Contract Over: I Rejected My Alpha Husband First

Author's pov

The grand hall of The Frostwood Pack House gleamed with brilliant lights as pack members and invited Alphas from other territories gathered for Alpha Jonas's welcome ceremony. After four years at the prestigious Alpha Academy, the entire pack eagerly anticipated their Alpha's return.

Freya Gilbert stood in line at the entrance, nervously adjusting her red dress, her palm unconsciously pressing against the stain on the side of the dress. It was her only decent dress; she had no other options.

She watched guests ahead of her enter effortlessly while her anxiety mounted, afraid they wouldn't let her in. As her turn approached, her palms grew sweaty, her heart raced, and panic surged through her.

"Freya, calm down," her wolf, Vicki, warned in her mind. "The more nervous you are, the more likely you'll mess things up."

Freya knew she should remain composed, but it felt impossible.

Tonight was her last chance.

A month ago, returning home from art school, she had discovered several vehicles parked outside, with strangers bustling around her front door.

"I'm sorry, Miss Gilbert, this house will be repossessed and auctioned," one of them informed her.

"What? There must be some mistake!" Freya was frantic as she watched the workers post the auction notices. "My father is just away on a business trip. He'll be back soon to take care of this."

The court officer gave her a pitying shake of his head, handing her a property seizure notice. "Mr. Gilbert emptied all accounts and fled with the money. We've notified the police. According to investigations, he left with your stepmother and sister."

In that moment, Freya's world collapsed entirely. She stared at the document in disbelief, each word piercing her heart like a dagger.

Gut-wrenching agony twisted within her. For the first time in her twenty-two years, she realized how utterly alone she was in this world. Her father had chosen her stepmother and half-sister, discarding her like garbage. All he left her were mountains of debt and a house about to be seized.

"Miss, you have 30 days to vacate. However, if you can clear all debts during this period..."

"How much?" The words tasted bitter on her tongue.

"Including principal, interest, penalties, and court fees, the total is $2.8 million."

Freya's stomach churned and she nearly lost her balance hearing that figure, the room spinning as if she might faint.

$2.8 million! It was astronomical to her. But she knew she had to keep this house.

As a senior art student yet to graduate, she couldn't even complete job applications without a permanent address. And as an Omega in the pack, good jobs were basically impossible to get.

Now only three days remained until the deadline. Alpha Jonas's return was her only hope. They had grown up together, and when she was downgraded to Omega because she was too weak, Jonas was the only one who still cared about her. Perhaps, just perhaps, he might be willing to help.

"Take a deep breath, Freya," Vicki gently guided her in her mind, pulling her back from painful memories.

It was her turn next. Freya lifted her dress, preparing to enter the hall.

"Excuse me, miss." A burly security guard blocked her path, looking her over with contempt. "This event is restricted to pack members and invited guests only."

"I am a pack member," Freya lifted her chin. "My name is Freya Gilbert."

"Oh, Beta Matt's daughter, the downgraded one." He sneered. "Sorry, but Omegas can't come to high-class events like this. So. Fuck. Off."

Freya felt blood pound in her temples, humiliation and desperation mingling within her. "I have to get in! I have to talk to Alpha Jonas!"

"Talk to him?" The guard scoffed. "What's an Omega got to say that matters? Everyone knows your father ran off with debts. Trying to latch onto our Alpha now? Fat chance."

Passing pack members began whispering and pointing.

Freya heard their cutting remarks,

"That's her, Beta Matt's pathetic daughter..."

"I heard she's actually homeless now..."

"Karma's a bitch, isn't it? Especially with a dad who screwed everyone over..."

The humiliation stung, her dignity trampled in public, but she couldn't afford to care.

"Please, I'm begging you!" Freya's voice broke. "Alpha Jonas knows me--we grew up together! He'll see me. This is urgent!"

The guard, irritated, pushed her away. She lost her balance and fell to the floor, scraping her hand on the ground. Sharp pain shot through her palm. "Don't disturb the other guests. I told you to fuck off!"

