Rejecting the Heir: Mated to the Savage Alpha

My reward for my father dying for the Alpha? A guaranteed forced bond with one of his two sons.

I chose the golden child, Ronan—and paid for it with my life.

Reborn on the day of the ceremony, I didn't hesitate. I pointed straight at Darius, the terrifying outcast brother everyone warned me about.

To hell with Ronan and his fairy tales.

But there's one sick twist I didn't see coming: Ronan remembers our first life, too.

And this time, he's the one who's going to beg.

Mara

I had barely stepped out of the council hall—having just confirmed my coming-of-age ceremony with the Alpha—when Ronan Nightclaw tossed his silver blade directly into the gravel at my boots.

"Pick it up," he ordered from the edge of the training ring.

The wolves gathered around him stopped watching the sparring match. They wanted to see me hurry over and hand it back, the way I always had.

In my first life, I'd mistaken every chance to serve him for a chance to get closer. I knew where that had led.

"You dropped it," I said flatly. "You pick it up."

Ronan's head snapped toward me in pure shock. "What did you just say?"

One of his friends whistled. "Trying something new, Mara? Two days ago, you wouldn't leave him alone."

"Now she thinks she's the future Luna," another sneered. "Wonder what her dead father would think."

Before I could answer, Sera limped into the circle. She was my maternal cousin, taken into our home after her parents died and raised like family. A bloodstain marked the leggings beneath her leather skirt.

She crouched to retrieve the blade, wincing as she bent her injured leg.

Ronan instantly caught her wrist. "Dammit, Sera. I told you to rest. Why are you out here?"

Then his gaze snapped back to me, the ice returning to his eyes.

"Look at her. She's hurt, and she's still willing to help. And you just stand there." He took the blade from her grasp, then leveled a glare at me. "You just came from my father's office, didn't you? What did you beg for this time?"

"Nothing," I said flatly.

"Right," he scoffed. "Did you remind him how your father died saving him? Tell him he owes you a mate?"

My father had taken a fatal blow meant for Alpha Garrick. Ronan knew that. He also knew exactly what he was doing when he weaponized it against me.

He took a step closer, his voice dropping into a cruel sneer. "You've tried everything else," he went on. "You really think forced guilt will make me want you?"

"I didn't ask him for anything,"I replied, my voice perfectly flat. "The Alpha sent for me. He's hosting my coming-of-age ceremony himself."

"The Alpha himself?" one of the guys asked.

The wolves immediately caught on. They crowded around Ronan, slapping him on the back with easy grins.

"Guess you'll be getting a mate soon, man."

"Don't forget us when you're running the pack."

Everyone knew Alpha Garrick had promised my dead father I could choose between his two sons when I came of age. And everyone knew how long I'd desperately chased his younger son, Ronan. To them, my choice was already made.

Ronan soaked in their congratulations with a proud smirk. Then, he looked down his nose at me, his tone turning into cold gravel.

"Listen to me," he said. "If we mate, you stay out of my business with Sera. Know your place, or I won't even claim you."

He leaned in, his eyes flashing with a dark warning.

"Unless you want a repeat of last time."

My breath caught. I just stared at him.

Last time?

Did he remember too?

But he gave me no chance to ask. Without another glance, he scooped Sera into his arms and carried her away, leaving his friends to snicker at my expense.

I watched them until they disappeared beyond the training grounds. He hadn't bothered to look back. Whatever he meant by that warning, he clearly expected me to trail after him like I always did.

Instead, I turned on my heel and walked the exact opposite way.

I had absolutely no intention of choosing him again.