After My Mate Stole My Son, I Swore Revenge

The mirror reflected a stranger—my eyes too bright, my smile too fragile. I smoothed down the silver silk dress that hugged my curves, a gift from Father for my eighteenth birthday. Today was the day I'd finally be claimed as Colton's Luna, his mate, his equal.

"You look just like her," Father said from the doorway of my bedroom.

I turned to see Alpha Thomas Ferguson leaning against the frame, his eyes misty with memories. My father, the powerful Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, looked smaller somehow today.

"Like Mother?" I asked, touching the dress.

"Yes." He crossed the room and took something from his pocket. "Which is why I want you to have this."

He placed a silver locket in my palm. It was intricately crafted with our pack symbol etched on the front. When I opened it, my breath caught.

"It's Mother," I whispered, tracing the tiny photograph inside.

"The day before she gave birth to you." Father's voice cracked slightly. "I want you to carry her with you today. She would be so proud."

I clasped the locket around my neck, feeling its weight settle against my skin. "Do you think Colton will like it?"

Father chuckled, the sound warming me from within. "He'll be too busy looking at you to notice what you're wearing." His expression grew serious. "Mariah, I've watched you two grow up together. The pack will be in good hands with you and Colton leading it."

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks. "We're not officially mated yet."

"Please." Father rolled his eyes. "I've seen the way that boy looks at you. And you've been smelling like rain and pine for weeks now."

I froze. "What?"

"The mate scent. It's getting stronger." He inhaled deeply. "Classic Alpha pairing. Rain and pine from him, sunshine and wildflowers from you."

As if summoned by his words, I felt it again—that pull in my chest, the faint trace of rain and pine that had been growing stronger each day. Our bond, calling to me.

"I should go," I said, suddenly nervous. "The ceremony starts in an hour."

Father kissed my forehead. "Go. Find your mate."

I slipped out of the room, my heart racing with anticipation. The pack house buzzed with activity—servants making final preparations, pack members dressing in their finest. I decided to surprise Colton before the ceremony officially began.

"He's in his suite," Beta Marcus told me with a knowing smile. "Alpha business, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind seeing you."

I climbed the stairs to the Alpha's private wing, my fingers tracing the silver key I'd been given months ago. The scent of rain and pine grew stronger with each step.

"I'm coming in," I called softly as I unlocked the door.

The sitting room was empty, but the bedroom door stood ajar. Strange. Colton usually kept it closed when working.

"Colton?" I called, pushing the door open wider.

Time stopped.

The bed was rumpled, sheets tangled around two bodies. Colton's broad shoulders, the tribal tattoos marking his Alpha heritage. And beside him—

"Stepmother?" The word felt foreign on my tongue.

Giovanna's red hair spilled across the pillow, her lips curved in a satisfied smile. "Hello, darling."

Colton turned, his eyes glazed with confusion that quickly hardened into something cold. Something unfamiliar.

"What is this?" I whispered, my voice breaking.

Giovanna stretched languidly. "Alpha business, Mariah. You're interrupting."

"Alpha business?" I repeated numbly.

Colton sat up, the sheets pooling at his waist. "Mariah, you shouldn't be here."

"But the ceremony—"

"Will proceed as planned," Giovanna cut in smoothly. "Now why don't you run along and let the adults handle things?"

I backed away, unable to process what I was seeing. The mate scent was overwhelming now—rain and pine mingling with something else. Something wrong.

"Mariah!" Father's voice called from the hallway. "What's happening?"

I turned to see him rushing toward me, his face contorted with concern. He must have sensed my distress.

"Dad, I—" I couldn't finish.

He pushed past me into the bedroom. The sound that escaped him was primal—a wounded animal's cry.

"Thomas!" Giovanna gasped.

Father clutched his chest, his eyes wide with shock. "You... you promised..."

He collapsed to the floor, his body convulsing. I screamed, dropping to my knees beside him.

"Dad! Someone get help!"

The room filled with people—pack members, servants, Elena the healer. But it was too late. I could see it in Elena's eyes as she checked for a pulse.

"He's gone," she whispered.

A terrible silence fell over the room. Then Colton's voice cut through it, cold and formal.

"Mariah Ferguson has interrupted sensitive Alpha business and caused the death of Alpha Thomas through her hysterical behavior."

Giovanna nodded approvingly beside him.

"I, Alpha Colton Pierce," he continued, his voice taking on the unmistakable resonance of an Alpha Command, "reject you, Mariah Ferguson, as my mate."

The words hit me like physical blows. Something tore inside my chest—the mate bond snapping. I doubled over, vomiting blood onto the floor as pain unlike anything I'd ever known ripped through me.

Through tears of agony, I saw Giovanna smile triumphantly as darkness closed in around me.