Rejected By The Beta, Claimed By His Alpha Uncle novel Chapter 22

“You have until the company dinner tomorrow night to decide,” she said with a smirk, brushing past Jenna as if she were dust. “Sweet dreams, sweetheart.”

Jenna stood there, still trembling, even after Chloe’s heels clicked out of sight.

“Are you alright?”

Alpha Ryker’s deep voice startled her. She turned, nodding quickly, hoping her face didn’t betray the storm inside her.

“Yes,” she managed, forcing a faint smile. “Just… tired.”

He didn’t press her, but his gaze lingered a moment too long-sharp and knowing.

“Let’s go home,” he said, then turned to lead the way.

They entered the car. As it pulled away from the boardroom building, silence settled between them.

Ryker didn’t speak. He didn’t have to-Jenna could feel his frustration, the tension in his shoulders, the way he clenched his jaw as the city lights passed.

She stared out the window, avoiding his gaze, afraid that one look might break her.

He knew something was wrong. She could feel it. But she couldn’t bring herself to tell him-not yet. Not while her mother’s memory was being held hostage.

By the time they arrived at the Night Villa, the silence was even thicker.

Jenna stepped out of the car quickly and went straight to her room, not waiting to see if he followed.

She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, letting out a shaky breath.

Her wolf stirred uneasily beneath her skin, pacing.

We should have told him.

1/4

At the bod of his swom enemy

+25 Bonus

We will, Jenna replied silently. But not yet.

Jenna barely slept that night.

Even under the heavy blankets of Alpha Ryker’s cold but luxurious villa, her mind raced with Chloe’s ultimatum. Every time she closed her eyes, she imagined her mother’s ashes being tossed into the sea and the pendant-her mother’s last legacy-melted and mocked.

By morning, her eyes were red-rimmed. She had made up her mind.

She wouldn’t give Chloe the documents. She wouldn’t trade her mother’s memory for freedom-not like this. Somehow, she would find a way to get them back. She just had to make it through tonight’s dinner.

The villa buzzed with quiet activity as Mrs Anderson supervised the staff to prepare for the event. Jenna barely spoke a word through breakfast, and Ryker didn’t push her. His eyes lingered on her longer than usual, scanning her features like he was memorizing the pain written across her skin.

She couldn’t stop wondering when he became this caring towards her.

By late afternoon, her dress had arrived-an elegant midnight-blue gown with silver embroidery that clung to her waist and flared at her hips. Her hair was pinned back loosely, and her neckline was adorned by luxurious jewelry pieces.

Ryker came to her side as she descended the stairs, dressed in a tailored black suit that did nothing to hide the deadly power radiating from his frame. He took one look at her and offered a nod of approval-but also something gentler. Protective.

“You’re quiet,” he murmured once they were alone in the car.

“I just want this night to be over,” she replied honestly while ignoring his cold voice.

He didn’t argue.

The dinner was held at a grand ballroom hotel owned by Alpha Ryker-opulent, glittering with chandeliers, golden-trimmed pillars, and a red carpet rolled out for the most powerful guests in the kingdom. Nobles, Alphas, business moguls, and socialites filled the space with laughter, political tension, and wolfish hunger.

Jenna walked beside Ryker like a shadow, nodding politely, and smiling stiffly. She barely registered the compliments, the stares, the whispers.

All attention moved to her and Alpha Ryker. This was their first public appearance together.

The paparazzi kept trying to get close-up pictures but the Alpha’s guards won’t let them.

Jenna couldn’t help but notice how much the ladies stared at her with envy.

Her eyes fell on Coty from across her table-draped in a backless crimson dress, her lips curved in a mocking smile. She was alone, as usual. The two hadn’t spoken since the meeting, but Coty’s eyes met Jenna’s with icy contempt before she turned her attention elsewhere.

The night dragged on.

Dinner was served after Jenna’s father was done with his speech. Champagne flowed.

Sometime during dessert, a waiter approached Jenna with a glass of bubbling pink champagne. “Compliments of the lady in red,” he said with a polite nod toward Coty.

She narrowed her eyes to see who it was but the seat was empty.

2/4

At the bed of his swom enemy

+25 Bonus

Ryker noticed. “What’s wrong?”

She forced a smile. “Nothing. I think I’ll get some air.”

He frowned but didn’t stop her.

She stepped out into the hallway, sipping the champagne. The moment it touched her tongue, she frowned-it was overly sweet, almost syrupy. But the damage was done.

Within minutes, her body began to slow. Her pulse quickened. Her legs felt heavy, the walls too bright and her vision blurred.

She started to panic.

She turned, intending to go back to Ryker-but the hallway stretched even farther. The floor tilted.

A hand caught her arm. Firm. Gentle.

“Careful,” a deep voice said.

She blinked up into unfamiliar grey eyes. Not Ryker’s. Not anyone she knew.

“Who…?”

“You’re not feeling well,” the man said, his voice low, smooth. “Let me help you lie down.”

“I need… Ryker…” she mumbled, trying to pull away. But her limbs refused.

“Shhh,” he said, guiding her down another corridor, away from the noise, the lights. “He knows. He asked me to look after you.” The stranger lied.

She stumbled, and he caught her again.

Doors opened. She was led into a lavish bedroom. Dim lighting. Dark sheets. A hotel suite?

She tried to resist-every cell screamed something was wrong-but her body betrayed her.

The man helped her onto the bed. Her hands felt numb. She couldn’t push him away.

And then he leaned close, breathing against her neck, brushing his lips just above her collarbone.

“I’ve been waiting for this, little slut,” he whispered darkly.

Her heart seized.

Her vision cleared for just a moment-just enough to register the stranger’s scent and face. Not Ryker’s. Not even Spears’ bloodline.

This was Alpha Neo.

Alpha Ryker’s sworn enemy.

She wasn’t just drugged.

She was set up.

3/4

He tried hiding you

+25 Bonus

He tried hiding you

The moment Alpha Neo’s breath grazed her skin, Jenna’s wolf purred beneath him. Even though drugged, her instinct fought to break free, to defend.