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18

Author: Melody kim
last update publish date: 2026-05-26 07:59:30

Chapter 18

*Sage’S POV*

I woke up wrapped around Kael like a koala, my head on his chest, one leg thrown over his hip.

Morning light filtered through the blinds, painting stripes across the dark sheets.

He was already awake, one hand drawing lazy circles on my back, the other scrolling through his phone.

“What time is it?” I mumbled against his chest.

“Seven. The press release went out at six.” He set his phone down and kissed the top of

“Good morning.”

“How bad is it?” my head.

“The response?
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  • Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO   34

    Sage’s POVMonday morning brought unexpected visitors-a delegation I hadn’t invited.“Five Alphas are here Marcus said, looking concerned. “They’re demanding an audience Now,”“Which packs? Kael asked. He was already moving into protective mode.“Northern Ridge, Silver Lake, Iron Mountain, Blackwood, and Crimson Falls.” Marcus pulled up information on his tablet. ‘All traditional, conservative packs. All opposed to what they’re calling the new Luna movement”My stomach dropped. “They’re here to challenge me.”‘Probably. Eleanor’s stalling them in the main hall, but we can’t delay long.” Marcus looked at me. “You don’t have to see them. We can send them away.”“No. If they’re here to challenge me, avoiding them makes me look weak.” I stood, despite my shaking hands. ‘Let them in. But Kael stays with me“I wasn’t planning on leaving,” Kael said firmly.Ten minutes later, five Alphas filed into Eleanor’s formal receiving room. All male, all older- ranging from their fifties to seventies

  • Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO   33

    Sage’s POV**The moment the Timber and Cascade delegations left, I collapsed into a chair.“That was exhausting.” I said to no one in particular“That was extraordinary: Lorraine was beaming.You mediated a fifteen-year conflict in under two hours. Do you understand how rare that is?”“I got lucky. They were ready for peace.”“They were ready to listen. There’s a difference. Dak knelt beside my chair. “You made them listen. Made them see past their pride to what actually mattered”“I used my power on them. Projected calm when they argued. Isn’t that manipulation?”“You helped them access emotions they already had-exhaustion, hope, desire for not manipulation. That’s leadership.” Lorraine packed up her notes. “Word of this will spread peace. That’s quickly. Be prepared for more requests.”She was right. By Sunday morning, my phone was flooded with messages from pack representatives across the region.“Twelve packs have requested mediation,” Margaret said over video call. She’d been ha

  • Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO   32

    Sage’s POVWednesday morning brought an unexpected visitor, a delegation from the Pacific Northwest Timber pack, requesting an audience with “the prophesied Luna.” Word had spread Fast.“They heard about the prophecy?” I asked Eleanor over breakfast. She’d received the request and was deciding how to handle it.“Everyone’s heard by now. Damien’s trial made headlines, and reporters dug up everything-the original kidnapping, the prophecy, all of it.”Eleanor sipped her tea. “You’re famous, dear. Or infamous, depending on who you ask.”“What do they want?”“To see if you’re real. If the prophecy is legitimate. And possibly to ask for help with their pack troubles” Eleanor set down her cup.“The Timber pack has been feuding with the Cascade pack for fifteen years. Border disputes, resource conflicts, the usual. They’ve heard you can unite divided packs.”“I can barely unite my own thoughts most mornings.”“Nevertheless, they’re coming. This afternoon Two hours.” Eleanor’s expression was

  • Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO   31

    Sage’s POVSunday morning, I woke to find Kael’s side of the bed empty again. But this time, I found him outside on the estate grounds, moving through what looked like martial arts forms.Shirtless. Showing off the bandages still covering his wounds.“You’re supposed to be resting,” I called from the terrace.“I am resting. This is gentle movement.” Hemcompleted a slow, controlled strike. “Keeps muscles. from stiffening”“You were shot three times two days ago.”“And I’m already healing. Werewolf metabolism.”He moved through another sequence, wincing only slightly. “Besides, I need to stay sharp. Can’t protect you if I’m weak.”I descended the stone steps to the garden where he was training. “You’re not weak. You fought off seven armed men.”“‘Barely. And next time, there might be more.” He stopped, breathing hard. “I need to be better. Faster. Stronger.”“‘Or we need better security so you’re not fighting them alone.”“That too.” He pulled me close, despite being sweaty. “But I

  • Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO   30

    Sage’s POVThe gunshots were getting closer.Kael shoved me toward the bedroom. “Closet Now There’s a panic room behind the back wall.”“I’m not hiding while you-”“You’re pregnant with my child. You’re hiding. His eyes flashed gold. “That’s not a request.” More gunshots. Closer. The guards were fighting, but whoever was attacking had come prepared.I ran to the closet. Kael followed, pressing a hidden panel. The back wall slid open, revealing a small reinforced room-maybe eight by eight feet, with a phone, first aid kit, and what looked like weapons.‘Get in. Lock it from inside. Don’t open it for anyone except me or Marcus.” He kissed me hard and fast. “‘I love you.”“Kael-“Go!” He pushed me inside and the door slid shut.I heard the lock engage. Then nothing but my own panicked breathing and the distant sounds of combat.The panic room had a security monitor. I could see multiple camera feeds-the hallway, the living room, the elevator bank.Three men in tactical gear were f

  • Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO   29

    They arrested Damien” Marcus said over the phone. Kael had it on speaker while we ate breakfast. Two hours ago. At his apartment. Hetried to run“On what charges? Kael asked.“Extortion, terroristic threats, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. The DA’s building a case for the original abduction, but that’ll take time. For now they have enough to hold him without bail.”Relief flooded through me. “He can’t threaten me from jail.”“Don’t celebrate yet” Silas’s voice cut in-he was on the call too. “Damien’s not stupid. He had contingency plans. We found evidence in his apartment that he hired at least two other people. We have one in custody, but the other is still at large.”“Who?’ I asked“The woman. Dr. Evelyn Cross”My stomach dropped. “What?”“We found communications between Damien and someone using Cross’s credentials. Encrypted messages, payment records. She’s been working with him from the beginning.”“That’s impossible. She’s training me-”“She’s manipulating you, Silas s

  • Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO   9

    Sage’s POVThe drawing room was exactly what I’d expected from a wealthy werewolf family-all antique furniture, oil paintings of stern-looking ancestors, and a fireplace large enough to roast an entire deer.Mrs. Thorne sat in a high-backed chair like it was a throne, wearing a sky blue dress that

  • Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO   8

    Sage’s POVI was going to throw up, and it had nothing to do with morning sickness.The midnight blue dress fit perfectly. The shoes made my legs look longer than they actually were. I’d even managed to do something with my hair that looked intentional instead of “I gave up halfway through.” But n

  • Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO   7

    Sage’s POV“No. I was hoping to catch Kael before his day gets busy.” Jade moved closer, her heels clicking against the polished floor. “We had such a productive meeting Tuesday. I wanted to follow up on a few points.”“Mr. Thorne isn’t in yet. I can schedule an appointment“I’ll wait.” She perche

  • Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by the Brooding Alpha CEO   6

    Sage’s POVThe next morning, I arrived at the office to find a woman sitting at my desk.Not just any woman. A tall, leggy brunette in a designer suit that probably cost more than my monthly rent, casually flipping through the filesI’d left organized in my inbox.“Excuse me,” I said, my voice shar

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