Rejected By Beta But Mated To The Lycan King

I blinked, the sunlight streaming through the window gently waking me up. I had no idea how I got here, in my own bed, the familiar surroundings of my small room coming into focus. The last thing I remembered was being under that tree with Magnus. The rain, the way his silver eyes held mine, the warmth of his hand in mine—it all felt like a dream, too surreal to be true.

But here I was, and it was morning. My brother Owen stood at the side of my bed, grinning like a fool, and my mother sat in her wheelchair, staring at me with a look I couldn't quite place. A mixture of curiosity and something close to amazement. I sat up quickly, confused and trying to gather my thoughts.

"What... what happened?" I asked, my voice raspy from sleep.

"You don't remember?" Owen's grin grew wider, if that was even possible.

"I remember being with Magnus... the Lycan King," I said slowly, as the memories came rushing back. "We were under the tree... and then..." I trailed off, rubbing my temples. "I must've fallen asleep."

Owen burst out laughing. "Oh, you did more than just fall asleep! You didn't see it, Aria! A big black SUV pulled up outside early this morning, and some guy—huge, by the way—carried you inside like you were a feather."

My eyes widened. "What?"

My mother smiled softly. "He was gentle with you, Aria. He brought you to your room, tucked you in, and made sure you were comfortable before he left. And he promised to come back today for a proper introduction." 

Her words sent a wave of disbelief washing over me. This was all real? It actually happened? I wasn't dreaming? The Lycan King, Magnus, was my mate, and he had come all the way here to bring me home. He carried me inside, and he was coming back today.

"Oh," was all I managed to say, my brain trying to catch up with everything.

Owen nudged me playfully. "Come on, sis. You've gotta admit, it's kinda cool. The Lycan King is your mate! I mean, not just anyone can say that."

I shot him a look, my heart pounding as I processed the weight of it. "It's not that simple, Owen."

I could still feel the eyes of the pack on me from the night before. How quickly everything had changed. First, I'd been humiliated by Beta Collins in front of everyone, then suddenly, I was mated to the most powerful Lycan in the region. It felt too good to be true, and I couldn't help but feel nervous about what was coming next.

My mother, always the voice of reason, spoke up again. "It might not be simple, Aria, but that doesn't mean it's bad. The fact that the Lycan King came here himself... it says a lot about the kind of man he is."

I nodded, unsure of how to respond. My mind was spinning with thoughts, trying to sort through my feelings. I barely knew Magnus, but in the short time I'd been with him, he had treated me with more kindness and respect than anyone in the pack had ever shown me. He didn't see me as the poor girl from the outskirts of the pack, the one everyone pitied or ridiculed. He saw me, Aria, and it terrified me and comforted me all at once.

"I guess... I just didn't expect any of this," I admitted, pulling the blanket closer around me. "I've been treated like nothing for so long. I don't know what to make of it."

Owen looked at me, his usual joking tone replaced with something more serious. "You deserve good things, Aria. You've always deserved more than this pack has given you. Maybe... maybe this is your chance for something better."

My heart ached at his words. I wanted to believe him, but after years of being the outcast, it was hard to imagine anything different. I had learned to expect disappointment, and a part of me couldn't shake the fear that this was all too good to be true. That somehow, this would all come crashing down.

Before I could say anything else, there was a knock at the door. We all turned to look, and my heart jumped into my throat. Was it him? 

My mother gave me a knowing smile. "It seems your guest has arrived."

Owen practically leaped out of his seat, running to open the door. "I'll get it!"

I scrambled out of bed, my heart pounding as I tried to smooth my hair and look somewhat presentable. I wasn't prepared for this, not at all. But before I could fully compose myself, I heard Owen's voice from the front of the house.

"Aria! You've got a visitor!"

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of my room, my heart racing as I made my way to the front door. There, standing in the doorway, was Magnus. He looked just as imposing and powerful as he had the night before, his tall frame towering over Owen, who was practically bouncing with excitement. Magnus's silver eyes found mine the moment I stepped into the room, and for a second, everything else seemed to fade away.

He gave me a soft smile. "Good morning, Aria."

"Good morning," I managed to reply, my voice a little shaky. I still couldn't believe this was real. That he was real.

Magnus stepped inside, his presence filling the small space. He was dressed casually, but there was no mistaking the authority and power he carried. My mother rolled her wheelchair forward, her eyes kind but curious as she looked up at him.

"You must be the Lycan King," she said with a small smile. "Thank you for bringing my daughter home safely." 

I scoffed weirdly, as if she doesn't know. 

Magnus nodded respectfully. "It was my pleasure. Your daughter is... very special."

I blushed, not used to hearing such words spoken about me. My mother's smile grew a little wider, and she gave me a look that said more than words ever could.

"Please, sit," my mother gestured toward the small couch. "We don't have much, but you're welcome here."

Magnus sat down, his movements graceful despite his size. I joined him, feeling a little awkward, unsure of what to say or do. Owen hovered nearby, clearly fascinated by Magnus, but my mother shot him a warning look, and he reluctantly excused himself.

Magnus turned to me, his eyes gentle. "How are you feeling?"

"I... I'm okay," I replied, though my heart was still racing. "I wasn't expecting you to come back so soon."

He smiled, a soft warmth in his eyes. "I told you I would come back. I keep my promises, Aria."

His words made me feel something I hadn't felt in a long time—safe. Despite the whirlwind of everything that had happened, there was something about Magnus that made me believe him. And as we sat there, talking, I realized that this wasn't a dream after all.

This was my new reality.