The Alpha's Unloved Mate

Leah's POV

I hesitated for a moment, clutching the doorknob tightly, before knocking softly on Aiden's office door.

"Oh, moon goddess, please help me," I silently whispered, waiting to get permission to enter.

"Come in," He called from inside. I shivered a little when I heard his voice but tried to be calm.

"It's now or never, Leah," I said to myself. Nervously, I opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit room.

Aiden looked up from his desk with a grim expression on his face.

"What are you doing here, Leah?" he asked in a cold voice.

Taking a deep breath, I finally mustered the courage to speak.

"Alpha, I need to tell you something," I said, my heart racing at how he would react to the news I was about to break to him. Oh moon goddess! Give me the courage to continue.

"What is it? I don't have all day," he said, and resumed work. As the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, he was a very busy man.

With teary eyes, I looked at him and announced, "I am pregnant."

The words hung in the air, leaving a heavy silence between us. He suddenly stopped what he was doing and paused. After one long minute of silence, he finally looked at me and burst out laughing.

"Is that the best you could come up with? Pregnancy? You think you can maneuver your way into my life through pregnancy? You think I would make you Luna because you said you were pregnant?" He asked mockingly, staring at me with disgust.

He continued, "So, after I rejected you as my mate, you decided to come up with this nonsense, right? How desperate and shameless can you be, Leah? If you wanted to be my whore, you should have simply said so, even though I know you do not deserve to be one."

Tears streamed down my face as he hurled insults at me and made me feel worthless.

I started recalling the painful memories of how he rejected me when I found out he was my mate, his words pierced my heart and left me sad and heartbroken.

I was Aiden's personal servant, and I must confess, working with him was not an easy task. He was arrogant, cold, and often looked down on people. He was renowned for his cruel ways of punishing his enemies. Other Alphas avoided him like the plague.

On my Eighteenth birthday, I was given the day off to celebrate my birthday and also to shift to my wolf. I was so excited and went to the forest, where I would be experiencing my first shift.

However, I forgot my good luck pendant at the pack house and ran back to get it. I didn't want to experience my first shift without it.

That pendant was the only priceless possession I had from my late parents. My late father, who was the gamma to Aiden's father, was killed in a gruesome war. My mother couldn't bear the pain of losing her husband and took her own life.

With no one to care and cater for me, Aiden's parents, who were the Alpha and Luna of the pack before he finally assumed the title, decided to take me in.

When I was fifteen years old, I was made his personal servant, and I have served him for four years.

Immediately I got to the pack house, I headed to my tiny room, which was close to Aiden's room, and noticed that his door was slightly ajar.

"What are you doing here? Come inside right this minute!" He shouted at me when he spotted me close to the door. I quickly ran inside to see if he needed anything.

"Didn't I tell you to leave? Are you here to torment me? Do you know how long I have been refraining myself from claiming you since I found out you are my mate seven years ago?"

What was he talking about? I looked around to find empty bottles on the floor and realized he had been drinking. As I turned to leave, he suddenly grabbed me and held me down.

He pushed me to the bed and kissed me fiercely. I couldn't believe that Aiden was actually kissing me and my body was responding to him. We slept together that night, and when I finally got my wolf, she made me realize that he was my mate.

I was scared that Aiden was my mate, but was excited to be with him. But the next morning, the sweet, gentle Aiden who made love to me last night was gone.

He woke up and scolded me for giving my disgusting self to him when he was drunk, and he didn't hesitate to reject me as his mate.

I felt so sad and agonized that he rejected me, only to find out two weeks later that I was pregnant. I had no choice but to meet him today and deliver the news to him.

"What are you still doing here?" He yelled angrily at me, bringing me back to the present time.

"We made love in your room, and I was ovulating at that time," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't think it would lead to this, but I just found out."

Within a second, He hurled a wine glass at me, which caused me to shriek and back away. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I wiped them away with trembling hands.

He strode closer to me and held me tightly on my cheeks. I was in pain but wouldn't dare move or make a sound.

