Dark Alpha's Second Chance

As the party began downstairs, Lydia and I hurried down just in time. I gave her a quick nod, signaling her to go ahead while I checked on things.

Lydia, with her long, chestnut hair tied back in a braid, darted through the crowd. Her hazel eyes flickered with concern as she glanced back at me, her friend amidst the throng of unfamiliar faces.

She's the daughter of Beta Magnus, a towering figure with a stern gaze, but Lydia's warmth and loyalty made her stand out in the pack. She's the only one I trust since my own family turned their backs on me. They betrayed me, trading my freedom for their own gain when I failed to shift on my sixteenth birthday.

My hands moved mechanically as I worked on the cake, the layers towering above me. It had to be grand; it was Alpha Mason's birthday, after all. But beneath the surface of calm concentration, anger simmered in my chest. I was an abomination in the eyes of my kind, condemned for a trait I couldn't control.

So, what if I turned eighteen and didn't shift?!

The waiters bustled around, setting up drinks and opening the bar. I was about to settle into a chair when Lydia burst in, excitement written all over her face.

"Hurry up! What are you still doing here? The party's in full swing. Let's have some fun!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

"I wish I could, but I have to make sure everything's running smoothly," I explained, fidgeting nervously and shifting my weight from one foot to the other.

"Aliyah, everything's under control, and there are plenty of people around. If anything comes up, I'll handle it," Lydia reassured me, taking my hand and pulling me towards the party.

"Has Alpha Sir shown up yet?" I inquired, mindful of my place as an omega, obligated to address everyone with respect.

"He'll be back before midnight. We've got an hour," Lydia assured me, her hazel eyes scanning the room anxiously. I nodded in agreement, trying to hide my nerves.

As Lydia led me deeper into the lively party, Beta Magnus intercepted her, claiming he needed to speak with her urgently. She hesitated, glancing back at me with concern, but I urged her to go, assuring her I'd manage just fine alone.

Truth be told, I was anything but fine. Parties were unfamiliar territory for me; I was usually confined to the kitchen, invisible to the revelers. Lydia had brought me along this time, and now I found myself wishing she'd hurry back.

I spotted an empty table and made my way towards it, weaving through the crowd. People of all ranks were gathered here: Betas, Gammas, and even a few lone wolves who hadn't yet found their partners. Not every Alpha and Beta had shown up; only those who were free or seeking to mingle were present, while others attended to important duties or territorial matters.

The party zipped along. I pitched in, ferrying trays of food and drinks, and lending a hand to guests in need. With fifteen minutes to go until midnight, suddenly, cheers erupted, signaling the arrival of Alpha Mason. His birthday wasn't today; it was tomorrow. That explained why he wanted to wait until after midnight to cut his cake.

As Alpha Mason took the stage to speak, I carefully put the finishing touches on the cake, ensuring every detail was perfect before it was sent out. Suddenly, a delightful scent filled the air, reminiscent of a forest after rain. It was so captivating that I found myself completely drawn to it.

Even though I hadn't shifted or connected with my wolf, my senses were sharp and keen.

I hesitated, not wanting to get involved in something that could lead to a brutal beating. Despite my initial reluctance, my feet seemed to have a mind of their own as they propelled me towards the source of the intoxicating aroma. As I arrived at the party, Alpha Mason had already finished his speech, and the cake had been sliced. Laughter and chatter filled the room as everyone danced and enjoyed themselves.

People were tangled up in each other at the bar, the stench of booze thick in the air, making my stomach churn. I turned away from them, determined to follow the scent that led into the woods. The darkness seemed daunting, but my eyes could pierce through it.

Deeper into the woods I ventured, the scent growing stronger with each step. Suddenly, I was pressed against a tree, my heart pounding in my chest. At first, fear gripped me, but then I felt the electric connection, the sparks, and I realized he was my mate. His warm chest pressed against mine, his breath tickling my neck, and his strong hands held me firmly in place.

"Mine," he breathed, his voice sending shivers down my spine. His nose trailed along my neck, and my legs threatened to give way. If not for his steady hold, I would have collapsed right then and there.

All of a sudden, a wet sensation grazed my neck, sending shivers down my spine. His lips planted wet kisses along my neck, trailing up to my jawline. I couldn't help but let out a soft moan of pleasure, my body reacting instinctively to his touch.

As he lifted his head to meet my gaze, I finally saw him for who he was. His eyes, once filled with love and adoration, now held a look of disgust and disdain as they settled on my face. With a swift movement, he withdrew his hands from my waist and took a few steps back, putting distance between us. A pang of longing shot through me at the loss of his touch, and I couldn't help but whimper softly.

