After My Mate Betrayed Me with the Omega

The grand entrance of the Silverclaw Pack House loomed before me, its towering stone columns and intricate wolf carvings a testament to our pack's power and my family's legacy. I stood straight-backed and poised, my father's signet ring heavy on my finger as I waited. Three days. Three days since Clyde had left for diplomatic negotiations with the Blood River Pack.

The black SUV's engine rumbled as it pulled up the circular driveway, gravel crunching beneath its tires. My pack members gathered behind me in neat rows, as protocol demanded. They expected their Alpha and Luna to present a united front.

"He's home!" someone whispered excitedly.

I forced a smile. "Indeed."

The car door opened, and Clyde stepped out, his broad shoulders squared in that practiced Alpha stance he'd perfected since our mating ceremony. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, his jawline shadowed with stubble. He looked every bit the returning hero.

"Morgan." His voice carried across the driveway as he approached, arms already opening for an embrace. "Did you miss me?"

The pack members shifted expectantly. This was the moment for a loving reunion, a public display of our bond.

I stepped forward, my heart pounding with anticipation. But as Clyde drew closer, something made me freeze.

The scent hit me like a physical blow.

Beneath his natural pine and earth scent was something else entirely. Something floral and cheap—vanilla perfume, the kind sold in human discount stores. And underneath that, unmistakable to my Lycan senses, was the musky odor of sex.

My stomach twisted into knots as Clyde's arms reached for me. Every instinct screamed at me to recoil, to bare my teeth, to—

"Morgan?" His brow furrowed as I remained rigid. "What's wrong?"

The pack members murmured behind us. I could feel their confusion, their curiosity.

Clyde's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. Then, straightening to his full height, he employed the one tool he thought would work: his Alpha tone.

"Come here, Morgan." The command rolled off his tongue, deep and authoritative.

I felt the pressure of it wash over me—and then dissipate like mist against stone. My royal bloodline made me immune to such commands.

Clyde's eyes widened slightly at my continued immobility.

"You smell of the road," I said, my voice cool and even as I sidestepped his embrace. "You need a shower."

The whispers behind us grew louder. Clyde's face flushed dark red.

"I've been negotiating for three days straight," he said through clenched teeth. "Of course I smell."

"And yet," I replied, meeting his gaze steadily, "you expected me to welcome you without hesitation?"

Something dangerous flashed in his eyes—a glimpse of the man beneath the charming facade. Then it was gone, replaced by practiced charm.

"Forgive me, Luna." He bowed slightly, playing to our audience. "I'll make it up to you tonight."

I nodded curtly and turned away, my composure intact but my hands trembling as I walked toward my office. Only when the heavy oak door closed behind me did I allow myself to react.

My fingers gripped the edge of my desk until the wood creaked in protest. The scent still lingered in my nostrils—vanilla and sex and betrayal.

"Kayla Woods," I whispered to the empty room.

The Omega had been absent from her kitchen duties for three days. Coincidence? Hardly.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, forcing my racing heart to slow. I would not lose control. Not here. Not now.

Royal blood didn't permit such weaknesses.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Enter," I commanded.

Dorian Voss, my loyal Gamma and head enforcer, stepped into the room. His expression remained neutral, but his eyes held a question.

"You mind-linked me," he said simply.

"Yes." I moved to my chair and sat down, gesturing for him to take the seat opposite mine. "I need information."

Dorian nodded, waiting.

"Clyde's trip to Blood River Pack," I began, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "I need to know if he actually went there."

Understanding dawned in Dorian's eyes. "You think he didn't."

"I know he didn't." I met his gaze directly. "Or at least, not for the entire time he was gone."

Dorian's expression hardened. "Where do you want me to start?"

"Hotel records," I said without hesitation. "Neutral territory. Somewhere he thought I wouldn't look."

"And if I find something?"

"Bring it to me immediately." I touched my father's signet ring, drawing strength from it. "And Dorian? Discreetly. No one else needs to know."

He nodded once and turned to leave.

"Oh, and Dorian?" I added as he reached the door. "Check Kayla Woods' whereabouts for the past three days as well."

As the door closed behind him, I leaned back in my chair and allowed myself one moment of pure, unfiltered rage. Then I locked it away and began to plan.

Clyde thought he could betray me and remain Alpha? He had no idea what he'd awakened.

No idea at all.