Alpha's Regret, I Choose the Beta

Everyone in the pack knew Andrew, the alpha, and I were destined mates. Hell, I thought so too. Then, the night before the ceremony, rogues attacked. Andrew shoved me aside to protect Elsa. My heart shattered. I chose Gabriel, who'd been quietly by my side for years. But after I let Andrew go, he suddenly had regrets. He begged me to even look at him. I leaned against Gabriel, gave Andrew a blank stare, and said, "Sorry, do I know you?"

...

Andrew, I dont want to be your mate anymore.

I said it while the battlefield was being cleared. Everyone was busy tending to the wounded, no one noticed us. Andrew hadn't shifted back from his wolf form yet. His crimson eyes stared at me, full of impatience.

Are you done with this drama? If so, let's go.

He was still shielding Elsa, making sure she was safe. That careful, protective look Id never seen it directed at me. A sour taste filled my mouth. I looked down and repeated myself.

Im not playing. I mean it.

He was already gone, protecting Elsa as he walked away. The way Elsa leaned against him, so familiar, made her look like his true mate. And me? I was the joke.

Gabriel appeared behind me. He followed my gaze, sighed, and said, Let me take you back. Youre an omega, you can't do much here.

I tried to smile, to thank him, but I couldnt. I hurt everywhere. My chest ached, a deep, throbbing pain that made it hard to speak. A gust of wind carried the sweet, sickening smell of blood.

Gabriels nose twitched. His face changed. Are you hurt? Where?

I shook my head, clutching my chest. Its nothing. Ill take care of it.

There was always a risk of another rogue attack while cleaning up, so an alpha or beta had to stay. Andrew was with Elsa, which meant Gabriel, a beta, had to stay behind.

Gabriel nudged me gently with his wolf nose. "Go get patched up by the medic. I'll take you to the hospital when Im back."

He didnt wait for an argument. He scooped me up with his arm and strode towards the medic, who was bandaging another pack warrior. Gabriel unceremoniously pushed the warrior aside and set me down.

Chest wound. Take care of her.

The medics eyes widened. "An omega? You want me to treat an omega on the battlefield?"

Gabriel growled, his eyes slitting. The medic quickly backpedaled. Alright, alright.

But as soon as Gabriel was called away, the medic sneered. "I wonder what you did to get Gabriel so wrapped around your little finger."

The pack warrior beside her gave me a disgusted look. Yeah, clinging to Gabriel, still acting like youre the Luna. If the old Alpha knew, hed turn in his grave.

My face paled. Thats not true!

Oh really? We all saw you just now!

The medic jabbed the cleaning swab hard into my wound. The pain made me flinch.

Get off!

You think I want to do this? Youre a nuisance!

I struggled, but the pack warrior held me down. They were too strong. I had no choice but to endure it.

Whats going on here?

Andrews voice. The pack warrior instantly let go.

Alpha!

I turned, my eyes welling up at the sight of Andrew.

Andrew!

I reached for him instinctively, like always. He frowned and stepped aside, avoiding my touch. My hand fell empty, my heart following suit. A cold wind blew through me, almost bringing me to tears.

Andrew took the only human-grade healing salve from the medic and walked away without another word, without a glance, without a care for whether my wound would get infected.

I stood there, numb, as the medic laughed.

I thought it was some great alpha-omega love story. Turns out you're just pathetic.

The pack warrior tugged at the medics sleeve, but she wouldnt stop.

What? Am I wrong?

Youre damn right.

Gabriels voice was ice. He glared at the medic, making her tremble.

W-when did you get here?

If you knew I was here, would you be talking to her like that?

No, Alpha Gabriel, please, let me explain!

Youre asking for it.

Gabriels fist was about to connect when I cried out. Gabriel!

Pack law forbade infighting. If Gabriel hit her, Andrew would punish him. After I lost my ability to shift, Gabriel was one of the few who were still kind to me. I didnt want him to get hurt because of me.

Seeing my plea, Gabriel released the medic.

If this happens again, even Elisabeth wont save you!

The medic nodded frantically, her legs shaking. Gabriel scoffed and turned to me. He was human again, but his eyes were still slitted, his scent still strong. His bare chest was a tempting bronze. His ripped pants were haphazardly held together by a vine, threatening to fall off at any moment. I wanted to laugh. The pain in my chest even eased a little.

He picked up his discarded jacket and carefully wrapped it around me.

Whats so funny? Youre seriously injured.

Afraid Id aggravate my wound, he scooped me up. His warmth seeped through my thin clothes, and my face burned. Gabriel, put me down! I can walk.

