REJECT ME ALPHA

PENELOPE

"Please reject me, Alpha," I pleaded, my voice trembling as I sank to my knees. I clasped my hands, pleading desperately for mercy, as tears streamed down my face. But the almighty Alpha Klaus stood, staring down at me, his face rock solid.

It all felt like a cruel dream I was dying to wake up from; being mated to Alpha Klaus felt like the cruelest punishment the Moon Goddess could ever inflict. How could a cursed orphan like me be destined to a ruthless, destructive man from the Aurum Pack?

Surely, the Goddess had made a mistake or perhaps this was her twisted form of justice? After all my escape and life plans, this was how fate decided to laugh in my face.

"Please, Alpha... reject me. Please," I begged, my voice cracking as fresh sobs escaped my lips.

Alpha Klaus didn't move; he stood as still as a statue, his piercing gaze scanning me like he was deciphering a riddle.

Desperate, I reached out and clutched the hem of his trousers, collapsing fully to the cold floor. I didn't care how pathetic I looked; shame had long abandoned me.

"Seize her," came the cold voice of Alpha Atlas; my foster father. At his command, two guards stepped forward and grabbed me without hesitation.

**Two days earlier**

Locked away in the dungeons, awaiting punishment for trying to end my miserable life. All because I stole the Alpha's golden knife; a last resort to escape the torments I had been facing.

What did they expect from the cursed child? I had been abandoned as a pup near the borders of the Moon-Crown Pack beside a stream, wrapped in a soaked blanket and a piece of paper which had my name and date of birth on it.

The tale passed around, was that any pup left there was cursed and would eventually die.

However, for some unknown reason, Alpha Atlas didn't let me die; rumors had it that Luna Brianna had begged him to spare my life due to their infertility at the time. But a year later they welcomed a daughter, their very first child, who happened to have snatched the life of her mother upon her birth.

Alpha Atlas blamed me for being the reason he lost his wife. Different speculations came up on how I was jealous that Luna Brianna was finally birthing an heir or heiress, and I killed her.

Taking me in was his biggest mistake. He should have left me to the wild to die, because from the moment he lost his Luna, I knew my life had become hell.

In truth, I lost all chances of being treated like his daughter. Instead, I was a slave in the packhouse. Most nights I went to bed hungry, yet I was still expected to complete every task without flaw.

Amira, Alpha Atlas's true daughter, was everything I wasn't. She was admired, intelligent, and powerful. She had her wolf and had already found her mate, though he died in a fatal accident. But still, she wore her superiority like a crown; I was nothing but a shadow in her perfect world.

It was Amira who found the golden knife I had hidden behind the cracked mirror in my room, if you could even call it a room. It was more of a pothole than a place of rest.

She had barged in, as usual, to mock and order me around, she was admiring herself in my broken mirror when she discovered it. Without hesitation, she handed it over to her father, who then ordered my arrest. I had been in the dungeons for two torturous weeks, which was the Alpha's punishment.

Finally, salvation came. The clanking of keys, the iron door creaked open. Two guards entered and unlocked my cell.

"Finally," I whispered under my breath as they released me. I walked slowly back to my room, trying to ignore the whispers and mocking laughs of passing servants.

After washing up, I dressed in one of my ragged hand-me-downs; clothes discarded by Amira when she no longer fancied them. I made my way to the kitchen, hoping to get some lunch.

The servants were gathered in a corner, talking animatedly. Their voices rose above the clatter of dishes.

"They say he's hard-hearted and vicious," one murmured.

"I heard he's killed countless wolves who have dared to mess with him," another added. "And he's coming to our pack soon. I am scared for my life."

"Yes, me too..." a third chimed in. "But we cannot deny the fact that he is incredibly handsome too. I might just fall for his good looks... even if he's ruthless."

"Don't be foolish," the first servant snapped. "Alpha Klaus is dangerous. He will rip you apart before you blink."

Alpha Klaus.

I repeated the name in my mind. I didn't dare speak up or ask questions; they had only redirected their venom at me like always.

I quietly grabbed my lunch and slipped back to my room. Sitting on my tattered bed, I ate in silence, haunted by what I heard.

So the infamous Alpha Klaus will be visiting the pack. I hope he's not visiting to unleash his wrath; not many packs have survived a visit from the ruthless Alpha. Let him just take whatever he wants and leave. I hope I don't cross his path.

In two days, I will turn eighteen. I will finally be old enough to get my wolf, find my path, build a life for myself, and hopefully find my mate.

I was sure of one thing: my mate isn't in the Moon Crown pack. I have to leave this cursed pack. As soon as Klaus's visit is over, I will disappear for good.

"I need to round up my escape plans," I muttered, shoving another bite of bread into my mouth even as my mind drifted elsewhere.

A sudden knock on the door jolted me.

"Who is it?" I muttered under my breath.

I opened the door to find Freya, the head cook, glaring at me.

What does this insufferable woman want now?

"Good afternoon," I began, "I just got out of the dungeon, I..."

"Shut the hell up," she snapped. "Get your ass moving and join the others. Alpha Klaus is arriving in two days, the entire building has to be spotless, and there's a lot of work to be done."

She stormed off before I could say another word.

I hurriedly gulped down the rest of my water and dashed after her. The other servants were busy preparing one of the guest rooms, which was meant to be Alpha Klaus's chamber.

**Hours Later**

By nightfall, we had finished cleaning. Exhausted was an understatement for what my body had been reduced to. I made my way to the kitchen to grab dinner, but Freya blocked my path.

"Out, you cursed sloth!. There's no dinner for you! Get lost!" She barked.

I was already used to her disgusting attitude, and pleading was a total waste of time. I turned without a word, biting back my frustration, and headed to my room. After washing up, I put on my worn-out pajamas and lay down, staring up at the cracked ceiling with its dim flickering light.

"I will make my big escape on my birthday. I don't care where I end up, I just need to get out of here." I sniffled quietly. "But I will wait until Alpha Klaus is about to leave, and I could hide in one of their vehicles. A trunk, maybe... I could sneak out with the delegation."

I smiled at the idea for a moment until the consequences struck me like a slap.

"What if I get caught?" I rubbed my temples nervously. "Alpha Atlas is known to be merciless. If he finds me... would he kill me? Or would he let Alpha Klause punish me?"

A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of that happening.

Can I risk my life for a chance at freedom?

That question echoed into the silence of the night.