The Alpha's Ex-mate | Night Vow Books

CHAPTER ONE

The Wolfless And Worthless

*Selena*

A soft light came down from the sky, glowing gently as it touched the earth. I saw a beautiful woman walking into it. Just before she disappeared, she turned around one last time. Her eyes were full of tears, but she gave me a sad little smile.

“Goodbye, my daughter,” she said.

My heart had dropped. I had been scared—terrified, really—of losing her. I had wanted to cry out, to beg her not to leave.

“Please don’t go!”

But nothing had come out. I couldn’t breathe. Everything had gone cold, and then… darkness.

I had woken up suddenly, breathing hard, my sheets tangled around me. That dream again. The same one.

My mother’s dream.

People said she had died when I was really young. I didn’t remember her at all—not even a little—but the woman in my dreams felt so real. She felt like she was my mom. Maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me. Or maybe… it was something more.

Life in the Rock Claws Pack hadn’t given me much time to think about dreams, though. I was the Alpha’s daughter, but you’d never have guessed it. I had been treated like I was barely above an omega.

However, it hadn’t always been like that. My father had hope in me and had been training me to become a female Alpha, but his attitude had changed toward me when I couldn’t shift on my 16th birthday, which had been two years ago.

I could vividly remember the look of disappointment on his face as he stared at me with a deep frown.

I had stood there in the middle of the hall, his friends and the elders watching and waiting in anticipation to see what my wolf would look like, but I couldn't do anything. I was clueless, my cheeks red in embarrassment as I felt no trace of a wolf inside me.

A day that should be the best day of my life. A day to prove I was the true daughter of Alpha Albert Ardolf, ruler of the Rock Claws Pack—it all turned out to be a disaster. A day I wished never came.

I cried my eyes out, feeling so ashamed and worthless. Although my father tried to console me that night, saying I might be a late shifter, I could obviously see the frustration in his eyes, and soon enough, he changed and developed hostility towards me.

I had trained harder to impress him, but I guessed he had already lost interest in me and tossed me aside as a useless daughter. He was now happy with his other children—my half-sister Anne and half-brother Oliver. Now Oliver was being trained to become the next Alpha of our pack. As his elder sister, I was happy for him—truly happy.

My stepmother, Amelia, didn’t like me—not even a little. And she made sure I never forgot it. Every single day, she’d throw some jab or look my way like I was dirt under her shoes. I put up with it all for my father. I kept hoping that one day, he’d finally see me as his daughter—someone worthy—and maybe, just maybe, things would get better.

It was just a few minutes until dawn, and I had barely closed my eyes when a loud knock nearly made me jump out of bed. It wasn’t just a knock—it was like someone was trying to break the damn door down.

Fuming, I stormed toward it. “Who the hell is banging on my—”

The door swung open, and before I could finish, a sharp slap cracked across my face.

I froze, stunned. My cheek burned.

“Why the fuck is my green tea not ready?” Amelia snapped, glaring at me like I was some useless pest.

I pressed my hand to my stinging cheek, still throbbing from the first slap. My chest tightened with disbelief as I turned to face her.

“Did you just slap me?” I asked, my voice low and shaky. My eyes burned, but I forced the tears to stay put.

Without warning, another slap cracked across my other cheek. This one hit harder. My head jerked to the side, and for a moment, everything buzzed. My ear rang so bad it felt like I lost hearing in it.

“And I will slap you again if you ever in your life disrespect me! I am the Luna! Get that into your empty skull,” she retorted.

“And I am the Alpha's daughter. There are maids to do whatever you want, so why are you…”

“What is going on here?” My father's voice growled from behind, and just at the same time, Amelia began to cry, clutching her face as if I had hit her there.

My father hurried forward as he saw her crying. He held her gently in his arms. “Who hurt you? Who did it?!” He asked with so much care and compassion in his eyes, embracing her.

“She hates me. Ever since I came into your life, she has been harboring disdain, and just now she slapped me on the face for waking her up. How would I know she was sleeping?” Amelia murmured, leaving me speechless.

My father's eyes flared, and veins popped along his neck. “What did she just say you did?”

“I didn't touch her….” I tried to explain. “She was the one who slapped me instead.”

It was obvious my father wasn't believing a single word from me.

“Whether you like it or not. Whether you accept it or not, she is your stepmother and the new Luna of this pack, and you are bound to respect her!” His voice lashed at me as he closed the gap between us and used his alpha tone at me.

