Alpha's Regret: The Hybrid's Royal Contract

Elara

"Fuck, Elara."

"Zack... oh, deeper... harder!" My shrill voice begged between breathy moans.

Scorching fluid surged inside me. I loved the feeling of my partner inside me, even after our climaxes had subsided.

But then he pushed me away.

"I, Zack Blackwood of the Blackwood Pack, reject you, Elara Park, as my fated mate."

WHAT THE HELL? My mate said this right after making love to me.

His little guy had just finished interacting with me!

Getting rejected by your fated mate was the worst pain imaginable.

It was not just heartbreak. It felt like someone was tearing your chest open and crushing your heart with their bare hands.

My wolf screamed inside me. The sound was so painful I almost lost my mind. She fought and clawed like a trapped animal, desperate to break free.

Every part of my body burned. My blood felt like liquid fire in my veins. My heart shattered into a million pieces.

This was fate's cruelest joke. You found your other half, then watched them destroy everything between you.

My wolf curled up in the corner of my mind, shaking like a hurt puppy.

She had been so proud when we found our mate. Now she could only whimper in confusion and pain.

Why? Why would he do this to us?

But through the pain, one thought burned crystal clear in my mind:

You just made the biggest mistake of your life, Zack Blackwood.

And I was going to make sure you regretted it.

...

I was Elara Park -a hybrid nobody wanted.

My mother Nadia was a pureblooded Alpha's daughter, while my father James was human.

When my father was alive, our life was perfect.

But after Dad died, Mom married Alpha Enzo Vance of The Amber Pack.

For the first time, I was thrust into pack life, where I became an instant target.

"Look, it's the half-breed."

"Her human blood makes her weak."

The whispers followed me everywhere. My father's human heritage became a weapon other pack members used against me.

At first, Mom tried to protect me. She was struggling too, trying to prove herself as Enzo's new wife.

But two years later, she had my half-brother Anthony.

Everything changed then. She became obsessed with being the perfect Luna.

I became an embarrassing reminder of her past.

The protection stopped. I was on my own in a world that would never accept me.

I learned the truth early in life.

I could attend pack meetings and wear nice clothes to events. But I would never be real family.

Because I was a hybrid with weak bloodline.

But Zack Blackwood was different.

He was the future Alpha of the Blackwood Pack. A born leader who got respect everywhere he went. At every gathering, the most powerful families pushed their daughters at him.

BUT, his fated mate was me.

The first time we scented each other at a territorial meeting, we both knew instantly. My wolf submitted to his power immediately. His eyes locked on mine across the room and wouldn't look away.

We fell into what felt like a perfect relationship. Secret meetings, stolen kisses, passionate nights together.

I thought he didn't care about my mixed blood.

I threw myself into becoming worthy of him - studied pack politics, learned etiquette, trained harder than any pureblooded she-wolf.

The Moon Goddess had given us this bond – surely that meant I was destined to be his Luna.

But it didn't matter.

My eyes burned as I watched Zack, who was suffering through the mate bond rejection too. I forced the words through gritted teeth: "Why?"

"I thought you always understood," Zack looked at me with eyes that had turned cold and distant. "You're a hybrid. Being my girlfriend temporarily was already an honor. How could you possibly think you deserved to be Luna of the Blackwood Pack?"

"I've already chosen my Luna candidate. But don't worry – after I marry her, you can still be my mistress."

So he'd been cheating. Planning this all along.

If I'd had a silver knife right then, I would've stabbed him repeatedly.

But I was too weak, too broken. I could only watch him get dressed and walk out of my life.

After he left, the television was broadcasting news from the Council Gala.

There was Zack at the head table, beside Selina Vance - my stepsister.

The Vance family's golden wolf, their most prized bloodline.

Elegant, pure, powerful, she seemed custom-made for the title of "future Luna."

The headline was beautifully crafted:

"Blackwood Pack's Future Alpha Appears With Pureblooded Luna Candidate, Marriage Alliance Imminent."

I stared at the photograph, my body turning cold.

Everyone was congratulating them.

Everyone thought this was right.

No one cared that Zack's true fated mate wasn't Selina, but me.