"If you know what's good for you, get rid of that bastard child immediately, or you will not live to see the next sunrise," He threatened and left his office in angry strides.

I broke down and wept uncontrollably. What was I going to do? Alpha Aiden was that kind of Alpha who never hesitated to get rid of anyone who offended him or got in his way.

Getting rid of the child before it was born was considered a taboo in our werewolf custom. It was a heavy crime punishable by death, but some she-wolves still practiced it secretly.

I couldn't bear to kill a child the moon goddess had blessed me with. If I was also killed by my parents, would I be alive today?

This child did nothing wrong and was innocent of what had transpired between Aiden and I. With a resolved mind, I did the only thing I thought was the best solution.

Leah's POV

I ran. That was the only solution I could think of for my safety and that of my child.

If Aiden's parents were still alive, I might have sought refuge with them, but ever since they passed away, Aiden doesn't listen to anyone anymore.

"Oh, moon goddess, be my aid," I silently whispered as my stomach rumbled and my back ached.

I had been walking for four days, feeling exhausted and hungry. I ran out of food on the third day after leaving the pack. I really hope I can get to any neighboring pack for refuge.

My legs trembled from tiredness, but I had no choice but to keep walking. Even though I had gotten my wolf, I didn't want to shift because I heard it could be dangerous for a pregnant she-wolf.

I just didn't want to do anything that might cause harm to my unborn child. I heard the sound of water, and I ran in its direction. I eventually saw a river and was so glad and happy that I could finally drink water.

As I kept drinking, I heard footsteps walking close to me, and I became alert. I brought out the kitchen knife I took along with me since I had no access to the pack's weaponry room.

"Woah, please calm down, I am not here to fight you."

I saw a man emerge from the trees. He was tall and handsome, had ruffled hair, and one golden tooth.

"Who are you? Who sent you?" I asked, trying to act strong and brave. I was scared that he could be one of Aiden's trackers. He had a lot of them, and they often helped him carry out jobs outside the pack. They were like his own mercenaries.

If he was one of them, then I was doomed. I have served Aiden for three years, and I often saw some of his trackers whenever they came to the pack for business. They appeared highly skilled and would carry out any job for money.

"What are you talking about? No one sent me and who are you?" He inquired. I didn't utter a word and stared at him.

"You sound distressed and tired, are you running away from someone?" He inquired, but I refused to say anything to him.

I still held on to my knife, waiting to see if he would do something odd. I didn't want to be caught off guard.

"Listen, you are within my pack's borders, and I can help you if you want, but you need to talk to me," the man pressed again, confused by my silence.

"What is the name of your pack?" I finally asked. His body movement doesn't seem like one with ulterior motives, so I let my guard down a little.

"Shadow Moon Pack," the man answered.

I didn't know I had already gotten to a neighboring pack border. The Shadow Moon Pack were not core allies to the Blood Moon Pack; maybe I could seek shelter here.

"Why do you want to help me? You don't know me."

I tried to find out more about this man who suddenly offered to help me. He wouldn't possibly just want to help a stranger just like that, right?

"As I mentioned earlier, you look like you need a helping hand, and I am willing to help. I just felt pity immediately I saw you."

"Is this how you help strangers that cross your path?" I asked because his reasons were just not valid enough for me.

"Listen, if you don't want my assistance, it's fine. Just be careful and watchful. This border is not safe at night. Rogues have frequently been spotted around here," he advised, turning to leave.

Did he just mention rogues? They were the worst of them all!

I got scared and immediately followed him. "Please hold on, I want to come with you," I finally said.

"Why? Why would you want to follow a stranger like me?" He questioned me in the same tone I used earlier.

"Look, I am sorry for the way I spoke to you, I was just being careful."

"Are you running away from someone?" he asked again.

I couldn't tell him my story. I didn't want anyone to know that I came from the Blood Moon pack, so I had to fabricate a lie.

