Abandoned by My Mate, Saved by the Rogue Alpha King

Eleanor' POV:

"I want to report this-Eleanor's designs are stolen!"

The she-wolf standing next to me shouted at the top of her lungs, her eyes drilling into me and the sketches in my hand.

Caught under the spotlight, I was completely frozen, staring at her in disbelief.

Today was the final round of the Starluxe Competition, the biggest design event in the country. This stage meant exposure for everyone, no matter the result. But I wasn't here for attention-I wanted that trophy. I'd poured at least six months of my life into these pieces.

But now, this mess hit me out of nowhere. My hands tightened around the papers. "These were all designed by me!"

"I've seen that exact design somewhere else," she snapped, jabbing a finger toward my work. "I can even pull up the original images. Judges, please-I'm accusing Eleanor Reynolds of plagiarism!"

From the judges' table, a werewolf's face turned cold. His stare cut right through me as he barked, "Miss Reynolds, care to explain yourself?"

"I didn't copy anyone!" My voice trembled as I tried to hold myself together. "I spent half a year crafting every single detail. I swear, I built the entire concept myself-it's all original!"

"Yeah, right," the she-wolf scoffed and unlocked her phone. "Here. That same design won a different competition just yesterday."

"Unreal! How did a cheater even get this far?" The audience murmured in disgust, their voices like piercing needles.

My hands started shaking as dizziness washed over me-I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

The judge looked at me with obvious disappointment. "You can leave now, Miss Reynolds."

With my teeth digging into my lip, I stumbled off the stage clutching my designs, everyone's contempt following me like a shadow.

Tears blurred my eyes. Everywhere I passed, people were whispering behind my back, judging me with the same phrase: "Look, there she is-the plagiarist who dared to join Starluxe."

I covered my face and bolted.

Becoming a designer had always been the dream. I worked my way into design school and never stopped pushing myself.

So how could something I spent months creating already be someone else's entry?

Shaking, I ducked into a corner and pulled out my phone. I had to see who submitted that design.

And then, I saw it-the name that chilled me to the bone.

Katherine Snow. Daughter of the Crystal Pack's alpha.

And more than that-she was Carl Reynolds' first love. My mate's first love.

For over a decade, her presence loomed over my life like a curse.

"Carl?" I whispered, stunned. "He's the only one who ever saw my designs..."

The reality hit like a punch to the gut. Tears flowed freely as I ran out into the street and flagged down a taxi.

"Take me to Stormfang Pack!" I could barely get the words out through chattering teeth.

Hunched over in the backseat, I rubbed my arms anxiously. "No way... It can't be him. No-it just can't."

Carl and I had been mates for two years. I'd loved him for seven. Even if he was always indifferent toward me... I still believed he wouldn't betray me like this.

He couldn't have handed my designs over to Katherine. Could he?

Luckily, the competition venue wasn't far from Stormfang territory. Within an hour, I was at a place I'd always been too afraid to explore.

From the start of our bond, I knew Carl didn't love me. I stayed away most of the time, hoping not to annoy him.

But now? I had no choice. I needed answers.

At the gate to the alpha's residence stood a delta on guard.

I walked up to him. "I need to see Carl."

"We don't have any word about you coming," the delta sneered. "Alpha Reynolds is busy. Not just any wolf gets an audience. You'll need to make an appointment with a beta first."

I stared at him, stunned. "I'm Carl's mate-Luna Eleanor!"

"I know who you are." The delta gave a lazy shrug. "You're the daughter of a minor delta. The day you bonded with the alpha, it was all over the media. I even saw your official proclamation."

"Then you should know I have the right to see him." My voice rose, angry now.

But he just smirked and shut me down. "Alpha's orders. If you won't leave, we'll have to remove you ourselves. Luna or not, we're under instruction."

I knew Carl had no warmth for me, and that Stormfang Pack shared that sentiment. But the sheer disrespect-even from a gatekeeper? It hit me in the chest like a weight, bitter and sharp.

