Shifted Fate: The Alpha Begs Me Back

ANDREA'S POV

"I reject you, you filthy Omega!"

I felt my heart shatter into pieces as I caught my boyfriend Beck kissing another woman under the moonlight. The way they embraced, so intimately, as if they were made for each other, tore something open inside me.

As if the past two years he'd spent with me were just a joke.

When I accepted Beck as my boyfriend two years ago, I had worried. In our world, Alphas paired with other Alphas or strong Betas. Omegas were... the lowest. Gentle, obedient, weak. But Beck had sworn it didn't matter.

He had gently convinced me that I was the best gift he'd ever received and promised to love me with every fiber of his being. Even if his fated mate appeared one day, I would be his only love.

So when he told me we would bond at the grandest Hunting Festival in history, I was beyond excited.

It was supposed to be significant. I mean, right in front of everyone longing for destined mates, we would take our vows as chosen mates. That alone was enough to prove our indestructible love.

Yet now, he was holding another woman in his arms. The woman he called his mate. The woman who wore the mark he had once promised to give me.

"She's my mate, Andrea. You know I can't control this," Beck smirked shamelessly.

"You liar! You proposed to me!" I yelled, refusing to accept this cruel reality. "You promised I was the only one for you!"

"Come on, Andrea." Beck rolled his eyes. "Did you really believe I wanted to bond with you? Get over yourself. If it weren't for your pretty face and s*xy body, I'd never have even tolerated an Omega hovering around me."

"You told me you didn't care about status!" I spat, trembling.

"It's more than status. Tiana isn't just wealthy—she's an Alpha heir. And you? You're just a lousy salesperson and a weak Omega."

As if that wasn't enough, Beck seemed determined to grind my self-esteem into the dirt.

"Why would I give up a gem like her for a stinky stone like you?" he continued cruelly. "Do you know how awful you Omegas smell? No superior wolf will ever want you as a mate."

That was the final blow, crushing my already shattered heart into dust.

I couldn't believe it. I had trusted him, and he'd made a fool of me. For two f*ck*ng years! How could I have been so stupid?

I felt my wolf, Emrae, bristle, ready to attack. *'Let me at him, Andrea. I have to kick this b*st*rd's *ss!'*

*'No, stand down,'* I held my wolf back. Fighting wouldn't solve anything here. Beck had taken me on this cruise, and I had no one else with me. As an Omega, I couldn't take them on alone. It would only make things worse for me.

But that didn't mean I would take this humiliation in silence. I ripped off my engagement ring and hurled it at Beck's face, hitting his chin hard enough to draw blood. But even that didn't come close to the pain I was feeling.

"It's *me* who dumps *you*," I hissed. "I never want to see your face again."

I walked away without looking back. As I opened the greenhouse door, a cool wind brushed against my face, carrying a fresh, unfamiliar scent.

I looked up—and almost got knocked off my feet by the force of what hit me.

*'Mate!'* Emrae yipped excitedly.

All the fury and pain from Beck's betrayal vanished like mist in the face of the powerful, electric connection that sizzled between me and him—my mate.

He was sinfully handsome, with dark locks that begged to be pulled and plump lips that promised nirvana with a single touch. His eyes were a bewitching swirl, pulling me into a universe made just for us.

But even more stunning than realizing he was my mate... was realizing that he was *Alpha Kade Nightshade*, the most powerful Alpha in New York City. What on earth?!

"Hey, what's wrong?" a female voice cut through the moment.

My tunnel vision widened, and I noticed the she-wolf clinging to Kade's arm. That was an understatement—she was wrapped around him like a vice, nuzzling his neck. His hand rested low on her hip.

His eyes were locked on me, but he didn't push her away—even though he must have felt the bond too.

I scoffed, crashing down from my high.

"You're all the same," I whispered shakily, backing away. I refused to get caught up with another slimy b*st*rd who couldn't keep his d*ck in his pants.