"You!" His voice dripped with venom, his captivating light blue eyes now filled with contempt as they bore into mine. It was none other than ...

Alpha Mason Stormfang!

"You... I can't believe it. How could you be my mate?" His voice rose, his brows furrowing as his expression darkened. His eyes, sharp and piercing, bore into mine. I felt a jolt of shock course through me, though deep down, I knew I shouldn't have been surprised.

I had always feared this moment, the rejection I anticipated, yet a small ember of hope still flickered in my heart, yearning for acceptance, for a way out of this place where safety seemed an elusive dream.

"But we belong together, don't we? We're meant to be each other's halves. Please, just give me a chance. I'll prove to you that I'm worthy," I pleaded softly, my words barely above a whisper. I willed him to understand, to see the truth in my words.

But instead of compassion, his reaction was a burst of mocking laughter, echoing loudly in the silence around us. His laughter struck fear into my heart, driving me to take a step back, away from his looming figure.

"No matter how many chances I give you, you won't ever prove yourself worthy of being my mate," he sneered, his lips curling in disgust. His tall frame loomed over me, casting a menacing shadow as he spoke. "Look at you, ugly, and brainless. And that dress," he scoffed, gesturing at my attire. "It's clinging to you like a second skin, showing off every flaw. You can't even dress yourself properly."

I shrank back, feeling the weight of his words like a physical blow.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to defend myself. "But I... I thought my mate would protect and care for me," I stammered, my voice trembling with desperation. "Please, I can change, I can be better."

For a brief moment, his eyes softened, hinting at a flicker of compassion. But just as quickly, his expression hardened again, his anger resurfacing like a storm cloud.

Alpha Mason Stormfang's laughter cut through the air like a knife, cold and merciless. "Protect and care for you?" he echoed, his tone dripping with derision. "Why would I waste my time on someone as pitiful as you? You're nothing but a burden, a weakling dragging me down with your pathetic existence."

His words struck me like a physical blow, the pain of rejection twisting inside me like a dagger. "But... but I'm your mate," I choked out, clinging to the fragile hope that maybe, just maybe, he could see past his disdain for me.

Mason's eyes narrowed, the contempt in them deepening into something almost feral. "Mate?" he spat, as if the very notion repulsed him. "Don't make me laugh. You're incapable of being someone's Mate, incapable of anything worthwhile. You're just an abomination, something I regret ever being shackled to."

Tears streamed down my cheeks, each word from him driving a wedge deeper into my shattered heart. "Please," I begged, my voice barely a whisper now, "give me a chance to prove myself to you. I'll do anything, I'll change..."

His laughter echoed in the empty space between us, "Change?" he scoffed, his gaze filled with pure disdain. "You think you can change who you are? You're delusional. Face it, you'll always be beneath me, unworthy of even standing in my presence. I'm putting an end to this. I've got a wonderful girlfriend, someone who can actually be by my side and support my pack."

As he mentioned his girlfriend, it felt like a hammer struck my heart, shattering it into a million pieces. Tears welled up, blurring my vision. I sucked in a shaky breath, steeling myself for the rejection that I knew was coming.

"I, Mason Stormfang, Alpha of Silver Moon Pack," he announced, his voice dripping with authority, "reject you, Aliyah Raye, Omega of Silver Moon Pack, as my mate and Luna."

As soon as his words left his lips, a sharp pain stabbed my chest. I collapsed to the ground, clutching at my heart with both hands. The agony surged through me, making it hard to catch my breath. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I fought them back. He had already torn me apart, and I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break down.

"Idiot," he sneered before storming off, leaving me shattered.

Once he was out of sight, I let out a gut-wrenching scream. Every insult, every rejection, every hurtful word I'd kept bottled up inside burst out of me in a torrent of anguish. I screamed until my throat was raw and my voice was hoarse, the pain echoing in every cry.

Lying down on the floor, I was sweating profusely when suddenly I felt a very strong burning sensation in my heart, it was like someone was squeezing it, clawing it, and ripping it apart.

"Please, Moon Goddess, help me," I pleaded weakly, my voice trembling with desperation.

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks – when your mate marked someone else, you'd suffer through the pain with them. The mere thought of my mate marking another person sent shivers down my spine. And in that moment, it was happening. He was bonding with his chosen mate, sealing their fate together. The thought of losing him forever filled me with a profound sense of dread.

I hoped his wolf would sway him, but it seemed I was dead wrong. I figured he was just mad at me for not being flawless, but never in a million dreams did I imagine he'd find another mate. A searing ache tore through me once more.

Pushing aside my agony, I bolted from my room to his, flinging the door open without