Just then, a sleek black car pulled up.

I glanced over in time to see a stunning she-wolf step out in stilettos. Wavy hair, red lips, designer sunglasses-every bit the fashion queen.

The same rude delta suddenly shifted demeanor, practically sprinting to greet her.

"Miss Bell! Finally, you're here. The alpha's been waiting!" he said with a grin.

Jessica Bell. I'd heard of her.

Watching him trip over himself to please her made my blood boil.

"What's this mongrel doing here?" Jessica took off her sunglasses, shooting me a revolted look. "Does Stormfang just let any trash wander in? No wonder Carl's in a mood."

"Exactly," the delta chuckled, bowing slightly. "I'll get rid of her right now."

Two other guards exchanged a glance, then reached for me.

I tried, but their grips were too strong. They yanked at my arms, dragging me away like nothing.

"Let go of me! I need to see Carl!" I cried out, powerless.

But none of them saw me as Luna. Their faces were blank, irritated, like I was a chore.

One of them shoved me hard-I stumbled, hitting the ground with a thud. Dirt clung to my clothes, my arm scraped and bleeding. But more than the pain, it was the humiliation that burned.

And then the sky darkened-as if the world itself turned against me. A deep thunder growled overhead, lightning followed, and then came the storm. Cold rain soaked me instantly.

I must've looked pathetic. Soaked to the bone, surrounded by nothing but rejection.

Still, I found a sheltered corner and sat there, locking eyes with Carl's residence in the distance.

I wasn't leaving without the truth. I didn't care how Carl felt about me. I didn't care if the entire pack looked down on me.

But I wasn't going to let this destroy my one and only dream.

Three hours passed before I saw them. Carl walked out-with Jessica by his side.

Ignoring every aching part of my body, I rushed forward.

"Carl!" I shouted, almost slipping. "I need to talk to you!"

The deltas flinched, moving to stop me, but I darted around them. Sopping wet and shivering, I stood right in front of Carl, face to face.

He gave me a long look. His voice was low. "Why are you here... and why do you look like hell?"

"It's her again?" Jessica scoffed, rolling her eyes. She pushed at me with a disgusted scowl. "Don't touch him, you're filthy."

"Get out of my way!" I shouted, shoving her arm off, and grabbed Carl's arm tightly.

I stared into his cold, emotionless eyes. "Carl, just tell me the truth. You didn't give my designs to Katherine, did you? Tell me it wasn't you."

Even after everything, even as I stood there shaking, I still wanted to believe in him.

Love or not-I had to believe he wouldn't do this to me.

Eleanor' POV:

"What design?" Carl frowned, clearly annoyed. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

He genuinely looked confused-and for a second, I let out a shaky breath, cautiously adding, "The one I left in my room... the one I showed you."

His eyes narrowed before realization hit him. With a dismissive wave, he said, "Oh, that? Yeah, I gave it to Katherine. She was whining to me about hitting a creative block and wanted some ideas. But your childish sketch wasn't even helpful."

"You..." My hand fell from his arm as if it weighed a ton. I stared at him in sheer disbelief. "It really was you."

My entire body was trembling, legs so weak I felt like collapsing.

After a few seconds, the anger boiled over. I snapped, choking on my own voice, "Carl Reynolds! That was my competition piece-you stole my dream!

"How could you be so heartless, even mocking my design like that?!

"I get it-you don't love me. You might even hate me. But did you really have to sink this low?"

I felt like I was disintegrating from the inside. The one truth I didn't want to face was suddenly right in front of me.

Carl and I had known each other for over ten years. I'd been hopelessly in love with him for seven. I followed him like a loyal shadow, did whatever he asked of me-no matter how humiliating or ridiculous-even when everyone else laughed at me.

"Are you insane?" Carl glared at me like I was causing a scene. "Eleanor, cut it out."