Just as I was about to crush my phone, my mom Nadia called.

Her voice was ice-cold, "Elara, you're twenty-three now. It's time you contributed to the family."

I listened as she declared my fate: "Enzo and I have discussed it and arranged several matchmaking meetings for you. All respectable Alpha families, suitable matches."

"If you don't cooperate..." she paused, her voice growing even colder, "you can forget about your father's hotel chain."

My blood froze instantly.

My birth father, James Park, had owned a boutique hotel chain-the Park Hotel Group.

When my father died, I was only five. He'd made careful arrangements for me:

He left me 45% of the shares-making me the majority shareholder.

My mother received 30% of the shares.

Another 15% went to an employee stock ownership plan, distributed among 25 core staff members, with restrictions against external transfers.

The final 10% established a charitable trust for public welfare projects.

Besides shares, father left me other assets: Park Manor, some investment accounts, and his personal collections.

These properties were directly in my name but managed by my mother until I came of age.

But there was a crucial condition-I must complete a formal marriage registration before my 23rd birthday, or management rights for all assets, including my shares, would permanently transfer to my mother.

Now, I had just one month left until my 23rd birthday.

My father had wanted to protect me, never imagining this condition would become my mother's greatest leverage against me.

If I didn't marry according to their wishes, they could use various financial maneuvers to dilute my shares' value, reducing me to a shareholder in name only.

I finally understood the truth.

She never intended to let me truly take over my father's business. Those assets were just another card in her hand, tools to control and manipulate me.

"You have 12 hours to decide," she said without any love in her voice. Just cold business. "Elara, don't let me down. You've already caused enough problems for this family. Stop being difficult."

I sat alone in my tiny apartment and started laughing.

So why should I keep letting everyone walk all over me?

If they wanted to treat marriage like some business deal, fine.

I'd use marriage to strike back. Hard.

"I'll go through with your political marriage arrangement," my voice turned equally cold, "but when it's over, don't forget to return my inheritance to me, Luna Nadia."

Elara

The next morning, I went to Moon Harbor. It was the most exclusive private club in town. My mother had set up a meeting with my "marriage prospect" there.

My target was clear. Damian Sterling, second son of the Sterling Pack's Alpha. Not the heir, but pure bloodline. Most importantly, rumor said he didn't care about his mate's bloodline purity.

In other words, he'd accept a hybrid.

Everyone knew the rumors about Damian Sterling. Playboy, trust fund brat, the Sterling family's disgrace.

Perfect.

I smiled coldly.

This kind of waste was exactly what I needed. He wanted a respectable wife for show. I needed a legal husband to get my father's inheritance back.

A perfect deal where nobody got hurt. Because nobody would catch real feelings.

Compared to those self-righteous Alphas who thought they were "saving" hybrids, I preferred honest garbage. At least he wouldn't pretend to love me. And he wouldn't betray me for bloodline purity when things got tough.

The club worker led me to the top floor.

"Suite 1012," she said. "Mr. Sterling is waiting."

I nodded and memorized the number.

The hallway had identical doors with fancy carvings and metal name plates. I walked down searching: 1008, 1009, 1010...

My phone buzzed.

Text from my mother: "Remember, this match matters for the family. Don't mess it up."

I almost laughed. Family. Right.

I didn't bother replying and just turned the phone off. If she wanted to use me to climb the social ladder, fine. But I wasn't going to pretend we were some loving family.

1012 should be just ahead...

The hallway turned. I saw a door with voices coming from inside.

This must be it.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The private suite was dimly lit. Smoke, alcohol, and wolf pheromones filled the air. Men and women were scattered around what looked like a private party.

Through the smoke and whiskey scent mixed with strong Alpha pheromones, I could see couples flirting in the low light.

I stood at the entrance, not sure who to approach.

Then a woman's flirty laugh cut through the noise: "D! Pour me another!"

I quickly found who I was looking for.

He sat in the corner on a black leather sofa, lounging like a king with women around him.

He looked tall and lean with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His black T-shirt showed off defined muscles. Rolled-up sleeves revealed toned forearms with faint scars.