Fear coursed through me mixed with sadness as I watched my father yell at me like I was a maid!

“The next time you disrespect her, not to mention laying your finger on her, you will regret the day you were born!” He warned, ignoring the tears burning down my cheeks.

"How can you do this to me? Your own daughter—treating me like a lowly omega when I was supposed to be your heir," I muttered, my voice cracking.

His face twisted into a sneer.

“Huh? You can expect me to keep a wolfless daughter to be my heir? Do you know how ashamed I am to have you as a daughter? 18 years old, yet you can't shift! Who will want to be your mate? You are a complete disgrace!” He spat, and I felt my heart squeeze tight, his words piercing into my soul.

“I wonder why she is wolfless at this age. I guess she might be a cursed child.” Amelia chipped in.

“You may be right.” My father accepted without any doubt in his voice. “I wished there was something I could do…” He hissed.

“I have a suggestion. How about inviting the sorcerers to perform the ritual of cleansing on her?” She proposed, and my heart skipped a beat, a cold chill running down my spine.

“You can't do that to me! I could possibly die from the pain! It is meant for demonic wolves!” I moaned out in fear, turning my eyes to my father in plea, hoping he would still have a bit of pity for me, his daughter, but what he said tore my heart into pieces.

“And how am I sure you aren't one of the demonic wolves?”

I couldn't believe my ears.

Before I could say anything, the pack messenger came running towards us with a letter in his hand.

He bowed to my father, stretching out the letter to him. “Your Highness, this is a letter from Alpha King Zander Blake.”

My heart paused in my chest, a gasp slipping from my mouth at the mention of that name.

Alpha King Zander Blake was known as the most ruthless werewolf alive—a bloodthirsty Alpha with a reputation that made even the bravest wolves tremble. He was nothing short of a monster, with no mercy in his cold, heartless chest.

I could also see the worry in my father's eyes as he took the letter, opening it with hesitation.

His eyes glanced through the letter, and I saw his mouth falling open in panic.

“The cruel Alpha King is visiting us.” He announced with a shaky breath, looking up, and my heart sank into my stomach.

What have we done wrong? It had never ended well for any pack he visited.

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CHAPTER TWO

Wedding Alliance

“There is something else in the letter that you must know.” My father muttered, his eyes fixed on me.

“Me? What is it?” I was confused.

He took a deep breath. “Alpha Zander seems to be interested in having another wife…and you have caught his attention.”

I couldn't believe my ears, my eyes glued at my father, hoping it would turn out to be a joke. It should be a prank or so because there is no way I am getting married to that devil.

“This is good news for our pack. We will be a pack to be feared because we now have the Alpha King on our side as family. We will really benefit from this!” Amelia chirped with excitement in her voice as she smirked at me.

I knew she was only happy that I would be gotten rid of. Her hatred for me knew no bounds, and I'd wonder what wrong I had done to her.

“No, Father, I don’t want to die,” I begged, my voice trembling. I’d heard all the stories—every woman he slept with ended up dead—and I didn’t want to be next. I didn’t want to die at the hands of a monster.

“No one challenges Zander,” he said coldly. “He’ll be here tonight to take you.”

His tone was final. No room for argument. Then he turned and walked away.

“There is something you can do!” I cried out, panic rising in my chest. “You can save me from this, Father! You have to”

He paused, then slowly turned to face me.

“I can’t do anything,” he said, his eyes empty. “But you can save yourself from his wrath—by being obedient. Be a perfect Luna. Give him a child. He might love you then… unimaginably.”

“You know this is impossible, right? He seems impotent! He is cursed! It doesn't matter who is with him. No woman can give him a child, and he would rather die than take the blame. Father, we both know he will kill me at the end like every other woman that has married him.”

My lips trembled as I blinked out tears, hoping he would feel a bit of love for me, but it seemed he had made up his mind.

He exhaled heavily, casting a glance at Amelia.

“This is the first and only time you could be of importance to your pack; why not do it and stop being selfish! You can't be your father's heir!” Amelia snapped in confidently, resting on my father's shoulder.

“You may be different and give him a child. We will keep praying to the moon goddess for that. I am sorry you have to face this.” He shrugged before they walked away.

My legs wobbled, giving up on me as I crashed under my weight, sobbing hard.

I thought of running, but that was totally impossible with the amount of security in the building. Tears poured freely down my cheeks, the thought of being with Zander Blake making my stomach churn.