"Katherine used my design, submitted it early, and destroyed everything I've worked for!" Tears ran down my cheeks. I completely lost it. "Yeah, maybe I am crazy! But Carl, why the hell would you hurt me like this?!"

He had finally broken me. I'd endured years of ridicule, putting up with everything quietly. But at that moment, I snapped, grabbing a fistful of Carl's shirt with all my strength.

"Let go of him, you psycho! What do you think you're doing?!" Jessica screamed, pulling at my shoulders, trying to yank me away.

But rage was running through my veins. I turned and slapped her-with everything I had.

"You don't get to talk to me like that!" I shouted at her, eyes burning.

Jessica clutched her face, staring at me in disbelief. Her glare turned venomous in seconds, and she charged at me, furious. "You bitch! You dare hit me? I swear I'm gonna rip you to shreds!"

She howled and lunged at me. In the blink of an eye, we had both shifted into our wolves, our fangs bared as we clawed and bit at each other across the floor.

"Enough!" Carl's voice thundered, his Alpha presence crashing down around us like a storm.

We froze for a beat, then shifted back into our human forms, ragged breaths filling the tense silence.

He shot me a cold, cutting look. "I'll have the pack send you home. We'll talk later."

"That's it?" My breathing hitched, my chest tightening.

Just as I was trying to collect myself, Jessica smacked me across the face-twice. "You worthless piece of trash."

"Jessica!" Carl snapped, throwing her a sharp look.

She muttered something under her breath, eyes full of contempt as they dragged across my frame. "She hit me first."

I held my swollen cheek, too drained to say anything. Shutting my eyes, I took a deep breath to steady myself. The fury fizzled out-all that was left was a pit of despair.

"Carl," I said softly, my voice empty, "Let's end the mate bond."

It was over-the love I held for seven years, crushed by my own foolishness.

"What?" He looked completely thrown off.

"I don't want to be your mate anymore." I stood up straight and walked out.

My final words were barely louder than a whisper. "Let's pretend I've just been a complete fool these past seven years."

Carl's heart never belonged to me. It was always Katherine. I used to believe that with enough effort, he'd notice me. That he'd recognize my love, my worth.

But the truth hit me hard-just to please Katherine, he left me in ruins... and never even blinked. Design meant everything to me. I never wanted to be just a pretty face next to Carl. But to him, it was always a joke.

"What the hell is wrong with you today?!" Carl shouted from behind.

"Carl," Jessica cooed, her voice syrupy sweet, "You have no idea how upset I am right now..."

I shuffled down the road, my mind numb to their voices.

Out of nowhere, a sleek black car screeched to a halt inches in front of me. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at the headlights, frozen in place.

"Alpha Ethan, there's a lunatic in the road," one of the werewolves in the car huffed. "Nearly hit her. Good thing I hit the brakes in time."

"Zane, you better watch yourself around Stormfang territory," the other muttered, voice cool and low.

"You guys..." I didn't even finish. Everything went black as I collapsed. The cold rain and my burning rage finally swallowed me whole.

*****

By the time I opened my eyes again, night had completely fallen.

The buzzing of my phone brought me back. I looked around and realized I was in a bedroom, dressed in clean pajamas.

But the rain had done its damage-I was still dizzy and sluggish.

I poorly grasped for my phone, and the messages started flooding in one after another-disappointed tones, angry demands.

My mentor had sent a final message: they would never teach me design again.

More messages followed from others at the Design Academy. Full of scorn.

[Didn't think you'd stoop this low, Eleanor. You disgust me.]

Even the news had picked up the story, painting me as a shameless cheat.

My fingers trembled as I scrolled through all of it, every word a slap in the face. Grief crushed me. Once, they saw so much potential in me. Now they all saw nothing but a plagiarist.

Tears streamed down my face, soaking into my pillow. No one knew just how shattered I was inside.

I just wanted out-out of this twisted bond with Carl, out of the Stormfang Pack, far away from everything. This place had brought me nothing but pain.

