Rejected by the Beta: Book 2

By Bella Lore

For as long as Isabel could remember, she was a rogue. Her parents were deceased; she had no pack, no mate, and no one at all except for her older brother, Ben. She had grown used to being a nobody, and for the most part, alone. Until she met James, her kindhearted, protective, mate—and her whole life changed.

In Book 2, Isabel embarks on the kind of life she’s only dreamed of. After overcoming the betrayal and lies of her past, Isabel finally feels like she belongs. She’s engaged to be married to the love of her life, James, closer than ever to her brother, Ben, and has become a respected member of the pack. She finally has the family she’s always yearned for. And, soon, her family might be getting even bigger.

Until the unthinkable happens.

In an instant, Isabel loses everything.

When Nicholas, a formidable and ruthless rival, and his band of rogues attack, Isabel’s dreams come crashing down. Now, she’s driven by two forces: her need for revenge and her love for her daughter.

Is her love strong enough to keep her alive? Can Isabel ever overcome her tragedy?

And can Caleb, the gentle, kind monk who saved her, help her find love anew?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bella Lore
• Release date: Apr 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094394039

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R E J E C T E D   B Y   T H E   B E T A

(Book 2)

B e l l a   L o r e

Bella Lore

Debut author Bella Lore is the paranormal romance author of the MY TRUE MATE series, comprising four books; THE ALPHA’S MATE series, comprising four books; the REJECTED BY THE BETA series, comprising four books; and THE LUNA’S CHOICE.

Bella loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit bellaloreauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Copyright © 2022 by Bella Lore. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Jacket image Copyright Ironika, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY BELLA LORE

MY TRUE MATE

MY TRUE MATE (Book #1)

MY TRUE MATE (Book #2)

MY TRUE MATE (Book #3)

MY TRUE MATE (Book #4)

THE ALPHA’S MATE

THE ALPHA’S MATE (Book #1)

THE ALPHA’S MATE (Book #2)

THE ALPHA’S MATE (Book #3)

THE ALPHA’S MATE (Book #4)

REJECTED BY THE BETA

REJECTED BY THE BETA (Book #1)

REJECTED BY THE BETA (Book #2)

REJECTED BY THE BETA (Book #3)

REJECTED BY THE BETA (Book #4)

THE LUNA’S CHOICE

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

CHAPTER FORTY

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

CHAPTER FORTY THREE

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE

CHAPTER FORTY SIX

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

CHAPTER FORTY NINE

CHAPTER FIFTY

CHAPTER ONE

Finally, this is happening, I say, as I look at Ben.

He smiles down at me with pride, and I know we’re both the happiest we’ve ever been. Life is so beautiful.

Well, you’ve put it off long enough, he teases. I’ve never seen anyone have such a long engagement.

Everything has to be perfect, I say. It’s the wedding of my dreams and we had to save up money for that.

I know Ryan helped bankroll some of it, Ben replies.

He’s not wrong. The only reason why we’re able to get married in this small castle is because of Ryan’s help. We came up with most of the money ourselves, but he was a big contributor.

He insisted it’s because of all our hard work, I say, recalling that conversation I was incredibly thankful for.

You have worked hard, Ben admits. "The two of you have brought some incredible changes to the pack. You’ve shaken things up in an impressive way.

Though you know it also has something to do with the soft spot Ryan has for James. I’ve never seen an Alpha who’s more devoted to his Beta. Or a Beta more devoted to his Alpha.

Their bond is admirable, I agree.

But not quite as great as ours, Ben points out.

It’s true. That’s why he’s the one who will walk me down the aisle. I look in the mirror one last time as the music starts.

The white, long sleeved wedding gown with its gorgeous, crème-colored lace is everything I could’ve dreamed of. The sleek, emerald studded circlet adds to the fairytale illusion.

Usually, James and I don’t go for such pricey things. Our love is far from materialistic. But for this, we wanted to go all out, so we did. It is a special occasion after all before we did into the magic that will be our life.

I couldn’t be more excited as I like arms with Ben. Finally, it’s our time to walk down the aisle.

