Kenneth's pov.
I have told myself a thousand times that I did the right thing.
Rejecting Katherine was necessary. I want to be the next Alpha and I had to make a choice and the best choice was Judith.
Judith is the best choice.
Her father is the current Alpha Gerald, a Man whose backing will make me the best choice.
Katherine was my mate but she was a complication, a weakness in my journey to become the Alpha.
Whenever Judith suggested we go to the training ground. I didn't refuse. Because whenever she looks at me I feel I still have a hold on her.
But today.
She didn't even turn her head when I walked into the training ground. Normally she will look at me even if it's only a glance.
But today nothing.
She stood with her friend Felicia, with a focused look on her face. I could tell they were speaking through mindlink. Her expression didn't change yet. So I deliberately passed close enough for her to catch my scent.
Something was off.
She smelled different.
I couldn't place it but it lingered, unsettling me. It wasn't hers and it wasn't from anyone from this pack.
My eyes kept following her, noticing how she had wrapped herself up in layers of cloth like she was trying to conceal something.
I wanted to go to her, my wolf and I were unsettled. But Judith slipped her hand through mine drawing back my attention. I couldn't go to Katherine without Judith stuck to me like this.
But it itched at the back of my mind.
I had been planning to speak with Katherine to make her an offer.
When I become the Alpha I could still have her. Privately and quietly. Judith just gave me the title. Katherine will understand. She loves me so much.
I traced my eyes all over her body. Something was different about her today. I was trying to figure it out but I couldn't.
I was going to find out.
———————
Katherine's pov
My body ached with each step I took, reminding me of what had gone on last night. Felicia pulled me towards the pack's library anyways, ignoring my wince. She wanted to feed her curiosity.
"How hard did he go?" She whispered. She couldn't contain the winces anymore.
I blushed. "All night."
She gasped.Like I confessed a murder.
We were now in the library going through all books about werewolf history we could find on the shelves. My head was spinning looking at the white pages constantly. Suddenly Felicia squealed, a sound so loud that I almost blocked her mouth with my hand.
"You mated a Lycan." She whispered-shouted, her eyes were going to bulge out any second. "Katherine a Lycan."
My breath caught " They exist?" I asked her. "I thought they were myths."
"Well, they are not because you mated one." She replied to me while reading out what was written. "Lycan's are ancient and rare and pure blooded descendants of the first wolves. Their eyes glow red in their true state."
She paused and looked at me while lowering the book. "So what are you going to do?"
I blinked and looked at her. "about what? It was just a one time thing. I probably won't ever see him again."
"There is something else to be worried about." I continued.
Felicia asked. "What?"
"My wolf has been silent since last night." I said.
She crossed her arms. "You need to talk to her."
I frowned, folding my arms too. "She's angry we cheated on her mate."
Felicia arched her brow "The same mate that rejected her?"
"Exactly." I muttered.
Then I looked down at the floor, my voice softer. "Or… or maybe she is guilty."
Felicia titled her head. "Guilty of what?"
"Because she enjoyed it like I did." I whispered.
"What?" Felicia narrowed her eyes.
"During my night with him. I had locked her in but she slipped out." I explained.
"You shifted?" Felicia asked.
"Not really, she pushed through. It wasn't just me who wanted him, she wanted him too" I muttered.
She looked at me and said, "Try speaking with her tonight. She just got rejected and mated a superior."
I hummed.
***
It had been weeks since that night. All the marks had faded.
Weeks since I sneaked out of the pack to clear my head and gave myself to a stranger who turned out to be a Lycan.
I had decided to put it behind me. It was a distraction that was worth it.
After days of silence, my wolf and I had finally spoken.She had been hurt and confused but in the end she accepted what I already knew that we were mateless now.
We were trying to accept that in peace but Kenneth, our ex-mate who had severed our bond because of his own selfish interest, had the audacity to show up in front of my house yesterday.
"I know how much you love me, Katherine." He said with so much confidence. "After I become Alpha we can still be together."
I stared at him, arms across my chest unmoving. "Still be together?" I repeated "After you rejected me?"
He shrugged like it didn't matter. "You weren't what I needed politically but once I become the Alpha things will be different. I can do whatever I want."
My wolf whimpered quietly. The old part of her still longed for what we used to have. The bond that tied us together but I gritted my teeth and stood my ground.
"You mean now you are on your way to power?" I said not mincing my words. "The same power you rejected me for."
Kenneth ran his hand through his hair. "Don't be dramatic."
I laughed a humorless laugh. "You think I'm going to stand beside you like some discarded thing you suddenly remembered?"
"I never forgot you," he said, stepping closer. "I just needed time to…"
I couldn't take it anymore, I snapped. "To what? To become the Alpha without the burden of a weak Omega like me?"
His eyes narrowed for a split second before he put back his manipulative look on again. "You and I both knew what we had was rare and real. I'm giving us a chance to work ourselves out."
I stepped forward, my voice low steady enough for him to grab all what I was about to say "No, Kenneth. I knew what we had. I also know what you threw away. So no, I don't need your second hand affection."
I walked out.
He was selfish, thoughtless. He wanted the benefits of love without being loyal.