Aria's POV

I woke up very early the next morning, in the arms of the gorgeous stranger, Knox.

I had mixed emotions. Knox had made me feel wanted and desired, but now in the morning, I felt so much regret. What had I done? I had given my virginity to a stranger, the virginity I stopped myself from giving my mate, before I knew he was a lying bastard.

I laughed bitterly as I thought about it.

I slipped out of the bed quietly, not wanting to wake him. Knox stirred slightly, but he didn't wake. I glanced back at him one last time with his dark hair and chiseled features. It was then I noticed the greyish hair at his temples, and he looked somehow older than me.

I shrugged, quickly dressed and left the hotel before he woke up.

As I returned to the pack, the atmosphere in the pack was excited that morning, but I didn't care to know why.

I just kept my head down and hoped that no one would notice me, because I was sure that the news of Liam's rejection must have spread to the whole pack, courtesy of Veronica Hall. She loved spreading rumors about people she disliked.

I was able to get to the Omega quarters and to my room without anyone noticing me.

"Aria!" Claire called just as I was entering my small and cramped room and I turned to see her rushing toward me. "Where have you been? Felicia and I have been worried sick!"

"I... I just needed some time alone," I said, "What's going on, why is everywhere rowdy?" I quickly asked to divert her attention from my whereabouts last night.

Her eyes gleamed with excitement. "Haven’t you heard? Liam's uncle, the Alpha King, Alpha Blackwood is coming! He couldn't make it for Liam's birthday/engagement party yesterday, but as he is coming today, Alpha Maxwell is throwing another party.”

My heart clenched, but I nodded, pretending to be excited. “That's great news.”

Claire rolled her eyes at my lack of enthusiasm. “Alright get cleaned up and come join in the preparations.”

The entire pack was buzzing with excitement as they prepared for the Alpha King’s visit. Decorations were being hung, and food was being prepared. Everywhere was tense as they waited for the Alpha King. I did my best to ignore the whispers behind my back as I joined in the preparations. I caught several glimpses of Liam and Veronica together, and I felt bitter.

~

Finally, the moment arrived.

It was in the evening, and I was exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. All I wanted was to crawl into bed and forget the past twenty-four hours. But as an omega, I had to serve during the dinner.

I felt so frustrated when I found out that I would be serving the head table. That was where the Alpha King, and the Alpha's family was. That meant that Liam and Veronica would be at that table also. It felt like fate really hated me. I sighed and braced myself for the painful night ahead.

The grand hall was designed with beautiful decorations, and the pack members were dressed in their finest attire. I moved through the crowd, carrying a tray of drinks.

The atmosphere was filled with joy and excitement, but I was lost in my own thoughts.

As I approached the head table, I kept my head down to avoid looking at Liam or Veronica.

Rhea, my wolf, was excited, and I became confused because she wasn't active yesterday after Liam's betrayal.

However, I ignored her and focused on my task, trying to stay invisible to everyone on that table. Just as I was setting down a drink, I caught a glimpse of the Alpha King.

My heart stopped, and the tray I was holding slipped from my grasp. The glasses shattered on the floor, and I stood frozen, staring at him in shock.

Knox looked so different from the man I had spent the night with. His personality was colder, more authoritative, and his expression was emotionless. He was dressed in a tailored suit that fit his powerful frame.

His familiar piercing gray eyes landed on me and it felt like time had stopped.

My wolf, Rhea howled in excitement, then she whispered one word that made me tremble, ‘Mate’.

I was shocked. How was it possible? I was rejected yesterday by my mate who was an alpha-to-be, now the moon goddess decided to give me another mate, the Alpha King himself. Is the moon goddess forgetting that I am just an omega?

For a moment, Knox's eyes widened in recognition, but he quickly composed himself and smoothed out all forms of emotions from his face, but I knew he was aware that we were mates.

“You worthless omega!” Veronica shrieked, “How dare you embarrass us in front of the Alpha King? Can’t you do anything right?”

