The Alpha Daughter's Third Mate

Bella's Pov

"I, Bella Brown, reject you, Barnett Morris, as my mate." At that very moment, I rejected my hard-earned second chance mate and forever abandoned the chance for happiness.

My name is Bella Brown, the daughter of the Alpha of the Red Moon pack. I have two older brothers, and my parents and brothers all dote on me. This affection is not indulgence; I was raised with good values and taught to treat every member of the pack equally. I attended the morning member training punctually, and years of training have molded me into an exceptional female warrior.

Just now, I forced back my sorrow and turned down my second mate. This truly is a laughable and tragic story. My first mate was a playboy named Gray Norman. Gray was the Beta of the Maple pack, renowned as a virgin hunter. He rejected me, citing that he hadn't had enough fun yet.

After losing the first chance, I told myself to be strong. He was merely a Beta playboy, someone who had been with multiple she-wolves. Being rejected by such a person was not worth my sadness. With the company of family and friends, I quickly pulled myself together.

A year later, my older brother's friend, Barnett, was invited to our pack. The moment he appeared, my wolf went wild, crying out "mate, mate, mate." Barnett was the heir of the Silver Wind pack, with shimmering golden hair and warm blue eyes. He could hold his own against my big brother on the training grounds, and I was completely captivated by him.

Everyone was happy for me, and I secretly sighed in relief because second chances like these were incredibly rare. In our pack, there were she-wolves who never found their second mates after rejection and spent their lives lonely. Over the past year, I often dreamed of being alone at family gatherings while my brothers' fated mates and their little pups happily gathered together, leaving me with a terrible sense of loneliness.

Barnett and I quickly fell deeply in love, like all fated mates. Tall, handsome Barnett treated me well; he was my prince charming, and he was the heir of the Silver Wind pack, a pack that had been allies with our Red Moon pack for generations. We seemed like a match made in heaven.

One month ago, Barnett proposed to me, and I gladly accepted, looking forward to becoming his Luna and giving birth to three little wolf pups for him. Tomorrow, the wedding is going to take place, and I'm feeling a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

I gaze at the shining Luna dress in my closet, unable to help but daydream about the wedding tomorrow. It's so beautiful and I will be the most beautiful and happiest bride in the world.

Ding!

It's a message from Barnett, asking me to meet him in the familiar little forest. I look at the screen with a silly smile – he must be missing me. With all the wedding preparations, we haven't seen each other for several days.

I quickly get myself ready, passing through the pack and walking down the path that will lead me to our agreed-upon spot.

Walking along the lush, verdant path, I softly hum the song that will play at the wedding tomorrow.

As I catch sight of the tall figure ahead, I immediately quicken my pace and run over, "Barnett!"

"Bella."

"Hi, Bella," a woman's voice.

I didn't expect there would be someone else standing next to him-Theresa. I furrowed my brows.

"Why are you here?" She shouldn't be appearing here with Barnett. Theresa has always been Barnett's close friend, and I used to feel jealous of their relationship, but Barnett assured me they were just friends.

"Don't be upset with her," Barnett scolded me. "I invited her."

"What?" I thought he invited me out on a date the day before the wedding because he missed me. What is he up to?

"Don't fight because of me; I asked Barnett to bring me here," Theresa softly said. "It's all my fault." Her eyes immediately reddened.

Theresa's words might sound like she's trying to reconcile things, but I felt extremely uncomfortable with her words.

Barnett tenderly rubbed Theresa's head to console her. I saw his hand even wrap around her shoulder, and Theresa nestled herself in Barnett's embrace. I couldn't help but widen my eyes. My fiancé was being so intimate with someone else right in front of me, and a surge of anger welled up within me.

"What the hell is going on with you two?"

"Bella, watch your words," Barnett glared at me angrily. "I am the Alpha."

"Not my Alpha," Barnett was about to inherit the position of Alpha of the Silver Wind Pack from his father, but I wasn't afraid of him. My father was an Alpha, my brother was the next Alpha in line, and I too carried the blood of an Alpha in my veins.

