Knotting His Rejected Breeder

RAMON’S POV

Much to my surprise, as I drew closer to my quarters, I spotted Daisy from afar. Her figure was unmistakable even at a distance, her confident stride cutting through the morning light as she moved across the open space between the buildings.

She was walking with another woman, which led me to believe that things had really changed in MoonRay.

She spotted me too, and despite the distance, I saw her smile. The expression was bright, almost playful, a flash of the old Daisy I remembered from better days. It eased some of the tension in my shoulders, a small reminder that not everything had changed.

When we arrived at the same spot, she stopped, threw me a wink, and retreated. Her steps were light as she moved away, leaving the woman standing before me with a composed expression.

"Bye Jackie," she said, walking away without looking back, her voice carrying easily in the quiet morning air.

"Alpha Ramon," Jackie of the MoonRay pack, called my name. Her voice was steady, carrying the strength of her new title, but there was a familiarity in it that bridged the years between us.

It had been a while since we saw each other. The last time we did, her father was trying to force her to marry me. The memory of those tense meetings, the pressure from Jack to form an alliance through marriage, flashed in my mind, bringing a small, wry smile to my lips.

He was basically trying all means to get us together.

And today? She was finally Alpha of MoonRay. The title suited her, the quiet strength I had always seen in her now fully realized in the way she carried herself.

"Alpha Jackie," I returned, my voice even as I met her gaze. The formal greeting felt right, a recognition of the power she now held, even as the history between us lingered beneath the surface.

She half smiled, then grew serious again. The shift was subtle, but I caught it in the slight tightening around her eyes, the way her shoulders squared as if preparing for battle.

"I thought you would have reached out to me already. I mean you did kill my father," she shrugged, the words casual but carrying an undercurrent of something sharper, a mix of grief and acceptance that made my chest tighten.

"I did, and I’m sorry for not reaching out. I’ve been, well, hibernating," I replied, the admission feeling heavy on my tongue. The months of withdrawal, the way I had pulled away from everything and everyone, still weighed on me like a shadow I couldn’t fully escape.

"Hmm," she stroked her chin, giving me a once-over. Her eyes scanned me carefully, taking in the changes the past months had wrought, the exhaustion I knew was etched into my features. "Where can we talk in private?" She finally asked, her voice dropping slightly as she glanced around.

"Follow me."

I led her into my office, the familiar path feeling longer than usual under the weight of the conversation ahead. The door creaked softly as I pushed it open.

"This place still feels so familiar, even though it has been a long time since I visited," she said as she sat down, her eyes scanning the room with a mix of nostalgia and assessment.

"I’m glad your other visits were impactful enough to provide a lasting memory," I humored her, the small attempt at lightness feeling forced but necessary to keep the conversation from becoming too heavy too quickly.

"It had to be. My father was two seconds away from forcing me into your bed. It didn’t go well with that feisty mistress of yours if my memories serve me right."

"It absolutely didn’t." I nodded, remembering how close Lorena was to waging war between both packs, by pulling off Jackie’s hair.

"Where’s she? I’ve heard rumors. I hear congratulations are in order," she said in an instigating tone, her eyes sharpening as she leaned forward slightly.

I smiled to keep the peace going. The expression felt tight on my face, but I held it, refusing to let the conversation spiral into old wounds. "I guess you can say that. And as for your first question, I’m certain Lorena is somewhere in the pack, impacting the women of the pack," I replied, my voice steady despite the swirl of emotions the mention of Lorena always stirred.

"Good for her. I always saw her as an adventurer. But it’s nice she has decided to build this life with you. I mean, it does come at the detriment of your one true mate, but who cares right? Many years ago, women couldn’t even be alpha’s. Look at us now." She shrugged, the words casual but carrying a sharp edge that made my jaw clench slightly.

I laughed the provocation away. She did deserve to get her lick back from me, for killing her father.

He was perhaps her worst nightmare, but the principles couldn’t be damned. The balance of power, the need to protect my pack, had demanded it, even if it had cost me in ways I was still reckoning with.

"Congratulations Jackie. I’m truly happy for you. You deserve this more than a lot of alpha’s I know."

"My father for one? I know you always saw him as a weakling."

"Hey, you said it yourself." I shrugged, and she chuckled, the sound bright and unexpected in the heavy atmosphere.

Bobbing her head, she pointed a wagging finger my way.

"Your brutal honesty hasn’t changed a bit. It’s one of your finer characters you know? Definitely keep it."

"I’ll do that now that you’ve mentioned it. But let’s stop beating around the bush and go straight to the point, shall we?"

"Oh yes we shall," she replied, straightening her back. "I came here to talk about Ferins," she said.

I took a deep breath, to calm the rate of my heart that had picked up at the sound of that name. The mention of Ferins always stirred something dark in me, a mix of rage and old pain that refused to fade completely.

Even my wolf had jolted from its rest, and was now prancing about, restless and alert.

"I can’t escape that name, it would seem. So tell me, what is it with Ferins this time?"

"He’s coming for you."

"The sky is blue." I half shrugged, the attempt at nonchalance feeling hollow even to my own ears.

"No, you don’t understand. This is bigger than whatever he did with your father, and at that point, he was at the peak of his life. He’s covering every ground imaginable by you. Realistically, I don’t see you defeating him."

"Ouch. Such unbelief you have in me," I said, feigning hurt as I leaned back in my chair, though the words stung more than I cared to admit.

"This isn’t funny, Ramon. He has asked for our army. Apparently, it is one of the pacts my unthoughtful father had with him. And it’s not just MoonRay. Even Liam’s pack has gotten the call. He’s rallying everyone against you, and let’s face it, it’s not that hard to do. Half of the other packs already have a vendetta against you, for beating the odds, and daring to be successful, despite the curve ball life threw your way. Do you see where I’m going with this?"

"All I see is a coward who can’t face me directly, and is now sourcing unethical means to destroy me. But make no mistake Jackie dearest, he isn’t going to succeed. This is just one out of his many plots, and I am completely unaffected by it. Now is that all, or is there more gossip you have for me?"

"Gossip?" She asked in a voice that projected how insulted she felt, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I didn’t mean it that way. A lot of people have just been in my ears lately, that’s all. I’m sorry, alright?"

"Fine. I’ll take that apology too for the brutal rejection you gave me in all those years of my father trying to get us together," she smiled, the expression softening the tension between us.

"You’re the one to talk. Didn’t you have your eyes on one of the Ferins boys. The huge one to be specific."

"Wolf? What?!" She scoffed, and rolled her eyes, the reaction quick and genuine.

"I didn’t mention a name, you did."

"Ferins is a name. Ha!" she fired back, she stuck out her tongue.

My smile widened because she had just taken me back to the days we were just children without any responsibilities.

We would all sneak out of our packs, to hang out in this spot in the woods that was now destroyed. The memories were bittersweet, a reminder of simpler times before the weight of leadership had settled on our shoulders.

"Good times," she said, and I knew she was thinking of the same thing. Her voice was softer now, the nostalgia clear in her tone.

"Yeah, really good times."

"Well, I guess it’s time for me to leave, but not before I reassure you."

"Of what?" I asked, genuinely curious as I leaned forward slightly.

"I’m not my father. Ferins will not use me like his dummy. Don’t expect any help towards him, from me," she said, her voice firm with conviction.

"Thank you, alpha Jackie."

"Your girl is on her way. See you later, Alpha Ramon," she rose to her feet, and walked out at the same time Lorena walked into the room.