Liam’s eyes narrowed in disgust as he added. “Aria, you’re nothing but a disgrace. How many times do we have to tell you to stay out of sight and not ruin everything?”

My heart clenched painfully at their harsh words, especially Liam's. The rejection still felt like a dream to me.

I could feel the disgusted gazes of Liam's parents, Alpha Maxwell and Luna Flora.

Tears were welling up in my eyes and I kept my head down, staring at the floor in humiliation. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.

Before any of them could continue, Knox raised his hand to silence all of them. His cold and authoritative voice said calmly. “That’s enough.”

They were all taken aback by the Alpha King's intervention.

“She made a mistake,” he said, his tone was firm and cold. “There’s no need for all those harsh words. Let's continue with the dinner. Clean this up.” The last part he said to me.

I nodded quickly and obeyed immediately. As I bent down to gather the broken pieces, I could feel Knox's eyes on me.

My mind raced with several thoughts. I hadn’t just slept with a stranger last night, but with the Alpha King, and my ex mate's uncle, my second chance mate.

This was twisted and fucked up. How didn't I notice it yesterday? Was it because of that drug?

For the rest of the dinner, Knox continued to watch me with a dark gaze filled with desire. He kept asking for refills, and each time he made sure our hands brushed, making a shiver run down my spine. It made me remember last night, and I had to clench my thighs slightly as my core tingled.

I was aroused, and this time it wasn't caused by a drug. I couldn't wait for the dinner to finish so that I could relieve myself in my room.

When dinner was finished, everyone left. As Knox was leaving the grand hall, we made eye contact, and his eyes were dark with desire and he gave me a small sexy smirk that made me clench my thighs tighter. His smirk widened.

We finished clearing up the grand hall, and I hurried off to my room.

However, immediately I entered my room and closed the door, I sensed another person's presence. My heart pounded at the familiar scent of peppermint and cedar.

I turned around slowly and saw Knox standing there, his intimidating figure filled my small room. My heart raced as I stared at him. Was he here to reject me privately?

“What are you doing here?” I whispered, my voice was trembling with fear, confusion and something else.

Knox’s gaze was intense, “I can't stop thinking about you, Aria.”

My breath hitched as he reached out and gently cupped my face.

“You shouldn’t be here, you're the Alpha King and Liam's uncle.” I managed to say, trying to resist his touch.

He chuckled deeply, “You forgot one more thing” he said simply, brushing his thumb over my lower lips.

“What is that?” I whispered almost inaudibly.

“I'm also your mate.” He murmured, leaning towards me.

“What do you want from me?” I asked, feeling so confused.

“Isn't it obvious?” He asked with a devilish smirk, “I want you.”

Aria's POV

My mouth gaped open in a way that I knew wasn't really cute, but I was too shocked to care. I was speechless. What would an Alpha King want with an omega?

Unless he was trying to play me, just like Liam did.

It was getting really hard to think straight as his hand left my face and began to move down slowly.

I gasped as his hand began to trail down my neck, moving so close to my breast.

“Please stop,” I pleaded, my voice was breathy, and I was panting.

Knox's hand froze instantly, but he didn't remove it. His gray eyes darkened with concern.

“What is it, Aria?” He asked softly.

I almost moaned at the way my name rolled out of his tongue. I was so wet that I knew that he could probably smell my arousal.

I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him slightly. I could feel the hard muscles on his chest. I felt like running my hands over his chest, but I didn't let myself give in, no matter how hard the mate bond and Rhea wanted me to.

He stepped back and removed his hand that was still near my breast.

I released a deep breath as I tried to control myself.

“Aria?” His voice was low, and his eyes searched my face for answers.

I couldn't meet his eyes, so I kept my eyes on my feet instead.

“I am an omega, your majesty. An omega with nothing, not even a last name.” I said, my eyes still on my feet.

Knox growled in displeasure and stepped forward, but I held my hand out to stop him from getting too close, and he paused.

“Please, your majesty, let me finish.” I pleaded again, staring at his chest.