"Why are you here?" Barnett's strange behavior had already given me an ominous feeling.

"To talk about something."

"Say it," I stared directly into Barnett's eyes.

Barnett fell silent for a moment, then spoke, "Theresa is pregnant with my child."

"What?" I could hardly believe it. The day before my wedding, my fiancé was telling me that another woman was carrying his child.

"YOU BETRAYED ME," I shouted in anger.

"Please forgive him, he was drunk and mistook me for you," Theresa feigned concern.

"Shut up!" I coldly glared at Theresa.

"This isn't Theresa's fault, blame me," Barnett said while shielding Theresa behind him. His defense of her stabbed at my heart deeply. Unexpectedly, Theresa stepped forward, grabbing my hand. "Bella, please forgive Barnett. I will leave and never come back."

"Stay away from me," I pulled my hand away from Theresa's grip.

"Ahhhhh, my baby," Theresa fell to the ground.

I hadn't used too much force just now, how could she fall like that? I instinctively looked at Barnett, and my eyes met with his cold, icy gaze fixed on me.

"B-e-l-l-a," Barnett gritted his teeth at me, his eyes had turned golden-yellow due to anger, his wolf was emerging. Did he want to kill me for Theresa?

"She fell on her own, I didn't use much force just now."

"It's all my fault. I got pregnant with your child without permission. Bella has every right to be angry. Don't blame her," Theresa stood up with Barnett's support, sobbing as she apologized.

"How could you be so malicious?" Barnett accused me without hesitation, "I was even planning to let you raise Theresa's child, so you could continue being my Luna."

Let me raise this illegitimate child? Has Barnett lost his mind? I had thought that the second chance mate was a blessing from the Moon Goddess. It's clear now that Barnett is just a scumbag. Did he really think I would accept his ridiculous proposal for the so-called Luna position?

"I will never accept an illegitimate child."

"You better think carefully. If I reject you, you will never have another mate for the rest of your life. You'll live in eternal solitude."

Barnett's words weighed heavily on my heart. Indeed, finding a second mate among werewolves was already a stroke of luck. A third mate didn't even exist in the equation. If he rejected me today, it meant that I would forever lose my mate, reliving the nightmare of being rejected by my first mate over a year ago.

But do I really want to let Barnett and Theresa trample upon my dignity as the Alpha's daughter?

Absolutely not!

Bella's Pov

"I, Bella Brown, reject you, Barnett Morris, as my mate."

Just moments ago, I turned down my hard-earned second chance mate and forever relinquished the chance at happiness.

In the entire world of werewolves, it's always the females who get betrayed and hurt, while males often reject females with an air of superiority. What was originally a fated bond for love becomes a sword that stabs the she-wolf once love sours.

This is entirely unfair when it's the males who are in the wrong.

Barnett wanted to threaten me with our fated bond, to make me compromise and surrender. But I refused. As the Alpha's daughter, I would never allow anyone to trample on my dignity-neither man, nor Alpha, nor my fated mate. This time, it was his turn to taste rejection.

"How dare you!" Barnett shifted into a wolf and roared at me. I, unyielding, shifted as well to confront him.

"Barnett, you hypocrite, you don't deserve to be my mate at all."

"You dare to reject an Alpha."

"So what if you're an Alpha? Alpha blood runs in me too."

Barnett's eyes flared with anger. As a high-ranking Alpha, he had never been rejected by his mate before; no she-wolf had ever dared such a thing. Bella's rejection was a slap to Barnett's face, a severe blow to his pride.

"You will regret your actions today," Barnett threatened.

"I'll be waiting," I replied defiantly. Years of warrior training had instilled in me a refusal to back down. My blood felt like it was on fire, and I couldn't wait to face off with Barnett.

Just then, a chorus of wolf howls echoed.

"Growl"

"Growl"

"Growl"

"Growl"

...

Red wolves, one by one, came rushing from all directions-my kin had arrived!

