Begging the Alpha Empress to be Mates Again

The Crimson and Wolfshade Packs had always shared a deep bond—years of alliance, built on trust and strength. But that bond was crumbling before my eyes. Selene's betrayal sparked a fury in Lucian Silverfang, Alpha of the Crimson Pack, unlike anything I had ever seen.

"I had no choice," Selene had said, her voice strained as she faced Lucian. "I needed to secure an heir before the next full moon."

Lucian's expression was cold, his jaw clenched. “An heir?” His voice was low, dangerous. “And you thought betraying me was the way to do that?”

“He's always gone, Freya!” Selene had told me, trying to justify her actions. "He’s been away in the East, securing alliances while leaving our bond to wither!"

But now, in front of Lucian, all her excuses fell apart. His anger was palpable, radiating from him like a storm ready to break. He had all but neglected their bond, but he expected her to wait. And she hadn’t.

Thorne stepped in, trying to reason with him. "Lucian, we’re allies. You know I was only trying to help.”

Lucian’s glare silenced him.

"Help? That's nonsense!" he growled. “You shattered trust between our packs, Thorne. I don’t need that kind of help.”

The growls of warriors echoed through the clearing, the fragile alliance now hanging by a thread. I could feel the tension in the air.

Selene’s eyes burned with fury as they found mine. She felt betrayed, and I knew why.

I couldn't help but feel the satisfaction of her annoyed face.

“You told him, didn’t you?” she hissed, stepping toward me, her fists clenched. “You told Lucian everything!”

I didn’t flinch under her glare. “He deserved to know the truth.”

“The truth?” Selene’s voice rose. “You’ve just doomed us all! Lucian will tear us apart. You’ve made him your weapon.”

I met her gaze, my voice steady.

“You did that to yourself, Selene.”

Lucian’s voice roared through the rising chaos. “This alliance is broken. Wolfshade tainted it. I'm afraid war is the only answer.”

The warriors of both packs bristled, their growls rising to a roar. The weight of Lucian’s words hit me like a punch to the gut. This wasn’t just about Selene anymore—it was about all of us.

The war had begun, and chaos swirled around us like a storm. Selene’s eyes locked on mine, full of fury and malice. I could see it in the way her muscles tensed, the way her lips curled back to bare her fangs. And then she shifted—her werewolf from towering over me as she charged, claws extended and aimed right at me.

I raised my arms instinctively, heart racing, trying to defend myself without striking back. My mind screamed at me not to hurt her—not with the baby growing inside her. I don't want to hurt an innocent unborn child. My chest tightened with fear, not for myself, but for what it would mean if I fought back.

But Selene was cunning. She swerved at the last second, throwing herself against a nearby tree with a sickening thud. She crumpled to the ground, and for a brief moment, I stood there, stunned.

Confused of what she did.

A wail echoed through the forest—Selene’s cry of pain. It was loud, deliberate, and designed to reach him.

Lucian.

I felt his presence shift, his rage flare up through the bond they shared. I could almost see it in the way the forest itself seemed to tremble as he felt his mate's distress. My heart sank.

Then Thorne appeared, his eyes darting between me and Selene, confusion and anger battling in his gaze. He felt it too—the tug of his connection to Selene. Even after everything, that bond still tied him to her.

Selene rose slowly, a look of triumph creeping across her face as she turned to them both. Her voice came out weak and trembling, loud enough for everyone to hear. “She attacked me. Freya... she did this.”

“No!” I shouted, stepping forward, my heart pounding. “That’s not what happened! Selene, you threw yourself—”

But it was too late. Lucian’s eyes darkened, his fury blazing as he stared at me, the bond he shared with her clouding his judgment.

“You did this?” His voice was a low, dangerous growl, each word heavy with accusation.

“Lucian, she’s lying!” My voice trembled, but I held firm. “I didn’t touch her. You know I wouldn’t!”

I glanced at Thorne, silently pleading for him to say something, to back me up. His eyes met mine, conflicted and torn, but he said nothing. Of course, he wouldn’t—not now. Not with Selene twisting everything around.

Selene’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. The kind of smile that only I could see. This bitch.

I clenched my fists, anger rising inside me. I was about to retaliate, when a firm voice roared. The authority in that voice left no room for argument. The crowd of warriors began to disperse, but the tension still hung heavily in the air.

"Everyone, back to your posts! Freya, follow me to the council den."