Claimed by the Alpha

In a world steeped in pack hierarchy and primal instincts, Riley Kaidon knows the chilling tales of mate rejection all too well—the agony, the void, the profound sense of loss. So, when Alpha Ryker, her destined mate, cruelly casts her aside, she defies expectations by accepting his rejection without a fight. Though the severing of their bond stings, she realizes with stark clarity that she has lost nothing of value, for Ryker never truly belonged to her. Ryker's treatment of Riley has been far from loving, using her as a pawn, discarding her as if she were utterly worthless. Driven by a desire for a clean slate, she boldly requests banishment from the pack. Yet, in a twisted display of control, Ryker refuses to grant her freedom. Instead, he resorts to emotional blackmail, holding her mother—a woman relegated to servitude within the pack—as leverage. Should Riley dare to leave, her mother will suffer the consequences. Trapped between her own desires and her mother's safety, Riley reluctantly agrees to stay, vowing to shield herself from Ryker's manipulations. Adding salt to her wounds, Ryker orchestrates a cruel spectacle—forcing Riley to attend the upcoming mating ball where he intends to publicly announce Zara as his chosen Luna. He revels in taunting Riley, demanding that she witness him bestow upon Zara everything that was once promised to her. Despite the searing pain that threatens to consume her, Riley steels herself, refusing to grant him the satisfaction of seeing her break. As she silently mourns the loss of their unborn child—a life Ryker never valued—her mother offers solace, reminding her of her inner strength and the brighter future she deserves. But Riley's heart aches at the thought of abandoning her mother to Ryker's cruelty. She pledges to remain, not for Ryker's sake, but for the woman who has always stood by her side. With the mating ball looming on the horizon, Riley braces herself for the inevitable humiliation. One thing, however, is undeniably clear: her love for Ryker has withered, replaced by a fierce determination to reclaim her life. The torment of their forced bond is over, and she's poised to fight for her destiny within this **werewolf fantasy novel**. But as the night of the mating ball approaches, can Riley truly escape Ryker's grasp, or will she forever be bound to a life of servitude and heartbreak?