After His Mistress Poisoned the Alpha, I Walked Away

The northern border of the Blackwood territory stretched before us, a pristine expanse of snow-covered forest. I adjusted the heavy picnic basket on my hip, struggling to keep pace with Carson and Bria as they walked ahead, already stripping off their outer layers in preparation to shift.

"Hurry up, Elena," Carson called over his shoulder, not bothering to look back. "We don't have all day."

I shifted the basket to my other hip, the weight digging into my side. Inside were all the luxuries Bria had requested—wine, fresh bread, strawberries, and various delicacies. The basket alone weighed nearly twenty pounds, and I was expected to carry it through the snow while they ran free.

"Carson," I panted, catching up to them as they reached the clearing. "Would it be possible for me to shift as well? I could carry the basket in my wolf form."

He turned to me with a cold stare. "No."

"But I haven't shifted in weeks, and—"

"I said no," he repeated, his voice hardening. "You're here to serve, not to play."

Bria giggled, already down to her underwear. "Don't be so harsh, Carson. Maybe Elena just wants to show off her little wolf."

I felt my cheeks burn with humiliation as several pack members who had gathered for the run snickered behind their hands.

"Fine," Carson said with a cruel smile. "Shift if you want to."

Relief flooded through me—until I realized what he meant. He wanted me to strip down in front of everyone, just as Bria was doing.

"I..." I hesitated, looking around at the gathered wolves.

"Is there a problem, Omega?" Carson's voice dropped into the Alpha tone—that special timbre that forced submission from any wolf in his pack.

My knees buckled slightly at the command. Silver whimpered inside me, but we both knew we couldn't resist an Alpha command.

"No, Alpha," I whispered, setting down the basket and slowly removing my coat.

Bria and Carson shifted smoothly into their wolves—his massive black form and her golden-brown one. They nuzzled each other playfully before taking off into the forest, leaving me standing half-dressed in the snow.

"Shift," Carson commanded through our mind link before disappearing among the trees.

With trembling hands, I removed my dress and shifted into Silver's form. The transformation was painful after so many days without shifting, but I forced through it, ignoring the burning sensation in my muscles.

I grabbed the basket in my jaws and took off after them, my paws sinking deep into the powdery snow.

"Keep up, Omega," Carson's voice echoed in my head as I struggled through the drifts.

By the time I reached the designated clearing, they were already playing, their wolves tumbling in the snow like carefree puppies. Other pack members watched from the sidelines, some openly laughing at my labored breathing.

---

That evening, the pack house glowed with the warm light of the pre-Solstice celebration. I stood in the corner of the great hall, my simple gray dress a stark contrast to the festive attire of the other wolves.

Former Alpha Blackwood approached me, his imposing figure cutting through the crowd. His silver hair gleamed in the candlelight, his blue eyes sharp as ever.

"Elena," he said, his voice carrying across the room. "I trust you're making progress with my grandson's treatment."

The conversation around us quieted as wolves turned to listen.

"Yes, Former Alpha," I replied carefully. "I've made significant advances, but I need one more harvest of the Moon-Lilies before I can prepare the final cure."

"Hmm." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "And when might that be?"

"Spring," I said. "The lilies only bloom under the full moon in spring."

Bria appeared at Former Alpha's side, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders. "But that's months away," she said with feigned concern. "Poor Carson has been suffering for so long."

She turned to the gathering crowd. "Maybe Elena needs more time because she likes having Carson dependent on her."

A murmur ran through the assembly.

"That's not true," I protested, but my voice was drowned out by Carson's approach.

"What's going on?" he demanded, coming to stand beside Bria.

"Your mate is stalling," Bria said softly. "She doesn't want to cure you."

Carson's eyes narrowed as he looked at me. "Is that true?"

"No," I said firmly. "I've dedicated my life to finding your cure."

"Then why isn't it ready?" he challenged.

"I need the final ingredient—"

"Always another excuse," he cut me off. "Always another delay."

Former Alpha watched our exchange with calculating eyes before nodding slowly. "The pack needs an Alpha who is whole."

Carson stepped closer to me, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "If the cure isn't ready by tomorrow's Solstice Ceremony, I will officially petition the Elders to annul our mating contract."

The room seemed to spin around me as his words sank in.

"You wouldn't," I whispered.

"Try me," he replied, his eyes cold as winter. "Tomorrow is your deadline, Elena. Don't disappoint me."