Freya huddled on the cold floor as impatient guests streamed past her. Some cruelly stepped on her red dress, leaving muddy footprints on it. They looked down their noses at her as if she were nothing but an eyesore.

She had only three days left.

If she couldn't even see Jonas, she truly had nowhere else to turn. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them back fiercely. Choking on a sob, she scrambled to her feet, trying to force her way inside.

"Enough of this shit," the guard growled, roughly grabbing her arm and trying to drag her away.

Just then, a staff member in formal attire hurried over, hissing at the guard, "Alpha Jonas is about to make his entrance! What the hell is going on here? Get this mess out of sight--now!"

Hearing Jonas's name, Freya realized it was now or never. She wrenched herself free from the guard's grip and rushed toward the banquet hall. "Jonas! I have to see him!"

"You crazy bitch!" The guard and the staff pounced on her, their hands clamping down on her arms like iron vices. "Are you trying to ruin the Alpha's welcome ceremony?!"

Freya thrashed wildly, her red dress ripping apart with a harsh tearing sound. Then, through all the chaos, a scent hit her. Rich. Intoxicating. Overwhelming. Sandalwood and pine flooded her senses.

Her breath hitched. Her heart hammered against her ribs, pulse thundering in her ears, while Vicki surged within her, restless and wired.

Inside the banquet hall, Alpha Jonas walked gracefully away from a group of admirers. He looked like the epitome of a perfect Alpha--his black hair perfectly styled, his gray suit tailored. Those warm brown eyes and gentle smile reminded Freya of simpler times, when she was still a cherished daughter protected by her Beta family.

"Welcome our Alpha!" Enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd.

Every unmated female in the room was under his spell, and Freya was no different. Throughout her life, Jonas had been more than just a childhood friend; he embodied all her teenage dreams and fantasies.

Suddenly, Vicki let out a deafening howl. "Mate!"

Freya's eyes snapped wide, staring at Jonas. What the hell? No way. Could it really be him?

Pure, desperate joy exploded in her chest. If Jonas was truly her fated mate, she was saved! He would never reject her! She'd be protected as an Alpha's mate. Those crushing debts? Gone. The threats, the humiliation, the fear--all of it would vanish like a bad dream.

And the best part? She'd always been in love with him!

But as Jonas moved through the crowd, that intoxicating scent didn't get stronger. It didn't follow his movements. Confused, Freya looked around.

"Good evening, everyone," Jonas's commanding voice carried throughout the room. "Thank you all for such a grand welcome ceremony."

That's when Freya spotted him--another man near the side entrance, and her world instantly tilted on its axis.

He was a towering, imposing Alpha in a bespoke black suit, with tawny hair and cold, piercing eyes. He was devastatingly handsome but looked lethal. He gave off a dangerous, oppressive aura that made people bow their heads in fear. On his arm was an elegant brunette woman; together they looked like models from a fashion spread.

When this unknown Alpha's gaze locked onto hers, he dropped his companion's hand without a second thought and walked straight toward Freya.

Each step made that scent grow more intense, nearly suffocating her.

"Alpha, the party's already started," a guard tried to block his path, his voice trembling.

The Alpha didn't even glance at him, stopping right in front of Freya.

Paralyzed by fear, the guards who had been pinning Freya down instantly released their grip, scrambling backward to get away from the crushing Alpha aura rolling off him.

Up close, Freya could see his sharp jawline and the possessive look in his blue eyes.

Freya felt her knees buckle under the weight of his stare.

She dropped to her knees. She raised her head and looked up at him.

Not Jonas. This stranger. This powerful, terrifying man was her fated mate.

She couldn't stop herself from whispering the word in front of everyone.

"Mate."

"Mate."

The word made the entire banquet hall fall silent. Conversations stopped. Champagne glasses hung halfway to lips. Every single person turned to stare at them.

Jonas's brown eyes went wide with shock and a flicker of disappointment. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.