"I fled from my mistress, who often mistreated and beat me up. I couldn't continue living with her, so I ran away."

"I am so sorry about that. Which pack are you from?" He questioned.

"I am sorry, but I can't tell you that at the moment," I replied, not wanting to disclose my identity to him.

"Okay, it's fine. I believe you are still scared, and you don't trust me yet. Let me start by introducing myself. I am Ian."

"Leah," I replied.

"It is nice to meet you, Leah. Come on, let me take you to my home. I am sure you must be very tired and hungry too," Ian said, offering a kind smile.

He tried to engage me in a conversation as we walked, but I wasn't interested. I didn't want to unintentionally disclose any information that could put me in trouble. Telling him my real name was already a wrong move.

"Don't worry, Leah. I am sure you will enjoy your stay with me. I meant my pack. You don't need to worry about anything," Ian said.

"Thank you very much, Ian. I sincerely appreciate."

"You are welcome. Don't worry, we will get to my home soon enough." I continued walking with him, taking one turn after another until we finally got to his home.

"We are here, " he announced. I looked around and saw a decent, isolated cabin.

"You don't live close to your pack's house?" I inquired because most packs tend to build their homes close to the Alpha's home known as the pack house, but his home seemed isolated and there was no sign of any house nearby.

"The kind of business I do requires privacy. Enough about me, come and sit down. I made beef soup before leaving the house. Let me warm it up for you," he said, going into his kitchen.

Soon enough, the tantalizing aroma of beef filled the cabin, and I couldn't help but salivate.

He offered me the meal, and I ate to my heart's content while he watched me with a weird smile on his face.

Ian's words about the kind of business he does that requires privacy, his isolated cabin, and even the way he weirdly stared at me were red flags I should have noticed if I wasn't so blinded by the food and shelter he provided.

I never knew that Ian's extended act of kindness towards me would turn out to be the worst fate I ever imagined.

Ian's POV

Today was a really hectic and stressful day. One of my clients complained that the girl I delivered to him stole his money and ran away.

This was the second time this had happened this week. These girls really need to be taught a lesson for trying to ruin my business!

I secretly ran a brothel close to the outskirts of the pack. Young girls that couldn't afford to fend for themselves often met me to work as sex workers in my brothel, and I connected them to warriors and even Alphas willing to spend on them.

I went to the river to chill and enjoy the serenity, and I was fortunate to meet a runaway she-wolf.

She looked so beautiful and innocent. She also looked so sexy and fierce holding that tiny kitchen knife, I could already picture her in one of those skimpy dresses that made my clients happy enough to spend their money on my brothel.

I was able to convince her to come along with me. She would definitely fetch me a lot of money since she was a runaway and was hiding from someone.

Acting like a perfect gentleman, I took care of her for a month and then gradually started exposing her to my real life. She had no choice but to adapt since she had nowhere else to go.

"Leah! Where is my food? Why do you always act like a snail? Hurry and get me my meal now!" I bellowed. She was becoming so slow lately, and it irritated me.

"I am sorry, here is your meal." She said and brought my meal to the table. It had been four months in total since Leah started living with me and I must confess, it was nice having a woman in the house.

"What took you so long to serve my meal?" I queried. She offered a quick apology and quickly served my food.

"Anyway, there is a client you need to attend to tonight. Prepare yourself," I informed her.

Her hand trembled as she involuntarily dropped the serving spoon on the floor.

She immediately went on her knees and pleaded, "Ian, please, I can't continue doing this, I want to go."

"What do you mean you want to go? I have told you that you still need to work to pay back the food and shelter I provided for you ever since I took you in."

"Then please, allow me to go to the pack house and work. I can do menial jobs, I can earn money and then pay you back."

"Oh, so you want to go to my pack and tell them that I secretly run a brothel, right? That's not going to happen. You will remain here with me. Besides, haven't I been taking care of you?"

Why was she complaining? I gave her food and shelter and treated her better than the other girls in my brothel. Besides, I only made her strip and dance for clients; they don't even touch her, so why was she being ungrateful?