"Barnett, you made my daughter cry," the largest red wolf approached Barnett step by step, with wolves around him clearing a path. Barnett took several steps back, clearly frightened. I joyfully ran toward my father, Alpha Logan.

"Uncle Logan, you've misunderstand."

"Misunderstand? My guards have already told me everything through our mental link. How dare you deceive me!" The large red wolf gently nuzzled my head.

"As long as Bella is willing to accept Theresa... no... no... as long as she accepts her child, I am still willing to marry her," Barnett shamelessly continued to argue.

Brother Wayland suddenly charged forward, knocking Barnett to the ground. "Barnett, you scoundrel! I misjudged you. How could you have my sister accept a bastard? I'm going to kill you."

Brother Waverly moved behind Barnett, blocking his escape.

Barnett's wolf eyes turned red, and he finally felt fear. "You can't kill me; I'm the heir to the Silver Wind Pack."

"Wayland, let him go."

"Father."

"Father."

"Don't worry, Bella; your father will make him pay." Mother Angelia comforted me gently.

"I know; I love you all." My family and pack had always been my pride. No matter what harm came my way, they would always protect me. But today's events made me realize that I couldn't always be a little girl; I needed to become stronger to protect them in the future.

"I, Alpha Logan, hereby swear that if Barnett Morris dares to set foot in my territory again, I will personally tear him to pieces."

The large red wolf howled at the gleaming moon, and the other red wolves followed suit, declaring this oath under the watchful gaze of the Moon Goddess.

"Alpha Logan, I will report today's events to my father." With those words, Barnett disappeared into the night with Theresa.

***

Nightfall

The men of the Brown family gathered in Alpha Logan's study. Bella's second brother, Waverly Brown, paced restlessly around the room, while the eldest brother, Wayland Brown, sat on the couch, deep in thought, with a furrowed brow.

Bella's father sat at the desk, watching it all.

"Father, why did you let Barnett go today?" Waverly clenched his fists in frustration. "I wanted to give that jerk a beating he'd never forget."

"Waverly, calm down. Father must have had his reasons," Wayland advised.

"I can't accept this. Barnett bullied Bella so much; he can't get away with it that easily," Waverly said bitterly.

"Bella is a strong girl. She rejected Barnett, becoming the first person to defy an Alpha fated mate," Wayland smiled with genuine pride and affection for his sister.

Waverly laughed in agreement, echoing his brother's sentiments. Bella's actions were truly commendable; that despicable Barnett didn't deserve his smart, brave, and kind sister.

"Sit down, Waverly," Alpha Logan said. Deep down, he worried for Bella, even as he took pride in her resistance against Barnett. "Have you both considered what Bella's future might be like?"

At those words, both brothers stopped laughing. They understand that Bella, having lost her second chance, would never find a third fated mate. This meant she would have to choose her mate. However, there was a fundamental difference between fated mates and chosen mates – chosen mates wouldn't share a soul-deep connection, and the chances of conceiving a wolf pup were slim because chosen mates were not blessed by the Moon Goddess.

"I, Wayland Brown, solemnly swear to protect Bella forever, to keep her from being bullied, from being homeless, from being alone," Wayland pledged sincerely.

Wayland, as Logan's eldest son, was steady and reliable, was the big brother his siblings could always trust. Barnett had been his friend in the past, and he felt deeply guilty for what Bella had suffered because of that bad friend.

"I, Waverly Brown, also solemnly swear to protect Bella forever, to keep her from being bullied, from being homeless, from being alone," Waverly, the hot-tempered and impulsive wolf, vowed. But to Bella, he was a very dependable brother too, always rushing to her side whenever she needed help. He was willing to be his little sister's lifelong protector.

Alpha Logan watched his two sons with relief. "Remember your promises today."

"I promise."

"I promise."

After this, Alpha Logan shifted the conversation. "Let's talk about Barnett Morris. Even if we had beaten him today, it would have been a temporary pain. My plan is to give him a lifelong lesson at the upcoming Alpha Conference."

"You mean we'll challenge Barnett at the Alpha Conference," Wayland immediately grasped his father's intention.