His bronze hair looked messy in the amber lighting. Typical European features: high nose, sharp profile, strong jawline. His amber eyes looked drunk and unfocused as he played with a whiskey glass.

Found him.

Just like the rumors said. Aimless, promiscuous, completely hopeless.

Exactly the partner I needed.

I took a deep breath and walked toward him.

"Damian?"

Before he could answer, a female wolf beside him waved me away impatiently. Her tone was nasty: "Where did this little half-breed come from? Can't you see D is busy? Get lost!"

I ignored her and looked straight at him. "Hello. I'm Elara Park."

He finally looked up.

Those seemingly unfocused amber eyes suddenly showed something ancient and dangerous. Like a predator lying in wait that suddenly opened its eyes.

When his gaze met mine, I felt a strange flutter in my chest.

Not fear, not alarm... what was it?

I'd just lost my mate bond. It couldn't possibly be...

I shook my head hard, pushing away such crazy thoughts.

I must be imagining things.

But just as quickly, he went back to looking careless.

He waved for everyone else to leave. His lips curved into a lazy smile: "Interesting. Not many people dare interrupt me when I'm 'working.'"

He pointed to the seat across from him: "Sit down, Elara Park. Let me see what a hybrid lady who looks like she stepped out of elite private school wants from me in a place like this."

When I actually sat in front of him, that uneasy feeling got stronger.

I knew it. The rumors were wrong.

This wolf was dangerous.

He leaned back in his chair, looking lazy and casual, like he couldn't be bothered with anything.

But when he looked at me, my wolf tensed instinctively. My breath caught.

This wasn't ordinary Alpha pressure. It was something older, more terrifying. Almost like the aura of an apex predator.

I steadied myself. I wouldn't back down.

"Let's talk business, Damian." I pulled out a contract I'd prepared. "I need marriage registration to inherit my property. Simple contract. Marriage in name only, separate lives, divorce after one year. In exchange, you get a large payment when it's done."

He seemed to see through my forced calm. His lips curved slightly with casual malice.

"Are you in such a hurry to get married?"

I hated how he looked at me, like a predator sizing up prey.

I pushed the contract toward him.

"Not marriage. A transaction," I said coldly. "I need a legal spouse. I don't care what you need. After marriage, we don't interfere with each other. No emotions, no crossing lines. You sign, I pay. Simple."

I spoke fast and cold, trying to boost my own courage.

I expected him to mock me or make things difficult.

But he just looked down at the contract once, then laughed softly.

That laugh gave me chills.

The next moment, he picked up a pen and signed without hesitation.

I was stunned.

Too fast.

So fast it seemed like he'd been waiting for this contract forever.

I tried to grab the contract from him, but he stood up, holding it out of reach. I stumbled forward into his arms.

A captivating scent filled my nose, making me dizzy for a moment.

I looked up at him, feeling regret for the first time.

But it was too late.He closed the document.

His gaze locked onto mine. His voice was deep and sharp like a blade in darkness.

"Elara," he said, "I hope you won't regret walking up to me on your own."

In that moment, my heart skipped for no reason.

Author

The drive to the werewolf mating registration office was quiet.

Dominic gripped the steering wheel tight as his wolf paced inside him, restless and eager.

He couldn't help but think back to the first time he'd seen Elara. Three years ago, right after the annual Alpha Academy lecture.

The moment he laid eyes on her, something deep in his wolf stirred with desperate longing. Her scent hit him like a punch to the gut - bergamot and rain, completely intoxicating.

His mind took seconds to process what his wolf knew instantly. He wanted her more than he'd ever wanted anyone.

But Elara hadn't noticed him at all. Instead, her gentle eyes and hopeful smile were aimed at someone else. That bastard, Zack Blackwood, who smelled like lies and fake loyalty.

In that instant, Dominic's wolf went completely wild with jealousy and rage.

His eyes flashed gold as the need to challenge Zack and steal her away nearly took over.

The urge to mark her, to replace Zack's claim with his own, was so strong he had to leave just to get control back.

To fight his feelings for her, he threw himself into wild parties and meaningless hookups.