The mysterious Alpha stared down at Freya, his ice-blue eyes burning with a hunger so scorching it made her skin flush.

"Rise," he commanded.

Freya's legs shook as she tried to stand, but her body felt like jelly. Before she could fall again, his large hand clamped around her wrist and hauled her up.

The moment their skin touched, a jolt of pure electricity shot through her entire body. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Within her, Vicki went absolutely feral, howling, "Mate! Mate!"

"Niklaus!" A sharp female voice cut through the tension.

The stunning brunette in an elegant champagne dress rushed over, clutching Niklaus's other arm. Diamond rings glittered on her fingers.

"What is this crazy girl saying?" Rebekah's voice cracked with panic. "She's lying, right? Tell me she's lying!"

Freya could see the desperation in the woman's eyes. She shrank back, ducking her head as hot shame flooded her cheeks. This powerful Alpha already had someone--someone polished and perfect, not a broken, debt-ridden Omega in a tattered, muddy dress.

Niklaus said nothing. His silence was answer enough.

"No!" Rebekah let out a piercing scream. "Niklaus! How could you do this to me? We're engaged!"

"Rebekah..." Niklaus's voice was thick with a jagged edge of guilt. He reached toward her.

"I hate you!" Tears blurred her vision. "I hate all of you!"

Rebekah turned and bolted toward the exit. The banquet hall doors slammed shut behind her.

Niklaus watched her go, pain crossing his face. Through the mate bond, Freya could feel his desperate urge to chase after Rebekah, torn within him.

Bitterness filled her heart. Her fated mate loved someone else. And Jonas, the man who was supposed to be her savior, was now miles out of reach.

Niklaus pulled himself together in an instant. When his gaze snapped back to Freya, his eyes were burning with that primal hunger again.

"What's your name?"

"Freya... Freya Gilbert."

"Freya. You're coming with me. Now."

Not a request. A command.

"I... I can't..." The mate bond pulled at her, making it impossible to think straight. The soul-consuming need made her want to follow him anywhere, but she needed to speak with Jonas about her problem.

"This shouldn't be happening," Niklaus suddenly hissed, clenching his fists as he fought the wolf inside him. His eyes instantly shifted from blue to a pale gold. "But since it has..."

Niklaus didn't want to cause any more of a scene. Ignoring Freya's protests, he clamped his hand around her arm and began pulling her toward the exit.

"Wait!" Jonas finally spoke up, stepping forward. "You can't just take her!"

Niklaus stiffened, a low growl vibrating in his chest. His eyes flashed, the blue vanishing entirely as a brilliant, terrifying gold took over.

Niklaus snapped his head toward him. "You want to stop me, Alpha Jonas?"

Then he let out a loud growl that made everyone's hearts quiver.

Many lower-ranking pack members began to fall to their knees. They could not withstand the Alpha's growl. Their strength wasn't enough to resist Niklaus's dominance. Even Jonas took a step back. It was clear that Niklaus overpowered every Alpha in the room.

"She's a member of our pack..." Jonas held his ground against Niklaus's overwhelming aura, realizing that Niklaus was now completely controlled by his wolf. The stronger the Alpha, the more vicious the beast.Once controlled by the wolf, it took tremendous effort for an Alpha to regain control.

"She's my mate. Which makes her mine." Niklaus snarled in a condescending tone.

Niklaus tightened his iron grip and shouldered past Jonas, striding toward the exit.

Freya felt powerless. She had no idea what to do. She twisted her head to look back at Jonas as Niklaus continued hauling her away.

Behind them, the crowd exploded into gossip.

"Oh my Goddess, did that really just happen?"

"Alpha Niklaus of the most powerful Whitecrown Pack is mated to that? To the Colors Freak?"

"Yeah, I heard she's a total lost cause. Couldn't tell a scent from a form during training. Her brain is fried. She was so weak they had to demote her to the bottom."

Freya ignored it all, though the cruel nickname cut like a knife. Niklaus's grip was so tight her hand went numb. She could tell he was seething--as if he didn't want her as his mate. They were practically strangers. Worse still, he had been in a relationship with a woman he'd planned to marry.

