After My Alpha Chose His Mistress Over His Mother

The pager's incessant blaring pierced through the haze of champagne and music. My heart hammered against my ribs as I stared at the message again, just to be sure.

CODE RED: TRAUMA ALERT - HIT AND RUN VICTIM ARRIVING - SURGICAL TEAM NEEDED IMMEDIATELY

Then Margaret's desperate mind-link crashed into me again: "Sylvia! It's me—your mother-in-law! I've been hit by a car! I'm bleeding out! We need you NOW!"

I jumped up from the table so quickly my chair toppled backward, crashing onto the marble floor. The sound echoed through the suddenly silent ballroom.

"Everyone stay calm," I announced, my voice carrying across the room as I grabbed my medical bag from beside my chair. "There's been a serious accident. The former Luna—Ryan's mother—has been hit by a car. She needs immediate surgical intervention."

I could feel the weight of every gaze in the room. Some faces showed concern, others confusion. But I didn't have time to explain further.

"I need to get to the hospital now," I continued, already moving toward the exit. My fingers trembled as I checked my watch. "Every minute counts in trauma situations."

Lily, my wolf, growled anxiously inside me. "Hurry! Margaret saved us once—we have to save her!"

I pushed through the crowd, my sequined gown catching on someone's jewelry. I yanked it free, my mind already racing through surgical procedures and possible complications.

"Margaret's injuries are severe," I muttered to myself, recalling her mind-link. "Internal bleeding, possible ruptured spleen..."

I was almost at the exit when a figure stepped deliberately into my path. Alaina's emerald gown shimmered under the chandeliers as she blocked my way, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Oh, no you don't," she said, her voice dripping with false concern. She turned to address the crowd. "Everyone, I'm afraid our Luna is having another one of her... episodes."

The room fell silent. I could feel the pack's collective breath held in anticipation.

"What are you doing?" I hissed at her. "This is a medical emergency!"

Alaina's smile widened as she stepped closer, her silver-tipped stiletto heels clicking on the marble floor. "Always so dramatic, Sylvia. Always running away when things get uncomfortable."

She turned back to the crowd, her voice rising. "Did you all hear that? She's claiming the former Luna has been in an accident! On tonight of all nights—our pack's Anniversary Gala!"

Murmurs rippled through the gathering. I could see doubt creeping into their expressions.

"Alaina, please," I begged, trying to step around her. "I don't have time for this."

"Everyone," Alaina announced, her voice carrying to every corner of the ballroom, "our Luna is faking a medical crisis to get out of our game! She's been caught red-handed!"

The crowd's murmurs grew louder. Someone laughed nervously.

"That's not true!" I protested, my voice cracking with desperation. "Check my pager! Call the hospital!"

Before anyone could move, Ryan stepped forward, his Alpha aura radiating power and authority. He stood beside Alaina, his eyes cold as he looked at me.

"Enough, Sylvia," he said, his Alpha tone vibrating through the room. "You're embarrassing yourself and this pack."

"Ryan, please," I pleaded, holding out my pager. "It's your mother! She needs me!"

He didn't even glance at the device. Instead, he turned to the crowd, his voice filled with mockery.

"My mate seems to have forgotten her last... medical emergency," he said, making air quotes with his fingers. "Does anyone remember when she claimed to have wolfsbane poisoning? Running a fever of 102?"

The pack members exchanged knowing glances. Some nodded.

"She was perfectly fine," Ryan continued, his eyes never leaving mine. "Just looking for attention."

My cheeks burned with humiliation as memories of that night flooded back—the fever, the hallucinations, Ryan's accusations that I was making it all up.

"That wasn't the same!" I protested, my voice barely audible over the growing whispers. "I really was poisoned!"

"The pattern is clear," Ryan said dismissively. "Whenever Sylvia doesn't want to participate in pack activities, she invents some medical crisis."

Alaina nodded solemnly beside him, her expression a perfect mask of concern. But I caught the gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.

"Ryan," I whispered, one last desperate attempt. "This isn't about me. It's your mother."

His Alpha command slammed into me like a physical blow, cutting off any further protest. "That's Alpha Ryan to you," he growled. "And you will not speak of my mother that way."

The room spun around me as the weight of his betrayal crushed down. Behind him, Alaina's smile widened, victorious and cruel.