When I leave, I'll stop being the fool. I owe nothing to Carl. And I owe nothing to this cruel pack.

"Eleanor!" The door slammed open. Karen and Rosa stormed inside, faces tight with anger.

I frowned. "What do you two want?"

"You brought disgrace to the Stormfang Pack!" Karen snapped, her voice like a whip. "Luna Anna wants you gone."

Rosa yanked me off the bed, her grip bruising. "Look at what you've done, Eleanor!"

Their combined strength was overwhelming as they dragged me outside, no mercy in their movements.

"Let go of me! I'm your Luna!" I yelled, struggling hard.

"Luna? Please," Rosa sneered, shoving me. "Someone like you who smeared our pack's name doesn't deserve the title."

She slapped me, hard. My cheek swelled, lip split, but all they did was stare coldly.

Everyone knew Carl couldn't stand me. Even after we formed the mate bond, he never bothered to hide his disgust. He made sure the whole pack saw it. He hated me-wanted me to suffer.

So it wasn't a surprise that the rest of the pack followed his lead, throwing their scorn freely. The only one who showed me any kindness was the ailing old Alpha, Remy.

The rest only sought to crush me, push me out. My place here wasn't even as good as the lowest omega.

Karen and Rosa were former Luna Anna's omega housekeepers-people who never respected me, not for a second.

To them, I was nothing but an easy target. The lowest of the low.

And that made my life here unbearable.

Eleanor' POV:

"Madam Luna, Eleanor's here," Rosa called out.

They dragged me down the stairs like I was baggage, not even caring that my leg almost twisted.

I stepped into the living room and saw every single one of Carl's relatives sitting there.

Carl was lounging on the couch chatting with his little brother, Calvin, like nothing was going on. His little sister, Della, was lazily munching on chips next to them.

The cozy family scene just made me look even more pathetic.

"Kneel!" Anna snapped.

"I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I kneel?" I shot her a glare, staring straight at her aging face.

She clearly didn't see that coming. I'd always been the quiet, obedient one-now I was talking back. Her face darkened. "So rude! Rosa, Karen, get her on her knees!"

I heard Karen scoff. Then she slammed her foot into my knee. I gritted my teeth, groaning from the pain, but I still didn't kneel.

Rosa stepped in, clearly losing her patience, and kicked my thigh hard. It burned like hell. I gasped, sweat dripping down my face, my body starting to give way.

They grabbed my arms and forced me down, shoving me to my knees.

I was shaking all over, clenching my teeth as the pain nearly brought tears to my eyes. Still, I forced myself to lift my head, only to catch Carl's emotionless face.

He stared right at me, silent and distant, like he didn't care I was barely breathing from the pain. When our eyes met, all I saw in his cold stare was irritation, zero trace of concern.

I looked away, my heart sinking. There was this dull, suffocating ache sitting right in my chest.

'I can't believe I was still hoping for anything from him,' I laughed bitterly to myself. 'You're such an idiot, Eleanor.'

"Look at what you've done!" Anna snapped. "You got exposed for plagiarism at the Starluxe Competition! Now every clan out there is talking about how our Luna is a fraud!"

"I told you before-if you don't have the skills, just stay put and give Carl a pup already! It's not like we Stormfang can't afford your useless ass. Instead, you went out and made a fool of yourself, and now the whole werewolf community's laughing at us!"

Anna's glare could've burned a hole through me. Her face was flushed with fury, and her voice was like nails on glass. Whatever grace a Luna should have? Yeah, she had none. Honestly, it was almost funny.

So I forced a smile, pushing through the pain, and said with a bite in my voice, "It's not me who's an embarrassment, Ms. Anna. Maybe you should ask your precious grandson, our noble Alpha Carl. Wasn't it all his doing?"

Carl's expression twisted, but I wasn't scared of it anymore. I looked right at him, my tone sharp and cold-mocking, even. For the first time, I really looked down on him. "He threw both me and the entire Stormfang Pack under the bus for Katherine. How noble of him."