He could go through the physical motions with other women, but emotionally and spiritually, it meant nothing. No matter how many women he was with physically, their scents smelled wrong and fake.

His body could function, but his wolf hated every moment.

His wolf rejected them all, whining and retreating deeper into his mind whenever another woman touched him.

The pack council kept pressuring him with arranged marriages, parading eligible she-wolves before him like prize breeding stock.

As the only remaining Alpha Royal bloodline, they desperately needed him to produce an heir.

Each rejection made his wolf more angry and protective of the mate he couldn't have.

So he started an elaborate deception.

He'd meet the council's chosen women, take them to bed, but secretly take pills to prevent pregnancy.

The women got paid well for their time, but never got what they really wanted - the chance to bear his puppies.

Dominic only wanted one woman. Elara Park.

The monthly council meetings became a ritual of harassment, their wolf scents thick with disapproval every time they cornered him about heirs and duty.

Just yesterday, at 3 PM in the Royal Council Chamber.

Twelve pack elders sat around a huge stone table carved with old wolf symbols.

Their combined energy made the room feel heavy and hard to breathe in. Each elder was important in their own pack, connecting their people to the Alpha King.

"Alpha King, you're thirty years old now!" The Chief Elder's wolf pushed forward, making his frustrated voice stronger. "As the only awakened Lycan royal bloodline on this continent, you cannot keep waiting!"

"Our enemies can smell weakness!" Another elder added. "If our royal bloodline dies out, Lycan powers from other continents will attack immediately!" He slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing like a challenge howl. "All wolf packs across North America will become slaves!"

Twelve pairs of eyes stared at the throne carved with ancient wolf symbols. Their combined wolf energy pressed against Dominic like a physical weight. Their pressure would have made any ordinary Alpha give in.

But Dominic just lounged lazily on his throne. His fingers tapped the precious gems in the armrests. Each tap was like a territorial warning.

When their noise became unbearable, he stopped tapping. Dominic stood slowly, his true Alpha aura unfurling like dark wings.

Instantly, crushing dominance flooded the hall. The ancient wolf magic in his blood pressed down on every werewolf there, forcing their wolves to submit completely.

"I am the only Alpha King on this continent," his voice carried his wolf's deep growl. Each word was a territorial claim that echoed in their bones. "My mating decisions need no one's approval."

To calm their wolves and prevent a real challenge, he gave them hope on purpose: "As for the heir issue... maybe an answer will come sooner than you think."

At the time, he just wanted to shut up the old fools and stop their wolves from doing something stupid.

He never expected fate would bring Elara to him so perfectly.

But here she was, about to become his Luna.

A mindlink suddenly crackled in his head. It was Owen, his Beta.

The man's mental voice sounded urgent and panicked.

[Alpha, the council found out about your lie. You...] Owen 's thoughts were jagged with worry.

[We can stop this stupid act now,]Dominic replied through the pack bond. His mental voice was warm with satisfaction. [I found my Luna.]

[What?! Alpha, you mean a real mate?] Owen's shock hit the mindlink like a physical blow. His excitement bled through their connection.

[There's just one small problem. My mate thinks she married Damian Sterling,] Dominic added.

[Please tell me I'm hearing things wrong, Alpha. Are you saying you stole Damian Sterling's fiancée?] Owen's mental voice practically shrieked.

[She was always mine,] Dominic said. [Now stop freaking out and make Damian Sterling disappear from public view for a week. Keep the Sterling family quiet too. Unless you want those twelve old fools bothering us constantly.]

[Got it, Alpha. I'll put our best people on it right away,] Owen responded.

[Make sure his scent doesn't go anywhere near my mate. I need to focus completely on courting my mate properly. Let her wolf recognize mine naturally,] Dominic added.

[Completely understood. I'll make sure it's handled perfectly.]

Dominic looked down at the marriage contract in his hands.

His wolf preened at Elara Park's signature next to his real name.

His mate had suggested a contract marriage to him. The Moon Goddess herself couldn't have planned a more perfect beginning.

He couldn't wait to see Elara's reaction when she found out she married the wrong man.

Soon, the entire werewolf world would know who Elara Park belonged to.