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.”

when she held it up, and saw 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

her door and disappear from view when the door closed behind her. Xandar was rooted at his spot for another five whole seconds before he entered the elevator and left the building like a

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 dark, thick

of the

everyone. Please help yourself to food and drink. Wolves, you need not wait for the other Lycans to arrive.

with the sole purpose of greeting him. ‘It feels different’, he thought. In previous years, wolves and Lycans would approach and greet

She was speaking to Luna Lyssa, who was listening attentively until the Luna

ever so gracefully in her turquoise dress. The sleeves reached her elbows and covered her scar. There was a glass of water in her hand. Her head was beginning to tilt downwards when Xandar held her

shocked to hear that the King was hurt to see her bow to him but she stubbornly muttered, “It would be rather odd if I don’t though, especially when everyone else’s heads

because you’re my mate. I will not have you bow to me.” With that, he took her hand and lifted it up to his lips

that didn’t mean Lucianne was any less shocked. She tried to say something, “Uh… thank you, Xandar.”

for breakfast?” He asked

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

once again feeling proud of

Highness.”

“No need. It brings me great joy to see a fruitful exchange.” His graciousness and understanding earned him a smile from Luna Lyssa and Lucianne. He got lost in his mate’s smile and moved closer to her before slipping his arm around

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

it be possible for you to introduce us at tea later? I was hoping that, since he

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

make your acquaintance after hearing so much

“Likewise, Luna Lyssa.”

Xandar once more before taking her leave. When she was far away enough, Xandar whispered into Lucianne’s ear, “It’s so difficult to

shrugged and muttered,

offering her his hand

nodded and, hand-in-hand, they made their way to the buffet table. The wolves and Lycans stepped aside when they saw their King approaching but His Royal 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 importantly, he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable being with

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

an electric spark through his

His lips curled

mind-linked Alpha Juan and Luna Hale. Within moments, they arrived at the table, and bowed to the King before taking their seats. Conversation with the King started out careful and polite but

as he may seem, the King felt touched when Luna Hale talked about how the pack, under her supervision, took care of the new pups from the packs they took over, especially if they had

your Highness. I really can’t. We already have three of 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

Xandar’s attention. He thought her voice was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard but her laughter sounded even better! He wanted to

in any more pups in future, Alpha Juan, do let me know. I’ll happily contribute financially

He looked nothing like the stern, scary Alpha that many packs described him as at that moment. Alpha Juan cleared his throat before suggesting, “Your Highness, perhaps we should strike a deal. For every pup we take in,