It’s glorious to see the whole pack has shown up to wish us well. They line the rows, with our closest friends up at the front. Jasmine, Sharon, Olivia, and Zoey stand at one side. Ryan stands at the other with Sharon’s fiancé, Olivia’s boyfriend, Zoey’s love interest, and one of James’ closest friends.

Everything is as it should be. Everything is perfect.

My fiancé is gorgeous as I walk down the aisle towards him. His eyes tear up a little as he looks at me and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. My soul sings to my mate.

We meet each other at the end of the aisle, and I go to him. Our hands clasp. I feel closer to him than ever as we say our vows.

When the final question is asked, there isn’t any hesitation.

I do, I say, with utter certainty.

I do, he agrees.

Then, we kiss and something about it feels totally different this time. Being married strengthens our already strong connection.

I adore you more than I love anything else in this world, I whisper. I can’t imagine life without you. I’m so lucky to be with you always.

And I’m so incredibly lucky to have you, he says. I couldn’t have asked for anything better or more special. I love you, Isabel.

I love you too, I say. Forever.

Forever and always, he replies.

*

I wait until after the reception is over to break the news. I wait until we’re at the island, where we’ll have our honeymoon.

Let’s go down by the water, I suggest.

Tonight? he asks, looking at the time.

It’s already midnight and we just got to the hotel. We’re both tired so I’ll understand if he says no. I’m just too excited to tell him to keep it in any longer. And the timing just feels right.

Sounds wonderful, he says. I’ll bet the beach is beautiful right now.

It’s more than beautiful. It’s stunning as we walk out onto the white, fine sand. It’s the softest ground I’ve ever walked on. It feels like heaven as my toes sink into it.

Waves tangle before us, catching the light of the stars and the moon. They sparkle on the water. It’s the most gorgeous place.

The leaves of the palm trees dance in the sight wind that brings the salt air to our noses. We breath it all in deeply.

We stop in front of the water, then I turn to him. I look in his eyes and I see my love. I see my future. I see my forever. I’m so excited to be building a life and family with him.

I’m pregnant, I tell him.

His eyes widen in delight and shock.

Really? he asks. I nod. You’re really pregnant?

I am. I smile at his heartwarming disbelief. I’m going to be a mother. You’re going to be a father. We’re going to have our own little family.

Oh, Isabel, he says, still scrambling for the right words. That’s wonderful, it truly is. That’s all I ever wanted. I can’t believe it.

I couldn’t at first either, I admit. "I took four pregnancy tests shortly before the wedding. All say they’re positive. But there’s more to it too.

I feel pregnant. It’s difficult to explain, but I feel the baby within me. I know I’m home to another soul right now. It’s the most incredible feeling. I already love her so much her.

Her? he asks. Isn’t it a little soon to know the gender?

I can’t know for sure yet, I admit. But somehow I know she’s going to be a girl. I feel it.

Then I believe you, he says. And I can’t wait to meet our daughter. I’m so happy. I already love her, and I love you so much.

I love you too, I say. And I couldn’t be happier about our future.

Me either, he replies. It’s going to be amazing, just like you are.

Just like we are.

CHAPTER TWO

It’s amazing how time flies, I say, staring at my growing stomach in the mirror. Not long ago, I was looking at myself in a wedding dress. Now, we only have to wait four more months until we meet our daughter.

I can’t wait, James says, as he hugs me from behind and kisses my neck. "I’m so excited to meet her. I already love our little family.

And yet somehow we’ve still managed to stay on top of things. I’m a much better Beta with your help. Our pack is so much better with Ben’s strength. Everything is going so well. Our future is so bright.

It is, I agree. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I can’t think of anything better.

Still, not long after we leave the house to put into motion any better plans we have. We started having these weekly meetings with Ryan to stay on top of things. We’re always trying to improve our pack’s lives.

We’ve even gotten them more involved with the community at large. We’ve made Ryan realize that there’s strength in having good ties with people outside the pack, instead of just being antagonistic. And it’s helped everyone flourish.

We stop and say hi to people on our way to his office. We chat with them about how they’re doing and ask what we can do to better their lives.

It’s so incredible to see two people who truly care about the pack taking such an active role in leadership, Helen says. it’s wonderful to see what the two of you do. Our pack has never done better than the way it is now.

I’m glad I can play some small part in that, I say.