"Have you lost your mind?" Carl snapped, glaring. "How dare you-"

"For god's sake," Anna cut him off, her voice rising with fury. "You little brat, you think you can disrespect us and get away with it? Karen, bring me that whip!"

"Grandma?" Carl frowned, trying to calm her down. "You don't have to-"

Anna's face was dark with rage. "You never should've taken her as your mate in the first place. A delta's daughter wasn't good enough for you-and now look what a mess she's made. She needs to be taught a lesson. Don't stand in my way, Carl."

Karen walked over holding a whip-one that had been kept in the pack for years, reserved only for punishing those considered traitors before casting them out. Never in a million years did I think it would end up being used on me.

I clenched my jaw and glared at Anna and Carl, their cold, cruel faces so alike it made my stomach turn.

Karen let out a wicked laugh from behind me. Anna lifted her chin slightly. "Hit her until she admits she was wrong."

"Yes, ma'am," Karen said smugly, clearly enjoying this.

She raised the whip and brought it down hard. The pain ripped through my back like I was being mauled by a wild beast. Tears welled up in my eyes instantly, but I clenched my teeth and refused to make a sound.

I forced myself to sit up straight, glaring at Anna with defiance.

Anna looked pissed. "Keep going. Let's see how long she lasts."

The loud snap of the whip echoed again and again, relentless. I held out as blood started trickling from the wounds. To stay silent, I bit down on my lip until I tasted blood. Eventually, the pain just blurred into numbness.

I was on the verge of shifting-I wanted to fight back so badly, even if it meant dying here. But I held myself back. I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of watching me fall apart.

"Luna Eleanor, are you ready to admit what you did wrong?" Karen's voice was cold.

I kept my head down and my mouth shut. There was no way I was giving them that.

"That's enough," Carl said irritably. "Grandma, it's done."

Della let out a giggle. "Carl, once she's dead, you'll be free to shack up with Katherine."

Hearing those words, my legs gave out and I collapsed. Carl suddenly got to his feet. "Eleanor?"

"Wake her up. Keep going," Anna said coldly.

"She could die if this keeps up," Carl murmured.

"Let her! An Alpha like you feeling pity for a worthless wolf like her?" Anna snapped.

"I'll do it!" Della chirped, lifting a container of hot water and dumping it straight on my back. I groaned in agony, trying to get up, while Della laughed like it was the funniest thing she'd ever seen.

Their eyes were full of smug satisfaction, like I wasn't even a person-just some trash they needed to get rid of. Not their Luna.

"Eleanor," Carl said evenly. "You should admit you were wrong."

My hands trembled as I stayed quiet for a few seconds. "Fine. I will. But I have one condition."

"What condition?" Carl asked, frowning.

"I want to break the mate bond," I said as I shut my eyes tight, forcing the words out. "Let me go, Carl. I don't want to be your mate anymore. I don't want to love you. Just... let me go."

"Say yes!" Della tugged at Carl's arm excitedly. "Then you can be with Katherine already."

"She's a disgrace to the Stormfang Pack. Letting her be Luna was already more than enough payback for what her grandfather did for us."

"Totally, kick her out already. Nobody wants her here."

"Just end the mate bond, Alpha. We've all got your back."

They were all shouting, like driving me out would somehow cleanse their precious pack. Like I'd tainted their beloved Alpha just by existing.

I stared straight at Carl, not saying a word, just waiting. I couldn't take it anymore. I was done-done with how they treated me, done with him.

Carl stiffened for a second, then let out this bitter laugh. He stepped up to me, grabbed my chin-hard-and leaned in, voice low and cold. "So you actually think you can walk away from me-no matter what it costs?"

His expression dripped with scorn, like the idea was some kind of joke. Like I'd never survive without him. But I didn't flinch. My voice was steady: "Even if I die out there, even if rogues tear me apart... I'd still rather that than stay your mate."

That was the only thing I knew for sure.