Dont move.

He looked down at me, his eyes unreadable. I stayed still all the way to the hospital.

Thanks to Gabriels pull, I got a private room. The doctor examining me frowned at my wound and scolded Gabriel.

Sending an omega into battle is irresponsible.

Gabriel shuffled his feet. "It was an accident."

The doctor sighed, handing him the supplies. "Stay. The wound is deep. She needs to be monitored for infection."

At the door, she paused. Keep it dry. Andrew should probably take care of her.

The mention of Andrew froze the air. Gabriel looked at my pale face and gave me a reassuring smile.

Dont worry, Ill go get him.

The door slammed shut. I stared out the window, thinking, Whats the point? Andrew was probably with Elsa.

But Gabriel actually brought Andrew back. And Elsa. The small room felt crowded. Andrew looked at me, his face impatient.

"Are you done yet?"

I stared at him, confused. "What did I do?"

Elsas being checked out after being traumatized, and you need me here now?

No, Andrew! Gabriel interjected. Elisabeth didnt ask for this. I brought you here!

Gabriel, youre smarter than this. If she hadnt made a fuss, you wouldnt have come looking for me. He said it with such certainty, as if hed seen me causing trouble with his own eyes.

I laughed, a hollow sound. Andrew, is that how you see me?

Isnt it? Last time Elsa got hurt, wasn't it because you wanted those berries from the cliff?

His words took me back six months. It was almost Andrews birthday. I wanted to surprise him with the berries. But I couldn't shift. Elsa offered to get them. She climbed the cliff, easily picked the berries, and then, when Andrew arrived, she deliberately let go and fell.

What? Cat got your tongue? Andrews taunt brought me back. I didnt answer. I looked at Elsa and saw the triumph in her eyes. Then, she played the saint.

Its okay, Andrew. Elisabeth didn't mean it... and Elisabeth, the ceremony is tomorrow. Don't say things you don't mean about not being Andrews mate.

Her fake concern disgusted me. I took a deep breath and looked at Andrew. I mean it, Andrew. Tomorrow, I won't become your mate.

Id loved him since my father brought him into the pack. But I wasnt desperate. I wouldn't chase him.

Andrews face darkened.

Do you know what youre saying?

I do.

Breaking the bond, rejecting the Moon Goddess it came with a heavy price. I was just an omega, but I was willing to gamble. Maybe Id survive. I couldnt stand this life anymore, being led around by Andrew, having no self. Even if I still loved him.

Silence. Then, Andrew scoffed.

Elisabeth, dont come crying to me when you regret this.

I didnt speak for the rest of the afternoon. Watching the sunset, I asked Gabriel, If I dont make it, youll take me to my father, right?

Gabriel jumped up, his eyes red.

Dont talk like that! Youre going to be fine!

I laughed, a strange calmness settling over me. Fine? Who knows? Omegas rarely survived the rejection.

With a sense of hollowness, I let Gabriel lead me to the ceremony. Murmurs rippled through the crowd when they saw me. The alpha traditionally went first. Andrew stood on the platform, backlit, his expression hidden.

Gabriel helped me up, his voice low and urgent.

Does it have to be today? Can't you wait? Your wound

Andrew cut him off. Gabriel, shes not a child. She knows what shes doing.

Dont worry, Gabriel. Ill be fine.

Gabriel, frustrated and worried, shifted, his eyes slitting, then forced himself back. The shift was a sign of extreme distress.

I squeezed his shoulder. Ill be okay.

He didnt reply. After a moment, he jumped off the platform.

Moonlight broke through the clouds, illuminating the statue of the Moon Goddess. The goddesss staff split the beam, bathing Andrew and me in its light. The pack held its breath as I spoke.

I, Elisabeth, reject Andrew as my mate!

I, Andrew, reject Elisabeth as my mate!

The crowd erupted. The statue hummed. Agony slammed into us. I screamed. Andrew shifted involuntarily, his bandages ripping open, blood welling up.

It was excruciating, like every bone in my body was shattering and reforming. I could barely breathe. Someone scooped me up. The familiar scent calmed me. Gabriel.

He shifted and carried me to his room. The door slammed shut. His scent filled the air. I opened my eyes, blurry with pain, and saw him pacing.

"Come closer. Your scent...it helps."

Only a mate's scent could ease the pain. Gabriel's eyes widened. My face burned. I knew how crazy it sounded, but it was true. His scent soothed the burning.

He shifted back, his bare chest pressing against mine, his scent enveloping me. My mind began to drift.