After My Alpha Chose Vanessa

I stood in the shadows of the grand Shadowmere Pack House, my trembling hands clutching the silver tray of champagne flutes. Each crystal glass caught the light from the chandeliers, fracturing it into a thousand mocking stars. The ceremonial hall buzzed with excitement, pack members dressed in their finest attire, celebrating the union of their Alpha with his chosen Luna.

Not his true Luna. His chosen one.

"Anya, please stay quiet," I whispered internally to my wolf, who whimpered and clawed at my insides. The pain of watching Alexander—my fated mate—bind himself to another woman was unbearable.

*Seven years of this torture. Seven years of being invisible.*

From my position against the wall, I had a perfect view of Alpha Alexander Blackwood standing tall and proud on the dais. His midnight hair was swept back, revealing the sharp angles of his face. His commanding presence filled the room, his Alpha aura pulsing with power and dominance. Beside him stood Vanessa Hart, radiant in her white gown, her blonde hair cascading down her back like spun gold.

The sight sent a fresh wave of agony through me. Anya howled inside, a sound only I could hear.

"The Moon Goddess has blessed this union," the pack elder announced, his voice reverberating through the hall.

*No, she hasn't,* I thought bitterly. *The Moon Goddess chose me for him. But he chose her.*

As if sensing my thoughts, Vanessa's gaze found mine across the crowded room. A smile curved her perfect lips, cold and triumphant. She knew what she was doing to me. She had always known.

"Isabella!" A sharp voice cut through my thoughts. "Stop daydreaming and serve the head table. Now!"

I flinched, nearly dropping the tray. With leaden feet, I made my way through the crowd, feeling the weight of curious glances. Everyone knew what I was—an Omega, the lowest rank in the pack. What they didn't know was that I was also their Alpha's true mate, the woman who had saved his life during the rogue attack years ago.

The lie that had started it all.

"Ah, Isabella," Vanessa's voice dripped with false sweetness as I approached the head table. "How thoughtful of you to serve us personally."

I kept my eyes downcast, offering the tray first to Alexander. His fingers brushed mine as he took a glass, and the contact sent a jolt of electricity through my body. Anya surged forward, desperate for acknowledgment.

He didn't even look at me.

"A special toast," Vanessa announced, rising from her seat. The room fell silent. "To loyalty and sacrifice."

Her eyes locked with mine, a predatory gleam in them.

"Isabella," she said, her voice carrying across the hall. "You haven't had a drink yet. That won't do for such a special occasion."

My stomach clenched. I knew what was coming.

"Take this one," she said, selecting a glass from my tray and holding it out to me. "I insist."

The champagne in the glass had a subtle greenish tint that only I would recognize. Wolfsbane. The ninety-ninth dose she had forced upon me over the years.

"Vanessa," Alexander said, his tone mildly reproachful but amused. "Don't tease the staff."

*Staff.* That's all I was to him.

"It's tradition, darling," Vanessa replied, her eyes never leaving mine. "Everyone drinks to the Alpha pair's happiness. Even the Omegas."

The entire head table was watching now. I had no choice.

With trembling hands, I accepted the glass. The familiar acrid scent hit my nostrils, making Anya retreat to the furthest corners of my consciousness.

"To your happiness," I whispered, raising the glass to my lips.

The liquid burned down my throat, spreading fire through my veins. Almost immediately, my vision blurred. The room tilted sideways, voices becoming distant echoes.

The last thing I saw before collapsing was Vanessa's satisfied smile and Alexander's indifferent glance.

I woke in the medical wing, my body on fire. The pack healer's weathered face swam into view, his expression grave.

"Isabella," he said softly, "your wolf is fading. One more dose of wolfsbane could kill you both."

I turned my face away, tears sliding silently down my cheeks.

"I know," I whispered.

When the healer finally left, I dragged myself from the bed, my legs barely supporting my weight. In the dim light of a single candle, I pulled out the parchments I had hidden beneath my mattress weeks ago.

My hands shook as I unfolded the ancient ritual papers, the words of rejection blurring through my tears.

"I can't do this anymore, Anya," I whispered to my weakened wolf. "We're leaving at dawn."

As I sat there, drafting the final words that would sever my bond with Alexander forever, I made a vow to myself: This would be the last time Vanessa Hart or Alexander Blackwood would ever hurt me again.