"No, Ian, I promise I won't tell anyone about you. This is not the kind of life I envisioned for my....I mean for myself. Please, I want to leave."

I angrily stood up and slapped her, "You are not going anywhere! You are mine, Leah, get used to it. If you try to run again just like you did last time, my men will find you, and I will make sure to cripple you and keep you by my side."

She started sobbing, and I couldn't help but draw her close to me to comfort her. I hated to see her cry.

"I am sorry for the way I yelled at you. I love you, Leah, and I want you to stay by my side. Haven't I been treating you well? All I ask is that you strip and dance for these men, and that's it. I will never allow them to touch you."

I tried to kiss her, but she turned away and screamed, "I am tired of staying with you! I want my freedom! You are a beast, and I don't want to be with you anymore!"

I got enraged and slapped her hard again. She sobbed loudly and I held her jaw tightly as I said to her possessively,

"Do you think you can just leave and run away from me? Your body and everything you own belongs to me! I own you!"

Acting rebellious, she spat right at my face and yelled, "No matter what you do, I will never love you, Ian. You are just a lonely man begging to be loved. And guess what! You will never find that love because you will die a lonely man!"

Fury filled my heart as she said those words. I became so blinded with rage and started beating her recklessly.

She doesn't love me? After I gave all my love to her, she said she doesn't f*cking love me!

I kept hitting her at every part of her body my fist could lay hands on, furious that she could not reciprocate my love for her.

Two of my men entered the cabin and immediately grabbed me. "Let me go! I need to teach this ungrateful slut that she's nothing without me!" I shouted at them.

Jack, one of them, quickly said, "Boss, you need to stop! You will kill her if you continue to beat her this way! She's already unconscious!"

I froze and looked at Leah who wasn't moving at all. I didn't even realize I had gone too far to the point of rendering her unconscious.

What did I just do? She was looking so pale, and I didn't even realize that my hands were stained with Leah's blood.

"Quick, let's take her to the hospital," I commanded. Jack and Ash, my most trusted men, helped me immediately and we took Leah to the hospital.

Due to the fact that her wolf was a young one, she was very slow in healing Leah, who was gradually losing her life.

We got to the hospital and at a point I had to yell for the doctor and nurses to quickly attend to her. I seriously needed to keep my anger in check. I really love Leah, but it hurts me to know that she doesn't love me as much as I do.

Ever since she came into my life, I have found myself captivated by her charm and beauty. She was caring and loving, and she had this welcoming and gentle aura around her that felt like home.

I couldn't help but be drawn to her Innocence. Our one month together turned out to be the best days of my life. She was like a breath of fresh air, and I found myself obsessed with her.

I made up the excuse that she had to work for the shelter I provided in order to keep her all to myself. She once tried to run away when I introduced her to the brothel, but I was fortunate to stop her, and I have been keeping watch on her ever since.

"Mr. Ian, who is this young lady to you?" The pack doctor stepped out and started questioning me.

"She's my girlfriend, doctor, how is she doing?"

He stared at me skeptically and asked, "How did she sustain her injuries?"

"She was attacked by rogues on her way home. Please, how is she doing?" I realized that the doctor was probing me due to the bruises on Leah's body.

If he suspected I was the one who did this to Leah, he would take the matter to the Alpha which could mean a lot of trouble for me.

"She's really in bad shape. Whoever did this to her caused a lot of damage to her body. Her wolf is trying hard to heal her but the wounds are too deep and severe. I hope you have reported this to the Alpha?"

I forced myself to shed a tear or two before replying, "I will do so immediately. I can't believe my Leah is the one lying here. Oh moon goddess! What did I do to deserve this?"

Clutching onto the doctor's clothes, I cried even harder. He kept patting me on the back, urging me to be strong.

"You really have to take good care of her, Mr. Ian, because she is pregnant," the doctor announced.

What! Did he just say Leah was pregnant? Whoa! This was the best news ever! Leah was carrying my child!