Niklaus shoved her into an elevator and slammed the button for the top floor.

"I need to go back," Freya managed to choke out. "You don't understand. I came here tonight because--"

Her words were stifled as Niklaus suddenly lunged forward, caging her against the wall. The heat of his body made it impossible to think.

Niklaus's breath hitched as he stared into Freya's striking green eyes. His throat constricted, his mouth going dry.

"I can't wait any longer," he rasped.

Then, his lips crashed onto hers.

She'd never been kissed like this. His scent exploded in her head, painting patterns of blue and gold, making her dizzy with pure, unadulterated want.

Niklaus's burning fingers traced her skin, pinching her earlobe before sliding down her neck to her collarbone. The touch ignited sparks that made her shudder uncontrollably.

Freya pushed against his chest, but a hungry, ache deep within her body pulled her closer instead. The mate bond tugged at her, demanding surrender.

"The elevator..." she panted, her voice trembling as her hands rested uselessly against his chest.

Niklaus paused, his body going still except for the hand splayed across her lower back. In the dim elevator light, his eyes glowed with an unnatural redness, wild and hungry.

"Do you want me to stop?" he rasped.

The elevator chimed as it reached the top floor. Without waiting for her answer, Niklaus draped his jacket over her shivering shoulders. He swept her into his arms and strode down the hallway to his suite.

The door clicked shut, and he pinned her against it. His mouth crushed onto hers. The kiss was deeper now, more desperate, as if he needed to devour her.

His kisses trailed from her mouth to her neck; each one was hotter than the last. Their clothes were stripped away, scattered across the floor.

They stood naked together. Freya gazed at his strong arms and sculpted abs; her eyes darting away immediately. She was nervous; she had never been with a man before..

"Is this your first time?" Niklaus asked, noticing her innocence.

Freya couldn't look up; she just gave a shaky nod.

Niklaus gave a small smile. His movements were still urgent, but they weren't frantic anymore; he became more careful with her.

He swept her up and carried her to the bed, lowering her onto the soft sheets before kneeling between her legs. Freya's eyes widened in shock as she realized his intentions.

"Niklaus... wait," she whispered, trying to close her legs, but his strong hands gently held them apart.

"Let me taste you," he growled, almost animalistic.

Before she could protest again, he buried his face between her legs. The first touch of his tongue sent a jolt of heat through her entire body. Freya cried out; her back arched off the bed as her fingers tangled in his thick hair. She couldn't decide whether to pull him closer or push him away.

He was relentless; his tongue kept circling and stroking her until she was writhing beneath him. She had never felt anything like this before; the feeling was too much, far more intense than she ever imagined. Every lick and suck pushed her higher, building a heavy pressure deep in her core.

"Oh Goddess," she moaned, her hips bucked against his mouth as she fought for air. "Niklaus, please, I can't take any more."

He licked her even more urgently now, his tongue moving faster as he pushed her closer to the edge. His hands gripped her thighs, holding her in place as he devoured her. When he sucked on her clit while sliding a finger deep inside her, Freya shattered.

The climax washed over her, and her body jerked as she screamed his name. Her vision went dark; she couldn't think, she could only feel the blinding heat rushing through her veins. She shook uncontrollably while he kept teasing her, pulling every last bit of pleasure from her body.

When the heat finally started to fade, Freya felt him move up her body. His hard cock pressed against her opening; she opened her eyes, dazed and breathless. She waited for him to take her completely.

But suddenly, he stopped.

Freya blinked, her mind still foggy. Niklaus hovered above her, his chest heaving with heavy breaths. The red glow in his eyes faded; the sharp, icy blue was coming back. He looked stunned, as if he couldn't believe what he was doing.

He stared at her, finally conscious of where they were. The wolf had retreated, leaving the man in control again. He looked torn; it was clear he still wanted her, but he was trying to hold himself back.

