Rejected By My Fated, I Claimed His Future

My mate, Kolton Mendez, the former Beta of the Mendez Pack, had risked his life to save Zendaya Perry during a rogue attack. The rogue’s claws had left deep, jagged scars across his once-handsome face, disfiguring him. Yet, even now, he found the words to comfort Zendaya, assuring her that he had me to rely on. My stomach churned, and I let out a quiet, sardonic laugh.

For the sake of the mate vow Kolton had made all those years ago, kneeling before the Moon Goddess with genuine sincerity, promising never to betray me, I decided to set him free. I wanted to honor what they called “true love” — may they stay in love even when they have nothing left.

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While I was caring for my mother, Summer Johnston, the respected elder of the Martinez Pack, who had just undergone surgery, I accidentally clicked on a trending topic in the pack’s mind link network. That’s when I discovered why Kolton had been unreachable: he had been at the scene of the rogue attack, risking his life to save Zendaya first. Trapped in the chaos, he shielded her from the rogue’s claws with his own body. Normally proud and reserved, there he was, eyes red, begging the warriors to save his lover first. Videos from the scene were circulating, and the comments below praised this “pure love” with admiration.

I silently clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

Kolton and Zendaya were mates? Then what was I, his mate of six years, his officially marked fiancée? I pushed down the chaotic thoughts swirling in my mind and hurried to Kolton’s room in the pack’s healing center. As soon as I entered, I saw Zendaya still holding his hand, on the verge of tears.

“It’s all my fault, Kol. You’re about to have our marking ceremony, and yet your face… I’m the one who dragged you into this.”

Kolton’s face was covered with jagged scars, the grotesque wounds having ravaged his previously refined appearance. He gently pulled Zendaya into an embrace.

“Don’t worry. I did this willingly. You don’t have to worry about Angela; she’s always been understanding.”

“If she can’t accept my face, then she doesn’t deserve to stay by my side as my Luna.”

Once again — the tenderness in the eyes of someone usually so distant wasn’t directed at me. Hearing those words, “doesn’t deserve,” pierced my heart sharply, and I forced a bitter smile. He must have thought he had me wrapped around his finger. Indeed, for years, I had been trailing behind him, trying to catch up.

“Angela!”

I snapped back to reality. Zendaya was now clinging to my arm.

“Angela, I’m so sorry. It’s my fault that Kol got hurt.”

“You love Kol so much, surely you wouldn’t mind that he got hurt because of me, right…”

Facing away from Kolton, Zendaya gave me a challenging smirk.

Anger surged through me, and I shoved her away, my wolf growling low in the back of my mind.

“If you know you’re a troublemaker, why do you keep showing up? That’s quite something.”

Kolton immediately frowned, his alpha tone cutting through the room like a whip.

“Enough!”

“Angela, Zendaya already feels really guilty. There’s no need to say more.”

I slowly clenched my fists, my nails digging into the flesh of my palm.

Zendaya turned back to Kolton, tears streaming down her face before she even spoke.

“Kol, don’t blame Angela. She’s just worried about you… Besides, it’s my fault to begin with.”

“If your facial injuries cause any issues between you and Angela, I’ll live with that guilt forever.”

Kolton gently stroked her head.

“Silly, a few scars on a warrior are nothing. Don’t overthink it.”

He then turned to me, his gaze deep, his voice taking on that all-too-familiar lecturing tone.

“Angela, do you even realize what you’re saying?”

“Impulsive, disrespectful… Apologize to Zendaya now!”

His words were sharp, cutting through me like a blade. I stood there, my chest tightening, the bond between us screaming in agony. But I refused to let him see the pain. I was Angela Martinez, the Alpha of the Martinez Pack, and I would not be broken by this.