After My Mate Sold Me for His Mistress’s Lies

I knew something was brewing when Haley started avoiding direct eye contact with me. For days, she'd been unusually quiet, her usual smug confidence replaced by a nervous energy that made my wolf, Silver, restless. I caught her whispering with pack members in hushed tones, their eyes darting toward me before quickly looking away. Whatever she was planning, it was big—and it was coming soon.

The announcement came during the weekly pack meeting. Atticus had just finished discussing border patrols when Haley stood up, her hand protectively cradling her still-flat stomach. The room fell silent as she took a deep breath.

'I have news,' she said, her voice trembling with what I instantly recognized as rehearsed emotion. 'I'm carrying Atticus's pup.'

The words hit the room like a thunderclap. Gasps echoed through the hall as pack members turned to stare at me, waiting for my reaction. I felt dozens of eyes on me, some pitying, others curious, all of them hungry for drama.

I kept my face carefully blank, even as Silver snarled inside me. 'Impossible,' she growled. 'She's not mated to him. The chances of—'

'I know,' I told her through our bond. 'It's a lie.'

Atticus, however, was completely taken in. He rushed to Haley's side, his face transformed by a joy I'd never seen directed at me in our three years together. 'This is... this is incredible,' he breathed, placing his hand over hers on her stomach. 'My pup.'

I watched the scene unfold with a detached fascination, as if I were observing characters in a particularly badly written play. The biological impossibility of an unmated pregnancy—especially with an Alpha who already had a Luna—was something any wolf with basic knowledge would question. But Atticus was too blinded by his obsession to see the obvious flaws in Haley's story.

The next day, Haley moved into the Luna quarters—my quarters—with Atticus's blessing. She walked past me in the hallway, her eyes gleaming with triumph. 'I hope you don't mind,' she said sweetly. 'The baby needs the best environment, and the Luna suite has the best light.'

I stepped aside, my fingers tapping two quick taps against my wrist. 'Of course,' I replied, my voice cool. 'Congratulations on your... miracle.'

That evening, as I sat in my study reviewing my ledger of payments, Elouise knocked on my door. She entered without waiting for a response, her usual composed demeanor tight with barely contained fury.

'This has gone too far,' she said, closing the door behind her. 'I've watched you handle this with remarkable grace, Raelyn, but I won't stand by while that girl destroys everything we've built.'

I raised an eyebrow. 'What do you have in mind?'

Elouise's lips curved into a smile that reminded me of a wolf baring its teeth. 'I've booked the Presidential Suite at the Moonlight Hotel for your mate bond anniversary next week. The most luxurious, most public venue possible.'

'And why would you do that?' I asked, though I already suspected her plan.

'Because,' she said, her eyes glinting with cunning, 'I'm going to announce to the entire pack that it's meant to mend the bond between the Alpha and Luna. And I'm going to make sure everyone knows exactly where you'll be.'

I leaned back in my chair, a slow smile spreading across my face. 'Including Haley?'

'Especially Haley,' Elouise confirmed. 'The trap is set, my dear. All you need to do is spring it.'

As she left, I opened my ledger again, adding a new entry. The stage was set for my final act as Luna of the Black Moon Pack, and I intended to make it a performance no one would forget.