Freya felt empty and incomplete. The bond was like a physical ache, demanding more. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her.

She pressed her lips against his. Niklaus froze; his muscles tensed under her touch. Then, slowly, he began to kiss her back.

This kiss felt different. It wasn't a wild mess of hunger anymore; it was slow and focused. Niklaus licked her bottom lip before sliding his tongue into her mouth, teasing her with every stroke. This was Niklaus who knew exactly how to drive a woman crazy.

As he kissed her, his hand moved up to cup her breast. He squeezed the soft flesh, his thumb rubbing over her hard nipple until she gasped. Freya, wanting to feel him too, hesitantly reached down between them; her fingers finally brushed against his thick, throbbing cock.

Her inexperience showed. She didn't know how to move, so she just held him, her hand trembling as she waited for him to lead the way.

Niklaus groaned into her mouth, his breath turning ragged instantly. He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against hers; his blue eyes locked onto her green ones. Then, he covered her hand with his own. He began to move her hand, showing her how to stroke him. He guided her palm up and down his length, showing her exactly how much pressure he liked.

He grew even harder under her touch so that she could feel his pulse thumping against her fingers. He started to pant, making soft groans in his throat. Freya felt a rush of power; she loved knowing that she was the one making this powerful Alpha lose his control.

After a few minutes, he pulled her hand away and hovered above her again. He didn't push inside her yet; his muscles were shaking as he fought to hold himself back. He looked down at her; his eyes were a dark, stormy blue.

"Freya," he whispered her name, his voice thick with desire. "Tell me what you want."

Freya looked at the man above her. He was her fated mate, and it felt right to give her first time to him. She wanted to belong to him completely.

She blushed as she arched her back, opening her legs as wide as they would go. Her voice was small, but she was sure about this.

"I want you," she whispered. "I want you inside me."

Something in Niklaus's eyes snapped at her words. The last bit of his restraint vanished. He didn't wait another second. He positioned himself and pushed forward, entering her slowly but steadily.

The sharp sting of him breaking her maidenhead made Freya gasp; she dug her nails into his shoulders. He stopped instantly, letting her body get used to his size.

He kissed the tears from her eyes and whispered sweet, quiet things against her skin. "My brave girl. You're doing so well."

Her grip on his shoulders relaxed a little. The pain soon faded, replaced by an incredible feeling of being full. The mate bond hummed, making her feel like they finally belonged together. Once she relaxed, he started to move. He was slow at first, then he picked up the pace, hitting her deeper with every thrust.

"You're mine," Niklaus growled softly, his breath hot against her ear. "My mate."

The words sent a thrill through Freya's body. "Yes," she whispered back, clinging to him. "Only yours."

He groaned and pounded into her even harder. Every stroke made the pleasure climb; the bond between them was screaming with joy. Freya wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him deeper. She was new to this, but she tried her best to match his rhythm.

The room was filled with their moans and the sound of their bodies hitting together. Freya could only focus on him--the weight of him, and the way his eyes never left her face.

"Come for me again," he commanded. He reached down to rub her clit while he kept thrusting into her. "I want to feel you squeeze me."

His fingers and his heavy thrusts were too much. Freya broke again. This orgasm was even stronger than the first one; it felt like her whole body was on fire. She screamed his name as she clamped down around him, her muscles twitching in a long, hard release.

Her climax pushed him over the edge. Niklaus let out a deep, rough groan and pounded into her one last time; he buried his cock as deep as it would go while his whole body shook. Freya felt him pulse hot and heavy inside her; he was filling her.

He collapsed beside her afterward and pulled her to his chest. They stayed like that for a while; their breathing slowed down as the room went quiet. Niklaus ran his fingers down her back; he messed with her hair and stroked her skin while she lay against him.

Freya was exhausted. Niklaus carried her to the bathroom and gently cleaned her up. Then he brought her back to bed, pulling the covers over them both and wrapping his arms around her.

She felt herself falling asleep in his arms. Then she heard him whisper.

"What have you done to me, my little mate?"