The Alpha's Regret: Chasing My Unwanted Mate

Jasmine’s POV.

The lavish ballroom at the Night Stone Pack's New York City base was alive with lively conversations and laughter, creating a warm and familiar atmosphere. Golden light from the ornate chandeliers illuminated the room, highlighting the intricate mahogany furniture.

Dressed in my midnight blue gown, I moved gracefully through the crowd, exchanging warm smiles and kind words with everyone I encountered. The sound of champagne glasses clinking and the soft rustle of silk mingled with the sweet music of a string quartet, filling the hall with joy. The aroma of delicious appetizers wafted through the air, carried by servers in crisp white uniforms.

“Happy anniversary, Jasmine!” Sarah, one of my closest friends, handed me a flute of champagne.

“Thank you, Sarah. It’s been a lovely evening,” I replied, feeling grateful for the acceptance I had found here.

As an orphan with omega blood, I had always been seen as low in the pack’s hierarchy. But Sean’s parents had welcomed me warmly, even suggesting our union. Despite Sean’s reputation for having the worst temper in the pack, I fell for him, and when he agreed to be my mate, it felt like a blessing from the Moon Goddess.

“Your dress is gorgeous, Jasmine!” Mrs. Reynolds from the neighboring pack exclaimed. “It’s no wonder Sean chose you.”

I blushed and touched the lace of the dress I’d made myself. “Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.”

Though I loved designing, I had set it aside after marrying Sean to focus more on the pack. But as I mingled, a strange unease grew inside me.

I discreetly asked Sean's friends, "Has anyone seen Prince Sean?"

They exchanged knowing glances, their expressions tinged with uncertainty, which only heightened my anxiety.

"I think I saw him heading toward the east wing," Max, one of Sean’s close friends, said, his brow furrowed with concern.

That was the direction of our room. I thanked Max and quickly made my way through the crowd, my unease growing with each step. My footsteps echoed my nervousness, matching the pounding of my heart. Something felt off, and even my wolf felt agitated, making me feel queasy.

As I turned the corner, the door to our room slightly ajar caught my eye, the faint sound of muffled gasps and moans slipping through the crack.

My heart raced, a sickening feeling twisting in my gut. With dread clawing at my chest, I pushed the door open.

I froze.

Sean–my mate, my husband–was pressed against another woman. His hand gripped her half-unbuttoned blouse, fingers splayed across her bare skin, pulling her closer. His lips were on her neck, kissing her deeply, hungrily. The way he devoured her made my stomach churn. Her blouse hung loosely, exposing her flushed skin, and her blonde hair was wild, tumbling over her shoulders as she arched her body into his.

“Oh, Sean…” she moaned and my heart sank further.

Kayla White – one of my closest friends and the daughter of the Alpha of the White Oak Pack.

I couldn’t breathe. The air felt thick, suffocating, and my world seemed to crumble as I watched Sean’s hand slide into her hair, tugging gently as his lips crashed down on hers. The kiss was raw, full of need, their bodies moving together like they were starved for each other.

“You want it that bad, huh?” Sean’s voice was a low growl as he pulled back, his lips hovering over hers.

Kayla giggled, biting her lower lip as she pressed her body tighter against him. “Always.”

A sharp, searing pain stabbed through my chest. This isn’t real. This can’t be happening.

I took a shaky step back, my heart pounding so loudly in my ears that I could barely hear anything else. But Sean sensed me. He stiffened and turned, his eyes meeting mine.

“Jasmine,” he breathed as he turned to me, “What are you doing here?”

Tears stung my eyes, my hands trembling at my sides. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? What are you doing, Sean? And with Kayla, too…“

This couldn’t be real. Kayla had always been kind to me, unlike the others who looked down on me for my lower rank. Why? How could she betray me like this?

Sean grunted. "Get out, Jasmine. I don’t need to explain anything to you. I’m just spending time with my fated mate," his expression turned cold and hard.

I stared at him, confused. "W-What...?"

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "You heard me. Kayla is my fated mate. What you saw is normal between true mates. You're an omega, so maybe you don’t understand complicated things, but you get what I'm saying, right? Surely, you're not that stupid?"

His words stung, leaving me shocked and confused. How could Kayla be his fated mate when I bore the mark? My wolf had always felt our bond, strong and undeniable.

I glanced at Kayla, who looked at me without a trace of guilt. But I could see a small smile etched on her lips.

Anger surged within me as I realized she was doing this on purpose.

"She's lying to you, Sean," I snapped. "Kayla isn't telling you the truth! Tell him, Kayla. Tell him you're not his true fated mate! You lying b—"

Kayla flinched at my words, looking scared. "Sean..."

Sean turned to me, eyes narrowing. "Leave her alone, Jasmine! Kayla would never lie to me."

"But I’m telling the truth! She’s lying, Sean..."

"Stop testing my patience and get out! Don’t make me call the guards." His voice thundered through the room, his eyes filled with fury.

"N-No, don’t do this, Sean. Listen to me. She’s not your fated mate! I-I’ll prove it. I–"

"I said enough!" he shouted, making me freeze. His eyes glowed red with anger. "Don’t you get it? Our marriage was never real. It’s just a piece of paper and I’ve decided to sign an annulment to fix it. Even if you refuse to sign, it will be considered void because my true fated mate is here. You know it too, Jasmine. It’s never real between us.”

I shook my head, tears streaming down my cheeks. “No, that’s not true…” My voice cracked, my heart aching at the thought of our marriage ending.

