper and deeper into the forest. She only stopped when she heard the gushing sound of water from a river.

There, she sat by the riverbank and looked at her reflection. Lucianne then stared at the sky, and took a deep, satisfying breath of freedom. She did this every morning back in her pack. The stillness gave her the space to clear her head. The quietness offered her some peace.

The first ray of light was her cue to dash back. She ran through the forest from the path she came from, shifted back to her human form, dressed and entered the building before taking the elevator up to the seventh floor. As soon as she walked out of the elevator and turned around the corner of the corridor, she heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming to a halt. Lucianne was scrolling through her phone as she walked, so she didn’t see who it was.

Suddenly, her body was tugged forward, and she slumped into something hard. “Oof!”

“Goddess, I was so worried! Where were you?!” The person who had his head buried in her hair exclaimed.

Lucianne pressed her hands on the hard surface of his chest to part their bodies, and when she felt the sparks and registered the scent of acacia wood and forest trees, she realised that it was the King. When their gaze locked, she saw worry, relief and some anger in his eyes. “Oh, it’s you. Good morning, your… I mean, Xandar.”

He gently tugged a stray hair behind her ear as he asked, “Where did you go this morning, Lucianne?”

“I went for a run in the forest at the back. Why? Did something happen?” She asked.

Xandar pressed their bodies together once more, and the sparks intensified. He then buried his head in her neck as he whispered, “I couldn’t hear anyone in your room, and your scent in the corridor was faint. I thought something bad happened to you. Don’t do that to me again, Lucianne, please. I can’t afford to lose you.”

The sincerity in his voice pulled at her heartstrings but she reminded herself of her previous mates and remained calm as she uttered, “I’m sorry that I worried you. But there aren’t any attacks around here, are they?”

“No.” He whispered into her ear, and his warm breath tickled her skin as he continued, “But that doesn’t mean I would be any less worried if I didn’t know where you were.”

She tried to keep herself composed as she uttered, “You could’ve asked Ethan. He saw me leave.”

Xandar’s body stiffened, and his grip on her shoulders tightened as he pulled away to look at her face. His eyes were fierce, and his tone was laced with jealousy as he asked, “Who is Ethan?”

With furrowed eyebrows, Lucianne answered simply, “The guard at the backdoor. Six feet. Dark. Short hair. He is a guard of this place, isn’t he? Or you could’ve asked his partner, Benjamin. He guards the front but I think he saw me leave from the back this morning.”

Xandar’s body relaxed, and he smiled in bliss as his thumb traced her cheek. He thought about how amazing his mate was to learn the names of the hotel guards. The King chuckled lightly for no reason other than how happy he felt when he was with her.

Lucianne’s phone beeped, pulling her gaze to the screen. She then looked back at the King, and asked, “Was there anything you need? I have to get ready for breakfast. I should get there before my Alpha and Luna.”

that it was a reminder for her to get ready. He was so worried that he hadn’t noticed she was in a tracksuit. He reluctantly released her as he said, “I won’t keep you. I should go get ready as well. I can’t wait to

and walked past him. He watched her unlock her door and disappear from view when the door closed behind her. Xandar was rooted

wear for the day. He never really cared about clothes. When one is in a position of power, subordinates will bow to you regardless of what one wears. But now, he wanted to look his best for his mate. After putting on a teal green shirt and finishing the look with a black tuxedo, he ran his fingers through his

way, and the initial chatter died down instantly. He caught sight of the person he was looking for, and felt

King forced a smile as he announced, “Heads up, everyone. Please help yourself to food and drink. Wolves, you need not wait for the other Lycans to arrive.

surprised. Many whom the King had spoken to the night before walked up to him with the sole purpose of greeting him. ‘It feels different’, he thought. In previous years, wolves and Lycans would approach and greet him but it always looked obligatory. This year, he felt their sincerity oozing when

her. She was speaking to Luna Lyssa, who was listening attentively until the Luna noticed his presence and bowed in greeting. “My King.

head was beginning to tilt downwards when Xandar

hurt to see her bow to him but she stubbornly muttered, “It would be rather

to me.” With that, he took her hand and lifted it up

the same gesture the night before but that didn’t mean Lucianne was any less shocked. She tried to say something, “Uh… thank you,

with me for breakfast?” He asked with hopeful

before she asked, “Can I have a few more minutes with Luna Lyssa? We were

He grinned, once again feeling proud

Highness.” Luna

hand in the air with a smile and said, “No need. It brings me great joy to see a fruitful exchange.” His graciousness and understanding earned him a smile from Luna Lyssa

sensation from his arm and hand. She then cleared her throat, and spoke to Luna Lyssa about her training plan. “Luna Lyssa, you need not worry about the Blood Eclipse Pack, I can assure you that they are nothing like the rumours being spread about them. They are fierce, yes. But that’s only because they have to be when the rogues attack. We’re all like that when we fight. Their Alpha is understanding

that, since he knows you, he’ll be more willing to offer

should also introduce you to Luna Lovelace from the Midnight Pack. Their warriors are very well-trained as well, and their pack isn’t very far from yours so perhaps you would want to consider collaborating

you, Lucianne. It’s so wonderful to finally make your

“Likewise, Luna Lyssa.”

Lyssa bowed to Xandar once more before taking her leave. When she was far away enough, Xandar whispered into Lucianne’s ear, “It’s so difficult to not fall

muttered, “I was

He uttered and smiled, offering her his hand as he said, “Come, let’s

Highness insisted that his subjects took their food first as he happily waited in line. Lucianne sighed with relief when he did this. He knew. He didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable about being a royal. More

their own. When Lucy placed her plate on an empty table, Xandar

eyes sparkled, sending an electric spark through

curled up as he chuckled

started out careful and polite but when Xandar took an interest in Alpha Juan’s efforts to challenge ruthless Alphas to take

her supervision, took care of the new pups from the packs they took over, especially if they had lost their parents. She personally adopted five of them, and said that

our own, and I love the five we have taken in but any more than that and we may have to build a hotel for a pack house.” Alpha Juan said, earning a playful

he had ever

a smile and said, “Should Luna Hale decide to take in any more pups in future,

and Lucianne laughed at Alpha Juan’s terrified look. He looked nothing like the stern, scary Alpha that many packs described him as at that moment. Alpha Juan