Waverly was thrilled with the brilliant idea.

Every year, the kingdom held an Alpha Conference, mainly to give werewolves a chance to find their fated mates. It also featured friendly competitions to showcase the charms of the male wolves.

If they could make Barnett look foolish in front of the entire nation's alphas, he would never hold his head high again.

"Let me do it, Father," Waverly volunteered instantly.

"It should be me," Wayland said, this time not giving in to his younger brother. He wanted to take revenge for his sister himself.

Alpha Logan ultimately decided to let his eldest son handle it. "Only success is allowed, no room for failure."

"Yes, Alpha," Wayland solemnly promised.

Alpha Logan smiled satisfactorily. He had a larger plan in mind, and those who had harmed his beloved daughter wouldn't get off lightly.

Bella's Pov

"Mom, I'm fine." I hung my head low, my voice hoarse as I spoke, not wanting my mother to worry about me. I struggled to keep her from detecting the unease in my voice.

Angelina gently stroked her daughter's head, knowing how deeply Bella must be hurting. "You don't need to hold your tears, just cry, my kid."

Hearing my mother's comfort, I couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Everything that had happened today had been so sudden. Even though I had put on a strong front with Barnett, the pain I had suffered was very real. I collapsed into my mother's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, letting out all my pent-up emotions. Mom held me tightly, whispering softly, "It's okay, It's okay."

It's so nice and comfortable to rely on mother's arms.

After a while, I finally calmed down, my eyes red from crying. I felt embarrassed and apologized to my mother, "I am sorry, I don't want to be like this."

"Honey, crying doesn't mean you're weak. I know you've always been a strong girl."

"Mom, am I cursed by the Moon Goddess?" I gazed sadly at the bright moon outside the window. "Why did I lose my first mate and then my second one? Why is it always me?"

"None of this is your fault. Don't blame yourself for it," my mother said gently. She looked at me with warmth in her eyes. "From another perspective, maybe this is your good fortune. Gray and Barnett weren't right for you. It's a good thing to leave behind those who aren't right for you."

"Is that so?" I questioned, "Do I have a chance in this lifetime to find someone who's right for me?"

"You do, my child," my mother said, and then she took out an old wooden jewelry box with intricate carvings that had caught my attention.

"What is this, Mom?"

"A magical necklace."

"A magical necklace?"

"Open it and see. It's a gift for you."

I gently opened the box, and inside lay a silver necklace, bathed in the moonlight that made it emit a sacred silver glow. The pendant was engraved with a rose and a crown, exquisitely crafted.

"It's so beautiful," I couldn't resist reaching for the necklace inside the box. "Be careful; it can harm you," my mother suddenly warned. I looked at her in confusion.

"This is a magical necklace, passed down from your great-great-grandmother's time. It's beautiful, but it can't be worn. If your skin comes into direct contact with it, it will burn you."

I widened my eyes in surprise; I had never seen such a magical item before. "That's a shame; it's so beautiful."

"However, it's said that if the necklace finds the right owner, it won't cause harm."

"Mom, have you tried wearing it?"

"Of course, after all, this necklace looks like a gift from the Moon Goddess. Everyone who sees it can't resist its charm."

"Did it work for you?"

"Unfortunately, it didn't. It seems I'm not the chosen one."

Looking at this beautiful necklace, I thought with anticipation; maybe I was the one meant for this necklace. I really wanted to give it a try. "Mom, can I try it?"

I looked at my mother with shining eyes, surprised that she immediately agreed. "You're not going to stop me?"

"Bella, you're growing up, and growing up means you can take risks and bear the consequences of your choices."

"Thank you, Mom." Luna Angelina had always been loved and admired by the members of the wolf pack for her wisdom and compassion. Bella had always seen her mother as her role model.

The silver necklace shone brightly in the moonlight. Holding my breath, I carefully extended a finger and touched the necklace gently. One second, two seconds, three seconds passed, and the expected pain didn't come. I was safe. I excitedly pulled my finger back; it was as smooth and unharmed as before.