***

KADE'S POV

It was another annual Hunting Festival, and countless prominent packs were in attendance—for forming alliances or finding a destined mate.

But I was bored out of my mind.

It had been too long—seven years—and I still hadn't found her. My mate.

I had almost given up on the idea of finding her, but my wolf, Jaxon, stubborn as ever, refused to claim anyone but our true mate.

*'Shake off the sl*t clinging to your arm, Kade!'* Jaxon grumbled, clearly irritated. He always wanted me to behave decently at the Festival—so we didn't ruin our one fated chance.

I didn't see the point. I mean, I'd waited so long and she'd never come. Maybe she didn't even exist. Why should I give up my right to have fun?

*'I only promised not to mark anyone,'* I reminded Jaxon, not bothering to hide my annoyance. *'I never promised to lock up my d*ck.'*

Alpha Nightshade was infamous across the country. Countless women wanted to crawl into my bed, but none ever stayed past a single night. Have fun—but don't let anyone ruin you. That was what my grandfather always warned me.

Weakness had no place in the Nightshade bloodline. After my parents died young, my grandfather trained me ruthlessly. I never failed him. I shifted early, at nine. Defeated a grown Beta at twelve. Killed a rogue at fifteen. Won my first battle at seventeen. And now, at twenty-five, I was already King of the East Coast.

The only thing I had failed at... was not being married yet.

My pack, Obsidian Howl, needed a noble Luna, and I needed a strong heir. My grandfather always nagged me about it. But deep down, another voice told me to wait.

To wait for the one the Moon Goddess had created just for me. But what if the Goddess had no plan for me?

I growled in frustration, and the blonde with her mouth around me whimpered even louder. I gave a few quick thrusts, finished, and pulled away. The mood was ruined. I needed another kind of distraction.

"Alpha—" the blonde begged after swallowing hard. "I know a place. And we can try something different. Something... more fun." A flash of cunning crossed her eyes, and I had to admit—she was a little smarter than the usual brainless beauties.

"Lead the way," I said.

As we passed the greenhouse, a cool breeze swept through the garden, bringing with it a sweet scent. It was a hint of wildflowers—unfamiliar, but pure. I froze. The scent rooted me to the ground.

I turned my head—and that's when I saw her.

Her lavender dress hugged her curves perfectly, dipping low enough to reveal the toned, sun-kissed expanse of her back. Her dark hair was pinned in an elegant bun, adorned with pearl clips. And even though her expression was tight with anger, I couldn't look away.

*'Mate!'*

The word roared through my blood when our eyes met. My wolf surged forward with a possessiveness that nearly knocked me flat. Every instinct in me screamed to grab her, to claim her, to let every other b*st*rd in this city know exactly who she belonged to.

From her eyes, I could tell she felt the bond too. I thought she'd run into my arms, desperate for my touch. But instead, she turned and ran off without a single glance back.

What the hell was wrong with this little Omega? She thought she could escape a powerful Alpha?

After seven long years, I had finally found my mate.

There was no f*ck*ng way I was letting her go.

ANDREA'S POV

My vision blurred as I moved. I was desperate to leave what was officially the worst Hunting Festival in history and nurse my broken heart in peace.

Then I felt a hand grip my wrist, halting me. The point of contact sent electricity sizzling up and down my arm, and I didn't need to turn to know who it was.

Alpha Kade pulled me to him, turning me to face him.

"Where are you going?" he hissed, almost furiously. The skank that had been on his arm was nowhere to be seen.

I bit my lip, unable to meet his fiery gaze. The nirvana of finding my mate had faded, and all I could think about was the huge gap between us and the gossip surrounding Kade. We would never work.

*Andrea, our mate wants us!* Emrae jumped excitedly. *I can feel his wolf. He's so damn hot and powerful!*

Powerful? Beck had made it painfully clear—an Omega like me wasn't enough. And this man? This towering, ice-eyed Alpha who reeked of