You’re a big part of it, Garratt replies. One of the biggest and we’re so proud of the both of you.

I’m just so happy to be part of a family, I say. I can never tell you how much you mean to me.

And I can’t adequately express it, especially since we have a meeting to attend to. But they do mean the world to me. I never thought I’d fit in anywhere the way I fit in here. I have a pack now, a family now.

I used to think I was fine living on my own. I thought we were fine, that we had all we could’ve ever wanted.

This has opened my eyes to a whole new way of living though. This is better than anything Ben and I had on our own, though we still have a strong bond with each other. This is everything.

James and I talk excitedly about plans for the future as we approach the building where Ryan’s office is. But before we can make it there, we’re stopped by someone who looks vaguely familiar.

Hello, James and Isabel, he snarls.

Do we know you? James asks. He takes a protective step in front of me that makes the man smile the worst smile I’ve ever seen.

No, he answers simply. But you will. My name is Nicholas. I think you know my baby brother, Nathan. I’m here to avenge his death.

Before we can even think straight, Nicholas shifts into his wolf form and comes straight at us.

James lunges out in front of me, protecting me and the baby. And I shift with him.

I’m pregnant. Though I’ve always been a fierce fighter, this makes those instincts even stronger. I need to survive to take care of her. I need to survive so my daughter can survive and thrive as well.

James lashes out at the attacker and though I want to help him, I know I can’t. I’d always fight by his side. Always.

Yet I’ve never been pregnant before. I can’t save James because what’s most important right now is saving my daughter who can’t defend herself.

She’s so much more fragile. Her life is so delicate. She hasn’t even gotten the chance to live yet.

I hope he’ll understand. I know he will as I run. I find the best hiding place I can find among this sort of oasis created to be artistic near Ryan’s office.

It’s a tangle of trees and rocks that radiates a peaceful, protective energy. I hope it’s discreet enough to keep us safe.

I burrow among the rocks and roots.

Nicholas looks over.

He knows where I am.

If James doesn’t kill him soon, he will come after me. And holed up here, I will be killed. My daughter and I will be dead.

But I know this is where I have to be, because just like I feared, more rogues join Nicholas. They come out of the woods, have hidden there for just the right moment. Just the right opportunity to kill us all.

She’s… Before Nicholas can give away my location, James rips out his vocal cords, keeping us safe for now.

It’s going to be okay, baby, I whisper to my daughter.

It’s the last thing I say for a while because from my hiding spot, I watch the horror unfold. More rogues swarm the area. Our pack comes out of everywhere to fight them.

A huge battle ensues, and I feel awful for not helping, but I have to protect my baby. I need to keep her safe.

Then, something awful happens.

As our pack is getting the upper hand, the rogues bring out a new weapon.

Wolfsbane.

They have it in a powder form. It’s poison that they can use to give themselves a huge advantage in attacks.

Our pack continues to fight, trying to be more careful.

I watch James, breathless. I’m terrified. I believe in him. He’s strong. But none of us are a match against wolfsbane.

One misstep is all it takes.

The wolfsbane works its way into his nostrils, into his eyes.

It weakens him enough to leave him all the vulnerable.

The wolf he’s facing off against prepares himself for the killing blow.

CHAPTER THREE

I want to protect my daughter.

I need to protect my daughter.

But I can’t just sit and here and watch as her father gets slaughtered either. That’s not protecting her. That’d only be ensuring she’d grow up without a father and I don’t want that for her. I have to be able to save them both.

I leap out of hiding, determined to save my whole family. I will save my whole family. Things can’t end like this. That’s not how love stories go.

My claws lash out at the attacker’s face as I knock right into him, saving James from that last blow.

The part of my soul that is crazy protective over my husband and daughter attacks him with its full strength. I lash at his eyes, sink my teeth into his skin.

He tries to stop me. He does his best to defend himself against me but he’s no match for a mother and wife who’s beyond angry and worried. I quickly kill him without mercy.

We’re the only wolves left here, so I turn to James who lay bleeding on the ground, and I realize something I didn’t see before.

That may not have been the killing blow.

The killing blow might’ve been the wolfsbane because James’ face is beyond pale as he shifts into human form and withers in agony. Something in