But his gaze grew colder, devoid of any warmth. “I’m done with your lies,” he said with finality. He paused, then added, “The only person I will love and accept as my wife is my true fated mate.”

“But I love you,” I whispered, barely able to speak. “Did you ever love me?”

“Love?” Sean sneered. “I don’t need your love, Jasmine. To me, you were nothing more than a temporary bride my parents arranged. Now that my true fated mate is here, your role is over. It’s time for you to step aside.”

He walked up to me, standing tall, his shadow looming over me as he declared.

“I, Sean Blake Ridge, reject you, Jasmine Hart.”

Jasmine's POV.

His words struck me like a bolt of lightning, leaving me paralyzed as the world around me spun into a whirlwind of misery and disbelief. The bond that once held us together shattered like glass, piercing me deep inside.

My wolf howled in agony, and I felt my strength drain away. My vision blurred, and I collapsed to the floor, curling up in a fetal position, overwhelmed by the intensity of his rejection. My body felt like it was on fire, burning from the inside out.

I looked up, hoping Sean would take back his words, but he didn't.

Suddenly, screams echoed from the hall. "Fire! Run, everyone, run!"

Shadows of flames danced in the distance, and the acrid scent of smoke filled the air. Panic set in as I realized the danger; all werewolves, especially lower ranks, feared fire, as it weakened us.

I turned to Sean, fear gripping my heart. "R-Sean," I called out weakly. But then Kayla collapsed, and Sean rushed to her side, ignoring me completely.

"Kayla!" he shouted, his focus solely on her. Meanwhile, familiar voices of the household staff called out, "Everyone, save yourselves and get out of this building! Alpha Prince Sean! Lady Jasmine!"

Sean glanced at me, his expression cold and indifferent. For a moment, our eyes met, but there was no warmth left in his gaze. He turned away, carrying Kayla in his arms, leaving me behind. Each step he took felt like a dagger to my heart, our mate bond irreversibly broken.

I screamed, the pain and anger fueling a desperate strength within me. I tried to shift into my wolf form to escape the burning estate, but I was too weak. My body was wracked with pain, and my head spun as I struggled to my feet.

"Help..." I pleaded, my voice lost in the chaos of panicked screams and rushing footsteps. "Somebody... Please..."

But no one came. No one could hear me. I coughed, my vision blurring further as the thick smoke stung my eyes and choked my breath. Despite the searing pain, I knew I wanted to live.

With every ounce of strength I had left, I crawled and stumbled towards the exit. I finally reached the now-destroyed garden of the Night Stone Pack. Flames surrounded me, the heat and smoke overwhelming my senses. I coughed violently and collapsed onto the cold ground, feeling utterly powerless and defeated.

Tears streamed down my face as I lay there, accepting my fate. The last thing I sensed was the arrival of a car, strong arms lifting me up, and the unfamiliar scent of silver frost and musk before everything went black.

–

When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself in a hospital. A woman in her fifties entered the room and greeted me. "You're awake. The doctor is on her way. Can you hear me well?"

I swallowed and nodded. "Yes..." Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my head, making me wince, and a ringing sound filled my ears.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

My voice was raspy. "Yes..."

As I tried to steady my breathing, I focused on the woman in front of me. To my surprise, I recognized her from magazines. My eyes widened, and my heart raced as I whispered, "G-Gabriela Castillo..."

Gabriela Castillo, the 55-year-old owner of EL Diamond, the world's most prestigious fashion brand, stood before me. She approached, her expression stern but with a hint of warmth in her eyes.

"I don't know your whole story, but you'll be staying here for now," she said, leaving me puzzled. "An omega who has been rejected so severely that one of her senses is damaged is welcome in my home."

For some reason, her words and presence broke through my emotional defenses, and tears welled up as the doctor arrived with devastating news.

"Your senses have weakened, and I'm afraid you won't ever be able to shift again. You already had a weak wolf. The person whom you mated previously has strong alpha blood, which made you and your wolf stronger before. Now that he's gone and has rejected you, both you and your wolf have suffered greatly. Unless a miracle happens, you won't be able to shift and meet your wolf... permanently."

I couldn't process the doctor's words. My body went rigid, and the world blurred.

Mrs. Castillo reached out, pulling me into her arms as I grieved the loss of my wolf.

My wolf died because of Sean’s rejection.

As tears streamed down my face, my mind was consumed with the searing pain and anger I felt towards him. I clenched my hands into fists, knowing that crying wouldn’t change a thing. I had to seek revenge, but as a mere omega with no pack or power, how could I ever make him pay?

Frustration gripped me, and my sobs grew louder. Yet, amidst the turmoil, a spark of resolve ignited within me. I wiped away my tears, slowly composing myself.

“I will rise to the top,” I vowed silently to myself. “I will not remain the same omega that everyone belittled and mistreated.”

The next day, I approached Mrs. Castillo with a bold request.

"I want to work for you. Please take me as your student, Mrs. Castillo. My love for design and fashion is just as strong as yours... if not stronger."

She raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying your dream is to be greater than me?"

"No," I replied. "I want to be greater than everyone else."

"And you think becoming my student will help you achieve that?"

Her mixed look of amusement and doubt made me shiver momentarily. But I stood firm and clenched my hands, never backing down. Not anymore.

"You're the best designer right now. It makes sense to learn from you to achieve my dream. I sincerely want to be the greatest designer in the world. Please help me become that person, Mrs. Castillo," I said, determined to find a place where my wolf and I would be safe, respected, and never hurt again.

No matter what happens, I must reach the top.