After My Mate Threw Me to Snakes, I Chose His Rival

Hugo’s words felt like sharp slaps across my face, each one stinging more than the last.

As the Luna of the South Pack, I was accustomed to respect, yet here I stood, humiliated in front of these younger pack members who watched with thinly veiled amusement. I clenched my fists, forcing down the anger that simmered in my chest, and spoke coolly, “As you wish.”

To my disbelief, Hugo took my words as consent. He went straight to his grandfather, Ander Scott, the former Alpha of the Northern Pack, and knelt in the pack’s ancestral hall, pleading for his blessing to sever our betrothal. The news spread like wildfire. A grand proposal to Norah Franklin, complete with a lavish ceremony and public displays of affection, became the talk of the werewolf community.

Ander, furious and ashamed, took matters into his own hands. He disciplined Hugo harshly, the sound of his claws scraping against Hugo’s back echoing through the hall. Three lashes left deep marks that night, but Hugo’s defiance remained unshaken.

In a desperate attempt to make amends, Ander had Norah bound, threatening to cast her out into the wilderness—a punishment reserved for the most dishonorable rogues. I stepped in, shaking my head. “Let it go, Elder Scott.”

Hugo, bloodied and bruised, still shielded Norah with his body, refusing to let her suffer even a scratch. He glared at me, his voice a growl. “Gwendolyn, is this how far you’ll go to destroy Norah? Just because I refused to join your pack, you’d stoop to this?”

“If anything happens to her,” he snarled, “I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life.”

Norah, nestled in his arms, sobbed louder, her voice trembling. “Hugo, I’m so scared. I only love you—what’s wrong with that? Why does Luna Gwendolyn have to take that away from me? Is it because I’m just an Omega, and she’s a Luna?”

Her words nearly sent Ander into a rage-induced collapse. I quickly intervened, calming him with my presence, ensuring his heart didn’t give out. “Elder Scott, please, your health is more important. As for Hugo, if he’s truly set on this path, let him have it.”

Ander’s hand trembled as he pointed at Hugo. “On your knees, boy! Beg for Luna Gwendolyn’s forgiveness! If she refuses, you’re no longer a part of this pack—take that rogue and leave!”

“Enough,” I said softly, my voice firm yet resigned.

For Hugo, kneeling before me would be a humiliation worse than death. I reached into my bag and pulled out the betrothal contract, handing it to him. “I wish you happiness.”

Hugo stared at the document, confusion flickering in his eyes before it was quickly replaced by smugness. “Trying to play hard to get, are you? Gwendolyn, you’re obsessed with me—there’s no way you’d let me go so easily.”

I’d explained myself too many times already. This time, I simply smiled faintly. “Think what you want.”

His smirk deepened, as if he’d uncovered some grand scheme of mine. Supporting Norah, he struggled to his feet. “Gwendolyn, Norah’s carrying my pup. If you can stop this jealous nonsense, I’ll even let you have our child after we’re mated.”

I turned away, my heart heavy but my resolve unshaken. Let him believe what he wanted. My path was clear now, and Hugo was no longer part of it.