After My Alpha Betrayed Me, I Became Lycan Queen

The winter lodge gleamed under fresh snow, its windows glowing with warm light that spilled onto the pristine white grounds. Austin had chosen this remote luxury retreat for their "victory celebration"—a deliberate choice to showcase his power and supposed triumph over me.

"He's not even trying to hide it anymore," I murmured, adjusting the hood of my cloak as Damian and I approached the perimeter of the property.

Damian's hand brushed against mine, his touch sending that now-familiar electric current up my arm. "Arrogance is his weakness. He believes you're still the broken, rejected mate he left at the altar."

I clenched my jaw, remembering the humiliation of that day. "Let him think that while we destroy him."

The guards barely glanced at us as we passed through the gates. Our cloaks—magical artifacts from Damian's extensive collection—concealed not only our identities but our scents. To them, we were just two more guests invited to Austin's lavish party.

Inside, the lodge had been transformed into a decadent wonderland. Crystal chandeliers cast prismatic light across the room, while servers in formal attire carried trays of champagne and delicacies. At the center of it all stood Austin and Jolene, her hand possessively wrapped around his arm as they greeted their guests.

"To new beginnings," Austin announced, raising his glass. "And to proving that true strength comes from choosing your own destiny, not following some divine decree."

The crowd murmured their approval as Jolene beamed triumphantly. I felt Damian's presence behind me, solid and reassuring.

"Now," he whispered, his lips brushing my ear.

I slipped away from him, moving silently through the crowd toward the audiovisual controls at the back of the room. Years of Luna training had taught me every aspect of pack politics—including technology.

As Austin continued his speech about "breaking free from outdated traditions," I connected my device to the projector system. One click was all it took.

The massive screens behind him flickered, and suddenly his voice was drowned out by the sound of financial records being read aloud. The documents I'd discovered—showing millions transferred from pack accounts to Jolene's personal offshore holdings—flashed across the screens in damning detail.

"Alpha Snyder," the automated voice announced, "has diverted pack funds totaling $3.7 million to accounts controlled by Gamma Gonzalez."

Gasps erupted throughout the room. Austin spun around, his face draining of color as he stared at the evidence of his embezzlement projected for all to see.

"Turn it off!" he roared, but the damage was done.

I slipped back into the crowd, finding Damian's side once more. Together, we watched as Austin's carefully constructed image crumbled before our eyes.

---

Back at Silver Claw territory, the cracks between Austin and Jolene widened into chasms.

"You promised me a marking ceremony!" Jolene screamed, her voice echoing through the Alpha's quarters. "It's been months, and you still haven't done it!"

I stood hidden in the shadows of the garden below, having returned to gather intelligence. Damian had taught me to use my heightened senses to my advantage—now I could hear every word from my position.

"A marking ceremony would be political suicide right now," Austin snapped. "The pack is already questioning my leadership after that disaster at the winter lodge."

"Then prove to me it's real!" Jolene demanded, her voice breaking. "Without the mate bond, how do I know you won't discard me like you did her?"

Austin's laugh was hollow. "Is that what this is about? Your insecurity?"

"I need to feel the connection!" she cried. "I need to know you're truly mine!"

Their argument escalated, voices rising and falling as rejection sickness took its toll on Austin's temper and Jolene's paranoia.

"You're being irrational," Austin growled. "This isn't the time—"

"When is the time?" Jolene shrieked. "When you find someone else to replace me?"

I slipped away, satisfied. Without the true mate bond to smooth over their conflicts, their relationship was disintegrating faster than I could have hoped.

---

"The Beta is requesting to meet with you," Gabriel informed me as I returned to Phoenix headquarters.

Marcus Reed—Austin's loyal Beta—stood in our war room, his expression grim but determined.

"I've watched you destroy him from the shadows," he said without preamble. "I want to be part of that destruction."

I circled him slowly, assessing his sincerity. "Why the change of heart?"

"Because I've served a weak Alpha for too long," he replied, meeting my gaze steadily. "Austin's leadership is failing. The pack is suffering."

"And you think I can do better?"

"I know you can." He knelt before me, head bowed. "The Lycan King stands with you. That says everything I need to know."

I exchanged a glance with Damian, who nodded slightly.

"What exactly are you offering, Beta Reed?"

"Twenty of our best warriors," he said, rising to his feet. "And my loyalty. In exchange, I want a place in the Lycan Royal Guard when this is over."

I extended my hand to him, feeling the weight of this moment. "Phoenix welcomes you, Marcus Reed."

As we shook hands, I caught Damian's subtle smile. We were no longer just striking at Austin's resources—we were dismantling his army from within.

And we were just getting started.