Alpha's Mistress's Deception

The silence in our bedroom felt suffocating as I stared at Porter's back. He'd barely spoken since we returned from the hospital, his shoulders rigid with unspoken anger. Luna paced restlessly in my chest, her golden eyes blazing with indignation.

*Tell him,* she urged. *Tell him what we really think.*

I took a shuddering breath and opened the pack mind-link, letting my thoughts flow to every member of our pack. The mental connection hummed with sudden attention as dozens of wolves tuned in to their Luna's voice.

*I will find my true mate and leave this toxic bond,* I declared, my mental voice ringing with conviction. *The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes, but sometimes we do.*

The pack mind-link exploded with shocked gasps and whispered conversations. I felt Porter's fury slam into me through our mate bond like a physical blow, but I didn't flinch. Not this time.

He spun around, his dark eyes blazing with Alpha rage. "How dare you—"

"How dare I what?" I stood my ground, letting my own Alpha bloodline flare to life. "Speak the truth? Your pack deserves to know their Luna won't tolerate being treated like a discarded toy."

Porter's hands clenched into fists. "You've lost your mind. Sloan was sick, and I was—"

"Feeding her like a devoted mate while your actual mate's mother-in-law deteriorates alone." My voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "Tell me, Porter, when was the last time you showed me half the tenderness you gave her today?"

His jaw worked silently, and I knew he couldn't answer. Because the truth was never.

The pack mind-link buzzed with confusion and concern. I felt Beta Marcus trying to calm the younger wolves, while Gamma Thompson demanded explanations. But underneath it all, I sensed something else—doubt. About Porter. About our leadership.

"That's enough." Porter's Alpha command crashed over me, but I was ready for it this time. My own bloodline rose to meet his, creating a barrier that made his power slide off me like water.

"No, it's not nearly enough." I smiled coldly. "You want to play Alpha games? Fine. As of tonight, I'm stripping myself of all ceremonial Luna duties. Give them to your precious Sloan since she's so dedicated to pack affairs."

Porter's face went white. "You can't—"

"I can, and I am." I moved toward the door, my hand on the handle. "Consider it a trial run for when I'm gone permanently."

I left him standing there, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. The pack mind-link churned with chaos, but I closed my connection and headed for my private study.

My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I'd memorized but never had the courage to use. Marcus Stone, rogue investigator. His reputation for uncovering pack secrets was legendary, and right now, I needed every weapon I could find.

"Stone here."

"This is Luna Alexis Reynolds of Silvermoon Pack. I need your services."

A pause. "What kind of services, Luna?"

"The kind that expose cheating Alphas and their mistresses."

"Interesting. My rate is five thousand, plus expenses."

"Done. How soon can you start?"

"I'm already starting. I'll be in touch."

The line went dead. My heart hammered as I scrolled through my contacts, stopping at a name I hadn't called in years. Rylan Wright, Beta attorney from Moonstone Pack. My childhood friend. The boy who'd looked at me with such intensity during our coming-of-age ceremony that I'd wondered...

But I'd chosen Porter. I'd been so sure the Moon Goddess had blessed our bond.

What a fool I'd been.

Rylan answered on the second ring. "Alexis?" His voice was deeper now, more confident than the shy Omega boy I remembered.

"Rylan." My voice cracked. "I need help. Legal help."

"Where are you? Are you safe?"

The concern in his voice nearly broke me. When was the last time anyone had asked if I was safe?

"I'm at the pack house, but I don't know for how long. Porter's having an affair, and I think... I think I need to reject our mate bond."

Silence stretched between us. Then, quietly: "I'll be there in an hour. Don't do anything until I arrive."

"Rylan, wait." I closed my eyes, gathering courage. "There's something I need to know. At our coming-of-age ceremony, when you looked at me like that... did you feel it too?"

Another pause, longer this time. When he spoke, his voice was rough with emotion.

"Alexis, I've known you were my true mate since the moment we turned eighteen. But you chose him, and I respected that choice. I've been waiting eight years for you to realize what I've always known."

The phone slipped from my numb fingers, clattering to the floor. Luna howled in my chest, a sound of pure recognition and longing.

*Our true mate,* she whispered. *He's been waiting for us.*

Outside my study, I heard Porter's voice raised in anger, probably addressing the pack about my "temporary emotional instability." Let him spin it however he wanted. Soon, everyone would know the truth.

I picked up my phone with trembling hands. "Rylan? I'll be waiting."