The stories I had heard about him were scary, and what I read in books was even scarier. His inner wolf Lyon was untamed, uncontrollable, and wild. Zander had grown so powerful, with wealth, authority, and power.

He was feared and infamous among every neighboring pack, but without a child, his legacy would be gone and everything he built would be scavenged and ruined.

He had been going from pack to pack looking for unmated virgin she-wolves to give him a child. I never believed it would be our turn so soon. My 18th birthday was in a few days.

He could have waited till then, when I must have found my mate so I wouldn't be an option.

Crawling back to my room, I slumped on the bed, burying my face in the pillow.

What have I done to deserve this? Mom, please come take me away. Come save me from all this. Moon goddess, please don't allow this to happen to me.

I prayed with a broken heart, sinking into the bed as though it would swallow me and save me from my terrible fate.

I didn't know when I slept off, but the moment I woke, it was evening, and the silence in the building was kind of eerie.

Something seemed off, as though the mouth of everyone had been sealed.

My eyes darted at the clock and it was almost 8pm.

Then it flashed back into my mind, the visit of Alpha king Zander Blake. Was he here already?

I asked myself as I sat up from the bed. Almost immediately, my door was flung open and five maids rushed in.

“We were sent to get you dressed up and perfect for your husband. He is in the pack already.”

“No. I am not getting married to anyone! I…”

“You have no choice, dear. Zander will kill you if you decline. You know he never takes no for an answer,” one of them said in a warning tone, and I became calm, knowing full well that she was right.

*

The maid led me to the grand hall, holding my hands and lifting the end of my long gown off the floor. I was dressed in a red royal robe.

As we got to the door, I could hear the conversation from inside, and every word was like a knife in my heart.

“Where is the so-called daughter of yours?! Is she even worth the alliance?!" I heard the deep, cold voice from the hall and could tell immediately it was that of Zander.

"She will be here in a few minutes. If you meet her, you will like her. She is pretty and has been training to be a good and perfect Luna. She would be a perfect wife and mate. She is a pure virgin, a very calm and obedient girl," my father implored, and I couldn't help but wince at his words.

He sounded like he was advertising a product to be sold, and I was that goods.

"I heard she is wolfless. I hope it doesn't affect her ability to bear me a child. You promise me she is fertile; that's why I am finalizing this alliance. I hope you aren't lying to me!” The same deep, husky voice of Zander responded with arrogance.

How could my father promise such a thing?

"If she gives me a child, I will come back with another bag of gold, and we will be friends. So where is she?” I heard him ask.

“She can even possibly bore you twins. Just give her time.” My father replied out of greed when he knew how almost impossible it was.

I couldn't remain outside anymore as I barged in furiously. "Father, what do you mean?!!" I called out angrily and everyone's gaze shifted toward me.

"Selena!" My father's brows furrowed as he shot me an annoyed glare.

My gaze fell on Zander at that moment, seated before my father with two hefty guards, which he may never need because of how powerful he was—his broad, muscular body adorned in a black tailored suit immediately caught my attention.

This was the first time I was seeing him in reality, and I could swear the book description didn't describe him any better. He exuded an aura of dominance and intimidation, and his gaze at me sent shivers down my spine as though I was enchanted.

"Selena, meet His Highness, Alpha King Zander Blake," my father introduced, a flattering grin on his face.

I already know. There was no need for the introduction.

As his sharp blue eyes locked with mine, my world seemed to come to a standstill. I was both scared and mesmerized, causing my heart to skip a beat. I felt breathless, and my lips parted in a gasp as I was caught in the intensity of his gaze.

He was incredibly handsome, but the bloodthirsty beast in him was already reflecting in his eyes as he peered deep as though he was seeing through my soul.

He seemed displeased. He always appears angry, his face maintaining a stern and cold countenance.

“That's my daughter, your highness. I hope she is beautiful enough. You won't regret giving her the chance to bear you an heir. The family bond will be the strongest relationship between our pack.” My father said in elation, grabbing the bags of gold.

“I don't want to marry him! I don't want to be killed. I can't give him a child and you know that! Father, please don't sell me off. I am not even a virgin.” I sobbed out, falling to my knees, hoping lying about not being a virgin would save me from this horrible fate.

Dead silence fell in the hall as my father stared at me in rage. He couldn't believe my last sentence.

"I will marry her," Alpha King Zander declared, regardless, leaving me speechless and shocked. I thought he only accepted virgins.