"Mom, I'm perfectly fine. It didn't hurt me," I exclaimed with joy, eager to share the good news with my mother. Angelina was also surprised. No one in the family had ever succeeded before, but it seemed the true owner of the necklace was her daughter.

"It seems to like you. You can try more."

I reached out to touch the necklace again, this time covering it with my entire hand. There was no pain, no discomfort. This gave me more confidence. Carefully, under my mother's smiling gaze, I took the perfect necklace out of the box and placed it around my neck.

"It suits you. Give it a name."

"Moonlight Necklace. It's absolutely radiant under the moonlight."

"Take good care of it. It will bring you luck."

"Thank you, Mom. I will."

Unbeknownst to Bella, the gem at the center of the rose on her necklace sparkled for a moment. At the same time, in the palace, the wolf of King Haydn Tude sensed it. His fingers touched his own necklace, which bore an almost identical design, except with a sword and a crown. Clearly, these two necklaces were a pair.

Haydn's Pov

Beneath the bright moonlight, I gently touched the necklace around my neck, a habit I had when deep in thought. This necklace has been passed down through generations of my family, and it's quite special. The magic in this necklace will burn whoever tries to wear it without being its rightful owner.

I am Haydn Tude, the first in the Tude family who can wear this necklace. My father, Richard Tude, told me it meant my fated mate would be someone who could wear the matching necklace.

However, I've secretly had people searching within the kingdom for thirty years, and the owner of the other necklace is still nowhere to be found, as if this person doesn't even exist. At this rate, my ridiculous wolf, Aidan, might truly go mad.

Aidan: Are you cursing me in your heart again?

Me: If you say so.

Aidan is truly a foolish wolf, except for his physical prowess.

Me: Foolish wolf, why are you bouncing around in my head?

Aidan: You're the fool. The gem in the center of the necklace just flickered, and I felt my mate.

Me: Are you serious?

I quickly glanced at the necklace, but there was nothing. Aidan had gotten excited for nothing.

Me: There's nothing there. Don't joke about mate.

I scolded Aidan, a bit annoyed.

Aidan: I really felt it, even if it was just for a moment, Believe it or not.

Aidan lay down, looking dejected. Why wouldn't Haydn believe him? He was an honest, clever, kind, and adorable wolf.

Me: You have no credibility with me. Every few days, you shout 'mate, mate' in my head, claiming you found the mate. This time, it's probably your imagination again.

Then I sighed and added, "Maybe our fated mate don't even exist."

Aidan: This time it's real, just like the previous times. I'm sure our mate must exist.

Me: Silly wolf, you're so blindly optimistic.

Aidan: Don't call me a fool anymore. I'm an honest, clever, kind, and adorable wolf!

Me: All right, you're whatever you say.

I couldn't help but chuckle. How had I ended up arguing with Aidan again? There were so many things waiting for me to deal with today. The annual Alpha Conference was approaching, and I needed to familiarize myself with all the attendees. I opened the files on my desk, and the first was about the Red Moon Pack.

The first page contained information about Alpha Logan Brown.

The second page had Luna Angelia's information.

The third page detailed Logan's eldest son, Wayland Brown.

The fourth page covered Logan's second son, Waverly Brown.

The fifth page held information about Logan's only daughter, Bella Brown.

On the paper, the girl with black hair and green eyes smiled sweetly and looked adorable. But the text below her photo wasn't so pleasant.

Bella Brown, Alpha Logan's only and youngest daughter, aged twenty-one.

At nineteen, she was fated to Beta Gray Norman of the Maple Pack but was soon rejected by Gray.

At twenty, she was fated to Alpha Barnett Morris of the Silver Wind Pack, and this afternoon, Bella rejected Barnett for his betrayal.

What? I was utterly stunned by what I read. How could someone be lucky enough to have two fated mates, yet unlucky enough to lose both of them?

Is Bella Brown a fortunate or unfortunate person? I expected to meet this girl at the upcoming Alpha Conference.