Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince

Katelyn arrived at the company at her usual hour. She set her bag on the desk and eased into her chair, only to catch the low whispers of her colleagues nearby.

"Did you hear? He fired a manager this morning."

"For such a minor mistake, too."

"The Director… he's terrifying."

Katelyn's brows drew together. 'Fired? Over something small? What's gotten into him today?'

Shaking off the thought, she switched on her computer,

A sharp ding from the bell suddenly broke the air.

Katelyn rose from her chair, smoothing her skirt, and walked toward the room where the summons had come from.

"Here. I need a report on this by the afternoon," Sage said curtly, sliding a red file into Katelyn's hands.

"Sure," she replied, turning briskly on her heels to leave, only to halt when his voice followed her.

"Tonight, you're coming with me. Dinner. At my home," Sage declared, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

Katelyn froze, then spun back to face him, her eyes narrowing. "Don't you get it? I told you yesterday—I'm not—"

But her words were cut short.

"Kate," Sage interrupted sharply. "I'm done entertaining your excuses. I don't care what you feel, or what thoughts you've built up in that stubborn mind of yours. I gave you a chance to speak to your father, to tell him you didn't want to be my mate. But you didn't. And now… this is on you."

Katelyn's hand tightened around the file in her hand. But she couldn't bring herself to say anything to him. She just pivoted on her heels and left the office. Placing the file on the desk, she picked up her phone and called her father after heading to the large balcony space on one side of the floor.

A few moments later, Raidan's call was answered.

"Dad, good morning." She didn't even wait and continued, "I don't wish to be mated with Sage."

"It's your mother speaking," Mabel said from the other side. "Your father left the phone behind. Why don't you be mated with Sage?"

"Mom, Good morning. Because I don't like him, so I refuse to mate with him," Katelyn replied. "Mom, don't you want your daughter to be happy? You lost your one son, do you wish to lose your daughter as well?"

Mabel gulped as those words struck her deep in the heart. She was already undergoing a lot of stress from the past few days.

"Kate, what's wrong in Safe? Why don't you like him?" Mabel softly asked.

"He's not the kind of guy I'm looking for," Katelyn replied in a low voice. "I don't think we will be compatible with each other."

"Though I suggested Sage for you, your father liked him a lot because of the family he belonged to. He's the only son in the family with two younger sisters. He's also the pack's alpha. Your father thought it would be best for you to go to such a household, which has helped him for a long time. Not only him, but our ancestors as well."

Katelyn pursed her lips together for a moment.

"Mom, do I have to marry an alpha only?" asked Katelyn.

"What do you mean?" Mabel furrowed her brows together. "Do you have someone in mind?" Then, sighing, she continued, "Your father and I are coming to San Ravendale. Let's talk then. Such matters aren't spoken well on the phone."

"When are you both coming?" Katelyn asked. "And why out of the blue?"

"It concerns Gabriel and Amelie. By the evening we will be there," Mabel stated.

"I see." Relief touched Katelyn's voice. "Then I'll meet you both tonight. Sage's parents invited me for dinner, but I'll tell them I can't attend since you're coming." A small smile broke across her lips as she imagined escaping the evening.

But her mother's response quickly doused that hope.

"No, Kate. You should attend. I remember your father speaking with William last night. He was disappointed you missed their last invitation. Tell me, how did you even fall sick? Alphas don't fall ill."

Katelyn gulped as she realized her lie was caught.

"It-it was an allergy, Mom. I'm fine now," Katelyn replied.

"Come tomorrow to Gabriel's mansion. You should attend the dinner tonight. His father is truly a good friend of your father. If you keep refusing for it, then William might feel insulted. As for the future, we will talk tomorrow. If you have someone else in mind, you can tell us about that too. We will consider it then," Mabel asserted in her soft tone.

"Yes, Mom. Thank you. Have a safe journey," she said and lowered the phone.

'It feels Mom has suddenly turned understanding toward me. I think I can escape Sage. However, I need to convince Karmen to see me once. Though he clearly refused me that night, there's nothing wrong with trying once more. Who knows he will agree to me," she murmured, her eyes turning hopeful suddenly.

Katelyn returned to Sage's office. Sage, seated behind his desk, lifted his head the moment he sensed her presence.

"I'll come with you tonight," Katelyn announced firmly.

One of Sage's brows arched in faint amusement. "What's brought about this sudden change in attitude?"

"It'll be our last dinner together," Katelyn replied with her eyes shining in relief.

Sage leaned back slightly. "Last dinner, you say? Did you actually manage to speak to your father?"

"No," she admitted, shaking her head. "I spoke to my mother." A small, confident smile tugged at her lips. "And you should be glad, Sage. This is what you wanted too, isn't it? You'll finally be free and will be able to live on your own terms without having to deal with my refusals and excuses."

Sage didn't respond immediately. He simply watched her as she spoke.

'This woman is so naïve,' he thought to himself. 'She truly believes she can walk away. That her mother's sympathy will be enough. But she has no idea, my father will see this through. Her father's promise to him was made long ago, and it won't be broken so easily. Still… I almost wish she can escape. The Nightshade family isn't a life I'd wish upon her.'