He clenched his jaw, but he nodded reluctantly.

“I was just rejected yesterday by my mate, Liam Reed, your nephew.” I revealed.

I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I remembered the pain from yesterday.

Knox stepped forward again, and I lifted my head to look at him. His eyes were soft and warm as he came closer to me slowly.

"Aria..." He said softly.

The tone of his voice broke down my walls, and everything I had been holding inside since Liam’s rejection poured out.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to stop the tears from pouring out, but it was useless. A sob escaped my throat, and I covered my face with my hands.

“Oh Aria…” Knox murmured softly.

He moved even closer, and this time, I didn’t stop him. He held me gently in his arms.

At that point, I couldn't hold it. It was as if the dam broke, and I began to sob into his chest. I released all the pain and betrayal I had been trying to ignore since yesterday. Liam’s betrayal, rejection and humiliation, and now, the confusion about this new mate bond with Knox. It was all so overwhelming.

Knox's arms tightened around me as I cried. My tears were soaking his shirt, but he didn’t seem to care. He just kept holding me, stroking my hair gently and murmuring soft words that I couldn’t hear because of my sobbing.

“I’m sorry,” I said, pulling back from his chest, “I’m sorry for breaking down like this… I just—” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat, trying to compose myself. “I didn’t mean to—”

“Shh,” he interrupted me softly. He brushed a tear from my cheek with his thumb. “You don’t have to apologize, Aria. You must have been through a lot. Let it out.”

I sniffled. I felt so embarrassed for breaking down like that in front of him. But he didn't seem to mind as he stepped back again to give me space.

“Liam... he was my mate, and I loved him” I whispered. My voice was hoarse, “He was supposed to love me, he said he loved me. And then, he just—”

My voice broke again, and I shook my head, breathing deeply to stop the sob from coming out.

Knox clenched his jaw, and I saw his eyes flash with something.

“Liam is a fool,” he said. His voice was low, but it was firm. “He is a foolish boy who has no idea of the value of the treasure he has in front of him.”

I blinked in surprise. He sounded so angry and sincere.

“He rejected you, his true mate,” Knox continued. His gray eyes were intense as he spoke. “For what? For that fake bimbo? He doesn't know the value of what he gave up. I thank the moon goddess for what he did. Because now…” He stepped forward with a soft look in his eyes and he cupped my face gently. “Now, you’re here. With me.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt my heart melt at the sincerity in his eyes. He wasn’t just saying this to make me feel better. He meant every word.

“I thought I was cursed,” Knox admitted, gazing at my eyes with an intense look that made my core ache. “I never thought I would ever have a mate. I had given up hope, I had prepared myself for a life alone. And then, you came along, my little miracle.” He brushed his thumb lightly against my cheek, and my breath caught.

I didn’t know what to say, but I could just feel how sincere Knox was. Hearing him call me his miracle made warmth fill my chest.

Knox smiled softly, running his thumb over my bottom lip.

“I don’t care that you’re an omega, Aria. I don’t care about what happened with Liam. All I care about is that you’re mine. And I’m not letting you go.” He said firmly.

His eyes were so intense, his words were so intense, everything about him was so intense. I swallowed hard.

Knox leaned in so close that his lips were just inches from mine. “Liam’s loss,” he murmured. I could feel his warm breath against my skin, “is my greatest gain.”

I felt a shiver of desire run through me at his words, and without hesitating, I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him closer for a kiss.

Knox responded immediately. His arms wrapped around me as he kissed me back passionately. The kiss was unlike anything I had ever had before, even with Liam. Knox groaned against my lips in satisfaction, and it made my knees weak. His hands pulled me even closer as the kiss deepened.

I broke the kiss and gasped for breath as I leaned my forehead against his chest.

“Thank you,” I whispered softly, against his chest.

He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. “You don’t have to thank me, little angel. You’re mine now. And I take care of what’s mine.”

I smiled at the nickname. It was strange, but it made me feel so special. Like I wasn’t just a rejected omega. Like I really mattered.